New England Power Plants Burning More Oil During Frigid Weather
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New England is relying on power plants fueled by oil and coal as bitter cold weather boosts demand while pipeline constraints limit natural gas supplies and send prices soaring.
The grid operator asked some units that burn fuel oil to start up to ensure adequate supplies and avoid “emergency action” if gas supplies or generation were to be disrupted unexpectedly, said Vamsi Chadalavada, chief operating officer of ISO New England Inc. Coal plants are running because the fuel is cheaper than gas, he said.