Energy User News articles from June 2001

Energy User News archives from June 2001

Repeal of PUHCA Once Again Pushed as Solution to Utility Dilemma.(Public Utility Holding Act of 1935)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... The Public Utility Holding Act of 1935 (PUHCA) came under attack, though not for the first time, as the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in late April voted to approve S. 206, a bill that would repeal the Depression-era...

Bush Releases Energy Plan.(President George W. Bush)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... WASHINGTON--Setting the stage for what promises to be a major political battle, President Bush rolled out his administration's much-anticipated energy plan on May 17 with a series of campaign style events, even as Democrats and...

North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC).(predicts more rolling blackouts for California)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) predicts that California will experience more rotating blackouts than last summer or this winter. NERC's 2001 Summer Assessment report anticipates supply deficiencies to be greater than...

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).(asks for dismissal of law suit filed by Utility Air Regulatory Group and Edison Electric Institute)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington to dismiss a suit challenging the agency's decision to order reductions in the amount of mercury discharged from utility power plants. Two trade groups,...

Nevada legislature.(emergency energy bill)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... The Nevada legislature passed an emergency energy bill in April that would put a halt to deregulation in the state, stop the sale of power plants, and impose a new rate structure designed to help struggling utilities. Legislators made a...

Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.(enrolls 100,000th customer in Electric Retail Choice Program)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) reported that it has enrolled its 100,000th customer in the company's Electric Retail Choice Program, which allows customers to choose alternate energy suppliers. This milestone places...

National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCOLP).(not-for-profit organization)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... The National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCOLP) announced that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service had recognized the group as a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
June 1, 2001... Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) may reactivate some of its mothballed nuclear reactors for extra power in the future, according to TVA director Skila Harris. She aid, however, that work would not begin at any of the agency's four idled or...

Distributed Generation Expected to Claim Larger Share of Generation.(usage of fuel cells, micro-turbines, gas turbines and reciprocating engines)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... WASHINGTON--Natural gas-based distributed generation technologies such as fuel cells, micro-turbines, gas turbines, and reciprocating engines have the potential to account for 20% of the electricity generated in the nation by 2020, according to...

FERC Imposes Limited Price Cap, But Sparks Could Still Fly.(Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... WASHINGTON--The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), under pressure to play a more active role, imposed price controls on electricity sales in California. Commissioner Linda Breathitt described the negotiations as "contentious." ...

LETTERS.
June 1, 2001... Controversy Never Ceases Alert readers find flaws, make good points EDITOR'S NOTE: EUN's readers have a wide variety of perspectives on energy issues. In this 'month column a number of readers found some mistakes in our math. We...

Let Them Eat Cake.(reading consensus on energy issues)(Brief Article)(Column)
June 1, 2001... Reaching consensus on energy issues IS hard work I think America's politicians deserve a break. The American political system and its politicians aren't perfect, but as George Bernard Shaw observed, "Democracy is a device that insures we...

VP Slams Conservation, Exhorts Nation to Dig and Drill.(Vice Presiden Dick Cheney, energy policy)(Brief Article)(Column)
June 1, 2001... Preview of Bush energy plan triggers damage-control mode The Bush administration's struggles on environment and energy thus far are a wonder to observe. Mostly, one wonders what they were thinking. To be charitable, the White House, at the...

Bingaman Aims to Moderate Administration Energy Plans.(Senator Jeff Bingaman, energy policy)
June 1, 2001... New Mexico Senator makes himself heard on energy issues In a speech in late April, Vice President Dick Cheney said, "Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy."...

MAKING THE MOST OF Available Energy.(economy of cogeneration power plants)(Industry Overview)
June 1, 2001... When is cogeneration economical? Most energy managers know that cogeneration is using a primary energy source such as a reciprocating engine or a gas turbine to produce at least two forms of useful energy. For example, heat can be extracted...

THE ORIGIN OF INNOVATION.(Energy Research Corp., Roth Bros. Inc., planning and products)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2001... Where do new technologies come from? Technology development permeates our lives at every turn, yet we are usually unaware of its origins. We simply take for granted that computers will double in speed every 18 months and new cars will have...

