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    Maryland Water Systems Found To Contain Worrying Levels Of Nitrate, Arsenic And Other Chemicals, Nonprofit Says – CBS Baltimore - December 7, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    By Ally Tobler, Capital News Service

    Tap water at the majority of Maryland utilities, or public water systems, had levels of contaminants that exceeded health guidelines established by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit focused on environmental health issues.

    According to EWGs 2019 update, predominant chemicals included nitrates, arsenic, trihalomethanes which includes chloroform among other contaminants.

    The EWG published drinking water contamination data for nearly 50,00 community water systems nationwide, including 468 utilities located in Maryland.

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesnt have a tap water contamination database and doesnt provide any information on specific contaminant levels at water systems. But according to EWG Senior Scientist David Andrews, they should.

    Instead, the EPA has a database listing which utilities are not following legal requirements when it comes to safe drinking water, but not the actual testing results showing chemical levels. For these compliance-based violations, the EPA assigns point values to noncompliant utilities based on the severity of the violation.

    There are 38 utilities in Maryland with the highest amount of tap water violation points from the EPA. These utilities serve over 2,189,000 residents and have collectively accrued nearly 573 violation points.

    Out of the 38 utilities with the highest violation points, 11 are listed as mobile home parks communities. Andrews explained that smaller water systems such as mobile home parks are more likely to have water quality violations compared to larger water systems.

    This is often due to resources in terms of source water choice, water treatment and testing, he wrote in an email. Big city water systems will often draw water from upstream, or a protected reservoir if available while smaller systems will get water from a nearby stream or from a well drilled directly down.

    Many large water systems, such as the city of Baltimore, draw their water from multiple sources, and people within different parts of the system may get different fractions of water from each source. Baltimore, for example, sources its water from Gunpowder Falls, North Branch Patapsco River and the Susquehanna River.

    Graphic: Capital News Service

    EWG tests both groundwater and surface water, and either at treatment plants after it is treated or at individual sources.

    Many contaminants do not have legal limits defined by the EPA and those that do often havent been updated in recent years. The EWG decided to fill that gap by creating health guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence and health advisories.

    High levels of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs for short), a group of contaminants that includes four different chemicals, were found in the majority of utilities in Maryland. The EWG guideline for TTHMs is 0.15 ppb (parts per billion) or less, but the highest amount found was 56.3 ppb, 375 times that guideline. TTHMs are cancer-causing contaminants that are produced during water treatment with chlorine, according to the EWG.

    Out of the large utilities that had the most tap water violation points from the EPA, all of them exceeded the EWGs TTHMs concentration guideline. Freedom District in Carroll County had the highest level of contamination at 49.3 ppb. The legal limit for TTHMs is 80 ppb.

    TTHMs arent the only carcinogenic contaminants found among tap water in these public water systems. Nitrate, radium, chromium, cadmium and arsenic are also listed as chemicals that can lead to cancer.

    Graphic: Capital News Service

    Eighty-seven percent of utilities with the most tap water violations had at least one of these cancer-causing contaminants that exceeded EWG health guidelines.

    Seventy-three percent of mobile park homes that had a significant amount of tap water violations had nitrate levels above the EWG health guideline. The highest was found at Bohnak Mobile Home Park in Fruitland, Maryland at 8.9 ppm. The legal limit is 10 ppm.

    The EPA has failed to update chemical guidelines in recent years, according to the EWG.

    [They have] not added a new contaminant to its list of regulated tap water contaminants in nearly 20 years, said Andrews. Yet science continuously advances, allowing us to understand more about how contaminants in drinking water can harm human health, even at low concentrations.

    For example, PFOA and PFOS, which are used in many consumer products such as nonstick pans and stain-repellent clothing, are a few of many contaminants that do not have a legal limit set by the EPA. According to the EWG, this contaminant group can cause cancer, hormone disruption, as well as harm to the liver, fetal growth and immune system.

    Everyone should be aware of the quality of the water they drink and how that water measures up to rigorous, health-based standards, said Andrews.

    An EPA spokesperson outlined the process for adding to the regulated contaminants list. Under the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act, the agency is required to issue contaminant candidate lists, collect information on the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water, and make determinations on whether or not to regulate contaminants. This occurs on a five-year cycle.

    EPA reviews existing national primary drinking water regulations and, as appropriate, revises them to improve public health protection, said the spokesperson.

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    Maryland Water Systems Found To Contain Worrying Levels Of Nitrate, Arsenic And Other Chemicals, Nonprofit Says - CBS Baltimore

    New York needs New T-Mobile to reach communities across the digital divide – Rochester Business Journal - December 7, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Broderick Johnson

    Nearly 20 years ago, President Bill Clinton said, Together we have the power to determine exactly what we want the Internet to become. And what we want it to do is to be an instrument of empowerment, education, enlightenment, and economic advance[ment] and community building all across America, regardless of the race, the income, the geography of our citizens.

    Sadly, the Internet has not lived up to these goals, and the digital divide is a reality for too many urban and rural communities across New Yorkincluding those in Rochester. In fact, more than a third of households in Monroe County with an annual income of less than $20,000 do not have access to the internet at home. These inequities exacerbate economic disparities because the Internet is an increasingly essential access point for job hunting, health care, and education. The result is a homework gap for students, persistent health care deserts for rural patients, and a digital divide that we havent been able to closeyet.

