As the city of Jacksonville, Florida contemplates privatization of its utility, Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA), the eighth-largest community-owned electric utility company in the United States and the largest in Florida, it has much to contemplate, especially considering it might be the largest transaction in the industry’s history, according to experts. Dr. Ted Kury, Director of Energy Studies at the UF Public Utility Research Center, who was part of the team that assessed the value of JEA, spoke with WJCT News
Public Utility Research Center Articles: page 2
Public Utility Research Center Director panelist in big tech debate
On Thursday, Public Utility Research Center Director and Gunter Professor Dr. Mark Jamison was a panelist on Fox’s Deep Dive along with multiple editors from the Wall Street Journal. The panel discussion, titled “Big Tech Debate,” was hosted by deputy editor of the Wall Street Journal editorial page Dan Henninger. Dr. Jamison, Henninger, and Wall Street Journal assistant editorial features editors Jason Willick and Mene Ukueberuwa discussed the world of big tech and whether or not it needs to be broken up.
Public Utility Research Center Director invited to testify before US Senate on rural broadband expansion
On Tuesday, Public Utility Research Center Director and Gunter Professor Dr. Mark Jamison spoke as a witness to the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as part of a hearing related to the expansion of broadband in rural areas of the U.S. The hearing, titled “The Impact of Broadband Investments in Rural America,” focused on the Federal Communications Commission’s order to improve the quality and expand the availability of rural broadband, in addition to opportunities and investments to
UF Public Utility Research Center values JEA up to $7.5 billion
The University of Florida Public Utility Research Center recently announced its findings for the value of the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA). Dr. Ted Kury, director of energy studies, spoke with reporters from The Florida Times-Union about the report. Be sure to check out other stories by the Jacksonville Business Journal and WJCT for additional insights from Dr. Kury.
Why doesn’t the US bury its power lines?
It is nearing the end of a highly destructive hurricane season in the United States. The devastation of Hurricane Florence in North and South Carolina caused more than 1.4 million customers to lose power, and Hurricane Michael has cut service to an estimated 900,000 customers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. Dr. Ted Kury, director of energy studies at the Public Utility Research Center, explains why burying power lines to secure them from natural disasters, like hurricanes, might not
Nuclear reactors in hurricanes: 5 questions answered
Hurricane Florence may affect the operations of several of the 16 nuclear reactors located in the Carolinas and Virginia, raising concerns about safety and power outages. Dr. Ted Kury, director of energy studies at the Public Utility Research Center, explains why nuclear power stations must take precautions during big storms. Read more from Dr. Kury in his latest article for The Conversation.
Public Utility Research Center Director appointed to energy task force by Puerto Rico governor
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dr. Mark A. Jamison, Director of the Public Utility Research Center and Gunter Professor, was appointed by Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares to serve on a Blue Ribbon Task Force to rebuild the Commonwealth’s energy policies and regulation following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. The project, “Strategizing and Electric Energy Policy and Regulatory Framework in Puerto Rico,” seeks to establish a reliable, affordable and sustainable electric energy grid system as well as develop
Can we trust blockchain?
“Blockchain is supposed to be trustless, meaning that it does not require a third party, such as a bank, to validate payments and other asset transfers,” writes Dr. Mark Jamison, Gunter Professor and Director of the Public Utility Research Center. “As Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator (or creators) of bitcoin, which effectively launched blockchain technology, said: ‘We have proposed a system for electronic transactions without relying on trust.’” So, did Nakamoto succeed? No. Read more from Dr. Jamison about why blockchain changes
How should Facebook and other companies protect privacy while letting people share their information between apps and services?
In an era when technology and social media companies are under fire for sharing user data, and users feel more and more like they’re the stars of their own version of “The Truman Show,” companies are questioning if and under what circumstances they should share information between one another or with other software developers. Dr. Mark Jamison, Gunter Professor and Director of the Public Utility Research Center, explores this topic in a Facebook guest post included in a series on data portability
Russians hacked into America’s electric grid. Here’s why securing it is hard.
Hackers taking down the U.S. electricity grid may sound like a plot ripped from a Bruce Willis action movie, but the Department of Homeland Security has recently disclosed new details about the extent to which Russia has infiltrated “critical infrastructure” like American power plants, water facilities and gas pipelines, explains Director of Energy Studies at the Public Utility Research Center Dr. Ted Kury. Securing the U.S. energy grid is paramount, but that’s easier said than done. Dr. Kury explains why in