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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.
Electricity Markets
After a decade of service, Tom Falcone will step down from his role as CEO of the Long Island Power Authority and the Utility Debt Securitization Authority at the end of May, he said in a March 18 letter to Tracey Edwards, Chair of LIPA’s Board of Trustees, and Robert Gurman, Acting Chair of the Utility Debt Securitization Authority. The Utility Debt Securitization Authority issues triple-A-rated securitization bonds on LIPA’s behalf.
Distributed Energy Resources
The New York Power Authority is seeking developers to implement an up to 6-megawatt solar photovoltaic energy project with the option of battery energy storage at SUNY Niagara Community College in Sanborn in Niagara County, N.Y.
Generation
New Fortress Energy Inc. on March 18 said that it has sold emergency power plants it constructed on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in San Juan and Palo Seco, Puerto Rico, to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority for $373 million in cash, subject to certain items and conditions.
Distributed Energy Resources
In a new analysis, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory argue that the creation of Interregional Renewable Energy Zones could represent “some of the low-hanging fruit on the path to decarbonizing the nation’s electricity sector.”
Customer Service
Power outages, wildfires, rooftop solar systems, and demand response programs create a need for utilities to communicate with customers quickly and clearly. Utilizing omnichannel communication systems can help ensure customers stay in the know and also help utilities respond to the many outage-related calls and emails from customers.
Disaster Response and Mutual Aid
Public power utility officials who are members of the American Public Power Association’s Mutual Aid Committee and APPA staff on March 14-15 gathered at APPA’s headquarters in Virginia to discuss and take action in a number of areas including updates to the APPA Mutual Aid Playbook.
Energy Efficiency
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) recently announced that his office has secured $10.6 million through the Fiscal Year 2024 federal appropriations process to support thirteen San Antonio community projects, including $1 million for CPS Energy’s Casa Verde Weatherization Program.
Generation
Constellation has issued the first corporate green bond in the United States that can be used to finance nuclear energy projects, the investor-owned energy company said on March 18.