Silicon

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) and a Silicon Valley maker of measurement instruments said Monday they have collaborated on a technology for more accurately detecting natural gas pipeline leaks. PG&E is the first utility in the nation to begin applying the new equipment in its upgraded pipeline safety programs.

Using a landfill along the Pacific Coast west of Silicon Valley, another green electricity source opened at the start of July, promising 11.5 MW of power for local utilities from the Ox Mountain facility in Half Moon Bay, CA. It is a project spawned by Massachusetts energy services firm Ameresco Inc. and Republic Services Inc., the waste management firm operating Ox Mountain.

The Silicon Valley suburb of Palo Alto, CA, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking marketing and administrative help expanding its green energy programs to “green gas” and renewable energy credit (REC) segments. A pre-proposal teleconference will be held Jan. 30 for prospective bidders, and bids are due Feb. 12 with a projected May 1 start for winning bidders.

Steve Poizner, a Silicon Valley telecommunications multi-millionaire entrepreneur, withdrew his name on Wednesday from consideration to fill one of the five seats on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), citing too many conflicts with his rich and varied personal investment portfolio. Poizner, an unsuccessful candidate for an elected state legislative seat two years ago, said he plans to run next year for the state Insurance Commissioner’s post.