News
Category:
Transmission
Senators try to prevent Quebec transmission line
May 15, 2012 by Brian Amaral in Watertown Daily Times
May 15, 2012 by Brian Amaral in Watertown Daily Times
The senators - led by state Sen. George Maziarz, a Western New York Republican, and joined by state Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton - say upstate jobs are at stake if a $2 billion transmission line proposal is approved because it would squeeze out energy producers in the state, like nuclear power plants, facilities that burn wood to create electricity and wind turbine farms.
CMP may have promoted wind power benefits as a way to encourage then-Gov. John Baldacci to support the project and neutralize environmental critics, according to Andrew Landry, who represents some renewable power producers.
"For the Baldacci administration, renewables was a hot-button topic," he said. "But in hindsight, the benefits weren't there."
Also filed under [
Maine]
"There's a long road ahead for us," said Robin Kaye, a spokesman for the group Friends of Lana'i, which opposes a proposed wind farm project on the island's north end because of the development's cultural and environmental impacts. "Our focus in the next six to nine months is to educate folks on Oahu how much this is going to cost."
Also filed under [
Energy Policy|
Hawaii]
Deepwater Wind has officially submitted plans for a cable connecting Block Island and the mainland to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), project manager Bryan Wilson reported to the town's Electric Utility Task Group Monday.
Also filed under [
Rhode Island]
And as representatives from utility companies, the energy industry and the banks that fund them convene to discuss the future of the state's power grid, local officials and residents who fought NYRI say they are hopeful their plans won't hurt local communities.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy|
New York]
Power grid must adapt to handle renewable energy
March 12, 2012 by Christopher Joyce in National Public Radio
March 12, 2012 by Christopher Joyce in National Public Radio
Grid operators constantly match what power plants are producing with what people and their TVs, microwaves and air conditioners need. But when the electricity comes from unpredictable sources, like wind or solar power, balancing the grid is a challenge, a new study finds.
Also filed under [
USA]
Northern Pass hits roadblocks; Many North Country landowners refuse to sell their property
March 10, 2012 by Annmarie Timmins in Concord Monitor
March 10, 2012 by Annmarie Timmins in Concord Monitor
Northern Pass, a $1.1 billion collaboration between Hydro-Quebec and Northeast Utilities, would deliver hydropower to the New England energy grid via a 180-mile transmission line through New Hampshire. From Groveton south, the line would run along existing rights of way owned by Public Service of New Hampshire.
Also filed under [
New Hampshire]
Council holds off on signing wind farm's documents
March 9, 2012 by Iain Wilson in South County Independent
March 9, 2012 by Iain Wilson in South County Independent
"I think it is extremely premature to sign or cosign anything. For me, I need a lot more specifics about what that compensation, or other form of consideration, would be for us to put our name remotely close to this," said Council President Glenna Hagopian. "I want to see what you are bringing to the table before we move forward."
Also filed under [
Rhode Island]
Dominion said the right-of-way should be awarded only if the transmission line is approved by the region's electricity grid operator, PJM Interconnection, and after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management awards leases to energy companies seeking to build offshore wind turbines.
Grid operators are not given sufficient financial incentives to connect wind farms to the grid. There is a lack of co-ordination among the authorities as to who is responsible for what. ..."I'm pessimistic for the time after 2015 if nothing changes. No one will go on investing if the grid link is as uncertain as it is now, neither E.on nor others."
Also filed under [
Germany]
"This is beautiful country with huge heritage ranches, amazing biodiversity, endangered species and the headwaters of important rivers ...A lot of people jumped on the renewable bandwagon - it's a sexy agenda. But this is a special landscape, and does this minimal contribution to the grid outweigh the degradation these lines impose?"
Also filed under [
USA]
Umatilla Commission denies WKN power line appeal
February 15, 2012 by Samantha Tipler in East Oregonian
February 15, 2012 by Samantha Tipler in East Oregonian
The Umatilla County Planning Commission denied a permit for the power line Nov. 17, stating WKN should look for alternatives to an entirely new transmission line. WKN appealed that decision Dec. 6 and the board of commissioners, 2-0, denied its appeal Monday.
Commissioner Bill Hansell recused himself from the hearing, citing a perception of a conflict of interest.
Also filed under [
Oregon]
Wind energy transmission costs balloon to $7B
February 7, 2012 by Kevin Welch in Amarillo Globe-News
February 7, 2012 by Kevin Welch in Amarillo Globe-News
The Public Utility Commission of Texas issued its latest quarterly report last week on the progress of wiring West Texas to deliver wind energy to metropolitan areas, and it shows the project first estimated to cost ratepayers downstate $5 billion will now run closer to $7 billion.
Also filed under [
Texas]
New transmission lines for Gratiot wind farm now being built
February 3, 2012 by Linda Gittleman in Morning Sun
February 3, 2012 by Linda Gittleman in Morning Sun
The spot where trucks and materials are pulling in and out of Begole Road at M-46 is a staging area for the building of a new ITC transmission substation.
It will also include upgrades to its high voltage transmission lines.
Also filed under [
Michigan]
NH Senate blocks eminent domain for Northern Pass
January 26, 2012 by Garrett Brnger in The Associated Press
January 26, 2012 by Garrett Brnger in The Associated Press
The House-passed bill was borne from opponents' fear that eminent domain would be used to take private land for Northern Pass. The project proposes to build 180 miles of power lines through the center of New Hampshire, including 40 miles through the scenic North Country.
Also filed under [
New Hampshire]
New rules could boost region's renewable power
January 23, 2012 by Jay Lindsay in The Associated Press
January 23, 2012 by Jay Lindsay in The Associated Press
A federal order issued last fall is intended to make it easier to construct transmission lines, costly and controversial projects that are notoriously tough to build.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy|
Connecticut|
Massachusetts|
Maine|
New Hampshire|
Rhode Island|
Vermont]
"What I can tell you is that ITC's route, as proposed, is in the vicinity of a couple of our turbines in our Sigel Wind Park," according to Matt Wagner, Manager-Wind Development, for DTE Energy. "We had an initial discussion with ITC before the holidays, but no decisions were made."
Swandal's ruling says MATL has the right to use eminent domain, but the judge still must decide whether the power line is a "necessity" and a "public use." The court will hear oral arguments on those questions March 2 in Teton County.
Also filed under [
Montana]
Gingrich opines on Northern Pass; Candidate suggests underground lines
January 6, 2012 by Molly A.K. Connors in Concord Monitor
January 6, 2012 by Molly A.K. Connors in Concord Monitor
Tapping into a "deep feeling" in northern New Hampshire that the Northern Pass project would mar the region's beauty and undermine its tourism industry, Newt Gingrich said he would withhold his support unless the power lines go underground.
Also filed under [
New Hampshire]
Duke-American acquires Zephyr project for Wyoming wind power
January 3, 2012 by J.F.S. Valdez in Eco-Seed
January 3, 2012 by J.F.S. Valdez in Eco-Seed
Duke-American Transmission Company acquired the 3,000-megawatt-capacity Zephyr Power Transmission Project, committing to use at least 2,100 MW of the transmission line's capacity to provide wind power to California and the southwestern United States from the wind-rich areas of eastern Wyoming.
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