Consumer Group Opposes Missouri
Energy Rate Reform Bill
The Midwest Energy Consumer Group (MECG) has come out in opposition of HB2689
(and its parallel in the Missouri
Senate, SB1028),
which would make significant changes to the way electric rates are regulated in
the Missouri.
The group claims that the bill
would remove the voice of customers from the electric rate setting process and
pave the way for regular, uncontested rate increases. The Office
of Public Counsel, which officially represents customers in Missouri
utility rate cases, expressed concern that the bill might limit the ability of
the agency, as well as the state’s Public
Service Commission, to review rate increases.
Related Posts
Senate Passes Energy Bill
The U.S. Senate
passed its first major energy bill in a decade. The bill emphasizes development
of alternative
energy, natural gas,
and lesser used sources such as geothermal
and hydropower.
It also focuses on energy efficiency and safety.
The bill will need to be reconciled with the energy bill passed in the House
of Representatives, which differs significantly, particularly in its
approach to fossil
fuels (coal,
oil and
natural gas). Senate leaders are confident they can work out differences with
the House and develop a compromise bill that can pass both chambers latter this
year.
What Is a Microgrid?
I’m seeing a lot about microgrids
in utility publications and on the Internet. I thought it might be worthwhile
to write something that could serve as an introduction to the subject for those
who are unfamiliar with it, as well as educate myself in the process. I intend
this to be the first in a series of short posts on the subject.
Let’s start with the basics. What is a microgrid?
A microgrid is a local energy grid that can disconnect from the larger
grid and operate independently. It connects to the main grid at a location
where the voltage of the two systems can be maintained at the same level. A
switching system can manually or automatically switch the connection on or off.
Though the name “microgrid” implies something small, size is not a
defining point. Microgrids are defined by
-local control, and
-functioning both connected to and disconnected from the main grid.
If you’re interested in finding out more about microgrids, here are
some resources to get you started.
A Little Sewer History
The Guardian posted an
article on the Great Stink
of 1858 and
how it prompted officials in London to
improve the city’s overwhelmed system of handling storm water and wastewater.
The Thames
of that time was a stinking mess of sewage
and a hazard to health. The sewer system devised by Joseph
Bazalgette was a marvel of the age (and much of it is still in use) that
moved wastewater discharges away from the populated areas around London.
You can read this very good article here.
If it whets your appetite to find out more about this project, you may also
want to read Dreams
of Iron and Steel by Debora Cadbury. The
Great Stink by Clare Clark is a
fictional thriller set during this time that partly takes place in the changing
sewers of London.
http://cae.uonbi.ac.ke
ReplyDelete