Electricity

Cap and Trade Comes to a California Electric Bill Near You

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California will become the first state to initiate cap and trade according to this article:

California OKs Cap-and-Trade
Other states are watching to see how well program works
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
California became the first state in the nation to adopt its own cap-and-trade system yesterday, as its Air Resources Board voted unanimously to approve the regulations. The vote came after a grueling eight-hour meeting filled with the opinions of angry union members, disapproving industry representatives, and miscellaneous plan supporters, the LA Times reports. After the board finally held the…

Transmission

Texas Builds Transmission Lines for Wind Power with Contentions

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The Texas Tribune has this article about building transmission lines from around Sweetwater to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This is to bring the stranded windpower generation capacity to where it is needed. As you read the article there is the classic not in my backyard as the lines pass through ranches. Also the consumers are paying $5 per month for many years. The construction is a high priority with the work being done 7 days a week.

Despite Lingering Concerns, Wind Power Transmission Lines Go Up
By Kate Galbraith            The Texas Tribune
SWEETWATER — Enormous transmission towers stand beside a West Texas country road, waiting for electric wires to be strung through them. Nearby, the task of threading wires through the steel towers is already under way, as men in hardhats shift equipment into position.

“We’re going to work 12 hours a day through Thanksgiving,” said Pat Hogan, a consultant with McCurley Enterprises, a company helping with the construction. The only real break comes around mid-afternoon on Sundays when, he said, “you can get your clothes cleaned or go to the grocery store.” …