New Hampshire Coop Customers Bring Suit Over “Smart Meters”
Posted on Feb 27, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Litigation, Technology | Comments Off on New Hampshire Coop Customers Bring Suit Over “Smart Meters”
A group of eight customers of Plymouth-based New Hampshire Electric Cooperative have brought suit in Grafton County Superior Court, arguing that they should have the option to refuse to have so-called “smart meters” installed at their homes. The plaintiffs are concerned about possible negative health consequences from exposure to electromagnetic radiation emanating from the meters. ...
Utility Drivers May Use Hands-Free Devices in Company Cars
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 in Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on Utility Drivers May Use Hands-Free Devices in Company Cars
Federal regulators have clarified the equipment covered by their recent ban on the use of hand-held mobile telephones by the drivers of vehicles owned by electric cooperatives and other utilities. These drivers—in fact, all commercial motor vehicle operators—can use push-to-talk mobile phones while behind the wheel, provided they do not “reach for, dial, or hold the actual mobile...
Sutherland Attorneys Outline 10 Power Grid Cyber Security Strategies
Posted on Jan 9, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Technology | Comments Off on Sutherland Attorneys Outline 10 Power Grid Cyber Security Strategies
The regulatory landscape for protecting the electric power grid against cyber threats is fraught with uncertainty. But there are strategies that compliance officers and regulatory affairs personnel can implement today to combat cyber threats that may compromise physical electrical infrastructure. These strategies can help electric utilities, owners and operators of generation and...
North Dakota Scrubber Technology Prevails
Posted on Dec 22, 2011 in Litigation, Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on North Dakota Scrubber Technology Prevails
North Dakota’s preferred emission reduction technology, which is used to scrub power plant boilers, withstood an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenge that a technology that can be adopted across the country should be used. The U.S. District Court found that North Dakota’s choice in selective noncatalytic reduction technology, as opposed to the EPA’s preferred selective...
Upper-Midwest Coops Critical of EPA Haze Plan
Posted on Dec 8, 2011 in Environmental, Rates, Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on Upper-Midwest Coops Critical of EPA Haze Plan
Minnkota Power Coop and North Star Electric Coop are among those opposed to proposed new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) haze pollution standards because any benefits would be far outweighed by the cost to consumers in the form of a rate increase. Proponents of the EPA standards claim they will improve public health, preserve national parks and create thousands of new jobs....
Coops Can Use GPS Technology to Fight Copper Theft
Posted on Nov 23, 2011 in Grid & Infrastructure, Technology | Comments Off on Coops Can Use GPS Technology to Fight Copper Theft
Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative recently used a global positioning device to fight copper theft. Deputies in Pasco County, Florida used a global positioning device to find a roll of copper that was stolen from the coop’s substation. Deputies tracked the culprits to a nearby home using a $420 GPS unit that was hidden in the $320 copper roll. The St. Petersburg Times has...
Montana Coop to Explore Geothermal Power Production
Posted on Nov 15, 2011 in Project Development, Renewable Energy, Technology | Comments Off on Montana Coop to Explore Geothermal Power Production
On December 12, Flathead Electric Cooperative is scheduled to begin geothermal exploration efforts near Hot Springs, Montana. The venture is the latest renewable energy project pursued by Flathead in an effort to find cost-effective alternatives to Bonneville Power Administration’s anticipated cap on low-price wholesale power sales. Flathead is already working on projects to develop...
Researchers to Demonstrate Algae-Based CO2 Capture Technology on Coop Facility
Posted on Nov 4, 2011 in Climate Change, Innovation/Efficiency, Technology | Comments Off on Researchers to Demonstrate Algae-Based CO2 Capture Technology on Coop Facility
University of Kentucky researchers have been working on a technology whereby algae is used to capture carbon dioxide from coal-fired facilities and then converted into useable biomass. The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet has earmarked $1.3 million for a demonstration of the technology at a East Kentucky Power Cooperative facility. See the University of Kentucky press...
Wisconsin Coop to Purchase From Seventh Methane Digester
Posted on Sep 22, 2011 in Project Development, Renewable Energy, Technology | Comments Off on Wisconsin Coop to Purchase From Seventh Methane Digester
Beginning early next year, Dairyland Power Cooperative will purchase power from a new 635-kW biogas digester facility located in Augusta, Wisconsin. Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, a Dairyland member, will service the facility owned by Bush Brothers & Co. Dairyland already purchases power generated by six other digester facilities that utilize methane gas extracted from cow manure....
Vermont Smart Meters Help Weather Irene
Posted on Sep 1, 2011 in Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Technology | Comments Off on Vermont Smart Meters Help Weather Irene
Like many cooperatives along the eastern seaboard, the Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) dealt with major power outages in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Approximately 10,000 VEC members lost power. VEC’s smart meters played a pivotal role in the restoration efforts and allowed the VEC control center to communicate in real-time with members and support staff. Click here for the full...
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