FCC Says Wireless Concentration Rises; AT&T Disagrees (Update1) - BusinessWeek

FCC Says Wireless Concentration Rises; AT&T Disagrees (Update1) - BusinessWeek: "May 20 (Bloomberg) --

The Federal Communications Commission said concentration is rising among U.S. mobile-telephone providers, a conclusion that AT&T Inc., the nation’s second- biggest wireless company, said may lead to more regulation."

“The FCC’s decision is a dramatic break from years of solid precedent,” Robert Quinn, AT&T senior vice president of federal regulatory, said in an e-mailed statement. “This seems intended to justify more regulation in a market where it is clear beyond doubt that regulation is simply unwarranted.”

The Gulf Oil Slick Hits Louisiana Beaches

Kerry: Academy of Sciences Report shows ‘urgent’ need for climate bill - TheHill.com

Kerry: Academy of Sciences Report shows ‘urgent’ need for climate bill - TheHill.com:

By Ben Geman and Jim Snyder - 05/19/10 07:59 PM ET

"The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released a study Wednesday that concludes there is powerful evidence that climate change is occurring and human activities are a major reason why."

FCCs Mignon Clyburn Speaks at Free Press Summit

Wright, Fleming, Hall, Elected to PSC

In a Joint Session held Wednesday, May 19, 2010, the General Assembly Elected the following candidates to four year terms on the Public Service Commission:

• David Wright was elected to the Public Service Commission, Second District (Seat # 2)

• Elizabeth B. "Lib" Fleming was elected to the Public Service Commission, Fourth District (Seat #4)

• Nikiya "Nikki" Hall was elected to the Public Service Commission, Sixth District (Seat #6)

This will be Wright and Fleming's third term, and Hall's first term on the Commission.

Utility faces tighter controls after spill - SC Business Report - Midlands - TheState.com

Utility faces tighter controls after spill - SC Business Report - Midlands - TheState.com:

Tim Flach, tflach@thestate.com

"Alpine officials agreed to the new requirements without protest.
“They’ve done a good job of toughening it up and we accept it without argument,” company president Robin Dial said.
Some environmental advocates say the controls seem adequate.
“My initial impression is it does seem to address many of the serious concerns,” said USC statistics professor John Grego, who is active in several clean-water groups"

Progress Energy: Earnings Scorecard - Zacks.com

Progress Energy: Earnings Scorecard - Zacks.com:

"Electric utility Progress Energy Inc. (PGN - Analyst Report) announced robust first quarter 2010 results on May 5, 2010. Earnings were driven by favorable weather conditions and business from its repowered Bartow Plant, partially offset by increased expenses and taxes. Based on steady progress on its strategic plans, the company reiterated its ongoing earnings guidance for 2010 of $2.85 to $3.05 per share."

Here Come the 'Smart' Meters - WSJ.com

Here Come the 'Smart' Meters - WSJ.com:

By REBECCA SMITH

"One of modern life's most durable features—fixed-price electricity—is slowly being pushed to the sidelines, a creeping change that will influence such things as what time millions of Americans cook dinner and what appliances they buy.

Driving the change is the rollout of so-called smart meters, which can transmit data on how much power is being used at any given time. That gives utilities the ability to charge more for electricity at peak times and less during lulls. Spreading out electricity consumption more evenly across the day leads to more efficient use of power plants and lower emissions"

A Data Center Power Supply That Moos - NYTimes.com

A Data Center Power Supply That Moos - NYTimes.com:

By ASHLEE VANCE

Published: May 18, 201

"America’s dairy farmers could soon find themselves in the computer business, with the manure from their cows possibly powering the vast data centers of companies like Google and Microsoft. While not immediately intuitive, the idea plays on two trends: the building of computing centers in more rural locales, and dairy farmers’ efforts to deal with cattle waste by turning it into fuel."

Columbia budget deal would nix utility fee hike - Local / Metro - TheState.com

Columbia budget deal would nix utility fee hike - Local / Metro - TheState.com:

By ADAM BEAM - abeam@thestate.com

"Columbia City Council members have agreed on a tentative budget compromise that would not raise property taxes or power bills but could strip funding from some community groups and cut into the city’s reserves."

Duke Awarded $204 for Smart Grid

Smart Grids Score $204 Million in Stimulus Funds | EarthTechling:

"The latest to be stimulated: Duke Energy received a $204 million boost. Intended to support smart grid projects throughout Duke Energy’s five-state turf, the Energy Department’s stimulus funding will be put toward two particular projects: “$200 million will assist in modernizing Duke Energy’s power distribution system; $4 million will support the installation of digital equipment on the transmission system in the Carolinas,” according to Duke. As an added benefit, both projects will create approximately 1,000 new jobs as Duke works to modernize its grid systems in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and North and South Carolina."

Santee Cooper settles multi-million dollar lawsuit - Breaking News - TheSunNews.com

Santee Cooper settles multi-million dollar lawsuit - Breaking News - TheSunNews.com:

Bo Petersen - The Post and Courrier

"The Moncks Corner-based utility was sued in 2007 because of an electric rate increase in the mid-1990s that plaintiffs alleged was approved as a temporary increase to pay for a building program, but continued after the project was paid for. The suit affected 6,000 residential and business customers in Berkeley County. Most customers were in Georgetown and Horry counties.
The suit affected the utility’s own customers, not electric cooperative customers using Santee Cooper power."

World Cup could strain power supply in SAfrica - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports

World Cup could strain power supply in SAfrica - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports:

"JOHANNESBURG (AP)—South Africa’s electricity company expects to be under pressure during the World Cup.

State-owned Eskom says it will regularly update South Africans on supply during the tournament, which starts June 11, and ask them to turn off some appliances if power runs low.

Under the worst circumstances, South Africans will be asked to turn off everything but one TV—so they can continue to get updates—and one light.

The utility says “although electricity supply is expected to be sufficient over this period, cold winter temperatures combined with high electricity demand is likely to place Eskom under additional pressure."

Lawmaker says water, sewer control better | The Augusta Chronicle

Lawmaker says water, sewer control better | The Augusta Chronicle:

By Sarita Chourey

Morris News Service

Sunday, May 9, 2010

"In February, the Valley Public Service Authority acquired the water system from Avondale, and since then, contractors have embarked on a three-year project to upgrade the more than 80-year-old infrastructure.

Smith said although the rates have remained high, the outlook for consumers is improving with the shift in oversight to the local authority board and away from the state PSC."

'A little solar farm' causes stops and stares - CharlotteObserver.com

'A little solar farm' causes stops and stares - CharlotteObserver.com:

By Celeste Smith
cesmith@charlotteobserver.com

"The bank of solar panels was unveiled about a year ago as part of a pilot project involving homes in the McAlpine area, bordered by Carmel and Rea Roads and N.C. 51.

The panels, each 5 feet wide and 2.5 feet high, convert sunlight into electricity. The system can create enough energy to power five homes for one year, according to Duke.

That power can be stored on a large battery on site and released during times of high demand - reducing the need for Duke to buy extra power, Layne sai"