N.C. officials waive rules to allow Duke, Progress to amend merger proposal | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

John Murawski

"The utilities are going to propose what is known as a "virtual divestiture" -- that is, selling off wholesale power at guaranteed prices. The companies told the N.C. commission on Oct. 7 their modification will entail selling 800 megawatts of wholesale power in the winter and 225 megawatts in the summer at a price with a fixed 10 percent profit margin, rather than a negotiated profit margin. The feds are expected to rule this year if those measures are adequate.

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F.C.C. and Wireless Carriers Agree to Alerts to Fight ‘Bill Shock’ - NYTimes.com

Edward Wyatt

"WASHINGTON — Users of cellphones and other wireless devices who are nearing their monthly limit for voice, text or data services will receive alerts when they are in danger of being charged extra, under an agreement reached by carriers and the Federal Communications Commission."

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Water rate increase denied | Lake Wylie Pilot - Lake Wylie, SC

John Marks

"Today, the South Carolina Public Service Commission voted 5-2 to deny the company’s request to raise rates for its South Carolina customers. The regularly scheduled commission meeting in Columbia Thursday lasted about an hour.

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FCC to Vote on Reform Proposal For USF, ICC at October Meeting | BNA

Paul Barbagallo

"The Federal Communications Commission will vote on a proposal for reforming the Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation systems at the agency's next monthly meeting, slated for Oct. 27, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski formally announced Oct. 6.

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South Carolina Public Service Commission seeks higher profile | The Augusta Chronicle

Sarita Chourey

“You obviously provide a very valuable service to the citizens,” he said. “I know you have primary duties, having the hearings and doing the work. But to the extent there’s public relations work to be done by the commission, I think it’s important to get out in the community and talk to various groups.”
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F.C.C. Expanding Efforts to Connect More Americans to Broadband - NYTimes.com

Katharine Q. Seelye

"“It’s one important stop of the train,” Julius Genachowski, chairman of the F.C.C., said in an interview Tuesday, referring to the many things that need to be done to connect more Americans to the Internet. He plans to announce Wednesday that these companies and others have made a commitment through a new group called Connect to Compete to help more people learn to use computers."

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City sued for using utility money for other purposes - Breaking News - TheState.com

Sammy Fretwell

"Joseph Azar’s lawsuit, filed Monday, seeks to force Columbia to use its utility fund exclusively for maintaining and improving the city’s water and sewer system, which has been plagued by a series of leaks to area rivers.
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