| Also Noted: Meru Networks
Reinventing the CIO and much more... Investors still harbor concerns over carbon disclosure
The high-cost, high-carbon capital expenditures by fossil fuel companies could have questionable profitability in a carbon constrained world, according to research by the Carbon Tracker Initiative (CTI). Article
Diverse organizations urge EPA to consider energy efficiency for emission reduction
Three diverse organizations have come together to reach a consensus on a proposal to address power plant emission reduction requirements under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, which is under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget. Article
Poaching industry talent not a great idea
The lack of a skilled workforce in the face of upcoming retirements is not only felt in the United States, but is a threat to the oil and gas industry globally. In the United States alone, many large employers risk losing 50 to 80 percent of their retirement-eligible population in the next five years, according to Mercer's energy consulting practice. Article
News From Across the Energy Industry:
1. Poaching industry talent not a great idea
2. Diverse organizations urge EPA to consider energy efficiency for emission reduction
3. Industrial CHP for efficiency, emission reduction
More headlines...
| This week's sponsor is Oracle. |  | Making the Most of Your CRM: How Best-in-Class Sales Teams Maximize Revenue and Customer Experience
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Today's Top News 1. Hydro shortage affecting ISO summer supply
The California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) is reporting that it has adequate power supplies to meet summer peaks despite drought conditions. The state's hydroelectric supply is well below average. Southern Orange and San Diego counties will be a focus of summer grid operations in the event that heat waves, unexpected power plant outages or wildfires threaten transmission lines and challenge reliability in the area affected by the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. While drought conditions will have little impact on supply availability in San Diego and Orange counties, the overall ISO system will have less hydroelectricity than last year. As of April 29, 2014, statewide precipitation was at 56 percent of average. The ISO expects to have 1,370 MW to 1,669 MW less in-state hydro for summer 2014. Pacific Northwest hydro conditions are about normal and should help make up for some of the low California hydro conditions. The ISO projects that 53,950 MW of power capacity will be available this summer -- an increase of about 3,243 MW of new generation since last summer. About 68 percent of the new generation is from renewable resources, which make up about 22 percent of the ISO resource mix -- an increase of about 4 percent from summer 2013. For more:
- see this report Read more about: California Independent System Operator
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2. Report details quick transition to 100 percent renewable energy
The United States can quickly transition to nearly 100 percent renewable energy and phase out coal and nuclear power, according to research from Greenpeace and the Global Wind Energy Council. "Growing concerns about climate change and air pollution, along with quickly falling costs of renewable energy, are already upending the utility industry's business model and threatening to turn fossil fuel reserves into stranded assets," said Sven Teske, a renewable energy expert with Greenpeace International. "The Energy [R]evolution report demonstrates that the rapid changes in the energy sector could expand dramatically, with major implications for many industries." The report details how, by 2050, renewable energy sources could provide around 97 percent of electricity produced in the United States and 94 percent of the nation's total heating and cooling demand, accounting for around 92 percent of final energy demand. By phasing out coal and oil, fuel cost savings in the report scenario would be $6.1 trillion, or $153 billion per year, and overall costs would be about 50 percent lower than the government outlook. The United States would reduce carbon pollution 39 percent by 2025 and 60 percent by 2030 (below 2005 levels). For more:
- see this report Read more about: Global Wind Energy Council
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3. Transco projects to provide supply-demand connection to National Grid
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company's (Transco) application to construct and operate two related projects designed to increase natural gas delivery capacity to Brooklyn and Queens in time for next winter. FERC has issued certificates granting approval of Transco's Rockaway Lateral and Northeast Connector expansions. Transco pipeline is the nation's largest-volume interstate natural gas pipeline system and a major supplier of natural gas to New York City. The 1,800-mile pipeline route spans from South Texas to New York City. Transco expects to begin construction in June and bring the projects online in the fourth quarter of 2014. This past winter set records for Transco, with peak-day delivery records on three separate occasions. On those days, the demand for natural gas deliveries on Transco's system was above and beyond the peaks that were attributed to the effect of the Polar Vortex and other brutal cold weather across all of the pipeline's market areas. "After the brutal cold that drove several peak-day delivery records on the Transco system this past