SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 11 -- The California Public Utilities Commission issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2023: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in ongoing actions to help the state achieve a clean energy future, today expanded on-bill financing programs to assist non-residential electricity and natural gas customers in making comprehensive energy investments, such as purchasing and installing electric heat pump water heaters and electric vehicle charging   more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Aug. 12 -- The Florida Auditor General released the following operational audit (No. 2024-005) on Aug. 9, 2023, involving Highlands County District School Board. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This operational audit of the Highlands County School District (District) focused on selected District processes and administrative activities and included a follow-up on findings noted in our report No. 2021-050. Our operational audit disclosed the following: Finding 1: The Di  more

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Aug. 11 -- Indiana State Rep. Maureen Bauer, D-South Bend, issued the following statement on Aug. 10, 2023: * * * State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) issued the following statement in reaction to the unintentional death of 1-year-old Kylin Brooks due to access to an unsecured firearm: "Today, my heart aches for the family of Kylin Brooks as they grieve this unimaginable loss. Yet another child has lost their life due to a firearm being improperly stored in a home wh  more

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, Aug. 11 -- Gov. John Bel Edwards, D-Louisiana, issued the following news on Aug. 10, 2023: First Solar, the largest solar energy manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere, announced it has selected Acadiana Regional Airport as the site of its fifth American manufacturing facility. The company said it will invest up to $1.1 billion in the facility, which will produce high-performance photovoltaic (PV) solar modules. The project is expected to be complete in the first half of  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Aug. 12 -- The Minnesota Utilities Commission issued the following decision involving Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Co. and Elk Creek Solar LLC: * * * INTRODUCTION DECISION ITEMS 1. Details 2021-287 ** E015/GR-21-335 Minnesota Power In the Matter of the Application of Minnesota Power for Authority to Increase Rates for Electric Service in Minnesota. Should the Commission approve participant compensation requests for the Citizens Utility Board and Energy Cents Coa  more

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Aug. 11 -- The South Carolina Department of Agriculture issued the following news release: South Carolina farmers and food processors who want to pursue organic certification may qualify for reimbursement through a grant administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) and funded by the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. For some producers, organic certification can help reach new customers and align with existing ones. "This funding  more

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Aug. 11 -- The South Carolina Department of Commerce issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2023: On behalf of the Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC Nexus), the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) applied today for designation as one of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration's (EDA) 20 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs). SC Nexus represents a broad consortium which includes institutions of h  more