News Roundup
News Roundup for Jan. 29
NEW YORK SOLAR
Gov. David Paterson
New York Gov. David Paterson has announced plans to install up to 100 megawatts of photovoltaic systems as part of a plan to increase the state’s renewable energy resources. Paterson wants the state to get 45 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2015. The solar arrays would represent a 500 percent increase in available solar power for New York and provide enough energy to power 15,000 homes.
OBAMA’S ORDERS
President Obama has ordered federal agencies to reduce their overall energy use. “We have a responsibility to American citizens to reduce our energy use and become more efficient,” Obama said, in a statement issued Friday. Besides lowering costs and reducing pollution, the president set a goal of shifting energy expenses from oil to “local, clean energy.” The federal government is the largest consumer of energy in the United States.
RATE FRUSTRATIONS
Frustration over rate increases has some members of the Virginia General Assembly threatening to ban an investor-owned utility from doing business in the state. A dozen members of the house and senate have warned Appalachian Power Company that if it doesn’t voluntarily reduce the economic hardships caused by rate increases, there’s bipartisan support to decertify its franchise. From 2004 through 2009 the company’s rates increased by nearly 74 percent.
TEXAS BACKSTEP
NRG Energy officials say they may shelve plans to add two new reactors to a Bay City, Texas, nuclear plant if a deal with San Antonio’s municipal utility falls apart. David Crane, chief executive of NRG says that he’s willing to walk away from the deal if agreements can’t be reached on costs and ownership issues. A Texas judge is considering a $32 billion lawsuit filed by the municipal utility over whether the $10 billion reactor costs claimed by NRG are realistic.
—Based on news and wire reports.
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