    But recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the T-Mobile-Sprint merger, helping to clear the path for a new competitor that will drive innovation and consumer benefitsparticularly for underserved consumers.

    The joint spectrum portfolios of T-Mobile and Sprint will enable New T-Mobile to significantly accelerate 5G deployment throughout New York, which will force Verizon, AT&T, and other providers to up their investments. It will also create a massive amount of network capacity that will put downward pressure on prices, helping to keep more money in the pockets of lower-income consumers who often depend on wireless service to stay connected. New T-Mobiles plans will drive industry prices down while improving service for everyone.

    Following the merger, the company will dedicate itself to putting this massive network capacity to work for good. The new company will work with civil rights leadersNational Urban League, National Action Network, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, League of United Latin American Citizens, and UNIDOSUS to ensure these benefits reach those most in need. In partnership with these organizations, New T-Mobile committed to significant philanthropic investments in institutions serving disadvantaged or underrepresented communities to support tech entrepreneurship and to bridge the gap in literacy, job training, and participation in the digital economy for communities of color.

    The new company also committed to expanding wireless offerings to low-income citizens, underserved populations, and insular and rural areas after the merger. Two such programs were just announced for New T-Mobile after the mergers closeProject 10Million and T-Mobile Connect. Project 10Million aims to end the homework gap by offering free service, hotspots, and low-cost devices to 10 million households and families over five years, and T-Mobile Connect will make wireless more accessible for underserved communities by slashing the price of T-Mobiles current lowest-cost wireless plan in half.

    The New T-Mobile will not only help improve New Yorks digital connectivity, it will also support the states economy through its new proposed Customer Experience Centers in the Rochester area and Nassau County, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo himself has praised. The new centers will bring nearly 1,000 new high-quality jobs with good benefits to each area.

    But New T-Mobile can only fulfill these commitments if the merger closes. With the next generation of wireless service5Gon the horizon, we can either embrace this major step forward or allow millions of lower-income and rural Americans to fall farther behind. We can and should do betterfor everyone.

    Were still a long way from the equity and access envisioned by President Clinton nearly 20 years ago. T-Mobile and Sprint have formally pledged to help close the digital divide in the United States following the merger, and the combined company will have the scale, resources, and culture to ensure that everyone has access to the tools to thrive in todays economy. I urge all of New Yorks leaders to support the merger and bring good jobs, lower prices, and increased broadband access for those who need it most across the state.

    Broderick Johnson served as Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary under President Barack Obama, Deputy Assistant for Legislative Affairs under President Bill Clinton, and is currently an advisor to Sprint and Senior of Counsel with the law firm Covington & Burling LLP.

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    New York needs New T-Mobile to reach communities across the digital divide - Rochester Business Journal

    2020: The year of the home improvement – Mountain Grove News Journal - December 7, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    2020: The year of the home improvement

    Posted: Wednesday, December 4, 2019 9:01 am

    2020: The year of the home improvement Brandpoint (BPT) Mountain Grove News-Journal

    (BPT) - A new year is an opportunity to bring fresh life into your home through renovations, both large and small. Want an updated kitchen? A patio addition? New floors? Every homeowner has a different vision for their space, so make 2020 the year your home improvement dreams come true. But where should you start?

    Affording your renovations

    The cost of home renovations deters many from updating their homes, but there are financing options that can make costs more manageable. Consider a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which gives you the flexibility of a credit line you can access as you need funds for your renovation projects. At Bank of America, you can get a HELOC with no fees to open or maintain it. You pay only for the funds you use.

    Now that you have the finances sorted out, what home projects should you consider?

    But, what if you arent a homeowner yet?

    If you're not yet a homeowner, make 2020 your year to own your home. Upfront costs dont have to be a barrier.

    The Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment(TM) helps eligible homebuyers with the upfront costs of purchasing a home by offering:

    For more information about the Community Homeownership Commitment, HELOCs and other ways to make your 2020 home dreams a reality, visit http://www.bankofamerica.com.

    Posted in Home Improvement on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 9:01 am.

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    2020: The year of the home improvement - Mountain Grove News Journal

    My Boyfriend & I Had Never Lived TogetherUntil We Bought A Home – Yahoo Finance - December 7, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Refinery29 is proud to partner with theNational Association of REALTORS(NAR) to share real womens stories about finding, buying, flipping, and paying off their homes. Ahead, read one womans testament to homeownership, and discover the power of a REALTOR.

    It should come as no surprise that a couple in the suburbs might decide to take the plunge and buy a home together. But heres the thing: When my partner and I began the process, we werent married. We werent engaged, either. And we had never lived together. In fact, neither of us had ever lived anywhere aside from our childhood homes.

    Sure, marriage isnt a prerequisite here but as partners, we were admittedly a bit non-traditional in our approach to a mortgage. After six years together, we were making the decision to take on the biggest financial commitment of our lives thus far without even knowing what it was really like to share a bedroom.

