Oahu's solar photovoltaic industry reaches four-year low for permits

Oahu’s solar photovoltaic industry reached a four-year low in January in permits issued, according to data collected by Marco Mangelsdorf, president of Hilo-based ProVision Solar.

A total of 277 PV permits were issued by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting last month, 60 percent fewer than in January 2014, and 70 percent fewer than in January 2013.

“What kind of bump in monthly PV permit numbers may occur in the months to come, based on Hawaiian Electric’s commitment…

Hawaiian Electric Co. defends its new rooftop solar plan

The Hawaiian Electric Co. program that is responsible for record numbers of rooftop solar installations in Hawaii is being questioned by some in the industry.

Last month, the state’s largest utility said that the new “net energy metering” plan would credit customers at a rate that better reflects the cost of the electricity produced by its customers’ rooftop solar systems.

The NEM program allows customers to shift the burden of operating the grid to full-service customers, while still benefitting…

Open season starts for Marathon’s latest Ohio pipeline

A subsidiary of Ohio’s newly minted biggest company is seeking to lock down oil and gas producers to use its $140 million Utica shale pipeline.

Marathon Pipe Line LLC started its open season Monday, giving companies a chance to secure rights to use its Cornerstone pipeline and related eastern Ohio transport projects.

The 50-mile pipeline will move condensate, an ultra-light crude oil, natural gas and butane from a processing plant in Cadiz, Harrison County, operated by MarkWest Energy Partners…

Nashville home sales jump in January

It’s a new year, but the same story for the Nashville region’s housing market.

Data released Monday reveal an 11 percent increase in the number of closings that took place in January, compared to January last year. The Greater Nashville Association of Realtors reports 1,976 closings last month, nearly 200 more than in January 2014.

“While our market began making positive strides in 2013, last year was monumental in establishing a stronger foundation for our market,” said GNAR President Cindy Stanton,…

Here's when Bonefish Grill will open in Towson

Bonefish Grill will make its debut at Towson Square next week.

The St. Petersburg, Fla.-based seafood restaurant will open Feb. 16 and a ribbon cutting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 17.

The ribbon cutting coincides with a charity event Bonefish is hosting Feb. 17. Between 11 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., the restaurant will donate 50 percent of its sales — up to $5,000 — to the United Way of Central Maryland.

Bonefish joins Nando’s Peri-Peri, On the Border and Cinemark theaters at the $85 million Towson…