Maryland's reliability standards become law
The measure will require the Maryland Public Service Commission to adopt enhanced reliability standards by July 2012. The bill also will allow the PSC to fine utilities for poor performance. Fines would be directed back to affected ratepayers.
Pepco, a utility that serves customers in Washington, and Prince George's and Montgomery counties, has been widely criticized for long delays restoring power to thousands of customers.
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Severe heat: 5 electricity blackout risks facing the entire U.S., not just Texas
DALLAS - Texas has a unique state-run power grid, but its issues with extreme weather, and balancing natural gas and wind, hold lessons for an entire U.S. at risk for power outages from climate change.
Grid operator the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, called on consumers to voluntarily reduce power use on Monday when dangerous heat gripped America’s second-most populous state.
The action paid off as the Texas grid avoided blackouts — and a repeat of its winter crisis — despite record or near-record temperatures that depleted electric supplies and risked lost power to more than 26 million customers. ERCOT…
