Nuclear agency inspects Taft plant
The inspection was ordered after plant operators discovered problems in a high-pressure safety injection pump that is used to supply cooling water to the plant's reactor core during some accident conditions. The problem was traced to an electrical relay, which subsequently was replaced, allowing the pump to operate normally.
But Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials are concerned because there have been six previous failures of similar electrical relay switches at Waterford in the past year.
The inspection, which began July 20, is expected to last for several days.
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California proposes income-based fixed electricity charges
SAN FRANCISCO - The Public Advocates Office (PAO) for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has proposed adding a monthly fixed charge on electric utility bills based on income level.
The rate change is designed to lower bills for the lowest-income residents while aligning billing more directly with utility costs.
PAO’s recommendation for the Income Graduated Fixed Charge places fees between $22 and $42 per month in the three major investor-owned utilities’ territories for customers not enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program. As seen below, CARE customers would be charged between $14 per month and $22 a…