Energy News Roundup: November 13-November 19

This week in regional energy news …

• UIL Holdings and Iberdrola have closed on their purchase of three New England gas utilities: the Southern Connecticut Gas Co., the Connecticut Natural Gas Corp., and the Berkshire Gas Co.  The deal is worth $917 million.
• In another deal announced this week, Constellation Energy Group was the successful bidder to purchase five power plants from Boston Generating, which is currently in bankruptcy proceedings.  The power plants generate nearly 3,000 megawatts and will increase Constellation’s generating assets by 33%.
• At a tidal power forum held at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Anne Miles, FERC’s director of hydropower licensing, announced that the U.S.’s tidal energy industry is catching up to Europe’s, but regulatory and technological challenges remain.
• Canada’s Defense Minister has announced that the country will devote $20 million in federal funds to a tidal energy project in the Bay of Fundy, off of Nova Scotia.
• Small-scale hydroelectric power project developers have concerns that Hydro-Quebec’s entrée into the U.S. market through New Hampshire will squeeze their projects out of the market in New England.
• Prince Edward Island has announced its intention to scale back proposed wind power development plans in the province, from 130 megawatts to 40.
• CMP requests dismissal of two MPUC smart meter complaints.