Northeast rail corridor gets $745 million boost

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

An Acela train runs through Boston, with a Boston MTBA Orange Line train visible in the background. PHOTO VIA FLICKR AND THE CREATIVE COMMONS.

Improvements will enable future Amtrak Acela service to reach speeds of 186 mph

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A major funding boost from the U.S. Department of Transportation will help speed up passenger rail service in the busy northeastern corridor. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood this week announced nearly $745 million for construction to upgrade some of the most heavily-used sections of the corridor.

A big chunk of the money — $449.94 million — will upgrade electrical systems and tracks between Trenton, NJ and New York City, resulting in improved on-time performance and reliability, and an initial increase in top operating speeds up to 160 mph and future maximum speeds of 186 mph. Another $294.78 million will alleviate major delays for trains coming in and out of Manhattan with new routes that allow Amtrak trains to bypass the busiest passenger rail junction in the nation. (more…)

Filed under: federal government, transportation | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Summit County: New campsites at Green Mountain Reservoir

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

The Forest Service will spend $1.475 million on improvements at Green Mountain Reservoir this summer.

Improved sites for hosts at Cow Creek South, upgraded highway intersection in the works

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — About $1.475 million in federal stimulus funding will be spent on improvements at Green Mountain Reservoir this summer, as the U.S. Forest Service finalized contracts for the work at the end of 2010.

The key projects are improving the intersection at Highway 9 and the Cow Creek campground access road, as well as a new camping loop with 13 sites at Cow Creek South with improved spots for campground hosts. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, forests, Summit County Colorado, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Feds OK another large solar project in Nevada

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Innovative Energy underwrites coverage of energy issues.

More solar power will be coming online in Nevada with federal approval of a new 500 megawatt facility near Las Vegas, Nevada.

New facility will generate 500 megawatts of power, enough for 150,000 homes

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Continuing on a roll with permitting solar energy developments on federal lands, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar this week announced the OK for a second large-scale project about 80 miles north of Las Vegas. Project developer Solar Millennium is eligible for about $1 billion in investment tax credits through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s incentives for specified energy programs.

Since early October, Salazar has approved eight large-scale solar energy projects, including the first to be built on U.S. public lands in California and Nevada. Combined, they will generate 3,500 megawatts to power more than 1 million homes and generate 6,000 construction jobs and 700 permanent plant operations jobs. The project is in negotiations to sell electricity to NV Energy under the terms of a power purchase agreement. The power will be supplied to the grid through Valley Electric Association, Inc.’s transmission lines. (more…)

Filed under: energy, Environment, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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