    When we told friends and family, they were often openly disapproving. To them, it felt impulsive and irresponsible. But in spite of all the naysayers, we both felt, deep down, that this was the right choice for us. While living with our respective parents and siblings retiring each night to our childhood bedrooms we both desperately craved a space of our own. Neither of us was paying rent, our savings were growing substantially, and we often fantasized about what our life might look like under a shared roof.

    At the time, I was working as a full-time editor in New York City making $65,000 a year, and my partner was working in construction making $110,000 a year. Between us, we had about $30,000 in savings, and we were ready to put that towards a down payment somewhere in Long Island.So we tracked down an agent from the National Association of REALTORS through Douglas Elliman one who was openly supportive of our decision and we got to work.

    Of course, we knew that renting an apartment together was the more logical next step. We understood this would be a safer way of testing the waters without, well, diving right in. But we both wanted to settle close to our families, our agent assured us that the market looked good, and most adults we knew in the area were already owners. Buying simply felt like the smartest step it was what we wanted in the long term, and paying rent rather than working toward that goal felt counterproductive.

    Still, in all honesty, I occasionally felt myself wavering. What if his propensity to leave dirty glasses in his bedroom for days on end pushed me over the edge? How would he feel about me once he realized I had never really learned how to do laundry correctly? Were we being completely delusional?I thought about making an ultimatum: We could get a house if he proposed but at the same time, I didnt want a proposal he felt pressured into. In fact, I felt that purchasing a house together was, in some ways, a bigger commitment than a ring. It was this enormous investment, both financially and emotionally, in our future life together. And our agent was fully prepared to help us take the plunge.

    After shed sat down with us a handful of times to talk seriously about our game plan, she helped us to narrow our search. We talked through what Long Island neighborhoods we were interested in, the condition of our future home, the importance of a spacious backyard, and plenty of other things. Then she showed us options. We perused countless places online together and visited many an open house while she offered us details about levels of buyer interest and potential for kitchen remodels.

    Then finally, after one particularly long day spent perusing various open houses, our agent convinced us to stop by a home we hadnt been interested in when wed viewed the listing online. She insisted it would be worth the trip, so we agreed, reasoning that she hadnt let us down yet.

    As soon as we entered the space, something shifted. We looked at each other we knew this was it. Walking through the rooms, we could both imagine our futures here, in each of these vacant rooms, and it felt right. That night, we called our agent and told her we wanted to make an offer.The place was listed at $399,000, which wasnt so far beyond our target price.

    Story continues

    The rest of the home buying process was centered around financial logistics the particulars of which our agent dexterously helped us navigate. It forced us into a number of conversations about finances that many couples dont have until marriage (not fun, but necessary). We met with a lawyer about the details that surrounded putting both of our names on the deed. With Sandys help, we eventually negotiated the price down to $365,000. And eventually, closing day arrived.

    Our agent and our lawyer worked together to make sure things ran smoothly. Once the paperwork was squared away, I felt myself loosen up. I began to feel a particular sense of elation. This was our home this was where the life wed been imagining together for the past six years would take place. That evening, we began to move some of our things in (just a rug or two, some end tables, a favorite chair), and, one piece at a time, the space started to look less like a vacant structure and more like a home.

    Less than a year into living together, he proposed. And now, nearly three and a half years after that first day in our new house, were married, we have a baby, and we still love our home. Scheduling aside, buying was the right choice for us we knew this place would be the setting for our entire lives together.

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    My Boyfriend & I Had Never Lived TogetherUntil We Bought A Home - Yahoo Finance

    82 building permits issued in Oakland last week – Yahoo News - December 7, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Photo: Unsplash

    Wondering what buildings are coming down or going up in Oakland? Local building permit data can shine a light on what's under construction near you.

    In the past week, the city issued 82 building permits, according to data from BuildZoom, a platform that helps homeowners and businesses with new construction and remodels.

    None of those permits were for new building construction last week; all were for repairs and renovations.

    Read on for a selection of the most noteworthy new permits.

    Contractor Cero Construction was issued a permit for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 6071 Colton Blvd. The permit defines the project's work scope as: "Non-structural remodel of two bathrooms at existing single family dwelling."

    Contractor FWH Acquisition Co LLC received a permit for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 9800 Macarthur Blvd. The work is described as: "Remove and replace water heater for unit #202 to be located in exterior cabinet of multi-unit apartment building."

    Contractor Source Planning & Construction Inc. was issued a permit for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 1901 Harrison St. The work is described as: "Plumbing tenant improvement to reconfigure partitions and remodel restrooms with ADA upgrades on the first third fourth and sixth floor."

    A permit was issued for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 8216 Olive St. In the permit, the work scope is described as: "Non-structural kitchen remodel."

    Applicant Wci Gc Inc. was issued a permit for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 1999 Harrison St., Suite 1500. The permit defines the project's work scope as: "Electrical tenant improvement. Create office spaces with new partitions and finishes."

    A permit was issued for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 1064 Clarendon Crescent.The permit defines the project's work scope as: "Bath remodel including replacing tub and shower walls, vanity and fixtures."