A Dollars-and-Sense Approach to Managing Utility Resources.(Siemens Building Tecnologies Inc. Energy Consulting Services Div.'s cost management function (URM))(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2001... Keeping abreast of utilities is more important than ever Sooner or later, electric utility deregulation forces every organization to choose an energy provider, just as consumers had to choose a long-distance telephone service when the...

Environmental Drawbacks of Renewable Energy: Real or Exaggerated?(green energy: hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, wind power, and solar power)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2001... Green energies are increasingly under attack by those claiming they do more harm than good Long considered a novel concept, renewable energy technologies are finally becoming a mainstream energy option. Deregulation has opened the door to...

Andersen Report Diagnoses California Flu.(California electric utilities virus)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... The power problems affecting California are a "virus" that threatens to spread to other parts of the country. Combating the virus will require power companies, regulators, and policymakers to develop new strategies or risk the spread and...

Arkansas Awards Energy Management Contract to Dynamic Energy.(Dynamic Energy Concepts, Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... JUDSONIA, AR--Arkansas has awarded a broad-scale energy-management contract to Dynamic Energy Concepts, Inc., a women-owned consulting firm based in Judsonia. State officials say the energy-management contract--the first of its kind to be...

MGE Forms Alliance with Key Industrial Leaders.(MGE UPS Systems' formation of its Facility Solutions Alliance)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... COSTA MESA, CA-MGE UPS Systems announced the formation of its Facility Solutions Alliance (FSA) on March 7. The FSA is intended to support missioncritical networks and facility operations with power, environmental control, and monitoring...

State Commissioners See Financial Risks, But Would Support More Generation, Including On-Site Power Technologies.(electricity deregulation worries utility regulators)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... NORTH SALEM, NY--Utility regulators worry that the financial, reliability, and political consequences of electricity deregulation underway in California will slow or even halt the spread of deregulation to their states, according to a recent...

ISO New England Concerned About Natural Gas Supplies.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... HOLYOKE, MA--Natural gas pipeline, transport constraints may impact electricity generation in New England as early as the winter of 2003, according to a natural gas pipeline infrastructure and transport study undertaken by ISO New England Inc....

Energy Efficiency Takes Center Stage in Marketing Campaigns.(Milacron Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... CINCINNATI--Milacron Inc., a manufacturer of equipment for the plastics processing and metalworking industries, is betting that the country's current "energy crisis" will be good for sales of its energy-efficient equipment and that conservation...

CEE Releases New HVAC Guidelines.(Consortium for Energy Efficiency)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... WASHINGTON--HVAC system efficiency can be increased up to 50% through proper installation, sizing, and maintenance. Buying efficient HVAC equipment is only part of the equation for saving energy, according to a document developed by the...

Understanding the Commissioning Process.
June 1, 2001... Proper system operation is key to realizing anticipated energy savings Although a number of organizations have published definitions of building commissioning, a specific, industry-accepted definition of commissioning has not emerged. The...

Using Energy Price Volatility to Improve Your Bottom Line.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... With summer approaching, businesses are bracing for high electricity consumption combined with the expectation of volatile energy prices. Homeowners have little choice but to accept higher cooling bills, but businesses that use large volumes of...

DOE Task Force to Streamline Emergency Actions.(Department of Energy)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... WASHINGTON-- U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham announced that he had formed a Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Emergency Task Force to ensure that DOE can work effectively with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) in...

CPUC Looks at Whether QFs Are Meeting Obligations.(California Public Utilities Commission, qualified facilities)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... SAN FRANCISCO--The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced in April that it would look into whether qualified facilities (QFs) are fulfilling their obligations under their contractual agreements. QFs, which account for...

DEGREE DAYS For Selected Cities.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)(Illustration)
June 1, 2001... DEGREE DAYS For Selected Cities April Monthly Monthly Deviation Monthly Deviation City Total from Norm from Last Year Atlanta 109 -29 -81 Baltimore ...

