STATE CAPITOL BRIEFS – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

ROSENBERG: SUSPENSION OF KINDER MORGAN PIPELINE A “GAME CHANGER”
As the Legislature prepares to consider major energy policy legislation later this spring, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg called the news that Kinder Morgan would suspend work and spending on its controversial gas pipeline project “a game changer” that would allow for a broader debate about the state’s energy mix. Kinder Morgan announced Wednesday that it would halt its Northeast Energy Direct natural gas pipeline project due to inadequate commitments from prospective customers. The planned pipeline, if green-lit by the federal government, would have run from New York through parts of western Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire to Dracut, Mass. “Kinder Morgan’s decision to suspend the Northeast Energy Direct (NED) project is a game changer. This allows us to have a broader discussion about how to meet Massachusetts’ energy needs. Our discussions moving forward must include a comprehensive approach to reducing energy costs for all while meeting our increasing renewable energy needs and continuing to protect our priceless public spaces,” Rosenberg said in a statement. Attorney General Maura Healey, among the many officials and groups to comment on the announcement, said the decision “recognized what has been clear for some time, that the project was too big and too costly for Massachusetts ratepayers.” “Our office has consistently maintained that electric ratepayers should not foot the bill for additional pipelines. I hope this announcement helps refocus and secure our energy future where it needs to be, with investments in clean and cost-effective energy resources,” Healey said in a statement. – Matt Murphy/SHNS

COMPTROLLER TO CONVENE SUMMIT ON ‘EMERGING DIGITAL COMMONWEALTH’
The state’s comptroller announced Wednesday that he will host a “first-of-its-kind” leadership summit for all 152 state agencies to discuss the state’s ever-evolving digital and fiscal landscape. Comptroller Thomas Shack, in announcing the May 9 summit, said the all-agency gathering is designed to allow government leaders to detail their visions for “an emerging digital commonwealth” and how they are developing strategies to support digital efforts. Gov. Charlie Baker, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Auditor Suzanne Bump, Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore, MassIT Executive Director Mark Nunnelly and Shack will make presentations, and representatives from the Commonwealth Fusion Center will discuss information security and the state’s anti-cyber-terrorism efforts. “The Digital Commonwealth is on our doorstep and we have to work together to embrace a new era of ‘big data’ and transparency while simultaneously protecting Commonwealth data and assets across the 152 agencies,” Shack said in a statement. “Opening up a dialogue and breaking down technology and business silos across Commonwealth operations is a big step in the right direction for us.” Ken Stasiak, CEO of SecureState, will “provide an understanding of systemic and internal vulnerabilities which, once addressed, can help agencies avoid emerging security risks,” Shack’s office said. The full-day summit will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 9 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. – Colin A. Young/SHNS

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4/20/2016

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