‘Smart’ Electric Meters Draw Complaints of Inaccuracy - NYTimes.com

Erich Schlegel for The New York Times

Sgt. John Robertson and his wife, Kim, put in energy-saving bulbs and took other steps to cut costs. But his electricity bill is higher, he says, because of  a smart meter installed at his home

By TOM ZELLER Jr.

Published: November 12, 2010

 "But because of faulty technology in some cases, and more often through general shortcomings in consumer education and customer-service support by many utilities, smart meters are leaving many customers dumbfounded."

Regulators fault Westinghouse on reactor plans - Financial & Business - Wire - TheState.com

"Westinghouse formally responded to the violation Friday, company spokesman Scott Shaw said. Three issues identified by NRC officials were resolved during the inspection. Shaw said the firm will address the remaining items by taking steps that include giving the NRC new information, revising some analyses and changing a door in the power plant's design.
Shaw said the response will not cause a delay in getting a final decision from the NRC on the reactor design, which is expected next year."

USC gets $500,000 grant from Duke Energy - Education - TheState.com

Wayne Washington - The State

"'We see this gift to the university as an investment in the economic future of South Carolina,' said Catherine Heigel, president of Duke Energy South Carolina. 'Our investment will help develop a pipeline of talent and technology to spur the workforce development and technological innovations needed to fuel the state’s economy.'
Students majoring in electrical or mechanical engineering or computer science will be eligible for scholarships and fellowships, which will also be open to students with a minor in nuclear engineering. The first awards will be given in 2012."

Post Tech - Internet TV battles come to head at FCC

By Cecilia Kang

"First, media and communications firms are watching to see if the FCC proposes a rule in coming months that would standardize set-top-box technology and loosen the grip of cable and satellite providers over the gateway device to the television. The All Video (known as AllVid) idea was first introduced in the FCC's broadband plan last spring, and the agency said it would aim for a December proposal for concrete rules. Observers say the agency is more likely to introduce a policy proposal in early 2011."

Settlement reached in N.C.-S.C. water war | Charlotte Business Journal

Charlotte Business Journal - by Susan Stabley

"The settlement sets rigorous rules for removing water from the Catawba but discharging it into another river system. That process — called an interbasin transfer — will require notification to all water users in both states, as well as public meetings, proof of need for the interbasin transfer and a comprehensive environmental study."

Sustainability support: $500,000 grant to help with energy-saving home improvements | The Post and Courier, Charleston SC - News, Sports, Entertainment

BY DAVID SLADE

dslade@postandcourier.com

Thursday, November 11, 2010

"Charleston has been working to create a loan program that could help all city residents make energy-saving improvements, and a $500,000, three-year grant announced Wednesday by the Home Depot Foundation's Sustainable Cities Institute will boost that effort."

California Voters Uphold Climate Law, Defeat Prop 23 | Mother Jones

— By Kate Sheppard

| Tue Nov. 2, 2010 10:42 PM PDT

"Enviros cheered the defeat of Prop 23, which would have rolled back the 2006 law that required the state to cut emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Implementation of that law is set to begin next year. 'Tonight California voters delivered a decisive win for the clean energy economy,' said Steven Maviglio, spokesman for the 'No on Prop 23' campaign. ' In the midst of a major economic downturn, and with a barrage of fear mongering and scare tactics, voters still chose clean energy over dirty energy.'"

Companies yank cord on residential phone books - Technology - TheState.com

By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM - AP Business Writer

"In the past month alone, New York, Florida and Pennsylvania approved Verizon Communications Inc.'s request to quit distributing residential white pages. Residents in Virginia have until Nov. 19 to provide comments on a similar request pending with state regulators."

Energy-savings season kicks off | The Post and Courier, Charleston SC - News, Sports, Entertainment

Yvonne Wenger

"Michael Couick, chief executive officer for the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, went to Washington on Tuesday for a forum with Vice President Joe Biden. Couick's purpose: showcase a loan program designed to allow homeowners and tenants to weatherproof their homes and upgrade heating and air-conditioning units and pay for the improvements with energy savings."

White House unveils home energy efficiency program

"It was one of several energy initiatives that Vice President Joe Biden announced at a White House event Tuesday. The voluntary Home Energy Score program, developed by the Energy Department, will provide homeowners a score of between one and 10, along with estimated savings from energy retrofits, and a personalized list of recommended home energy upgrades.
The program is starting up on a pilot basis in several places this fall before going nationwide: Charlottesville, Va.; Allegheny County, Pa.; Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, Mass.; Omaha and Lincoln, Neb.; Portland, Ore.; Eagle County, Colo.; South Carolina [Electric Cooperatives of S.C.] ; Texas; Minnesota; and Indiana."

Vt. nuclear plant shuts down after leak from pipe - BusinessWeek

The Vermont Yankee nuclear plant has begun an unscheduled shutdown so technicians can fix a leak where radioactive water is seeping from a pipe leading to the reactor."

Green Power’s High Cost Scuttles Projects - NYTimes.com

By MATTHEW L. WALD and TOM ZELLER Jr.

Published: November 7, 2010

"Deals to buy renewable power have been scuttled or slowed in states including Florida, Idaho and Kentucky as well as Virginia. By the end of the third quarter, year-to-date installations of new wind power dropped 72 percent from 2009 levels, according to the American Wind Energy Association, a trade group."

Not everyone can afford to welcome brisk temps - CharlotteObserver.com

: "It's simple. When you enroll, Piedmont will round up your monthly gas bill to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to Crisis Assistance Ministry and other agencies that assist low-income residents with utility bills.".... 
"Duke Energy also has a Share the Warmth program. Customers make donations with a check or online; the Duke Energy Foundation will match up to $500,000 in customer contributions during the heating season."