FPL regulation: Legislative proposals on PSC and electric utility standards - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

FPL regulation: Legislative proposals on PSC and electric utility standards - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com:

"Beef up law on conversing with utilities. The bill would bar commissioners and their staff members from speaking with utility employees on most regulatory issues unless consumer advocates and other groups were included. Under current law, commissioners can't discuss the merits of issues."

Power use drop hits SCANA's earnings - Breaking News - TheState.com

Power use drop hits SCANA's earnings - Breaking News - TheState.com:

"Cayce-based power provider SCANA said Thursday that fourth-quarter earnings fell nearly 12 percent as cost cuts and higher rates failed to offset customers battered by recession using less electricity.
SCANA, the state's only Fortune 500 company, earned $76 million, or 62 cents per share, compared to $86 million, or 73 cents per share, a year earlier"

Utility fined for sewage spill in Saluda River - Local / Metro - TheState.com

Utility fined for sewage spill in Saluda River - Local / Metro - TheState.com:

"A federal agency has fined Alpine Utilities Inc. $14,000 for a sewage spill that fouled the Saluda River and caused an uproar in the Midlands two years ago.
The Environmental Protection Agency penalty brings to $39,000 the amount of state and federal fines levied against Alpine for the July 2008 sewage leak."

Plan encourages home upgrades - Local / Metro - TheState.com

Plan encourages home upgrades - Local / Metro - TheState.com: "The state's 20 electric co-operatives want to tie the cost of retrofitting homes to monthly utility bills.
Utilities would lend the money for updates such as new heating and cooling units and better insulation. Customers would repay the loan at a low interest rate, with payments built into their utility bills."

Progress Energy error will lead to supplemental bills for nearly 90,000 - St. Petersburg Times

Progress Energy [Fla] error will lead to supplemental bills for nearly 90,000 - St. Petersburg Times:

"Nearly 90,000 Progress Energy customers began receiving calls from the utility Tuesday with a mea culpa: Sorry, but due to a company error, we didn't bill you enough this month."

Renewable energy commitment could double jobs - By Julie Schmit, USA TODAY

Renewable energy commitment could double jobs - "A national electricity standard has faced opposition from Southeastern lawmakers, who fear that it'll benefit states with big wind and good sun. Southeastern states are largely dependent on coal and nuclear power.
"We're not opposed to renewables, but we're of the opinion that states should come up with their own plans," says David Wright, past president and current commissioner of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. If the Southeast benefits from growth in biomass, he wonders if it'll lose jobs if coal plants close."

Authority acquires Avondale water system | The Augusta Chronicle

Authority acquires Avondale water system | The Augusta Chronicle: "AIKEN

"The Valley Public Service Authority officially closed on a deal to take over Avondale Mills' water system last week, and residents and legislators say that's a step toward a better system and lower rates for customers."

....

Concerns about 12 million gallons of water being lost in the system over a month's time arose late last month, but board Chairman Otis Gibson said taking on the system was still the right decision. The board worked out a deal with Avondale that would require the company to pay $600,000 to the authority to cover expenses involving the water leaks and other improvements. Stimulus money and grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development agency will help cover other rehab costs.