Friday, May 23, 2014

SCE&G Places Containment Vessel Bottom Head on V.C. Summer Unit 3 Basemat



Consisting of nearly 2-inch-thick carbon steel, the CVBH forms the base of the Unit 3 containment vessel and is approximately 40 feet tall and 130 feet wide. 

Thursday, May 22, 2014

CLIMATE: States pressing EPA for efficiency credits in power plant regs -- Moniz -- Wednesday, May 21, 2014 -- www.eenews.net

Hannah Northey, E&E reporter
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz told reporters today at the 2014 Energy Efficiency Global Forum in Washington, D.C., that EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy is offering states as much flexibility as possible, and states are playing up efficiency programs.
"She's certainly hearing from the states that efficiency would be an effective tool," Moniz said.
During an online forum earlier in the week, McCarthy said that President Obama had tentatively decided to introduce the existing power plant proposal himself on June 2. The rule is the centerpiece of Obama’s Climate Action Plan unveiled last year, and environmentalists have urged the administration to do everything it can to ensure it delivers serious reductions -- including by improving demand-side energy efficiency.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

COLUMBIA, SC: Columbia water, sewer rates increase rejected; Questions raised about implications on city budget | Local News | The State

— Columbia City Council rejected on Tuesday a proposed 8 percent average water and sewer rate increase for residential customers, but left unanswered whether it would approve a smaller increase later or how council will make up the loss in revenue.


Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/05/20/3456517/columbia-water-sewer-rates-could.html?sp=/99/205/&ihp=1#storylink=cpy

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Santee Cooper OKs job-creating initiatives

The grants, which come from the S.C. Power Team Site Readiness Fund, will total up to $6 million a year for high-value projects in areas served by the state’s 20 electric cooperatives.

In addition, a $2.5 million-per-year Santee Cooper Municipal Site Readiness Fund will offer grants for high-value projects in municipalities served as wholesale customers by Santee Cooper. Both funds are available for five years

Monday, May 19, 2014

That Dream Apartment With a Crackling Hearth Is Losing Some Spark - NYTimes.com



Under the proposal, announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Earth Day in April, no new wood-burning fireplaces can be built after July 1. Innocuous as this may sound, at least one other city has introduced similar regulations only to ban all existing fireplaces a few years later.

COLUMBIA, SC: An energy efficient home makeover | Local News | The State

brantin@thestate.com (803) 771-8306May 18, 2014 

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/05/18/3453579/an-energy-efficient-home-makeover.html#storylink=cpy
SCE&G volunteers completed several upgrades at five homes as part of the blitz that was designed to improve the energy efficiency of homes while ensuring the health and safety of the occupants. The work included caulking, weather-stripping, painting, and insulating and replacing windows and doors. Workers also completed several outdoor beautification projects at each site.

The effort was coordinated with the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program that provides home weatherization assistance to improve the quality of life for low-income families – particularly the elderly and people with disabilities.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/05/18/3453579/an-energy-efficient-home-makeover.html#storylink=cpy

AT&T, DirecTV announce $49 billion merger - The Washington Post

The deal is the latest mega-merger to be announced this year in a dramatically shifting telecommunications industry. The titans of the industry have recently rushed to bulk up — in overall size and in diversity of service offerings — as their legacy phone and TV businesses have frayed and consumers have turned to the Internet for communication and entertainment.

The deals, which must be approved by federal regulators, have prompted new concern that consumers could be left with fewer options and even higher prices after years of creeping increases. In 2012, U.S. cable-TV bills increased 5.1 percent, to an average of $64 a month, triple the rate of inflation, according to a government report.

SCE&G pulling plug on rebate program for energy-saving projects – The Post and Courier

David Slade, May 18, 2014
South Carolina Electric & Gas is ending an energy-efficiency rebate program that offers customers up to $2,500 toward the cost of certain home improvements, including insulation.
So, if those incentives would be useful to you, you'd better hurry. The deadline to have work completed and rebate forms submitted is July 31, and it can take some time to complete this sort of project.

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