    Applicant Roto Rooter Services Company received a permit for repair/renovation of a structure at 900 Fallon St. In the permit, the work scope is described as: "Repair/replace building sewer."

    Contractor A Taylor Made Window received a permit for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 796 Rosemount Road.The work is described as: "Replace six existing windows for single family dwelling."

    Applicant Todd Zaionz Construction received a permit for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 250 Frank H. Ogawa Pz. The permit defines the project's work scope as: "Remove and replace one sheet of sheet rock to install electrical equipment underneath in print shop on first floor."

    This story was created automatically using local building data from BuildZoom, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing.

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    82 building permits issued in Oakland last week - Yahoo News

    Tim Hortons starts thinking long term – Restaurant Business Online - December 7, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Photograph courtesy of Tim Hortons

    For Restaurant Brands International, two out of three is bad.

    In the companys third quarter, for instance, both Burger King and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen generated strong salesin the U.S. and internationally.

    But Tim Hortons didnt quite match its sister chains performance.

    Systemwide sales at the Canadian coffee-and-doughnut chain declined by 0.1% in the quarter. By comparison, Burger Kings system sales rose 10.7%, thanks to international growth and the chains Impossible Whopper in the U.S.

    Popeyes, buoyed by its incredible chicken sandwich success, increased sales by 15.6%.

    Jose Cil, CEO of RBI, suggested that Tim Hortons focus has been off, and said it needs to work more on long-term sales-building strategies.

    Weve seen a little bit of fluctuation, ups and downs, in sales performance over the last few quarters, partly, I think, because weve been focused on somewhat short-term opportunities, he told investors this week, according to a transcript on the financial services site Sentieo.

    I think we need to be focused on the core, on the long-term initiatives that are going to have a big impact on the business, he added.

    Cil said the long-term strategies include work to improve the companys beverages, store remodels, drive-thrus and technology such as its new loyalty program.

    Tim Hortons was a well-established business in Canada when Burger King bought the company in 2014 and created Restaurant Brands International. Yet that combination has been slower to develop for Tims than it was when 3G Capital bought Burger King in 2010, or even when RBI bought Popeyes in 2017.

    Consider this: Systemwide sales at Tims grew 9.3% in the first year after the 2014 merger. That growth has slowed every year since, and systemwide sales growth has averaged just 0.7% so far this year.

    Unit count growth has also been slow: Tims has 4,887 global locations now, up less than 5% since 2014. By contrast, Burger King operates 18,232 restaurants globally, up 27% over that period.

    Much of that is likely due to the chains different structures. Burger King operates with larger franchisees, including many joint ventures internationally where unit growth is paramount. Tims in its home market of Canada operates largely with smaller operators that are less likely to open new units.

    And Tim Hortons has struggled in the U.S., where unit count has declined by 14% since 2013. The U.S. was supposed to be a key early growth market for the brand.

    Still, Tims represents 60% of RBIs revenuesand half of its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA. That makes the brand vital to RBIs overall performance. So while the other two brands performed well, its overall business is weighted toward Tims.

    The brand has some real strengths that Cil believes to be a strong foundation for future growth. In Canada, it remains the dominant restaurant chain, particularly in the mornings. In Canada, Tim is an amazing business with a tremendous market share, he said. We have a very loyal following of guests that come, in many cases, two or three times a day.

    That, he said, gives the company a really strong market share and compelling unit economics.

    Cil believes the company has opportunities to increase growth in its core menu products. That includes both hot and cold beverages. One strategy is the addition of new coffee brewers designed to improve the consistency of those drinks.

    The chain has also improved its beverage lids and opened a new Innovation Cafe in downtown Toronto to work on new products. It is also focused on drive-thru technology to speed service there.

    Loyalty might be the biggest opportunity for the chain. The company launched its new loyalty program in Canada earlier this year and it became popular quickly. As many as half of the chains transactions come from program members.

    Cil said the company will be able to focus on one-on-one marketing while using the program to get a better idea of what gets customers into its stores. Thats the work that were doing now that we think over time will allow us to drive sales through the loyalty platform, he said.

    To be sure, Cil didnt fully write off short-term sales strategies such as limited-time offers. Theres always a balance in this business, especially when youre a market leader, he said, noting that the chain needs to focus on quality, value and convenience. Those are the things that are going to give us a competitive advantage in the market and continue to hold our really strong position and start growing long term.

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    Tim Hortons starts thinking long term - Restaurant Business Online

    HVDC: A Building Block for a Resilient, Flexible and Interconnected Grid – Transmission & Distribution World - December 7, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    The metaphorical War of the Currents between AC and DC started by reigning geniuses of the 1880s, George Westinghouse Jr., Nicola Tesla, and Thomas Alva Edison. As we all know, initially three phase alternating current (AC) won and ruled the power transmission arena; however, with the increasing bulk power transmission capacity and longer transmission distances, DC technology has again started to make sense as a transmission medium. Just like other power converter-based technologies in the early 1900s, high voltage direct current (HVDC) started its journey with mercury-arc-rectifiers. After a series of experiments and small scale implementation projects in 1930s, the first commercial HVDC was installed in 1954 between the island of Gotland and the Swedish mainland by Allmnna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (ASEA, also known as General Swedish Electric Company), the Sweden based company in Vsters, now ASEA Brown Bovari or ABB,. Based in Zurich.