winter, we're pleased to move forward with this critical infrastructure to provide additional natural gas supply and increased reliability to New York City in time for next winter," said Rory Miller, senior vice president of Williams Partners' (of which Transco is a wholly-owned subsidiary) Atlantic-Gulf region. On Transco's Rockaway Lateral and Northeast Connector projects, Williams Partners plans to add 3.2 miles of new Transco pipeline and related facilities in New York, as well as equipment to increase compression at three existing Transco facilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. With a daily delivery capacity of 647,000 dekatherms, the Rockaway Lateral will provide an additional supply-delivery connection into the National Grid distribution system, which delivers natural gas to 1.25 million customers in Brooklyn and Queens. The Rockaway Lateral and Northeast Connector are among $5 billion worth of energy-infrastructure investments expected to be made in the Transco system from 2013 to 2017 to connect growing market demand with new natural gas supplies, adding more than 50 percent to Transco's natural gas delivery capacity. For more:
- see this order Related Articles:
FERC approves Transco expansion
FERC considers Transco pipeline expansion to National Grid Read more about: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company
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4. Washington Gas making STRIDEs on pipeline replacement
The Public Service Commission of Maryland (MDPSC) has conditionally approved Washington Gas' amended accelerated pipeline replacement plan, also known as Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement Plan and Associated Cost Recovery Mechanism (STRIDE), which will speed natural gas infrastructure upgrades and replacement projects, as well as provide current cost recovery for the company. STRIDE allows gas companies to seek approval from regulators to recover pipeline replacement costs between traditional base rate cases, which tend to be infrequent and expensive. The STRIDE program provides funding for gas pipeline upgrades through a small surcharge, approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission. STRIDE will set a $2 per month cap on the surcharge and directs the PSC to set the rate for commercial and industrial customers. The program will also reduce costs through less frequent base rate cases and lower operational expenses in the future. Washington Gas has accepted the conditions and will be able to recover eligible infrastructure replacement costs for projects initiated after January 1, 2014, that are not included in current base rates. The company is providing the MDPSC with an updated list of planned STRIDE projects for 2014 by June 5, 2014. The plan will also allow Washington Gas the flexibility to prioritize projects based on changing operating conditions, further contributing to the maintenance of a safe and reliable natural gas delivery system. For more:
- see this order Read more about: STRIDE
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5. Next stop for Cape Wind: Seafloor
Cape Wind, set to be the nation's first offshore wind project, has moved on to completing geophysical surveys of the project site and offshore cable routes. Survey vessels with a suite of geophysical instruments are surveying the seafloor and subsea geology on Horseshoe Shoal and along the offshore cable route.  | | Credit: Cape Wind | "With the development of the Cape Wind project comes the opportunity for Massachusetts to become the premiere hub of U.S. offshore wind development," said Alicia Barton, CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, which is constructing a first-in-the nation port in New Bedford equipped to handle the large loads associated with offshore wind development projects. "This first-mover status means that more and more jobs like these will come to Massachusetts, which is home to many companies with expertise in marine services." For example, New Bedford-based Fathom Research has provided various marine services to Cape Wind and is currently providing diver assisted sub-bottom imaging services. Also based in New Bedford, A.I.S. is providing "protected species observers," which follow federal guidelines to ensure that marine mammals and sea turtles are not harmed during Cape Wind operations. Hercules SLR is providing members of the Cape Wind management team with maritime safety training. Cape Wind is the first U.S. offshore wind project to be fully permitted, to have a commercial lease and have received approval for its Construction and Operations Plan, issued by the U.S. Department of Interior. For more:
- visit this website Related Articles:
Latest Cape Wind lawsuit unconstitutional
Cape Wind claiming legal victories
Cape Wind's legal victory tainted by new lawsuit
Support for Cape Wind drops Read more about: Cape Wind
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Also Noted | This week's sponsor is Meru. |  | Download the White Paper "802.11ac in the Enterprise: Technologies and Strategies" to learn from industry expert Craig Mathias about the technologies behind 802.11ac, deployment misconceptions and review steps that every organization should take in getting ready for 802.11ac.
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News From Across the Energy Industry:
> Research challenges theory that emission guidelines will hurt grid reliability Post
> ISO NE efficient and competitive Post
> Investors still harbor concerns over carbon disclosure Post
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