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Recently in Public Power Current
To find earlier stories in Public Power Current, browse by popular topics or contact us at News@PublicPower.org.
Distributed Energy Resources
The Tennessee Valley Authority announced on June 22 that an environmental assessment determined a finding of no significant impact, which will allow most local power companies across the Tennessee Valley to locally generate a portion of their own load to meet customer needs. Currently, 140 of 154
Reliability
For the first time, California public power utility SMUD has found an innovative ally in its fire risk reduction efforts – goats. SMUD has contracted with a company to supply nearly 400 goats that are reducing vegetation along its transmission line corridors in Sacramento County.
Security
Cyber criminals are now testing and attacking utility operations, threatening to hijack critical functions that control the production and distribution of electric power.
Bills and Rates
The city of Alameda, California’s Public Utilities Board (PUB) recently approved Alameda Municipal Power’s (AMP) budget of approximately $65 million with no rate increases for customers.
Energy Storage
California community choice aggregator Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) has developed a program under which commercial customers can receive a complimentary backup energy audit.
Energy Storage
The Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) has won a $600,000 grant to fund a pilot project that would be the first utility scale battery energy storage device on the utility’s system.
Electric Vehicles
A group representing over a dozen West Coast utilities has released a report that recommends adding electric vehicle charging stations for freight haulers and delivery trucks along the interstate corridor running from Canada to Mexico.
Security
Working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a lifesaver, but it has also brought new threats.