“This is what happens when people can’t pay their electricity bill. But the city does have a Department of Social Services than can help them out,” Fossesigurani said. “Unfortunately, because of federal cuts in social services funding, we’ve had trouble getting the word out.
Its North Carolina-based parent company is in the process of merging with Duke Energy, also of North Carolina. However, federal authorities said last month the two companies would monopolize too much generation.
A year ago, OUC considered buying a portion of a plant proposed for the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station in South Carolina. But that option was dropped in favor of potentially contracting for the purchase of electricity from the Catawba Nuclear Station in South Carolina.
A pair of Newport Beach entrepreneurs have been testing a wave-powered turbine near the famed bodysurfing spot for years and have now approached city officials for permission to set up a more permanent prototype, possibly off one of the city’s two piers.
“We’ve been lucky so far, that this year the winter has been relatively mild,” said Finch. We know, however, there are people struggling in this economy to make ends meet.
The three-family house, constructed in 1910, is owned by Freddy and Carmen Tavarez according to city records. Fossesigurani said that the owners told fire investigators that the tenants should have been moved out of the building some days ago.