A new state report tries to tackle one of the touchiest issues in California’s effort to expand renewable power, suggesting possible routes for new transmission lines to carry electricity from wind farms and solar plants.
Power lines often generate intense opposition from environmentalists and landowners. But without new lines, the solar power plants and wind farms planned throughout California won’t be able to ship their electricity to the towns and cities that need it.
So several state agencies, electrical utilities, renewable power developers and environmental groups have joined together to figure out …

Contact Information: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 09-OPA157
(Chicago – Aug. 13, 2009) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has issued an administrative consent order to Auto and Scrap Recyclers to comply with EPA regulations designed to protect the stratospheric ozone layer at the company’s scrap metal recycling facility at 3800 W. Mill Road, Milwaukee, Wis.
EPA cited Auto and Scrap last December for alleged violations of EPA regulations requiring recovery of ozone-depleting refrigerants from small appliances before they are recycled. The allegations resulted from an EPA inspection of the …

Morgan Hill, CA /PRNewswire/ — Cache-A Corporation, a leading supplier of small form factor archive appliances for the digital film, broadcast and professional video industries, will be making its European debut at this year’s International Broadcasters Convention (IBC), RAI Centre, Amsterdam, September 11-15, in the Global Distribution Stand 7.C29. Global Distribution, in Cambridge, UK, is Cache-A’s European distributor in every country except France; AV2P in Paris is Cache-A’s French distributor.
Cache-A will be demonstrating its first two products — Prime-Cache and Pro-Cache, which is making its world debut at IBC. The …

Plenty of people have been looking into installing solar panels in an effort to combat rising energy costs.  When most of these people see the prices of the professionally installed panels they realize it may not be a luxury they can afford.  There is an easier, more cost efficient way to harness power from the sun and that is to learn how to make solar panels for your self.
Any motivated do-it-yourselfer can learn how to make solar panels for their home, workshop or business.  When compared to the cost of …

The hot, humid weather of summer is about to meet Americans’ continuing desire to cut costs this cooling season. Room air conditioners are a practical way to cool down when temperatures heat up, especially if you want to save money by only cooling the rooms you use the most.
New room air conditioners are significantly more energy efficient and now offer a variety of features, including varying fan speeds, remote controls, timers and different types of filters. The average room air conditioner manufactured in 2008 also uses 23 percent less energy …

The plug should be pulled on a controversial plan to run a massive, overhead power line within city limits, says a councillor.
Coun. Karen Leibovici is bringing forward a motion to council later this month that will oppose such high-voltage, above-ground lines.
It comes among massive public outcry from west-end residents who fear the double-circuit 500 Kv line will cause serious illness to those living nearby and force home values to plummet. They want to see the line run underground.
“I don’t believe there’s anything of that size that’s been built anywhere in …

Homeowners in a west Beacon Hill neighborhood were excited about Sound Transit’s new light-rail system, until power lines were strung over their homes, days before the grand opening.
Now an 80-foot-high pole sits between two houses, visible from highways and other hills.
“Everybody in the whole city can see where we live, just by looking up,” says Nick Papini, whose once-clear views of Smith Tower and King Street Station are now obstructed.
The residents want the city to bury the lines underground, which wasn’t done, city officials say, because the cost was too …

MANKATO, Minn., Aug 13, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — WEX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating — Winland Electronics, Inc. (AMEX: WEX), a leading designer and manufacturer of custom electronic control products and systems, today announced net sales of $5.7 million for the second quarter ending June 30, 2009 versus $6.9 million, down 16.5 percent, in the comparable period in 2008. The Company reported a net loss of $714,000, or $0.19 per share, versus a net loss of $765,000, or $0.21 per share, in the second quarter of 2008.
The …

Latest index finds decline in consumer sentiment, escalation of stress, and growing financial woes take toll on retail purchasing
YONKERS, N.Y., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Consumer Reports introduced a new monthly economic survey that tracks U.S. consumers’ personal financial experiences, attitudes and activities.
The Consumer Reports Index is comprised of five key indices: the Sentiment Index, the Trouble Tracker Index, Stress Index, the Retail Index, and the Employment Index. The Consumer Reports Index measures a variety of key consumer experience indicators including employment status, missed payments, inability to pay medical bills or …

TUCKER, Ga., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — SED International Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SECX), a multinational supply chain management provider and distributor of leading computer technology, wireless communications and consumer electronics, today announced the formation of a new business unit focused on the distribution of high quality Small Appliances and Kitchen Electrics.
More specifically, SED will expand its linecard to include small appliances that address personal care, home environment, kitchen/cooking, food preparation, coffee/espresso and garment care.  In this regard, SED has signed an agreement with Panasonic Appliance Group to distribute the …