SC Utility News Digest - a Service of the Terreni Law Firm, LLC
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Regulators target discharges into Saluda River - Local / Metro - TheState.com
Regulators target discharges into Saluda River - Local / Metro - TheState.com:
"Alpine Utilities Inc. faces the tougher bacteria monitoring requirements under a new federal discharge permit recommended for the company's sewer plant along the Saluda River near Bush River Road and Interstate 20."
Columbia eyes properties to annex - Local / Metro - TheState.com
Columbia eyes properties to annex - Local / Metro - TheState.com:
City wants taxes from expensive commercial land
"With no water covenants, and few options to compel an annexation available under stateaw, Columbia officials are using the city's monopolistic water system as leverage to force those property owners to petition for annexation."
SC county sues feds over nuclear waste decision
SC county sues feds over nuclear waste decision:
"THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
AIKEN, S.C. -- Aiken County has filed a lawsuit in federal court to try to keep plans on track for a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain in Nevada"
"THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
AIKEN, S.C. -- Aiken County has filed a lawsuit in federal court to try to keep plans on track for a nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain in Nevada"
Friday, February 19, 2010
F.C.C. Inquiry for ‘Our Little Genius,’ Planned Fox Game Show - NYTimes.com
F.C.C. Inquiry for ‘Our Little Genius,’ Planned Fox Game Show - NYTimes.com:
"Section 508 of the Communications Act of 1934 makes it illegal for anyone to give, with the intent to deceive the viewing or listening public, assistance that will affect the outcome of a “purportedly bona fide contest of intellectual knowledge or intellectual skill.” That issue was behind the quiz show scandals of the 1950s."
Ethics reforms for PSC long overdue - St. Petersburg Times
Ethics reforms for PSC long overdue - St. Petersburg Times:
A Times Editorial, February 19, 2010
"Senate Bill 1034 would finally embrace a 1992 statewide grand jury recommendation that the quasi-judicial agency work more like the courts.
The bill, as amended Tuesday in the Senate Rules Committee 17-1, would ban all ex parte communications between the utilities and the commissioners and their staff during rate setting and rulemaking. It also would require all communication between the parties be documented. Anyone caught violating the law — including utilities and their employees — would face punishment. For utilities the fine could be hefty: up to one-tenth of 1 percent of their annual operating revenue.
The bill also would increase from two years to four years the time that commissioners and their staff are banned from working for a utility or its subsidiary after they leave the PSC. That should at least slow the revolving door between the industry and the agency."
The bill, as amended Tuesday in the Senate Rules Committee 17-1, would ban all ex parte communications between the utilities and the commissioners and their staff during rate setting and rulemaking. It also would require all communication between the parties be documented. Anyone caught violating the law — including utilities and their employees — would face punishment. For utilities the fine could be hefty: up to one-tenth of 1 percent of their annual operating revenue.
The bill also would increase from two years to four years the time that commissioners and their staff are banned from working for a utility or its subsidiary after they leave the PSC. That should at least slow the revolving door between the industry and the agency."
49% Favor Building New Nuclear Plants - Rasmussen Reports™
49% Favor Building New Nuclear Plants - Rasmussen Reports™:
"In monthly surveys through all of last year, support for building more nuclear plants ranged from a low of 47% to a high of 58%. Opposition ranged from 25% to 35%.
But 66% of adults are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of nuclear power plants, including 33% who are very concerned. Another 33% are not very or not at all concerned about nuclear plant safety.
Forty-two percent (42%), in fact, think the billions in loan guarantees to help build new nuclear plants would be better spent on the development of alternative new energy sources. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree, and 26% more are not sure"
But 66% of adults are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of nuclear power plants, including 33% who are very concerned. Another 33% are not very or not at all concerned about nuclear plant safety.
Forty-two percent (42%), in fact, think the billions in loan guarantees to help build new nuclear plants would be better spent on the development of alternative new energy sources. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree, and 26% more are not sure"
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