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Duke Energy aiming toward “smart grid” future

August 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Duke Energy has applied for $214 million in federal infrastructure funds that will go toward establishing the  Charlotte-based utility’s “smart grid”system. $14 million would go toward the company’s operations in South Carolina and North Carolina for smart grid transmission lines and demonstration projects. Duke Plans to convert its entire electricity-delivery infrastructure into an advanced, state of the art smart grid. Duke Energy spokesman Dan Scanzoni says the smart-grid is essentially an “energy internet” that will use two-way communication to improve energy efficiency.    

“It will help in terms of detecting power outages. It will also help in terms of making the system more reliable and ultimately can  help customers achieve energy efficiency and hold down their power bills.”

Duke submitted its application for the federal funds with the U.S. Department of Energy which will award $4.5 billion in smart grid grants nationwide as part of the Economic Stimulus Package. Duke is on the fast track of developing its smart grid system in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Environment & Conservation, News

Back-to-school supply lists prohibited in stores

August 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

It’s time for back-to-school shopping again, but this year parents won’t be seeing their child’s supply lists in stores to simplify their shopping. If they do, it may be against the law. This year, department stores, such as Office Depot and Staples, are prohibited from having back-to-school lists in their stores. Prosperity 4 Kids spokesperson Lori Mackey explains.

“The department stores and office stores would suggest that you should buy pencils or the plastic packs, they can’t suggest that anymore because they can be fined for offering any information for a child under 13 that has any of these lead counts or plastic counts,” says Mackey.

Mackey says this dates back to past lawsuits involving school supplies with lead counts, causing harm to children.

“What happened was in February they passed a law and it’s the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, and this has to do with all of the stuff that happened with the lead paint, and the plastics and all the toys that were recalled,” says Mackey. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Education, News

First lady and Sanford boys move out

August 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

After two weeks of vacation time with her husband, Governor Mark Sanford, and kids in Europe, First Lady Jenny Sanford and the couple’s four sons are moving out of the governor’s mansion in Columbia.

The move comes after the governor’s affair announcement back in June. The Associated Press reports that the first lady and several other women moved clothes and various boxes out of the mansion. The family is moving back to their home on Sullivans Island, near Charleston. Jenny and the boys were already living on Sullivans Island at the end of last school year, where they will return for school this year.

It appears the first lady and the governor will continue to work on their marriage.

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government

Duke Energy seeks to enter “smart grid” phase

August 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Charlotte-based Duke Energy has applied for a Department of Energy grant that will go toward revolutionizing the utility’s energy delivery system. Duke Energy has applied for $200 million in federal infrastructure funds to accelerate the utility’s $1 billion-electric grid modernizing project in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, which is one of the largest “smart grid” initiatives in the country.The company also applied for $14 million in federal funds for smart grid transmission lines and demonstration projects in South Carolina and North Carolina. Duke Electric submitted its applications to the U.S. Department of Energy, which will award $4.5 billion in smart grid grants nationwide as part of the the economic stimulus and infrastructure bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama earlier this year.

Duke Energy plans to convert its entire energy-delivery infrastructure into an advanced, state-of-the-art smart grid. Essentially an “energy internet” the smart grid will use two-way digital communication to improve energy efficiency, bolster system reliability and detect power outages. It will also integrate renewable energy into the grid and reduce carbon emissions.

Duke Energy is the nation’s third-largest electric utility.

Filed Under: Business, Economy, News

Upstate congressman offers health care amendment

August 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Third Congressional District Congressman Gresham Barrett has offered an amendment on the new government health care program. Barrett’s amendment requires members of Congress and senior administration officials to enroll in the program because he says “if the plan is good enough for American families, it’s good enough for Washington bureaucrats.”

“I think you gotta get back to basics. Jim DeMint has been a stalwart, especially in the Senate when it comes to this health care debate because he’s speaking the truth,” says Barrett.

Barrett spoke with Charleston affiliate WTMA, and agreed with Senator DeMint’s opposition to President Obama’s health care plan. He says people across the nation are starting to realize the plan is not all it was intended to be; originally Obama’s Health Care Reform Bill called for $1 trillion, now, Barrett says it is costing nearly $2 trillion. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, News, Politics & Government
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