Oct. 5-12, 2009
CAPP NEWS ROUNDUP
October 5, 2009 through October 12, 2009
Industry News
Energy for this century requires new approach
By Robert Rivard
San Antonio Express-news
October 5, 2009
CPS will continue to be the largest municipal consumer of wind-driven energy, and a new coal-fired power plant will be coming on line, all signs of the utility's energy diversity. Yet many here wonder if CPS really is a utility committed to 21st-century change and opportunity, or if it still is the overly protective organization that operates more like a privately held business resistant to outside scrutiny. Alternative energy initiatives are on the drawing boards, but as Castro and others survey the landscape, they don't see enough evidence that CPS is becoming more open, collaborative and forward thinking.
Rebates in city solar rebate program can make it better
Austin American-Statesman
October 6, 2009
This is not a case of government doing too little — or too much. It is a case of government doing enough, given resources and public demand. We're talking about Austin Energy's decision to shrink its rebate program for solar panels.
Power customers deserve stronger consumer protections
Dallas Morning News
October 6, 2009
In the past seven years, Texans have filed 54,356 complaints against electricity providers. Amazingly, the Public Utility Commission's staff has found rule violations in just 11 percent of those cases and has made only 34 attempts to seek sanctions. And while consumer complaints have doubled, the PUC's consumer protection staff is smaller today than it was seven years ago.
Edwards: Demand a better solution to control the costs of energy
By Rosemary Edwards
Austin American-Statesman
October 7, 2009
Our leaders in Austin are pushing their own attempt to "save the world" with an aggressive energy plan to get 30 percent of our electricity from renewable energy by 2020. Mayor Lee Leffingwell has already issued an apology for the coming rate hikes needed to fund that plan. That apology will ring hollow when many families are unable to buy groceries or pay the electric bill because of increased taxes.
9 more questions for CPS Energy
By Seth Parker
San Antonio Express-News
October 7, 2009
One day after the last public meeting concerning the South Texas Project plant expansion, CPS Energy revealed two secrets: CPS’ financial position has changed dramatically since its initial recommendation; and City Council’s vote on STP won’t alter the rate increase for homeowners — 5 percent every other year for a decade.
Energy reports will examine markets’ effects
By Daniel Whitten
Houston Chronicle
October 7, 2009
The reports will evaluate the effect of financial markets on energy prices within the context of other factors, such as storage capacity, physical inventories and geopolitical factors, Newell said. He did not say when the reports will be issued.
CPS Energy faced with tough trade-offs
By Anton Caputo, Tracy Idell Hamilton
San Antonio Express-News
October 11, 2009
A weak economy and the cost of CPS Energy’s nuclear ambitions are forcing the utility to make some tough trade-offs. CPS is expected to scale back its ownership of the proposed expansion of the South Texas Project when the board meets Tuesday, in an effort to lower its financial risk and tamp down mounting debt.
Adding renewable power doesn’t have to hurt poor, some say
By Marty Toohey
Austin American-Statesman
October 12, 2009
Rodriguez and some of the city's environmental activists acknowledge that transitioning to more wind and solar energy could result in higher short-term electricity costs. But they also say the city could find ways to ensure the poor aren't hurt by the change. Suggestions included shifting new costs toward Austinites who use the most electricity and spending more utility revenue to make homes energy efficient, thereby reducing bills.
Higher CPS bill will add to families’ struggles
By Scott Stroud
San Antonio Express-News
October 12, 2009
Thousands of San Antonio households wage similar struggles in the current economy. If CPS increases its residential rate by 9.5 percent, as it now proposes to do, their fight will be that much harder.
The C in Economy
By Emily Grubert
The Daily Texan
October 12, 2009
Texas is unique in the United States because it has a system of connected generators, or a grid, entirely within Texas, covering about 85 percent of the state’s load. Turning on your light affects all the spinning generators on this grid. One problem with Texas’ independent grid is that it’s hard for us to export or import power because our spinning generators are moving out-of-sync with generators on other grids, and it’s one reason West Texas wind needs to be used in Texas.