THE FUEL SECURITY CONTROVERSY in New England, particularly as it relates to the availability of natural gas in the winter, escalated dramatically with the issuance of a fuel security study by the operation of the region’s power grid, ISO New England. That was followed quickly by Exelon’s announcement that it intends to shut down its […]
Cynthia A. Arcate
Posted inOpinion
It’s time for outrage in business community
OVER THE YEARS, the four major groups representing commercial and industrial (C&I)customers in proceedings berfore the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities — Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the Energy Consortium, the Western Massachusetts Industrial Group, and PowerOptions — have actively participated in numerous dockets, presenting a unique C&I customer-oriented perspective, only to have their positions […]
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
Eversource finds a loophole
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN EVERSOURCE/DONG Energy joint venture for offshore wind development should send shivers up the spine of anyone who recalls the strategy behind restructuring the Massachusetts electric industry almost 20 years ago. This massive effort with deep impacts on the marketplace is exactly the kind of transaction the law was designed to prevent. […]
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
Mass. once again playing catchup on energy
RIGHT NOW, IT SEEMS LIKE Massachusetts remains on the slow boat to natural gas pipeline expansion, which is impacting prices for customers and reliability for power generators. The region needs an expedient solution to avoid an energy crisis which may only have been tempered by the recent drop in oil prices that made LNG more […]
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
Solar bill improves on utility proposal
PowerOptions urges the passage of House Bill 4185, An Act Relative to Net Metering and Solar Power, which will uncap solar net metering and create new opportunities for renewable energy and jobs in Massachusetts. This legislation, if passed, would provide benefits for consumers, the solar development community, the environment, and even utilities. This legislation replaces […]
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
New England needs to expand gas pipelines
NEW ENGLAND’S STRONG and increasing reliance on natural gas is well documented, with almost half of electricity currently generated by natural gas, up from just 15 percent in 2000, according to ISO New England. That trend line will only increase in coming months and years with more and more homes and businesses converting to natural […]