    With advancements in voltage-source converters (VSC), HVDC is now considered a mature technology for bulk power transmission over long distances while providing flexibility for connecting asynchronous power grids. The potential benefits of HVDC over a conventional AC transmission system are highly recognized, primary among them is the controllability which increases the overall reliability of an interconnected grid. This article explores how HVDC transmission will be the key enabler of emerging single energy market.

    Flexibility for integrating clean energy

    For many utilities around the globe, the integration of low carbon energy sources with the transmission and distribution (T&D) grid is a critical topic. As the distribution of these renewable sources is uneven and often at long distances from electricity load centers (especially offshore wind), AC transmission systems face additional challenges in terms of losses and reactive power requirements. In extreme cases, HVDC remains the only viable option when the life cycle cost (LCC), including system losses of the transmission systems, is taken into consideration.

    Several cross border HVDC links installed in Europe serve the purpose of transmitting clean renewable energy across the grids. Country-wide HVDC projects in some European countries are also installed for transport of renewable energy towards load centers. For example, Germany has several HVDC projects (in operation and planned) which connect offshore wind power with its transmission grid. A shift was observed in Chinese market as well, where previously HVDC projects were installed for long-distance bulk power transfer, which now has many HVDC projects planned and in-operation to integrate wind power with its grid. Similarly, a lack of HVDC projects in the US is expected to end with the Plains and Eastern clean line HVDC project which promises to transport renewable energy across different states.

    Because of increasing maturity in the technology, HVDC presents opportunity in terms of cross-continent interconnections for renewable energy integration. For example, there are some Euro-African HVDC projects under consideration which can potentially bring the benefits of massive solar potential in North Africa to the European grid. One such study shows that roughly 5 gigawatt (GW) of carbon-free electricity can be transferred via HVDC links from the Sahara solar complex to the European grid, where reduced dependence on fossil fuel and nuclear generation is a necessity to comply with regional clean energy goals.

    China, the global leader

    Over the past decade, China has emerged as a global leader in the HVDC market in both installed projects and R&D efforts. From 2009, began the era of ultra high voltage direct current (UHVDC), primarily due to multi-GW HVDC transmission projects constructed by China. Roughly 60% of the HVDC projects installed in China after 2010 were of a 3GW size or more. In addition, State Grid of China (SGCC) plans to spend roughly US$90billion just in UHVDC interconnections from 2009 to 2020, and making more than 20 UHVDC transmission links operational by 2030. The recently commissioned Zhundong-Wannan 1100kV UHVDC link in China is a real breakthrough in DC transmission having a total capacity of 1GW. In addition to UHVDC, China has implemented unique HVDC topologies such as multi-terminal vehicle stability control (VSC) projects, paralleled LCC and VSC, and even a hybrid LCC and VSC project is in the pipeline. Under the Belt and Road Initiative there are currently discussions around building multiterminal HVDC connections between China and Europe, including several other Asian countries. With multiple R&D institutes and HVDC labs operating under SGCC, it can safely be predicted that China will continue to introduce new technologies in this field, maintaining its position as a global HVDC market leader for the next decade.

    United States lagging in HVDC?

    As described earlier, an uneven geographical distribution of renewable generation is a key driver of HVDC market, the US being a model example. A distribution of wind power in the US is depicted in the heat map below.

    The generation density clearly necessitates the need for long distance DC transmission system to evacuate the wind power from the high-density mid-west to the eastern part of the country. Despite this need, there has not been a single HVDC project since 2010. If we look at the operating DC voltage (kV) and transmission capacity (GW) of existing HVDC projects, the US has yet to achieve UHVDC (>800kV DC). In terms of HVDC topologies, US has installed few VSC based HVDC projects whereas Europe and China have several VSC HVDC projects. Upcoming HVDC projects like the Plains and Eastern clean line could be a positive start to a bigger goal of a North American Supergrid (NAS or Supergrid) which proposes a 52-node HVDC connection throughout the lower 48 states. Such a DC connected paradigm would result in a resilient network and provide the necessary competitive boost to the renewable energy against currently dominant fossil fuel-fired generation in the US.

    Multi-terminal HVDC - a step towards a DC grid

    With the deployment of larger capacity offshore wind plants, there is a need for operational characteristics like bi-direction power flow and enhanced control. The mature conventional technology known as line commutated converters (LCCs) using thyristors is not enough to provide this flexibility due to its constant current-carrying capability. This technology only allows the control of the active power and lacks the black start capability, a unique quality of voltage source converters (VSC) using insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) as the switching elements. Though less mature, VSC based multi-terminal DC (MTDC) grid is going to be the core of future HVDC meshed networks.

    The successful implementation of point-to-point HVDC suggests the concept of Supergrid is most likely to be achieved via MTDC lines, which provide the most cost effective and efficient solution of interconnecting multiple converter stations through DC network. However, there are few examples of implementation of MTDC using LCC based technology because of its high capacity carrying capability like North East Agra MTDC HVDC project that has been put into operation in 2017 (LCC based three terminal project having total capacity of six GW).

