UI & NRG may be peaking together

NRG and UI are teaming up to put some more power into the grid in the form of "peaking plants." UI, which had to sell off all its power plants as a result of energy de-regulation, is now allowed to get back into the generation business thanks to the latest energy legislation.

Activists from New Haven may want dust off the old picket signs and sandwich boards and brace for a battle. Word is that this dynamic duo has their eyes on existing sites and the English Station seems like an ideal piece of property for this purpose. It's got all the necessary infrastructure, it's tied to the grid, and technically it's never been de-commissioned. An organized effort from activists, environmental groups and city officials managed to stave off Quinnipiac Energy's efforts to get this plant restarted a few years ago, but with $700 million burning a hole in their pocket, this team may not go down so easy. (click here to read the DEP's final decision in pdf format)

Still in question is the environmental cleanup that Quinnipiac Energy was paid to perform on the site. No signs of progress, though most of the money (over a million dollars) has already been spent. Click here to a previous posing regarding this issue.

Town Hall Meeting ... A Conversation on Energy

***UPDATE: Click here to read my coverage of this event in the New Haven Independent****

Quinnipiac University and ConocoPhillips are holding a "Town Hall Meeting" in New Haven this Tuesday and I would strongly encourage anyone else interested in energy matters to attend. It is not every day that we get an opportunity to speak directly with experts from industry, academia and government all at once.

A press release is below and you can find more information a here. Don't forget to register by Monday, 10/22. See you there.

ConocoPhillips believes it's up to today's energy leaders to set the stage for tomorrow's energy solutions, from alternatives like renewable fuels to traditional sources like oil and gas. That's why we're hosting a town hall meeting in New Haven, Connecticut to discuss energy solutions that are reliable, available and environmentally friendly, and we want to hear from you.

Join us for a Town Hall Meeting ... A Conversation on Energy will be hosted by ConocoPhillips and Quinnipiac University and moderated by Mark A. Thompson, dean of the School of Business, Quinnipiac University. Featured panelists for the Conversation on Energy New Haven include:

• Sig Cornelius, senior vice president, Planning, Strategy & Corporate Affairs, ConocoPhillips
• Sabrina Watkins, manager, Environmental Technology, ConocoPhillips
• Eric Brown, associate counsel, Connecticut Business & Industry Association
• Lise Dondy, president, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund
• Amey Marrella, deputy commissioner, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

6:30pm Registration
7:00pm - 8:30pm Town Hall Meeting

Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale
155 Temple Street (map)

Validated parking provided at Temple Street Parking Garage only. Please show parking ticket at registration table for validation.

Refreshments will be served.

Seating is limited so register to secure your seat by calling toll free to 1-888-877-5917 or logging on to

http://conocophillips.allianceoutreach.com/conversationonenergy/welcome.html.

Registration closes at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 22.

New Haven one step closer to wind turbines

CCEF has approved New Haven's plan for a pilot wind energy program. Now it's up to New Haven's board of aldermen to get things started.

Opposition to big Biodiesel plant in Suffield

There's trouble brewing at a proposed biodiesel manufacturing plant in Suffield. CT Biodiesel is moving to open a 50 million gallon per year plant, which would easily be the largest in CT. However, neighbors don't seem to want a plant in their quiet rural community. While biodiesel itself is very safe and non-toxic, methanol is highly volatile and doesn't have the greatest safety record. Methanol will be used as an catalyzing agent and storing 286,000 gallons on site makes some people uneasy.

Read more about it here:

Residents Cool To Biodiesel Plant Plan
Hartford Courant

Big turnout for meeting on biodiesel plant in Suffield
Journal Inquirer

Biodiesel Plant Doesn't Excite Suffield Residents
Channel 3 Eyewitness News (see video)

Midwest coal plants warsh up

October 9, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced a landmark settlement requiring one of the nation's largest power plant operators to install $4.6 billion worth of pollution controls and invest $60 million in environmental projects - significantly reducing harmful pollution.

Biofuels bad for chimps?

This opinion piece in the Waterbury Republican American notes that rain forests are being leveled to grow crops for boifuels. This may be true and certainly a concern. Can't we just avoid feedstocks from these sources? We've managed to build a standard for dolphin-safe tuna, why not monkey-safe biofuels?

Chris Shays embarassed by his own opposition to Broadwater LNG terminal.

Christopher Shays remains opposed to the Broadwater LNG plant, but is being careful not to align himself too closely with certain justifications for the opposition. I suppose it's a little confusing, but really I think he's saying that he wants to make sure that people are opposed for the right reasons.

What's a Watt?

Teachers go to energy school, thanks to a program we fund through a small conservation charge on our electric bill.