Spot Market Gas: Posted Prices.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2001... Spot Market Gas: Posted Prices Pipeline May-00 Apr-01 May-01 ANR, La. 3.00 5.30 4.80 Houston Pipeline 3.05 5.35 4.90 Louisiana Interstates 3.05 5.40 ...

Ranking of Gas Utility Prices.(by state)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2001... Ranking of Gas Utility Prices By State Commercial Rank State Price/Mcf 1 Hawaii $18.30 2 Massachusetts $11.65 3 District of Columbia $11.63 4 California $10.43 5...

Ranking of Electricity Prices Commercial.(Statistical Data Included)(Illustration)
June 1, 2001... Ranking of Electricity Prices Commercial Rank Cts/kWh ST UTILITY % Total kWh 1 22.86 HI Hawaii Electric Light Co. Inc. 0.063% 2 21.06 HI Maul Electric Co., Ltd. 0.061% 3 20.72 ...

Light commercial rooftop units.(from Trane)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Light commercial rooftop units will be available in 2-10 ton capacities. Options include microelectronic or electromechanical controls, a variety of motor and drive types, a reversible drain pan, and a range of gas and electric heat options for...

Natural-gas-engine-driven centrifugal chiller.(from York)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Natural-gas-engine-driven centrifugal chiller is powered by a Caterpillar engine and utilizes a single-stage centrifugal compressor. The chiller employs variable-speed control technology that permits high efficiency at offdesign conditions,...

Refrigerant monitor.(from MSA)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Refrigerant monitor offers a remote module option that can provide discrete relay outputs on a per-channel basis when the unit's multi-point sequencer is used. Eight, 16, or 24 relays can be used to signal caution, warning, and alarm...

Flow control valve.(from Bell and Gossett)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Flow control valve for hydronic heating systems prevents gravity circulation that leads to overheating of zones in hydronic heating systems. It also allows for summer-winter operation of an indirect water heater. The compact valve allows fluid...

On-site power system controller.(Decision-Maker 550 introduced by Kohler)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... On-site power system controller offers control, monitoring, and diagnostics. The unit's communications capability enables the controller to capture system data and transform it into information, resulting in savings in power system maintenance,...

Packaged rooftop ac units.(air-conditioning units by Modine)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Packaged rooftop ac units with heating are available in 3- to 6-ton capacities and are suited for IAQ-sensitive applications such as healthcare facilities, retail stores, food-processing operations, and other commercial businesses, the...

Airborne particulate monitor.(introduced by Thermo MIE)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Airborne particulate monitor can be used as a sensor to run HVAC equipment only when needed, reducing energy costs without sacrificing worker safety or comfort, the manufacturer says. The unit provides continuous real-time particle...

Lighting control system.(introduced by PLC-Multipoint)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Lighting control system incorporates a microprocessor-controlled photodiode sensor system, is easy to install, and boasts short payback periods, the manufacturer says. Lighting trip points are set in actual footcandle levels so that...

Twelve-cylinder gaseous-fueled engine.(Waukesha introduces gaseous-fueled engine)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Twelve-cylinder gaseous-fueled engine, packaged with a generator set, combines low emissions, lean-burn combustion, Series Four cylinder heads, and open-chamber combustion to produce 1025 kW at 60 Hz and 900 kW at 50 Hz. It can be used for...

Generator series.(introduced by Ingersoll-Rand)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Generator series includes 24 models and features a mid-sized range of generators that provide 17 to 34 kVA of diesel power backed with a Mitsubishi engine. All units are four-pole brushless units equipped with an analog control panel. This...

Paperless temperature and humidity recorder.(introduced by Dickson)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Paperless temperature and humidity recorder gives detailed temperature and humidity data on its large screen, from 0 to 100[degrees]F (0 to 50[degrees]C) and 0 to 95% rh. The unit features a large 4.5- by 2.5-in, display, which shows current...

Two-MW generator set.(Cummins offers new product)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Two-MW generator set is intended for large rental applications requiring prime power, peak shaving, or standby capabilities and features a 60-liter displacement engine that meets U.S. EPA Nonroad Source Emissions Standards, CFR-40. The genset...

