Massachusetts

The Aug. 17 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruling that invalidated contracts on the Access Northeast pipeline expansion has set off a new round of debate as the project’s backers vie for FERC approval of a crucial tariff revision.

The developers of the proposed Access Northeast pipeline expansion are moving “full-speed ahead” despite a state supreme court ruling last week that invalidated the project’s capacity contracts in Massachusetts.

ExxonMobil Corp.’s dispute with state attorneys general into the company’s climate change research is heating up, with a North Texas district court now holding a key in how the case moves forward. At the same time an industry group has charged the attorneys general coalition is politically directed at furthering the Obama administration’s climate change initiative.

A House committee is seeking to assert its jurisdiction over inquiries by several state attorneys general (AG) into ExxonMobil Corp.’s climate change research and is demanding to know more about consultations with environmental groups.

Two key lawmakers in the Massachusetts House of Representatives say nearly 100 members are opposed to a proposal in a state omnibus energy bill that calls for electricity customers to pay for the expansion of natural gas pipelines.

Two key lawmakers in the Massachusetts House of Representatives say nearly 100 members are opposed to a proposal in a state omnibus energy bill that calls for electricity customers to pay for the expansion of natural gas pipelines.

Physical natural gas for Tuesday delivery took a sharp turn higher in Monday’s trading as forecast wintry conditions in both the Midwest and East, along with a firm next-day power market, brought buyers into the market. Gains were most pronounced in the East and New England, and no points fell into the red.

New England does not need new natural gas pipeline capacity and can meet its energy needs for the next 15 years with increased energy efficiency and demand response, Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) Maura Healey said, citing a study prepared for her office and released Wednesday.

FERC staff has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. LLC’s (TGP) proposed Connecticut Expansion Project, which is designed to provide more natural gas, including some from the Marcellus Shale, at its northeastern delivery end through upgrades to its existing pipeline system in three states.