Verizon outage affects cell phones in SC - WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina |

"The company said Wednesday it is experiencing what it called connectivity issues that have caused cell phone outages in areas along Interstate 85.

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NRC welcomes changes at Robinson plant | SCNOW

Jim Faile

"Agency officials said, based on actions taken by Robinson officials, the NRC has closed the three white inspection findings. One deficiency finding will remain in effect until Sept. 30, when it, too, will be closed unless additional findings occur before then, Randy Musser, branch chief for the NRC’s Region II office in Atlanta, said. Musser said if additional deficiency findings occur after Sept. 30, those will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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FERC request could delay Duke-Progress merger - Charlotte Business Journal

John Downey

"The commission is generally required to rule on applications within six months of filing of a properly completed application. Steve Rodgers, a director of FERC’s Division of Power Regulation, wrote the utilities Aug. 22 and asked them to file additional information on price sensitivity and other issues."

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Alpine wastewater sold - Business - TheState.com

Joey Holleman

"Palmetto Wastewater Reclamation acquired Alpine on Aug. 12 and notified customers by letter this week. Palmetto is an affiliate of Palmetto Utilities, which has provided sewage service in Northeast Richland for more than 25 years.
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[GA] - State utility commissioner's pursuit of Masters tickets improper, critics say | ajc.com

By Kristi E. Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For the Masters, Echols said he was concerned about limo companies from South Carolina trying to take business away from Georgia-based companies. He was not acting on any complaints from Augusta National about unauthorized limos.

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S.C. hearings on Duke/Progress merger start Oct. 26 - Charlotte Business Journal

John Downey

"The commission has no statutory authority over the merger of the parent companies, according to Duke and Progress. But it does have authority over the eventual merger of the operating utilities, Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) and Progress Energy Carolinas (PEC).
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S.C. settlement would ease Duke Energy fuel hike — a little - Charlotte Business Journal

John Downey

With fuel costs rising overall, Duke had sought to increase its rates by 5.6% for residential customers, 7% for commercial customers and 10.2% for industrial customers. The S.C. Office of Regulator Staff reviewed Duke's calculations and argued that the company was seeking about $1.3 million in additional charges that were not justified.
That was out of a total of more than $29 million in additional charges. Duke agreed late last week to accept the regulatory staff's calculations. If the S.C. Public Service Commission accepts the settlement, Duke's rate will increase 5.5% for residential customers, 7% for commercial customers and 10% for industrial customers.

Coastal business | Santee Cooper studies rate increase - Business - TheSunNews.com

South Carolina’s state-owned electric utility’s board of directors decided Monday to tell its management to study whether current rates will support future expenses. Those expenses include the costs of complying with environmental rules on power generation and the construction of new nuclear reactors at V.C. Summer Nuclear Station near Columbia.
Management is expected to report back to the board in May.

Rare fish found in upper Wateree River - Local / Metro - TheState.com

Sammy Fretwell

Duke Energy Inc. is locked in a dispute with environmentalists and federal fisheries managers over how to protect shortnose sturgeon below the company’s hydroelectric dam at Lake Wateree.
The power company previously has said because shortnose sturgeon do not live in the upper Wateree River, it should not be forced to release water from the dam to levels sought by federal biologists and environmentalists. The extra water is supposed to improve habitat for sturgeon, but could cost the power company millions of dollars to accommodate the fish.