Emergency backup power system.(product by Coleman introduced)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Emergency backup power system features a 2.5-liter Ford engine operating at 1800 rpm and developing 25 kW. Running at half the speed of traditional generators, the unit runs cooler and, with sound attenuation, quieter than most generators its...

Single-phase ac motors.(signature series offered by Lincoln)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Single-phase ac motors for industrial and commercial applications and are available in ODP, TEFC, TEAO, washdown, explosion-proof, agricultural/farm duty, and brake motor configurations. The motors have rolled-steel frames, Class B insulation...

Generator-friendly UPS.(MGE unit provides continuous operation requirements)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Generator-friendly UPS is designed to meet the continuous operation requirements of data centers, computer networks, enterprise management systems, broadcast facilities, telecommunications systems and more. The unit features a 94% energy...

Makeup air units.(ARES offers indirect-fired, electric, and hydronic models)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Makeup air units for commercial and light industrial applications are offered in indirect-fired, electric, and hydronic models with capacity reaching 1200 MBh and 16,000 cfm. The packaged units also can be assembled with direct-expansion or...

Medium-voltage drive reliability.(Robicon product includes bypass technology)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Medium-voltage drive reliability is enhanced by bypass technology, according to the manufacturer. Advanced cell bypass maximizes available voltage from the drive during a power module failure by means of bypassing the disabled module without...

Web-enabled universal capability.(introduced by ASCO Power Technologies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Web-enabled universal capability monitors and controls distributed power systems and accesses entire enterprise energy management solutions remotely. Facility management and personnel can turn on, monitor in real time, and turn off onsite...

Desiccant dehumidifier.(product by Munters introduced)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Desiccant dehumidifier is a compact version of the company's MDS 4500 unit that is designed to provide drying in water-damaged buildings, short-term industrial applications, and special events. The new unit features a frame-and-panel design...

Premium-efficiency motors.(from WEG Electric Motors Corp.)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2001... Premium-efficiency motors now meet the levels set by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) and its members. These new efficiencies also meet initiatives of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and its NEMA Premium...

High isolation transformers.(from United Power Corp.)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2001... High isolation transformers address the computer power problems of common mode noise and improper grounding practices. Every transformer is manufactured to pinpoint an optimum single-point reference ground, as well as provide the load high...

Package gas/electric series.(from Tempstar)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2001... Package gas/electric series is now available in a 575-volt model. The product line will continue to be available in 208/230- or 460-volt models, the manufacturer says. The systems are designed with an induced-draft combustion system and inshot...

Electronic bypass/drive.(from ABB Automation)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Electronic bypass/drive is suited to single-motor HVAC fan and pump applications and is available in a NEMA 1 or NEMA 12 configurations up to 400 hp. integrated with the company's ACH 400 adjustable-speed ac drives (3-400 HP), the bypass offers...

Cooling tower duty motors.(from Emerson Electric Co.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Cooling tower duty motors (2-100 HP) are designed to operate in 100% humidity conditions and corrosive environments. Features include double-sealed bearings, potted leads, bearing caps on 280 frame and above units, a heavy gasketed conduit box...

Makeup-air units.(featured in catalog from Modine Manufacturing Co.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2001... Makeup-air units are featured in a 16-page catalog. Units can be ordered with the motor, variable-frequency drive, control package, and accessories that best meet end-use requirements. The catalog provides technical drawings and dimensions,...

Dc adjustable-speed drive.(from Siemens AG)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2001... Dc adjustable-speed drive is parallel in design to the company's family of ac inverters; basic hardware and software platforms are shared. Users need only learn one system of programming and configuration to operate the entire product range of...

EUNLOAD PROFILE.(market share of various types of electric utilities)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2001... EUNLOAD PROFILE Megawatt-Hour Sales to Ultimate Customers Publicly Owned Utilities 15.42% Cooperatives 8.89% Federal Power Agencies 1.59% Investor Owned Utilities 74.10% Source: American Public Power...