Top Stories
California utilities fell short of
energy-savings goals, watchdog says.—reliability high.
"Several California utilities should be penalized for receiving
bonuses while falling short of their energy-saving goals, the state
utility regulator's independent watchdog arm said Tuesday. From 2006 to
2008, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., San
Diego Gas & Electric Co. and Southern California Gas Co. spent $2
billion of customers' money, amassed through a small charge on each
bill, to fund energy efficiency programs that were expected to return
$2.7 billion in savings. Instead, ratepayers got benefits of just $426
million, or about 16 cents for every dollar spent, as the utilities
funneled $144 million in bonuses to shareholders, the Public Utilities
Commission's Division of Ratepayer Advocates said." Utilities dispute
watchdog's figures. From The
Los Angeles Times.
Kaiser Permanente Unveils Sustainability
Scorecard for Medical Products.—reliability high.
"Kaiser Permanente has unveiled its Sustainability Scorecard that
requires suppliers to provide environmental data for medical equipment
and products used in its hospitals, medical offices and other
facilities. ... By September, when Kaiser Permanente’s key supply chain
partner, Broadlane, adopts the tool, the scorecard could influence $10
billion in medical purchasing." See Environmental Leader. [Kaiser is the
Wal-Mart of medical services, and will have even greater impact on
suppliers if it really uses this scorecard in purchase decisions.]
Companies,
Industries, Markets and Supply Chains
Wal-Mart to pay $27.6 million to settle
California environmental case.—reliability medium.
"Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle charges that it
violated California environmental laws in its handling and disposal of
hazardous materials, prosecutors involved in the case announced Monday
in San Diego. ... Among the materials being improperly transported,
stored and dumped were pesticides, chemicals, paint, acid, aerosols,
fertilizer and motor oil. ... In a prepared statement, Wal-Mart Vice
President Phyllis Harris said: "It's important to note that these
incidents happened at least four years ago. Since then, we have worked
closely with the state of California on a comprehensive hazardous waste
plan that includes improved training programs, policies and
procedures."" See Los
Angeles Times Greenspace blog. Wal-Mart's press release is here. [Shows importance
of well-established policies, training and supervision.]
Samsung Launches Online Resource for
Consumers to Find Appliance Energy Rebates.—reliability
high.
"Samsung Electronics America, Inc. ... announced a partnership with
ApplianceRebate.com to bring a new online tool to www.samsung.com,
helping consumers find rebates available on select Samsung home
appliances through the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program.
... Samsung customers can now visit www.samsung.com/appliancerebates to
access a state-by-state database of rebate listings powered by
ApplianceRebate.com available on select Samsung refrigerators, washing
machines, and dishwashers." See Business
Wire. [This
site just passes user to EPA site with list of state programs. And it
might be a bit late, as many programs exhausted their rebate funds
within days of initiation a couple of weeks ago. PR fail.]
Tire-burning plant requests green
designation.—reliability high.
"The owners of a Ford Heights plant that burns tires for energy say
they want the plant designated as a green, renewable energy source. ...
Under state law, power companies must get 10 percent of their
electricity from green sources by 2015, and the bill would have made
the incinerator a significant player in renewable energy." From ABC
local news. [Shows
how important legislation and regulation can be even to a low-tech
businesses' success in the green space.]
Xcel may cut solar-power buy as powerline
debate drags on.—reliability high.
"Arguments over a proposal to build a power line to bring renewable
solar power from Colorado's San Luis Valley to the Front Range have
dragged on so long that Xcel Energy Inc. said Tuesday it may cut the
amount of solar power it will buy in the next few years. ... the $180
million power-line proposal, from Xcel and its partner,
Westminster-based Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association,
has run into opposition from the billionaire owner of the Trinchera
Ranch — which straddles the power line's proposed route as it goes east
out of the valley and over La Veta Pass." More details on the dispute.
From Denver
Business Journal. [Solar developers
can't build if there isn't transmission
capacity to carry their product to buyers. Xcel wants to sign
contracts, but must wait for power line to be approved. Everybody has
lawyers. The complicated
legal dance continues.]
[Crossposted from HaraBara.com courtesy of HaraBara, Inc. Copyright © 2010 HaraBara, Inc.]
