The College Driver Ford and Progress Energy Prepare Research Triangle in North Carolina for Electric Vehicles

"Ford and Progress Energy also plan to work with state and local officials to address issues relating to the permitting and regulations that can support electric vehicle infrastructure. An easy charging station permitting process is considered one of the keys to electric vehicle acceptance."

Duke Energy seeing a downward trend in residential sales | Charlotte Business Journal

John Downey, Charlotte Business Journal

"But Duke notes the quarter included a summer of record-breaking heat. And that could mask an underlying trend. When Duke adjusts its sales calculations to account for weather conditions, its residential revenue was down last quarter from a year earlier."

House Goes Republican - Enviros Brace for Climate Changes - NYTimes.com

By DINA FINE MARON AND SAQIB RAHIM of ClimateWire

Published: November 3, 2010

"Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), the presumed new House Speaker, may have already etched out the blueprints for a GOP energy bill with the 'American Energy Act.' That legislation, which he introduced last year, calls for ramping up nuclear energy and offshore drilling as well as creating incentives for renewable energy.

But Manik Roy, vice president for federal government outreach at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, said he doubts any type of energy bill can move in the next Congress."

New inspector assigned to SC nuclear plant - Financial & Business - Wire - TheState.com

"The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Thursday that Ellery Coffman had been selected for the post at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station near Jenkinsville. Regulators say Coffman joined the agency's headquarters office in 2006 and has also worked in the private sector as an engineer."

Michigan Net Metering Customers up 85 percent

"The MPSC in May last year adopted net metering and interconnection rules for small, renewable electric generation projects onsite, as required by Public Act 295 of 2008. The report issued today said the number of net metering customers increased from 137 at the end of June 2009 to 254 at the end of December 2009. Wind proved the most popular with the number of installations increasing from 96 to 163 installations during the six-month period, while solar installations increased from 39 to 89 during the same time period. Customers are located throughout the state."...

The entire report is available on the MPSC's website:michigan.gov/netmetering

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission webcasts hearing regarding Duke Energy - Indianapolis Gadgets | Examiner.com

"The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) met yesterday to discuss the construction of a new mega power plant in Edwardsport, IN. Duke Energy took the stand to discuss the its role in the construction and defend its inability to stay under the initial budget forecast of 1.6 billion dollars in a construction effort that is now forecast to necessitate more than 2.8 billion dollars to finish. The reason why this topic is important in the technology realm is the meeting being webcast to interested parties across the state of Indiana and the nation."

Recharging stations for electric cars ready to roll - Business - TheState.com

John McDermott

"Poch said about 75 to 80 recharging units should be available around the state for electric vehicle drivers to use by the end of the first quarter of 2011. A kickoff event is being scheduled for next month."

Solyndra, a Solar-Panel Maker, Will Close a Plant - NYTimes.com

By Todd Woody

"The cost-cutting move, which will reduce the company’s previously announced production capacity, is a sign of the notable shift in the prospects for cutting-edge American solar companies, which now face intense price competition from Chinese manufacturers that use more established photovoltaic technologies."

Federal regulators to meet with nuke plant operators - Local / Metro - TheState.com

Sammy Fretwell

"During a recent inspection of the H.B. Robinson nuclear plant, NRC officials noted electrical problems associated with an emergency diesel generator. Such generators supply backup power to safely shut down a nuclear plant if necessary."

Bluffton Today - Energy (PURC)

By Sarita Chourey at sarita.chourey@morris.com or (803) 727-4257

A universal service fund to help people retrofit their homes, similar to the state’s program for telephone service, would help, said Sue Berkowitz, director of the S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center

.....

“It’s got to be not income tested, it’s got to be available to everybody, and it’s got to be a loan program you can market,” said Couick, who also noted that co-op consumers are 50 percent more likely to live in poverty. Otherwise, he added, “It’s going to be viewed as energy efficiency welfare.”