Stephen Colbert - Guest Eric Holder: The Helsinki Summit Was Collusion In Plain Sight

Stephen Colbert - Monologue and Opening - 7/23/18

Vermont utility says program saved $500K during heat wave

An innovative program in Vermont that uses batteries in customers’ homes as a “virtual power plant” paid off to the tune of almost half a million dollars during the recent heat wave, according to the utility running the project.

“During that peak usage, peak hour, every megawatt that we can knock off is a real savings. That one hour is a very significant cost,” said Josh Castonguay, vice president and lead innovation officer for Green Mountain Power, which has a quarter-million customers in Vermont.

At times during the heat wave that covered much of the first week of July, the utility – often known as GMP – drew electricity out of about 500 Tesla Powerwall batteries installed in the home of about 400 customers and fed it into the grid. This meant GMP had to buy less electricity from power plants when the wholesale price of power in New England, which changes every five minutes depending on demand and supply, was particularly high.

This had a double price benefit. It saves on the momentary energy charge, but more importantly it can reduce the utility’s payment to the bulk transmission system in New England. That charge is based on usage during the hour of the year when the most electricity was being used.

The peak demand hour so far in 2018 occurred from 5 to 6 p.m. July 5. By drawing power from customer batteries as well as other sources including its own battery systems during that peak, GMP will cut its annual grid costs, explaining a large portion of the nearly $500,000 it says it saved. If a higher peak hour happens later in the year, that number can change.


Much more: https://www.concordmonitor.com/green-mountain-power-18869126.aspx

Seth Meyers - Trump's Iran Threat; Carter Page and Michael Cohen: A Closer Look

The Daily Show: So Much News, So Little Time: Trump's Playboy Model Payoff & Iran Twitter Tantrum

The Daily Show: Barack Obama Gets Roasted and Subtweets Trump in South Africa

Stephen Colbert - Monologue and Opening - 7/20/18

Perry's bailout plan for coal, nuclear could cost more than $34 billion, study says

WASHINGTON - A Department of Energy proposal to bail out struggling coal and nuclear power plants would cost $34 billion, according to a new study commissioned by a coalition of energy and technology companies opposing the plan.

The analysis, by Massachussetts-based research firm The Brattle Group, looked at the costs associated with keeping the U.S. coal and nuclear fleets operating as is for the next two years.

"Arresting the retirement of uneconomic generating assets in the current market environment will likely prove quite costly," the report reads.

RELATED STORY: Trump orders Perry to "prepare immediate steps" to keep coal, nuclear plants online

The study was commissioned by groups including American Petroleum Institute, Advanced Energy Economy and American Wind Energy Association, after the leak of a memorandum from the Department of Energy calling for the White House to use national security powers to save coal and nuclear plants.


More: https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Perry-s-bailout-plan-for-coal-nuclear-could-cost-13086420.php



President Trump has ordered Energy Secretary Rick Perry to prepare steps that would keep coal and nuclear plants from shutting down. CPS Energy's coal plants Spruce 2, left, Spruce 1, center, and Deely are seen on Calaveras Lake near San Antonio. Photo: LISA KRANTZ, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Site work begins for opposed oil refinery near national park

BISMARCK, N.D. — A company has begun site work for an oil refinery about five kilometres from Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota.

Meridian Energy Group says it’s hired a Minnesota-based company to handle such work as grading land, installing erosion control devices and developing stormwater ponds.

Several environmental groups oppose the Davis Refinery, fearing it will impact the park’s scenery. They’ve launched several challenges, including a lawsuit over a state air quality permit that allows construction to proceed.

North Dakota Air Quality Director Terry O’Clair has said that in light of the lawsuit, Meridian is proceeding at its own risk.

Construction of the $800 million refinery itself isn’t planned until next year, with operations to start in 2020.


Short article, no more at link: https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/projects/2018/07/site-work-begins-opposed-oil-refinery-near-national-park

Seth Meyers: Guest Katy Tur Got Trump to Answer a Question About Russia by Complimenting Him First