Depleting freshwater supplies and unpredictable weather patterns that could bring rain to an area are causing much concern over future water supplies. Places like California have seen, in recent years, severe drought to the point where once gushing rivers are now trickling streams. Water rationing has become a normal way of life for many Californians Read More …
Author: Courtney Kohavi
Santee Cooper Board Diversity
A Board of Directors is “appointed by the governor, deemed fully qualified by the Senate Public Utilities Review Committee and confirmed by the state Senate.” Among the 12 Santee Cooper board members, seven members are involved in investment, business, or insurance and are not involved in energy-related matters, two are involved in law, and two have Read More …
Clear Cut Site in North Carolina
An example of a clear cut site in Roanoke, North Carolina.
Baseload Energy
A utility has different power loads that feed into the energy grid. Baseload power is the most reliable energy source that meets the minimum demand, there is also a peak load that meets spikes in energy demand. Natural gas is often used to meet the energy demand spikes because it does not take long to Read More …
SODA- Stop Offshore Drilling in the Atlantic
Stop Offshore Drilling in the Atlantic (SODA) is a local grassroots group that formed in opposition to offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. The group worked tirelessly to inform the community, recruit members, gather signatures, and organize meetings with government officials. The group was proactive in addressing the complex, multiphase process of opening up leasing to Read More …
Santee Cooper Vs. Private Utility on Information access
During the process of gathering information for this project, Santee Cooper was asked several times for information on involuntary electricity terminations for their service area. That information was never made available. The private utilities operating within South Carolina have the information publicly available on their websites. Santee Cooper does not have a visible organizational structure, Read More …
Santee Cooper DG-15 Solar Bill
People are getting interested in solar. They are interested in producing their own energy, reducing the energy bill, and taking another step in reclaiming self-sustainability. According to a 2015 article in Fortune, the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) reported, “[m]ore solar panels were installed on U.S. home rooftops in the first quarter of [the] year than ever Read More …
Unemployment in South Carolina
Many jobs along the Grand Strand are seasonal with unemployment fluctuating as much as 4 percent between January and June. Those who work seasonal jobs must save earnings over the tourist season in order to support the household through the winter. Unfortunately, energy bills are at their highest in the winter months when unemployment is Read More …