Utility Shelves Ambitious Plan to Limit Carbon - NYTimes.com

Matthew L. Wald and John M. Broder

"American Electric Power has decided to table plans to build a full-scale carbon-capture plant at Mountaineer, a 31-year-old coal-fired plant in West Virginia, where the company has successfully captured and buried carbon dioxide in a small pilot program for two years."

Republicans fail to block new light bulb standards - Business - TheState.com

By JIM ABRAMS - The Associated Press

"Under existing rules, new bulbs will have to be 25 to 30 percent more efficient than traditional incandescent models. As of Jan. 1, 2012, inefficient 100-watt bulbs will no longer be available at most stores. Also on the way out are traditional 75-watt bulbs in 2013 and 40-watt and 60-watt versions in 2014.
The National Resources Defense Council said that when the law is fully implemented in 2020, energy costs will be reduced by 7 percent or about $85 a household every year. It said the more efficient bulbs will eliminate the need for 33 large power plants."

Water rate hike challenged - Local / Metro - TheState.com

By TIM FLACH - tflach@thestate.com

'Its requests would increase the typical monthly residential bill to $65 from $35 for water and to $44 from $39 for sewer, state officials estimate."

Nuclear plant troubles waning - Local / Metro - TheState.com

Sammy Fretwell

"In a letter released Friday by the NRC, the agency told Progress Energy it has taken the proper steps to fix problems at the H.B. Robinson nuclear plant in Darlington County."

E.P.A. Chief Stands Firm as Tough Rules Loom - NYTimes.com

John Broder

"The first of these new rules is expected to be announced Thursday, imposing tighter restrictions on soot and smog emissions from coal-burning power plants in 31 states east of the Rockies. The regulation is expected to lead to the closing of several older plants and will require the installation of scrubbers at many of those that remain in operation. One former E.P.A. administrator, William K. Reilly, who served under the first President George Bush, is a sometime adviser to Ms. Jackson. He said she was taking fire from all sides."

Howard University considers microgrid as a power source - The Washington Post

Lori Aratani

"Howard plans to be among the first universities in the area to install a microgrid, a system that would allow it to generate and manage power and save the university millions of dollars. The campus will still remain connected to Pepco’s grid but will have the ability to sever the connection and maintain power even in the event of an outage."

SCE&G wants rate increase - Local / Metro - TheState.com

Warren Wise

"South Carolina Electric & Gas is requesting another rate increase to help pay for construction of two new nuclear units north of Columbia.
The Cayce-based utility has asked the S.C. Public Service Commission to approve an overall 2.7 percent increase that would take effect in October.
Rates for residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month would rise $3.58, or 2.83 percent, to $130.32.
Rates for small and medium commercial users would go up 2.67 percent, and for large commercial and industrial customers, 2.49 percent."