Biggest threat to power grid, hackers? Nope, this guy

An eastern gray squirrel, perhaps plotting an attack on your local power plant.
(AP Photo/J. David Ake)


Andrea Peterson reports for The Washington Post:



Researchers say that hackers caused a December power outage in Ukraine — an attack that came after years of warnings about the digital security of the power grid.  But some say that we should be more worried about a different, furrier threat.
Squirrels.
They can strike at almost any moment — gnawing through the insulation guarding power lines or burrowing into substations in risky missions that can leave thousands without power at a time. The bushy-tailed rodent has even sparked economic mayhem: Back in 1987, a rogue squirrel took out the power to a NASDAQ computer center for nearly an hour and half, stopping an estimated 20 million shares from being traded, according to the New York Times.
The critters are such a big problem that the American Public Power Association even tracks the blackouts they cause with its own “Squirrel Index.”

But among some cybersecurity researchers, this furry menace has become a meme that highlights what they see as the alarmist tone of policy discussions around cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.






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NJ-based Covanta shutting two biomass plants in Maine

Morristown NJ-based Covanta Energy Corp. is closing two biomass waste-to-energy plants in Maine in March—a decision driven by plummeting energy prices.

WasteDIVE reports:

The Jonesboro and West Enfield plants, which burn wood to generate electricity, collectively produce 49 megawatts of power and employ 44 people, as reported in Waste360.

According to the Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine, the closings may necessitate cutting 2,500 logging industry jobs in that state. The association asked Maine Gov. Paul LePage to help strengthen the state’s biomass electricity production efforts.
Dive Insight:

As is the case with the commodities industry, renewed energy for utility is an area that has its ups and downs, based on markets and the economy — and the downward spiral is affecting other dependent stakeholders, in this case the logging industry.

“Unfortunately, this happens with some frequency in the biomass industry when energy prices are not sufficient to cover the costs of operation and fuel supply,” according to a Covanta statement. “We have experienced similar situations in the past and resumed operations when the economics improved. We will continue to evaluate the future of the facilities.”

In the meantime, Covanta appears to be forging ahead with its waste-to-energy focus in other regions; having just extended a contract with a WTE facility in York, PA until 2035, where $30 million is planned in upgrades.

But the closings in Maine will be a major setback for that state’s logging industry, which has made a long-time livelihood of selling woody biomass waste from logging operations to plants.



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Funding for Stockton U. satellite campus projects in A.C.

