PSEG makes nice with New Haven for new peaking plant

PSEG is planning to install three 40MW natural gas-fired "peaking" plants on their existing site in New Haven's East Shore neighborhood. After a series of negotiations with community groups, they have agreed to a plan that promises to reduce net emissions in the area. This includes a half-million dollar program to retrofit city trucks with particulate filters. PSEG has also promised to reduce output from the much larger and dirtier oil plant (formerly one of the sooty six) for a net reduction while the peaking plants are running.

Click here for a more detailed summary of the project.

According to a joint press release:

The final agreement, reached after three months of negotiation, will supply the state grid with sufficient power while creating a net reduction in air pollution. Terms of the agreement include the existing, older diesel-powered New Haven Harbor Station using more natural gas instead of diesel to produce power, reducing plant idling time from 14 hours to 12 hours, and contributing $500,000 to the new East Shore Air Quality Account – a fund to be used to further reduce pollution in the area through initiatives such as retrofitting garbage trucks with particulate filters. These reductions will more than offset emissions from the new peaking plants that are being built.

Click here for the press release (via www.newhavenindependent.org)

Energy Policy Database

Here is a useful summary of Connecticut legislation regarding energy efficiency and emissions. For example, a tax incentive for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is outlined in House Bill 7432.

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.

Connecticut to cap CO2 emissions

According to this morning's Hartford Courant, Governor Jodi Rell plans to introduce legislation that will cap CO2 emissions from power plants. CO2, a basic product of carbon-based fuel combustion, is considered to be the largest human contribution to the greenhouse effect. Coal combustion, which makes up 12% of our state's electric generation, stands to be hit the hardest from this legislation as coal CO2 emissions are the highest per MW of all traditional fuels. Proceeds from carbon permits, which are to be auctioned, will fund "consumer benefits programs". Industry response in 10...9...8......