SoCal halts plans for buildings under power lines
ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA - Southern California's major electrical utility says it's canceling plans to allow buildings to go up under its highest-voltage electric lines.
Southern California Edison vice president Steven Conroy says in a statement that the company is changing its policy because permanent structures would stop it from safely maintaining and inspecting its steel towers and thick transmission lines.
The utility had planned to raise millions of dollars by leasing out valuable real estate under its web of high-voltage towers.
Firefighters opposed the construction because they said it posed a fire hazard, while neighbors said the buildings would lead to blight.
Los Angeles County recently changed its building codes to ban permanent structures under major transmission lines.
But Conroy says Edison decided independently to halt its construction plans.
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Federal government spends $11.8M for smart grid technology in Sault Ste. Marie
SAULT STE MARIE - PUC Distribution Inc. in Sault Ste. Marie is receiving $11.8 million from the federal government to invest in infrastructure.
The MP for the riding, Terry Sheehan, made the announcement on Monday.
The money will go to the utilities smart grid project.
"This smart grid project offers a glimpse into our clean energy future and represents a new wave of economic activity for the region," Sheehan said.
"Along with job creation, new industries will be attracted to a modern grid, all while helping the environment."
His office says the investment will allow the utility to reduce outages, provide more information to customers…