Two major Atlantic City projects received approval from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority today for incentives through the Economic Redevelopment and Growth Grant Program, Andrew George reports in NJBIZ
Island Campus Redevelopment Associates LLC, a joint venture between the New Brunswick Development Company and AC Devco, received approval for two separate ERG grants to redevelop several blocks in the southern end of the city that it hopes will eventually serve as a satellite campus for Stockton University.
The EDA voted to approve a $38.4 million ERG for the construction of a new, five-story dormitory building that will house approximately 500 students, and a separate 56,000-square-foot academic building located across the street. Roughly 7,000 square feet of retail space will also be included in this portion of the project.
The dormitory building will comprise 121 total units featuring single- and double-occupant bedrooms. Stockton plans on offering students a shuttle service to its main campus in Galloway.
In a related but separate vote, the EDA also moved to approve a $29.9 million ERG for the construction of a new 332,500-square-foot, seven-story parking garage that will ultimately serve Stockton students and faculty as well as employees of South Jersey Industries. The garage, which is slated to offer 886 total spaces, will also feature approximately 7,500 square feet of retail space on its ground floor.
Atlantic City also saw a major ERG award approved for South Inlet Partners Urban Renewal, the limited liability company formed by Boraie Development for its proposed mixed-use project in the city’s South Inlet neighborhood.
The EDA approved a $24.4 million ERG award for the construction of three new four-story buildings that will feature 250 residential units, 7,500 square feet of retail space, 85,000 square feet of parking and 10,000 square feet of common space.
The project will sit on what is currently eight acres of vacant land along Atlantic Avenue. Of the planned 250 residential units, 50 will be marked for affordable housing.
Other projects approved for incentives Tuesday include:
Company: Aralez Pharmaceuticals US Inc.
Location: West Windsor Township
Award: 10-year, $5.6 million Grow NJ
Benefit: $30.3 million to the state over 20 years
Notable: Would create 90 new full-time jobs.
Company: C2 Imaging LLC
Location: Jersey City
Award: 10-year, $11.5 million Grow NJ
Benefit: $11.6 million to the state over 20 years
Notable: Would create 110 new full-time jobs.
Company: Fabuwood Cabinetry Corp.
Location: Newark
Award: 10-year, $39.9 million Grow NJ
Benefit: $44.1 million to the state over 20 years
Notable: Would create 276 new full-time jobs, retain 336 full-time positions.
Company: FXDirect Dealer LLC
Location: Jersey City
Award: 10-year, $9 million Grow NJ
Benefit: $88.4 million to the state over 20 years
Notable: Would create 121 new full-time jobs.
Company: Linde North America Inc.
Location: Bridgewater
Award: 10-year, $11 million Grow NJ
Benefit: $131.1 million to the state over 20 years
Notable: Would create 150 new full-time jobs, retain 450 full-time jobs.
Company: NYK Line Inc.
Location: Secaucus
Award: 10-year, $2.8 million Grow NJ
Benefit: $33 million to the state over 20 years
Notable: Would retain 114 full-time jobs.
Company: Rainforest Distribution Corp.
Location: Bayonne
Award: 10-year, $2.4 million Grow NJ
Benefit: $1 million to the state over 20 years
Notable: Would create 40 new full-time jobs.
Company: Showman Fabricators Inc.
Location: Bayonne
Award: 10-year, $8.7 million Grow NJ
Benefit: $4 million to the state over 20 years
Notable: Would create 90 new full-time jobs





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NJ Governor weighing merits of paint recycling legislation


[Modified on January 14 to clarify program costs]

If Gov. Chris Christie signs S-1420 (Beach), a bill sent to him last night after final passage in the state Assembly, New Jerseyans will soon have a way to recycle used indoor or exterior paint (five gallons or less) under a program to be administered and promoted by paint manufacturers.

The legislation requires paint manufacturers to “develop and implement a plan for an architectural paint
stewardship program that is designed to minimize public sector
involvement in the management of post-consumer architectural paint
by reducing its generation, promoting its reuse and recycling, and
negotiating and executing agreements for its collection, transportation,
reuse, recycling, burning for energy recovery, and disposal using
environmentally sound management practices.” 

In establishing collection sites, the plans would “use of geographic
information modeling, such that at least 90 percent of State residents
have a permanent collection site within 15 miles of their residence,
that permanent collection sites be established for every 30,000
residents of a population center, and that collection sites be distributed
to provide convenient and equitable access for residents within each
population center.”

Program costs would be covered by a ‘paint stewardship assessment’ added by retailers or distributors to the cost of each can of paint covered by the program.


Similar programs are in effect in Canada, California and Oregon.



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Fast-tracked, beach-access-rule bill sent to Gov. Christie

Governor Christie is expected to sign a bill sent to his desk last night that re-establishes the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rules governing beach and waterfront access. 

S-3321,, which traveled through both houses of the New Jersey Legislature in just four days, would restore rules struck down by a state appeals court.

The court ruled that the DEP had stretched beyond the authority granted by that the Legislature when it adopted its latest regulations on waterfront access and development projects relying on that access. 

For more on the legislation, see: Trenton rushing to restore DEP waterfront access rules 

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Solar roof warranty bill sent to NJ Gov. Christie’s desk

The NJ Assembly last tonight, on a 42-31 vote, gave final approval to S-564 (Smith/Bateman) that establishes a Solar Roof Installation Warranty Program in the state Economic Development Authority. 

The legislation transfers $2 million from societal benefits charge to initially fund program.


We profiled the bill last March in: New Jersey legislation seeks to plug holes in solar roofs


It now  goes to Gov. Chris Christie who has until Jan. 19 to sign or reject it.
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We track environmental/energy bills–from introduction to enactment.



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