In the News
ecoRI report: National Grid withdraws controversial pipeline tax
National Grid has ended its controversial plan to charge its electricity customer for natural-gas pipeline projects, aconcept known as the “pipeline tax.” National Grid described the plan as “entering into long-term contracts for natural gas pipeline infrastructure and capacity.” But the idea simply permits National Grid to pay for pipeline improvements and pass those costs on to ratepayers, even those who may not use natural gas. The primary beneficiary of the pipeline tax would have been Houston-based Spectra Energy and its $3 billion Access Northeast project. A series of upgrades to its 1,129-mile Algonquin pipeline is underway, to increase the volume of natural gas delivered from the fracking fields of Pennsylvania through southern New England to terminals outside Boston. National Grid and Eversource Energy are also partners with Spectra Energy in the Access Northeast project, and, according to a Commerce RI analysis, both companies support the pipeline expansion to meet a growing demand for natural gas as new power plants along the pipeline, such as the proposed Clear River Energy Center in Burrllville, come on-line and older ones retire. For more visit
ecori.org or click
http://bit.ly/2ix0C2k
Investing.com report: U.S. natural gas jumps to 2-week high on colder forecasts
U.S. natural gas futures started the week with strong gains on Monday, climbing towards a two-week high amid colder forecasts for the end of January. Trading was quiet because U.S. markets are closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Futures remained supported as forecasts for the end of January turned colder, boosting demand for the heating fuel. Weather models initially predicted mild temperatures throughout most parts of the U.S. during the period. Natural-gas markets have been volatile in recent weeks, changing course rapidly in response to shifting outlooks in short-term weather patterns. For more visit investing.com or click the following link http://bit.ly/2jF3N52

