House Democrats face resistance from their own caucus on oil spill bill - TheHill.com

House Democrats face resistance from their own caucus on oil spill bill - TheHill.com:

By Darren Goode - o7/29/10

"About 30 oil-state Democrats, many of them Blue Dogs, oppose the removal of a liability cap on economic damages for oil and gas producers, not just retroactively for BP, but for all companies involved in future spills.

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Echoing the arguments of some of their centrist Democratic colleagues in the Senate, they say that measure would price smaller independent companies — many of which they represent — out of the offshore drilling business."

SCANA’s earnings hit by higher property taxes in Q2

Charleston Regional Business Journal | Charleston, SC: "SCANA Corp. reported earnings of $54 million, or 43 cents per share, for the second quarter of 2010, down from $55 million, or 45 cents per share, for the second quarter of 2009.

The drop, announced today, was attributed to higher property taxes, interest, and operating and maintenance expenses, which the utility said more than offset improved electric margins driven by favorable weather, customer growth and the electric base rate increase under the Base Load Review Act."

Smart Meters On Horizon in Upstate Along with Utility Rate Changes | WSPA

Smart Meters On Horizon in Upstate Along with Utility Rate Changes | WSPA:

By DIANE LEE
Published: July 29, 2010

"In six weeks (September) the utility company plans to start testing its first smart meters.

'Now the customer will have the ability to see their real time energy information. And when you give customers the ability to see their actual consumption, now they have the ability to engage and make decisions on their power usage,' said Donahoo.

He says customers will be able to access their usage through the Laurens Electric website.

Laurens Electric says eventually we'll even be able to hook up our appliances to the smart meters so we can know exactly how much we're spending on that load of laundry.

But that knowledge could come at a price. The rate structure will be changing.

'When electricity costs more during the day we'll charge you more and then when it costs less we'll charge you less,' said Donahoo."

Duke Energy Wants To Follow Amazon’s Business Model - PSFK

Duke Energy Wants To Follow Amazon’s Business Model - PSFK: "Jim Rogers, Duke Energy’s CEO, wants his company to model its business after Amazon’s. Just like Amazon.com discounts e-books bought through the Kindle, Rogers too envisions using a smart-grid system to offer discounts on energy-efficient appliances to its customers.

Speaking at the Clean Energy Ministerial Forum, the Duke chief said that state regulations governing utilities need to change to allow utilities to make more profit without selling more electricity. He also proposed a new business model for his company under which Duke would associate its brand with computer chip enabled energy-efficient products that can interact with the utility and Duke will give customers discounts to buy them.

The company is already working on a smart-grid system that involves placing utilities, appliances and commercial equipment on a single, open Internet protocol platform."

Graniteville still watching water use | The Augusta Chronicle

Graniteville still watching water use | The Augusta Chronicle:

By Julia Sellers

South Carolina Bureau Chief

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 "A year after Avondale Mills customers saw water rates spike, they still see higher-than-average bills from their new company, Valley Public Service Authority, but not as bad as they were at their peak.

Johnson and her husband, Wayne, were among more than 550 customers who fought back last year when water rates jumped without warning. Customers who averaged bills of $15 to $20 a month saw them spike to well above $200, and in some cases, past $500."

Gibbs suggests climate measures could be added to Senate bill - The Hill's E2-Wire

Gibbs suggests climate measures could be added to Senate bill - The Hill's E2-Wire:

By Sam Youngman - 07/27/10 04:21 PM ET

"White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said he wouldn’t rule out adding some climate measures to the legislation in conference, assuming a scaled-down energy bill passes the Senate."

GM, Nissan compete for best deal on electric car

GM, Nissan compete for best deal on electric car:

By TOM KRISHER

The Associated Press
Tuesday, July 27, 2010; 6:09 PM

"For those who buy the Leaf or Volt, the two cars also are eligible for a federal tax credit that will cut their prices by $7,500. The Volt's price would fall to $33,500 while the Leaf's would drop to $25,280 - from $32,780. Some states, such as California, Georgia and Oregon, offer additional tax breaks that will lower the price further. The federal government will phase out the credits when each manufacturer sells 200,000 electric cars."