    Implementation of future meshed HVDC grids is feasible only with VSCs. Like a conventional AC grid, VSC has the capability of power reversal within an MTDC grid simply by the reversal of current direction while maintaining the voltage at both ends making it an ideal choice for meshed DC grids. Zhoushan multi-terminal HVDC project commissioned in 2014 in China is the first high voltage project interconnecting five terminals using VSC HVDC. Though its capacity is only 400 megawatt (MW), much less than the conventional LCC based HVDC, but the flexibility and control outweigh this aspect.

    Future HVDC grids along with numbers of benefits also require efforts in terms of its protection and control. Major HVDC market competitors like ABB, Siemens, GE and some other players are all involved to resolve these issues. Unlike the AC grids, there is no possibility of zero-crossing clearance in DC grid fault protection. The present day HVDC converters possess non-fault blocking capability and in case of fault, the short circuit current continues to build inside the DC system unless the AC side protection is operated and shut down the whole DC network, which is obviously an inefficient method. This issue can be resolved by DC circuit breakers which are way more complex and expensive compared to AC circuit breakers and require high degree of precision. With the advancements in DC breaker, new possibilities are opening towards realization of meshed DC networks.

    Edisons DC + Multi-terminal VSC = Grid 2.0

    It took over a century but Edisons vision for a DC grid may be closer than ever with the help of VSC technology. China has now become the technological polestar of HVDC transmission due to several ultra high capacity projects installed and planned for its grid. Europe will continue to see growth in HVDC market specially in VSC based projects. Plus, we can expect new projects in emerging markets like South America, Pakistan and Africa.

    Power Technology Research is a T&D World media partner.

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    HVDC: A Building Block for a Resilient, Flexible and Interconnected Grid - Transmission & Distribution World

    Firefighters warn the community to test their smoke detectors after fire rips through three Springfield, Mo. homes – KY3 - December 7, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    SPRINGFIELD,Mo. (KY3) -- The Springfield Fire Department is reminding you to check your smoke detectors after a fire damaged three mobile homes Thursday afternoon.

    According to Springfield Fire Chief David Pennington, the last time the fire department delivered free smoke detectors to the neighborhood in northwest Springfield was in November 2018.

    Thursday, three homes caught on fire and none of them had a working smoke detector.

    Everyone inside the homes on West Atlantic escaped without injury thanks to neighbors knocking on their doors.

    "You've go three minutes from when the fire starts until your window for escape is small or nonexistent," Pennington said. " In that three minutes it's whether you've been notified or not the clock starts when the fire starts."

    He said it's smart to test your smoke detectors often, which can be as simple as pressing a button.

    "Test them at least annually, but monthly is my preference as the chief that's what I do in my home," Pennington said.

    Council member Phyllis Ferguson said the city created "zone blitz" in northwest Springfield to solve problems like an influx in fires.

    "Public safety is always of great concern," Ferguson said. "We looked at what was going on in the northwest quadrant in Springfield and we identified some things that we could do to make it a safer area."

    One of the solutions they came up with is "Project Red Zone." Firefighters go door-to-door to install and test smoke alarms for people in the community. The services are free of charge.

    Pennington said the neighborhood on the city's north side was one of the their first targets, but isn't the only one to reap the benefits.

    "Smoke alarms are available at all times, whether you're in the Project Red Zone area or not," he said. "[Call] 417-874-2300... and they'll get you to us."

    Pennington said the fire department will circle back to the neighborhood if it needs to, but in the mean time firefighters will be canvassing a few new neighborhoods.

    Follow this link:

    Firefighters warn the community to test their smoke detectors after fire rips through three Springfield, Mo. homes - KY3

    County Commission adopts comprehensive plan – ThePierceCountyTribune.com | Rugby, Pierce County and North Dakota news, sports and information – Pierce… - December 7, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    During their regular meeting Tuesday morning at the Pierce County Courthouse, Pierce County's Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt the county's Comprehensive Plan.

    Comprehensive plans serve as policy guides for decisions about land development and growth, and to establish goals and objectives for future land use. Requirements of comprehensive plans include that they be general, long-range, "focus on physical development" and "relate physical design proposals to community goals and social and economic policies."

    Prior to the Tuesday passage, the last time the county's Comprehensive Plan received revisions was 1987.

    Other actions

    - The board approved by a 4-1 vote (with District 4 Commissioner Terry Hoffert being the sole no vote), a property tax incentive application for Home of Economy.

    - The board reappointed Lonnie Anderson, Alan Beaver and Mike Voeller to the county's Planning & Zoning Board.

    - The board approved precincts for the 2020 election. The polling location will be the courthouse and hours will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    - County Tax Director Kelsey Siegler met with the board to discuss how the county wants to handle mobile homes that are delinquent on taxes. Pierce County States Attorney Galen Mack requested copies of notices sent to the owners, and said he would look into the procedure.

    - The board approved a raffle permit application for the Knights of Columbus.

    - The board approved a transfer of $1,741.08 from the Victim Witness fund to the county's general fund.

