Western Carolinian - Duke Energy warns of blackouts if new station is not built [near sacred Indian site]

Western Carolinian - Duke Energy warns of blackouts if new station is not built:

"Parts of Western North Carolina could see systematic blackouts if Duke Energy doesn't build a tie station as planned near a sacred Cherokee site, the company says in a filing with the state.
According to Duke Energy Spokesperson Jason Walls, the blackout severity would depend upon the company’s available equipment.

“If the equipment can no longer supply highest demand it accommodates during times of demand, then it may go on and off. “

Disagreement over the proposal has rutted the power company against Eastern Band Cherokee tribe members who say the project would violate the spiritual and cultural center of the Cherokee people."

PSC Hearing on Carolina Water Service - TheState.com

Utility’s service draws fire - Newsletters - TheState.com:

By TIM FLACH - tflach@thestate.com

"Carolina Water Service sometimes waits months to send out bills that are inaccurate and doesn’t correct mistakes easily, some of its customers said Wednesday.
The complaints came at a session in which homeowners it serves told of struggles trying to pay amounts owed on time to avert service cutoffs that sometimes happened even if nothing was due.
Practices of the privately-owned utility are “never consistent,” Ann Moore of Lexington said."

PACE Energy-Efficiency Programs in Jeopardy - NYTimes.com

PACE Energy-Efficiency Programs in Jeopardy - NYTimes.com:

By TODD WOODY

Published: June 30, 2010

"At the same time, the two government-chartered agencies that buy and resell most home mortgages are threatening to derail the effort by warning that they might not accept loans for homes that take advantage of the special financing."

Duke Energy’s Ellen Ruff: Finding her place atop the nuclear field - Charlotte Business Journal

Duke Energy’s Ellen Ruff: Finding her place atop the nuclear field - Charlotte Business Journal:

CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL - BY John Downey SENIOR STAFF WRITER

• Read more: Duke Energy’s Ellen Ruff: Finding her place atop the nuclear field - Charlotte Business Journal

"A recent law-school graduate in need of a job, she told General Counsel Steve Griffiths during a job interview that all she knew about Duke came from Harlan County U.S.A. The Oscar-winning documentary film took a stridently anti-Duke stance in its account of a bitter miners’ strike at a Duke-owned coal company. She then declined a job offer because of her objections to nuclear power.

Now she’s president of Duke Energy Corp.’s office of nuclear development."

USDA Report on Biofuel Strategy

USDA recognized that some regions have a comparative advantage over others. According to the USDA, the Southeast and Central-Eastern portions of the country could together produce more than 93% of the biofuels needed to meet the RFS2 targets. The Southeast, with its extended growing season, could produce nearly half of the biofuels needed."

Progress Energy to invest $300,000 in UNC-CH offshore wind study :: Editor’s Blog at Local Tech Wire

Progress Energy to invest $300,000 in UNC-CH offshore wind study :: Editor’s Blog at Local Tech Wire:

"Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN) is investing $300,000 in a new study from UNC-Chapel Hill that is designed to provide an analysis of offshore wind potential for energy generation.

The Progress funding matches a federal grant for the project.
Last October, UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke Energy said they were teaming up for a wind turbine project that will be used to study the potential of wind as an alternative source for electricity.
Up to three towers will be constructed in Pamlico Sound.
The UNC Department of Marine Sciences will conduct this new study.

Total cost of the project is expected to be $1 million."

Graham to skip White House energy and climate meeting - The Hill's E2-Wire

Graham to skip White House energy and climate meeting - The Hill's E2-Wire:

By Darren Goode - 06/28/10 09:05 PM ET

"Democrats have accused Republicans of rejecting any collaboration, and allege Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told Republicans to avoid cooperation at a meeting last week.

But Graham said speculation that McConnell threatened Republicans with losing chairmanships if they work with Democrats on issues like climate change is not true.

'I don't know where all that crap comes from but it's just complete crap,' Graham said. 'Why is it OK for me to go talk to the president but I can't talk with my own leader?'"

Broadband to Be Available for More Commercial Use - NYTimes.com

Broadband to Be Available for More Commercial Use - NYTimes.com:

Edward Wyatt, June 27, 2010

"President Obama will sign a presidential memorandum on Monday that aims to make available for auction some 500 megahertz of spectrum that is now controlled by the federal government and private companies, administration officials said Sunday. Most of that would be designated for commercial use in mobile broadband and similar applications, though aspects of the plan will require Congressional approval"

DHEC: Sewage overflow may have contaminated Columbia rivers - WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina |

DHEC: Sewage overflow may have contaminated Columbia rivers - WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina |:

By Jillian Capobianco

"Jaco says Columbia's sewage system is the oldest in the state. He says they have list of about $200 million worth of projects planned they hope will help.

'We're replacing pumps, rehabbing pipes in the ground, replacing pipes, some of our pump stations we're completely replacing all of the mechanical equipment,' said Jaco."