Latest Utilities News
A big boost for a climate solution: electricity made from the heat of the Earth
One method of making electricity cleanly to address climate change has been quietly advancing and on Tuesday it hit a milestone. A California utility is backing the largest new geothermal power development in the U.S. — 400 megawatts of clean electricity from the Earth’s heat...
As more Texans struggle with housing costs, homeownership becoming less attainable
More Texas homeowners and renters than ever are struggling with high housing costs — and the state’s high home prices have potentially put the dream of owning a home out-of-reach for a growing number of families. That’s according to a new report from Harvard University’s...
Bather, beware: British beaches and rivers have a sewage problem. It has seeped into election talk
HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England (AP) — Endurance swimmer Joan Fennelly is undaunted by frigid water and long distances, swimming year-round in the wild. But she takes extra precautions in her own backyard. The River Thames is one of Britain's many waterways contaminated with sewage and agricultural...
Texas electricity demand could nearly double in six years, grid operator predicts
The state’s main electric grid operator has sharply increased its prediction for how much power demand will increase in coming years. If it’s accurate, the state would need to be able to provide nearly double the amount of power within six years. Two factors led to the higher...
Bill for `forever chemicals' manufacturers to pay North Carolina water systems advances
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's top environmental regulator could order manufacturers of "forever chemicals” to help pay for water system cleanup upgrades whenever they are found responsible for discharges that contaminate drinking water beyond acceptable levels, under legislation...
Boil-water advisory lifted in Atlanta after water system problems
ATLANTA (AP) — Residents in Atlanta no longer must boil water before drinking it, officials said Thursday, six days after a water main break west of downtown affected service and spurred the advisory. Normal water flow and pressure was restored citywide on Wednesday, but more time...
Climate solution: Massachusetts town experiments with community heating and cooling
Jennifer and Eric Mauchan live in a Cape Cod-style house in Framingham, Massachusetts that they've been cooling with five air conditioners. In the summer, the electric bill for the 2,600-square-foot home can be $200. In the winter, heating with natural gas is often more than $300 a...
Atlanta mayor pledges to aid businesses harmed by water outages as he looks to upgrade system
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta’s mayor on Wednesday pledged support of a plan to spend $5 million to reimbursing businesses for losses during water outages in the city since Friday, as he promised an assessment of the city’s infrastructure and to deploy monitors to detect leaking pipes. ...
US Energy Secretary calls for more nuclear power while celebrating $35 billion Georgia reactors
WAYNESBORO, Ga. (AP) — U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Friday called for more nuclear reactors to be built in the United States and worldwide. But the CEO of the Georgia utility that just finished the first two scratch-built American reactors in a generation at a cost of nearly $35...
Downtown Atlanta water service disrupted, forcing business closings and water boil notice
Atlanta officials were slowly repressuring the city's water system Saturday after corroding water pipes burst in downtown and Midtown, forcing many businesses and attractions to close and affecting water service in area homes. The city was handing out cases of water and setting up...
