News roundup: Dardenne discusses 'Retire Louisiana Style' campaign in Texas … Wells planned to reveal more about sinkhole … First tidal power project producing for U.S. grid

Published Sep 14, 2012 at 10:00 am (Updated Sep 14, 2012)

Golden years: Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne is talking about retirement this week, but not his own. Instead, he traveled to Texas as part of this month's launch of the state's "Retire Louisiana Style" campaign. The idea is to build off the state's broader tourism campaign, "Pick Your Passion," and sell people—especially military veterans—on the lifestyle they can have by spending their golden years enjoying the food, music and outdoor recreation of Louisiana. "People who are retiring today are not just looking to put their feet up and do nothing," Dardenne says. The Dallas Business Journal has the full story here.

That sinking feeling: Officials say drilling on two wells is expected to begin over the next week near the Assumption Parish community of Bayou Corne to learn more about the sinkhole that emerged there last month. Officials believe a planned vent well will determine whether natural gas exists in a water aquifer used to create oil mud known as brine. Bayou Corne's approximately 350 residents remain under a mandatory evacuation while scientists determine the reason for the sinkhole's emergence near state Highway 70 on Aug. 3. The (Houma) Courier has the full story here.

There ain't no way to stop the water: Energy officials in Maine say a tidal power project is delivering electricity to the U.S. power grid for the first time. Bangor Hydro Electric Co. operates the grid where the tidal power connects, and says Portland-based Ocean Renewable Power Co.'s first underwater turbine was delivering to the grid the first commercially produced tidal power on Thursday afternoon. Ocean Renewable president Chris Sauer says it's a "historic moment." The first underwater turbine generator unit was installed last month, and can keep the power on in 25 to 30 homes. The pilot program calls for more units to be installed over four years, with each of them producing enough power for 1,000 homes.