Under mandate from state regulators, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) on Monday made public its top-100 list for priority work on parts of more than 20,000 pipeline segments in its system. The pipeline segment in San Bruno that failed 12 days ago was not on the list.
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California Utilities Apply Psychology to Energy Savings
In one of the lower profile energy measures that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed earlier in October (SB 488), California will mandate that all of its major utilities create pilot programs for sharing energy use information among neighbors as a means of spurring more energy saving behavior by residential customers. There is growing data that the psychology of peer pressure works in getting people to take energy saving steps.
California Eyes $100M in Clean Fuel Vehicle Technology for 2010-11
California looks to spend another $100 million in 2010-2011 under a mandate from a 2007 state law (AB 118) to help reduce gasoline-powered transportation in favor of renewables and alternatives such as natural gas-powered transportation. The California Energy Commission (CEC) has formally begun the process of writing a 2010-11 investment plan for the state’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.
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While the composition of the three-member Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) remains intact, by state legislative mandate, on Monday the regulators had to name a new president, so they elected a former state lawmaker, Jim Kempton, to a two-year term heading the regulatory body. Kempton replaces Mack Redford, who remains on the regulatory panel. Gov. C. L. “Butch” Otter appointed Kempton, from Albion, ID, to the PUC in October 2007 to fill an unexpired term of then-Commissioner Paul Kjellander, who was selected by the governor to head up a newly created state Office of Energy Resources. Before joining the PUC, Kempton was one of two Idaho representatives on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, to which he had been appointed by former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. In this capacity he acted as the state’s cabinet-level representative for natural resources. Kempton served in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1991 to 2000, where his committee assignments included those on the environment, taxation and transportation among others. Kempton holds two degree in physics and is a former faculty member at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He once served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force.
Utilities ‘Close’ on Renewables; Climate, Gas on Track, Peevey Says
California’s major private-sector utilities should be “very close” to meeting the state’s 20% renewable mandate in 2010, and other climate change and natural gas targets are even more certain in the months ahead, the head of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Michael Peevey, told a state Senate committee meeting Tuesday in Sacramento. On the natural gas side, Peevey said the CPUC is assuring the state has adequate supplies, infrastructure, reasonable rates, a “rational” transmission framework, and safe liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.
PG&E Utility Changes ‘Proving Out;’ No Plans for More Retail Choice
While following a strategic mandate to transform its utility operations using smart metering and other technology improvements, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. does not plan to push for renewed emphasis on retail customer choice, according to Peter Darbee, CEO of the utility’s parent company, PG&E Corp.
SoCalGas Expands Energy-Saving Incentives for Businesses
Following a mandate from state regulators who authorized increased funding, Sempra Energy’s Southern California Gas Co. announced Thursday that it was expanding its energy efficiency programs for businesses, permitting qualifying customers to obtain up to $300,000 annually in rebates for cutting energy waste in their facilities and operations. In addition, for the first time, the SoCalGas programs are open to the utility’s largest industrial customers.
Industrials Call for Mandatory Price Reporting
The Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA) has called on FERC for quick action to mandate price reporting, citing investigations and settlements by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) with 16 energy companies.
Industrials Call for Mandatory Price Reporting
The Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA) has called on FERC for quick action to mandate price reporting, citing investigations and settlements by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) with 16 energy companies.
CO Legislative Proposal Could Mandate More Energy-Saving Programs
While consumer issues have already turned up the regulatory heat, proposed legislation promises to light a fire under Colorado’s major utilities, requiring them to step up energy savings and conservation programs. Included in early versions of a bill backed by a mixture of environmental and energy efficiency groups is a requirement to reduce the average retail utility customer’s energy use by 0.5% annually for the next 15 years.