(David Jacobs/Pahrump Valley Times) Pahrump utility Valley Electric Association has faced a series of allegations from law enforcement against former and current executives since February. On Feb. 22, the Nye County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant based on allegations of sexual harassment and financial cover-ups. Later that month, former CEO Angela Evans was arrested for alleged embezzlement. The District Attorney’s office has not filed charges, but the utility cut ties with her this week. According to some energy experts, cooperatives’ lack of regulatory oversight makes them more susceptible to scandals. Others say allegations like these are rare, and could take place within any type of utility. Hank James, executive director of the Nevada Rural Electric Association, a nonprofit group that represents several power buyers, said the level of allegations toward a cooperative utility like VEA have “no precedent, certainly not in Nevada.” Subject … [Read more...] about Valley Electric scandal raises question about oversight
Electric utilities trbc
Electric Utility: Audi e-tron vs. Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo vs. Mercedes-Benz EQC
Seven years after the Tesla Model S kicked off the premium EV segment, Jaguar launched the I-Pace, but the first such zero-emission vehicles from Germany are only now beginning to emerge into the public sphere. To sample a taste of the electro-Teutonic future, we brought together the Audi e-tron, the Mercedes EQC, and the Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo (which will become the Taycan Cross Turismo). Welcome to a smog-free parallel universe where three different BEVs reinvent the term waftability. Away We Went One, two, three, go! The blue e-tron, silver EQC, and metallic white Porsche raise their noses in sync, the squeal from their tires momentarily drowning out the subdued faint whine of their powertrains as they surge forth on a wave of electrically generated torque. While the soundtrack evokes thoughts of a tuned-forklift race, it’s a dead heat all the way to the braking point, where aromas gather with a whiff of hot batteries and smoking rubber. The instant kick in the … [Read more...] about Electric Utility: Audi e-tron vs. Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo vs. Mercedes-Benz EQC
Electric Utility: Volkswagen Previews the I.D. Buzz Cargo
As the Microbus-inspired I.D. Buzz approaches production, Volkswagen has been careful to not stray too far from its roots. The original idea behind the 1950 Type 2 was the development of an economical vehicle that would be ideal for transporting cargo in an urban environment, but could also double as a people mover. While the Buzz places an emphasis on family togetherness and weekend adventures, VW claims there will also be a cargo variant focused on taking care of business. Presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles event in Hannover last week, the I.D. Buzz Cargo is that vehicle. Unfortunately, it’s not the final product. Its strong resemblance to the Buzz concept vehicle will probably carry over into production, but neither model will use a dot matrix of LEDs for forward illumination or do away with side mirrors. However, Volkswagen did more than just show off another concept. It included some meaningful specifications and a target launch date of 2021 for the electric … [Read more...] about Electric Utility: Volkswagen Previews the I.D. Buzz Cargo
Electricity market brings choices, deals — and scams
James Malaro Jr. bought electricity from a company other than his utility for the first time last fall. The deal quickly went bad.The Centreville man hadn't realized it, but the money-saving rate he'd been quoted was variable, not fixed. It more than doubled during the winter.As more customers and companies jump into Maryland's electricity-purchase market, reports of problems and outright scams are mounting. Maryland's Public Service Commission has seen a more than 50 percent spike in complaints about energy suppliers this year compared with all of last year, including so many about Starion Energy — the company that increased Malaro's rate — that it launched an investigation into the Connecticut firm.But the options for getting a good deal on power are rising, too. Malaro stuck with it: State regulators got him a refund, and he switched to a supplier with a two-year rate guarantee that's saving him some money."I think deregulation's a good idea," said Malaro, a retired … [Read more...] about Electricity market brings choices, deals — and scams
Britain’s electric utility backs earlier ban on new cars with engines, in 2030
Mark Webber driving a 2016 Porsche 919 Hybrid in LondonEnlarge PhotoNorway and The Netherlands started the trend a few years ago, though they're relatively tiny car markets. Then France and the U.K. joined in. China, the world's largest new-car market by far, is doing it—though the country hasn't decided when. All of those countries plan to ban, or work the end of, sales of new vehicles with internal-combustion engines. DON'T MISS: 2017's most important story: internal-combustion engine ban in China While such an idea remains unthinkable on a national level in the U.S., a bill to that effect was introduced in California in January. Now there's pressure in some quarters to make one of the bans sooner, as The Guardian reported at the end of March. U.K. National Grid and Nissan Leafs National Grid, the single national electric utility in Britain, has come out in favor of advancing the end date for sales of cars with combustion engines fully 10 years, from 2040 to 2030. Obviously the … [Read more...] about Britain’s electric utility backs earlier ban on new cars with engines, in 2030