A Freedom of Information Request unveiled emails between New England government leadership and several energy companies regarding various power and gas infrastructure projects that have some questioning the extent to which certain aspects of the negotiations and decision making were kept from the public. “Regional plans for a pair of multibillion-dollar energy projects have advanced far from public view, and in some cases, officials and staff warned about too much public knowledge of the process, according to emails released Tuesday by an environmental advocacy group.” [The Hartford Courant]

Gazprom is pressing forward with construction of the South Stream pipeline despite pushback from certain European Union elements. The 63 billion cubic meter per year pipeline would bypass Ukraine, thus strengthening Europe’s energy security in one sense, but it would do little to decrease European reliance on Russian gas – a reinvigorated goal in the wake of the current Ukraine crisis. [Moscow Times]

A community outside the The Hague in Holland is receiving affordable district heating from nearby seawater. “Residents made it clear they wanted renewable district heating, but developers were challenged to provide renewable power at prices compliant with Dutch principles mandating consumer costs stay at the same level for clean energy.” [Cleantechnica]