    - The board approved a resolution for B&J Excavating for graveling and reshaping from nine miles south of Rugby (starting at Highway 3) and east seven miles.

    - The board approved beer and liquor licenses for the Rugby Golf Club, Rugby Eagles and Larry's Bar in Selz.

    - The board approved abatement applications for Perry & Rose Armstrong and for Russell H. Bezanson II.

    - Heart of America Correctional & Treatment Center Administrator Mike Graner informed the board that the facility house 99 inmates in November and is currently housing 98; 23 of 24 officer positions are filled; and the facility made a $12,628.18 profit in October, pushing the year-to-date to a $2,848 profit.

    - Pierce County Sheriff Josh Siegler met with the board. Siegler informed the board his department received 50 calls in November. Siegler and the board discussed Sheriff's Department bills and a law enforcement complaint.

    - The board approved the meeting agenda, November meeting minutes, bills, financial statements, treasurers checks and HACTC bills.

    - The board voted to nominate Dave Migler for board chair and Brossart for vice chair.

    Link:

    County Commission adopts comprehensive plan - ThePierceCountyTribune.com | Rugby, Pierce County and North Dakota news, sports and information - Pierce...

    Its a very sad looking place – Sault Star - December 7, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Carl Falls genuinely feels for former and current River Valley Trailer Park residents.

    However, the Aweres Township Local Services Board chairman says he fears his hands are tied in terms of offering help to those who have fled and, perhaps most importantly, to those who have opted to stay.

    The Aweres park, north of Sault Ste. Marie, was officially ordered closed late last year chiefly due to a failed septic system. Falls said hes aware of at least six families that have stayed put and toughed it out last winter, powering their mobile homes with generators as electricity is no longer supplied to the site. Wood stoves are often used to provide heat.

    Its a heart-wrenching story to begin with, Falls told The Sault Star in a recent interview. You have to remember those are real peoples lives that were destroyed there. I know people who have lived there and thats their home and was their home for many years.

    Unfortunately, as a local services board, there is nothing we could do other than just stay in touch.

    Which is something he and other officials, including Aweres Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Hiiemaa, have been doing for more than a year, occasionally driving through the park and speaking to residents. Fire services are maintained.

    Were mandated for anything we can access, Falls said. Even if they didnt have their roads plowed, we would take our Argo back and throw a pump in the river. We are going to answer the calls because we are mandated to, even if the taxes werent being paid. Were there to protect life and limb. And if somebody ever demised in a trailer fire there and we didnt show up We just said, We dont care about the fees or anything. Were just going to answer the call.

    Hiiemaa readily agrees.

    We help whoever we can when we can, he told The Sault Star. We dont get into the politics part of it. So, if anyone needs help, we do whatever we can.

    Along with the promise of fire protection the department has received no serious calls since the Oct. 30, 2018 park closure assistance also includes counsel relating to fire safety.

    As a fire prevention thing, we try to make sure they know what they should be doing, Hiiemaa said. They spent one winter there already pretty rugged individuals.

    Falls said Local Services Boards essentially have four mandates: 911 service, fire department service, recycling and library service.

    Because Aweres is unorganized, forest fires are covered by Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and sanitation is also looked after by the province.

    Everybody kind of has a role here, he said.

    River Valley Trailer Park is eerily quiet during a late morning earlier this week. The elements have taken their toll on abandoned trailers, with some already beginning to collapse. The road throughout the park is plowed in some places, while other sections dont appear to have been cleared since a previous snowfall. Tire tracks are deep in one unplowed stretch.

    Smoke rises from chimneys of the few occupied trailers and the only sound throughout the park this day seems to be the low humming produced by generators. Knocks on doors of apparently occupied trailers mostly go unanswered, but one young woman, a resident at the park for the past two years, agrees to speak only on condition ofanonymity.

    Life there has been very rough said the woman, who lives alone.

    She had shared the residence with an elderly relative until health concerns became too much.

    We were snowed in last year, and my nannys sugar went up really high and we were scared we werent going to be able to get her out if something happened, said the woman, breaking down in tears.

    She said attempts since last summer to find alternate housing have been frustrating.

    Its so hard to even just find a place, she said, but added she believes something positive may be on the horizon.

    She didnt provide details about possible new digs, but said shes very disappointed officials didnt step in to assist residents when the situation began to go south.

    The government didnt help, she said. Im living without water. Im living without normal power. I have to use a generator. Its stressful. Im up sometimes all night trying to get it to stay going because I need to be able to eat.

    A wood stove provides heat, but fuel can be expensive, up to $100 per cord, the resident said.

    Its absolutely ridiculous, she said, adding when wood is low, she gathers fallen tree branches from the woods.

    Sometimes it gets so cold and I dont have any wood, she said.

    It can cost up to $30 a day for gas to run the generator and she pays someone to bring her fuel.

    The park is a mess, she said. Its hard to have company you cant do anything.

    A faint smile crosses her face as her dog barks from inside the trailer.

    Thats the one thing that does keep me going, she said.

    Indeed, life at River Valley Trailer Park has been sour for some time.

