ECC has a quick round-up of energy activities and people in the Carolinas and around us to help our readers see the big picture of energy. Coal Country Energy Without the Coal Here’s one way to look at an existing energy asset in a new way. “Southwest Virginia lawmakers are looking to pumped-storage hydro and Read more about Five Interesting Energy Stories – March 2019[…]
Citing “this blazing pace of change” in the electric industry, Curtis Wynn, brought a Carolina brand of leadership to a national audience. Wynn became president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) at its annual meeting March 13. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national trade association representing more than 900 local Read more about A Carolina Energy Leader Captures a National Spotlight[…]
Headlines over the past year or so in South Carolina reflect the controversy in the energy industry. Not just controversy, really. Confusion, too. Trying to track the events is perhaps another way to define the term March Madness, just not the basketball variety. The confusion, action and lack of action can drive people mad. This Read more about South Carolina Energy – A New Kind of March Madness?[…]
Our nation generated more electricity in 2018 than ever before. Up 4 percent. What may seem odd is that the last record was in 2007, more than ten years ago. That was before the recession, and the weather in 2018 required more power to meet hotter and colder weather than some previous years. Then there Read more about “More Power!” Say Americans[…]
Debt adds up daily for Santee Cooper because of the VC Summer nuclear project shutdown and other operations. It is a million dollars a day just from the interest that is adding up. ECC has written about the debt for some time. The main point ECC has made about the debt is usually the amount: Read more about Santee Cooper Debt – Tick, Tick, Tick … $, $$, $$$$[…]
Why mention extreme weather in a blog site about energy? Weather affects our energy. How much energy is used, how reliable electricity is, how much it costs… Early in 2019 we had a cold snap in the Carolinas, then a warm streak that had trees pollinating. Back into 20-degree weather in many places this first Read more about Why Climate Data and Energy Planning Go Together[…]
“This time it’s different.” You have heard people say it, typically when something goes wrong and they are going to try again, the same way. The phrase has made people stay the course when their actions failed. They do precisely the same thing but expect a different result. ECC believes it applies to the ownership Read more about “This Time It’s Different” – Mighty Expensive Words for Santee Cooper[…]
Utilities are old hands at economic development. Have been for years for good reason. It is enlightened self-interest: A better business environment brings a more stable economy, good workforce and more predictable sales for the business of a utility. Lots of people win, including the public when it is done well. The Southeast has been Read more about In Economic Development the Bottom Line Is THE Bottom Line[…]
Carolina energy consumers may have to fit a whole new set of words in their heads. Energy deregulation, or energy choice. Maybe consumer choice. Over the past several weeks in the Carolinas some legislators, activists, trade groups and other organizations are proposing that the retail electric industry — the kind that serves residences, small businesses, Read more about Electric Dereg – May Not Be What Was Intended[…]
The electric grid of today grew from disparate and unconnected power systems over decades. New technology demands that a heightened long-term approach be taken to make sure we have secure, connected, efficient and affordable electricity. The Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning is a national group that will tackle regulatory, business and technological issues in a Read more about North Carolina Is Part of a Smart Electricity Task Force[…]