Evergy to Add 660MW Wind Energy
US-based utility Evergy has announced plans to add 660MW of wind energy to its portfolio and reduce carbon emissions by 80% below 2005 levels by 2050. The addition will bring the total amount of wind serving Evergy customers to 4,535 megawatts, making Evergy one of the top five wind energy companies in the United States.The energy from these wind farms will be used to support and expand Evergy’s Direct Renewables Program, which allows Kansas companies to access clean wind energy to become more sustainable and reduce the overall cost of energy. Evergy plans to use the additional wind energy as an economic development tool to attract manufacturers and technology companies who are seeking cost-effective…
Texas Boats Combat Drug Cartels on the Rio Grande
Texas Marine Unit Uses Yellowfin-built Shallow Water Vessels for Border Patrol missions. Menaced by Mexican drug cartels, the Texas Department of Public Safety operates a fleet of six shallow-water vessels it commissioned in late 2011 and 2012 to patrol its borders. The agency purchased the boats from Bradenton, Florida-based manufacturer Yellowfin Yachts as threats along the Rio Grande escalated. Yellowfin custom builds its 34-foot fishing boats for military and police purposes…
EBDG Launches Electric Buena Vista Ferry
A new cable-guided electric ferry, designed by Elliott Bay Design Group LLC (EBDG), began carrying passengers and vehicles across Oregon’s Willamette River at Buena Vista. The new electric Buena Vista ferry replaces a diesel-powered version which had been in service for more than 50 years. EBDG was chosen to design the vessel, which was built by Diversified Marine of Portland, OR. The new vessel was delivered in May, ahead of schedule, to Marion County, the ferry’s owner and operator. “This ferry has an unconventional propulsion system,” said EBDG Project Manager Mike Complita.
Coast Guard Recovers Person from Search Area
A Coast Guard helicopter crew located and recovered a person from the water in the search area of the sunken tug Primo Brusco 27 nautical miles northwest off Florence, Ore. The man, who was wearing an immersion-type suit, exhibited no vital signs and was transported aboard the helicopter back to Coast Guard Air Station North Bend. The man's identity is being determined by the Coos Bay coroner. The Coast Guard has suspended the search. Coast Guard Capt. Darrell Folsom, commander of search and rescue operations, has contacted the family of the missing mariner. In the early hours of Monday morning, the tug Primo Brusco sank 20 miles west of Florence, Ore. A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued four of the five men who abandoned ship.
New Ferry for Willamette River
Daniel Matheny IV, built in 1959, carries commuters, farm machinery and vehicles along the Willamette River, north of Salem, Ore. After more than 40 years connecting Marion and Yamhill Counties, the ferry has reached the end of its useful life. Working with Otak, Inc., designers of an all-new cable guide system, Seattle-based Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) was selected by Marion County ? the ferry operator ? and the Oregon Department of Transportation to design a replacement vessel. The new Subchapter T USCG-inspected vessel will increase car-carrying capacity from six to nine, and passenger capacity from 29 to 49. It will have improved deck-loading capacity, plus a hinged control module to allow the boat to pass through the locks.
