Overview
- The 145-mile, $1.6 billion New England Clean Energy Connect began service days ago with expectations of more than 1,000 megawatts for Massachusetts under 20-year contracts.
- Hydro-Québec temporarily suspended deliveries to serve domestic demand during the cold snap and said flows will resume when conditions allow, while it even imported power over an older line.
- ISO New England said oil supplied over 40% of the region’s electricity at peak on Sunday and still led Tuesday night at 32%, with renewables contributing about 6%.
- The U.S. Department of Energy approved an emergency order letting plants run beyond environmental permit limits through Jan. 31, as power-sector emissions spiked two to three times versus Friday.
- Contracts contemplate penalties for missed deliveries, though Hydro-Québec says applicability is uncertain in these conditions, and Massachusetts officials say ratepayer price protections remain in place as Quebec faces multi-year drought constraints.