Power Industry Seeks Fresh Talent to Run the Grid of Tomorrow - NYTimes.com

By TOM ZELLER Jr.

Published: December 29, 2010

"The power companies desperately need a jolt of youthful energy. The industry and the creaky distribution system it manages are on the cusp of a major technological overhaul just as about half of electric utility employees are expected to retire in the next 5 to 10 years."

Consumer Reports Cars Blog: Against the current: The reality of the award-winning Chevrolet Volt

Clearly, reaping the benefits of electric-car use means keeping the Volt’s battery charged up as much as possible. When we did that, and the Volt only used its gas engine occasionally, the car’s on-board computer indicated we were getting six-figure mpg display of 120 mpg or so. But such a fantastic number is misleading since it ignores the cost of the 12 kWh of electricity we were “pumping” into the car every 33 miles or so. Here in the Northeast, or in California, that ends up being about $2.38 (With the national average of 11cents per kWh, it would be $1.38.)

Electric bills may not be as big as you fear - Local / Metro - TheState.com

By KRISTY EPPLEY RUPON - krupon@thestate.com

"The program – put into place as part of a compromise to raise power rates starting this spring to pay for environmental upgrades — is based on a complicated formula that kicks in when temperatures vary greatly from their 15-year averages. As a result, the Cayce-based utility’s 660,000 electricity customers will pay less for every kilowatt hour of power that they use during unusually hot periods over the summer and cold periods over the winter, Boomhower said.
On the down side, customers will pay more for every per kilowatt hour of power that they use when seasons are milder and, as a result, they use less power, he said."

The lives of the energy traders: High stakes, high cholesterol

By Jess Walter

Monday, December 27, 2010; 7:19 PM

"McMeel worked for 13 years in the energy markets, and he revels in juicy descriptions and office anecdotes, which have the unmistakable feel of insider lore. He colorfully describes the denizens of this all-male world (one has 'a skull the size of a pony keg') and their meals ('a haiku of fat.'). But as on-point as these descriptions might be, the men and their meals begin to blur; when everyone is larger than life, no one is."

Just 21% Want FCC to Regulate Internet, Most Fear Regulation Would Promote Political Agenda - Rasmussen Reports™

"The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 21% of Likely U.S. Voters want the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate the Internet as it does radio and television. Fifty-four percent (54%) are opposed to such regulation, and 25% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)"

Group to urge GOP to combat 'outrageous' federal regulations - The Hill's Ballot Box

By Shane D'Aprile - 12/27/10 03:00 PM E\
"Kerpen wants the Senate to force to the floor a 'Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval' on the FCC's new rules, which he said can be done with as few as 30 senators."

Washington Youth Tour

"Fairfield Electric Cooperative's representatives will travel to Washington D. C with approximately 40 high school juniors from other South Carolina electric cooperatives. Once there, the South Carolina representative's will join nearly 1,400 students representing cooperatives from around the country."