South Carolina Power Team’s Post

This month marks the 76th anniversary of Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., a testament to our enduring commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective energy to our Members and communities.   Established in 1948, Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. originated with seven other Members, evolving into an organization whose Member cooperatives now serve over 940,000 electric meters across 79,000 miles of power lines, covering 70 percent of South Carolina. As we chart the course ahead, we remain devoted to advancing innovative solutions, fostering community growth, and sustaining a legacy of excellence in powering the future. Here's to the years ahead, marked by continued progress and service to our valued Members and communities! Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. Berkeley Electric Cooperative, Inc. Black River Electric Cooperative Broad River Electric Cooperative Edisto Electric Cooperative, Inc. Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc. Laurens Electric Cooperative Lynches River Electric Cooperative MPD Electric Cooperative Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, Inc. Newberry Electric Cooperative Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc. Santee Electric Cooperative York Electric Cooperative, Inc. Little River Electric Cooperative Tri-County Electric Cooperative Fairfield Electric Cooperative Coastal Electric Cooperative Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative

2023 brought a greater mix of projects to Wisconsin’s commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) program. We attribute that to a larger mix of lenders and the assistance of PACE Wisconsin stakeholder groups: counties, economic development groups, chambers, developer associations, and local utilities were essential partners in helping to spread the word about the impact of PACE as an economic development tool that creates more energy efficient buildings in Wisconsin. https://lnkd.in/dw8tHYiV

We celebrate the successes of 2023 and continued growth in the 1st quarter of 2024. #greenfinance is important to the debt stack for new construction and adaptive retrofit projects in #Wisconsin.

Here's what we're reading this week

Did you miss this inspiring free webinar? See below!

As someone who is usually up and about fairly early each day, I've noticed that the perennial shift into brighter mornings is definitely upon us. With each March morning that passes, it does seem to be getting lighter and lighter. And let's not forget that this weekend, the clocks will go forward by an hour, as summer time officially begins on Sunday. Brighter, lighter and longer days often make us feel like there is more scope to do whatever we need to, so why not take advantage of this and spare some time to take a look at our monthly round up that is hot on the heels of the Spring Budget, and looking forward to the months ahead. #haineswattsscotland #taxadvice #roundup #fhl #capitalgainstax #businessadvisors https://lnkd.in/g7si6CVj

💛 for Garet and Vishal. I'm of course biased but if you're making or using forecasts for means-based benefit program usage and cost, it's critical you read our paper!

Let's talk about Electro-Hydraulic Deliveries. It's one thing to say you do something, it's another to deliver it. Volta has the shortest delivery in Electro-Hydraulics because it's built for stock, not built to order. #volta #electrohydraulic

Did you hear the news?! 🚨 Berkeley is making history by being the FIRST municipality in California and the entire nation to purchase a Monarch Tractor 🚜👏 Say goodbye to diesel costs and hello to cleaner air! 🍃 For the City of Berkeley, this move not only enhances local air quality but also supports lower operating expenses by eliminating diesel costs and significantly reducing maintenance costs tied to traditional combustion engines. Learn more about how Berkeley is leading the way in electrifying their equipment: https://hubs.li/Q02gHh9M0

Verizon continues to invest in the Town of Colonie. Video below shows speed test of 500+ Mbps at a recently deployed small cell on Route 9. Stay tuned for more updates. It’s important to explain why the process for getting here was not quick or easy – for Verizon or for the Town of Colonie. The permitting process can take the longest. Depending on the location, we may need permits from a County Highway Department, the State Department of Transportation (DOT) and the local government. And sometimes from the Army Corp of Engineers. Unfortunately, several actions taken by the State have caused significantly backlogs in the deployment (every macro tower and small cell needs fiber). DOT added a new requirement as part of its permit application for the deployment of fiber. This requires certified engineering surveys to be conducted on the state's own right-of-way (ROW), which has added significant expense and time to the deployment process. DOT does not apply this requirement to any other company using its ROW like electric, gas or water companies. Based on our experience, it is taking DOT between five and nine months to approve permits. The average turn-around times for DOT’s PERM32 is 50 calendar days, while the average time for PERM75 is 178 calendar days. This does not include the time Verizon spends securing the licensed land surveys mentioned above before we can even apply for a permit. That can add another 1.5 months or more to the permitting process. Such delays should be regarded as intolerable in a state that seeks to modernize its communications infrastructure. After permitting comes “make ready”. Before a wireless provider can string fiber to a utility pole, the existing attachments (e.g., electric cables, etc.) may need to be moved around so that the pole can be made ready to handle a new attachment like a fiber cable. Sometimes the pole needs to be replaced because it was originally designed to be used only by the electric, cable and telephone providers. This is known as 'make ready work.' The reason make ready work is necessary is to prevent the risk of outages or other issues, lines and equipment on utility poles must be spaced a certain distance apart from each other. Make ready work must occur sequentially, meaning that attachments can only be moved in the order with which they were originally placed on the line. This process can create significant delays, as well as other large disruptions in high traffic areas, such as alongside major roadways. Make ready work can take months, or even years, to complete as every company involved must send out their own employees or approved contractors to move only their respective attachment. Each company must also schedule their work to not conflict with other companies performing make ready work. These factors must be considered as government officials and consumers wonder why projects can take 18 months or more in most instances before a small cell or macro tower is on the air.