A few weeks ago, Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) announced it had reached a settlement with the owners of a new 630 MW natural gas plant in Salem, Massachusetts. The settlement paves the way for the new gas plant to replace an old coal plant, which is good; but perhaps more importantly, the settlement includes tough and progressive emissions limitations, and a sunset provision for the gas plant.  This marks the first time that a natural gas plant has been held to the claims of the industry, namely, that natural gas is a “bridge fuel” only intended to provide a temporary solution while renewables ramp up.  This landmark settlement could be a model for the country. Clean Energy Group (CEG) is involved, not in the litigation, but as a strategic partner with CLF, because of our interest in limiting greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and raising new capital for no- carbon technology investment. The state of Massachusetts was also a party and committed to convening a regional decarboniz... Read the Full Post »