Court dismisses Duke's appeal of power-sale ruling - CharlotteObserver.com

By Bruce Henderson
bhenderson@charlotteobserver.com

Posted: Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

"Duke signed a contract with Orangeburg in 2008. Despite being outside Duke's territory, the city would have bought power at the same rates that Duke offered its N.C. retail customers, saving $10 million a year.

The commission's customer advocacy arm, its Public Staff, argued that N.C. customers could be hurt by the deal and others like it. If Duke signed many such wholesale contracts, the Public Staff said, the utility might have to build new power plants. If those wholesale customers later bought power from other utilities, Duke's retail customers could be stuck paying for those plants."

House Republican wants leaders to end 'painful to watch' Energy panel fight - The Hill's E2-Wire

"Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), the panel’s senior Republican, wants to be chairman in the next Congress. But he would have to receive a term-limit waiver, one that GOP leaders seem unlikely to grant. ...

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) is also gunning for the top slot and is believed to be the leading candidate, but his critics argue he’s too moderate and arecirculating research on his voting record to make their case. ..

Two other committee Republicans – John Shimkus (Ill.) and Cliff Stearns (Fla.) – want the job if Barton is thwarted."

Robinson Plant to test sirens at full volume | SCNOW

"Progress Energy will test the alert notification sirens in the 10-mile area around the H.B. Robinson Nuclear Plant, located about five miles from Hartsville, between 2 and 5 p.m. Tuesday in cooperation with Chesterfield, Darlington and Lee counties."

Google Voice app finally approved for iPhone

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE and JOELLE TESSLER

The Associated Press
Tuesday, November 16, 2010; 6:49 PM

"The breakthrough announced Tuesday resolves a stand-off that triggered a Federal Communications Commission inquiry into whether Apple and AT&T Inc., the iPhone's exclusive U.S. service provider, were trying to stifle competition by keeping the app off the popular device."

Groups Appeal NC Decision to Allow Forests to Be Burned for Energy

"'The commission's decision allows utilities to meet state renewable energy targets by unrestricted cutting, chipping and burning forests. In the appeal, we are asking the Court of Appeals to take a fresh look at this important legal issue,' said Gudrun Thompson, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center."

Energy Update 63% Say Renewable Energy is A Better Long-Term Investment for America Than Fossil Fuels

Rasmussen Reports

"A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters say renewable energy is a better long-term investment than fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. Twenty-seven percent (27%) feel that investing in fossil fuels is a better decision. Eleven percent (11%) of voters are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This is the highest level of support for renewable energy since August, though voters have consistently favored it over fossil fuels since Rasmussen Reports began surveying this question in late January ."

SCANA CEO: Nuclear project is running below budget

By Mike Fitts
mfitts@scbiznews.com
Published Nov. 16, 2010

"SCE&G’s demand growth has slowed during the recession, Timmerman said, but it sees it rising back toward its previous growth rate of 2.2% per year.

Timmerman said that once both new reactors are online, SCE&G’s carbon output will have declined more than half. That should insulate the utility from any economic repercussions of climate change regulations, he said"

Department of Energy - DOE Launches New Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee

"ERAC will periodically review EERE's portfolio and provide advice to the Secretary of Energy on a variety of areas including: completion of long-range plans, priorities and strategies; program funding; and any issues of specific concern expressed by the Secretary of Energy or the Assistant Secretary for EERE. ERAC is expected to meet twice a year; the meetings will be open to the public. The Committee is being established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).� DOE also expects to organize various subcommittees under ERAC.� Learn�more about the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee."