As Duke Energy nears decision, SC nuke is on track - Charlotte Business Journal

John Downey

Senior Staff Writer- Charlotte Business Journal

The two units under construction at V.C. Summer Nuclear Station — which could add Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE:DUK) as a part owner this month — are on time and under budget, says a new report from South Carolina’s utility customer advocate.

Critics contend construction issues could still send costs rising. And they note “on time” now means up to 16 months later than originally planned, and “on budget’ includes $452 million in cost increases approved by S.C. regulators.

NEW YORK: Kilowatt Financial Announces Debt Facility with Citi to Finance Energy Efficiency Loans | Business Press Releases | Fort Mill Times

With facility proceeds, Kilowatt will enable homeowners throughout the United States to make energy efficient improvements to their homes through 10-12 year unsecured loans of up to $30,000. Homeowners can use the funds for a broad range of improvements, including HVAC equipment, water heaters, windows, roofing, insulation, lighting, and energy efficient appliances. The landmark transaction is designed to facilitate a securitization of the pool of loans into the capital markets, and thereby help establish a secondary market and scale energy efficiency activity. Kilowatt and Citi expect to create term asset-backed securities from the loans, making more capital available for additional homeowners to upgrade their homes.

Energy Efficiency Is About to Get a $200M Jolt From Wall Street : Greentech Media

Stephen Lacey
January 22, 2014

Two organizations, Joule Assets and Kilowatt Financial, have unveiled separate $100 million funds for efficiency projects. The two funds were announced within one day of each other.

LAKE MURRAY, SC: Deal would give Midlands’ utility water, sewer rate hike | Business | The State

By TIM FLACH

tflach@thestate.comJanuary 21, 2014 

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/01/21/3219626/deal-would-give-midlands-utility.html#storylink=cpy

A proposed compromise would add nearly $10 to the current average monthly residential bill of $76 for full service provided by Carolina Water Service. Others who receive partial service would pay at least $3 more per month.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/01/21/3219626/deal-would-give-midlands-utility.html#storylink=cpy

Piedmont Natural Gas to cut charges for SC customers next month - Charlotte Business Journal

John Downey

Senior Staff Writer- Charlotte Business Journal

Piedmont Natural Gas proposes cutting the benchmark price in its South Carolina natural gas rates by 25 cents in February to $4 per dekatherm because of low natural gas prices.

The impact of the average monthly bill for a residential customer will be small — about $2. The impact will be larger in the winter months for customers who use gas to heat their homes.
On Jan. 1, Piedmont cut its benchmark price for N.C. customers to $4.25 from $4.50.

Scana pays $169 million in county property taxes

CAYCE – Scana Corp. and its subsidiaries, including S.C. Electric & Gas, paid approximately $169 million in property taxes in South Carolina for property assessed in 2013.

“These dollars help support schools, police, fire and other critical public services and have a significant impact in the communities we serve,” SCE&G spokesperson Eric Boomhower said.

The largest single tax payment was made to Lexington County in the amount of approximately $32.1 million.

Innovative financing spurs energy efficiency in rural communities | GreenBiz.com

By Marilynn Marsh-Robinson

Published January 20, 2014

Rural electric cooperatives recently got some good news when USDA announced that $250 million is available in its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program to help residential and business customers make energy efficiency improvements that will lower their electric bills. Cooperatives also can use loan funds to improve their own energy systems, such as transmission and generation facilities.