    A July 21, 2018 Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks notice advised residents to remove their belongings from the park by the closure date after its owners opted not to replace the aging, failed septic system that officials concluded posed a health risk to residents. The letter notes ownership is not able to run the operation due to a Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care closure order.

    Then, on July 25 of that year, MECP advised River Valley Trailer Park its application for sewage works would be considered withdrawn, and the file closed, if additional information was not received by Aug. 10. River Valley Park submitted an application for a new sewage system to MECP the previous October, but the file wasnt processed because the ministry needed more detail from the owners. Financial assurance was also required in case of bankruptcy or closure.

    Algoma Public Health also started legal action against River Valley Trailer Park, with documents exchanged on June 27, 2018.

    Prior to the closure, APH inspectors continued to visit the park about once a week, the unit confirmed.

    Contending with park waste, of all sorts, naturally poses challenges.

    Residents, Falls said, may take garbage to the dump or have it picked up by a private contractor.

    As for personal sanitation, Falls said he did not poke my nose into that one.

    Thats the other question , he said, adding that concern is the domain of other authorities, such as APH.

    They have the officers with the badge, he said. I carry no badge and I dont carry any authority.

    Algoma Public Health confirmed to The Sault Star that following a lengthy period of time and in the absence of repairs, it ordered the closure of River Valley due to health risks to residents from a malfunctioning sewage system and environmental contamination.

    At this time, APH is satisfied that the health hazard to the general public has been mitigated and will continue to monitor and respond if new public health concerns arise, the unit wrote in an email.

    Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha has kept an eye on the River Valley situation for some time.

    He confirmed six families have chosen to stay in the park with generators and some type of outhouse accommodation.

    Its unfortunate what (has) happened there, Mantha said in a recent interview with The Sault Star. I thought there was a possibility to get something done. However, there was the finances, securing the finances for the landlord was very challenging.

    The MPP said he had earlier communications with the park owners, but contact has since dried up.

    The park owner has seemed to have walked away from the park, Mantha said.

    An emailed request for comment to River Valley Park was not returned. A contact phone number is no longer in service.

    The park resident, who described the owners as immigrants, doesnt place full blame on them.

    They became Canadian citizens, which is awesome, she said. (But) they let the park get to this point and our government didnt do anything.

    Mantha said he has followed up with APH and MECP, which have no concerns with what is there onsite or what is being done.

    APH has been to the site, said Mantha, who was told there are no public hazards or concerns.

    There was no evidence of public safety concerns over the course of the summer, he added. If there are issues, if there are further complaints the come, (APH) would be going back and inspecting the park.

    Those still occupying the site are, essentially, on their own, paying no rent, the MPP said.

    Theyre just kind of there, said Mantha, adding responsibility for the mess must ultimately fall on the shoulders of trailer park owners.

    There was a failure of the owner to secure the financial needs in order to make the appropriate investments to bring the sewer system (up to code), he said. When you buy it, you buy it with all the liabilities that come with it.

    Winter access to the park is now a chief concern.

    Those individuals are staying in their homes and thats their homes, Mantha said. Thats their investment and theyre doing what they need to do to get by.

    Mantha said he understands both MECP and APH filed charges against the owner and, for whatever reason, the latter withdrew charges. Mantha said the APH explanation he received basically said having both agencies file charges was kind of a doubt jeopardy. The MPP said he awaits a more thorough legal explanation.

    I have not seen that documentation, Mantha said.

    The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks confirmed to The Sault Star that on Aug. 24, 2018, River Valley Park Inc. was convicted of one offence under the Environmental Protection Act and was fined $60,000 plus a victim fine surcharge of $15,000, and was given one year to pay. On the same date River Valley Park Inc. was also convicted of two offences under the Ontario Water Resources Act and was fined $5,000 plus a victim fine surcharge of $1,250 and was given one year to pay. Also, on Aug. 24 of that year, Harjeet Singh Dusanjh, formerly a director of the company, was convicted of two offences under the Ontario Resources Water Act.

    APH told The Sault Star its case against the park was, indeed, withdrawn acknowledging successful conviction and fine by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

    MECP says it is aware that some people are staying at the site.

    To be clear, the ministry has no authority to deal with persons living without permission at the park, ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler told the Sault Star.

    The province says it no longer monitors the site becausethe owner closed the park and all park services, including the large septic sewage system, no longer in operation.

    The ministrys role and involvement was related to concerns about the sewage systems that were not properly approved on the property, Wheeler said. As that system is no longer operating and there is no off-site environmental impact, the ministry is no longer involved.

    Meanwhile, many River Valley Trailer Park residents merely abandoned their units, most of which were 40 to 50 years old.

    They couldnt move them, Falls said. And when they tried to move them, they broke them.

    I know people who just walked away. They locked their door, walked away and when they came back, the place had been broken into and anything that was there that was any good was gone.

    Its a very sad looking place.

    And very bleak this Christmas for those toughing it out.

    Christmas is coming and I cant even have a Christmas, the resident said. I cant do anything .. I cant bake. I love baking. I love doing everything like that. It sucks. I cant have a normal life.

    jougler@postmedia.com

    On Twitter:@JeffreyOugler

    Link:

    Its a very sad looking place - Sault Star

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