It's Friday, June 1 and here is your Morning Trail Mix:
Six utilities unveil a plan to get more power from upstate to NYC.
Disappointing job numbers released.
A "race to the bottom" fueled by tech and the recession?
And: Wallenda needs cash.
Energy
Easing transmission bottlenecks between Albany and NYC. That's the key to a new $2.5 billion plan from six utilities. By doing so, the power companies say Indian Point nuclear power plant could be shut down and New Yorkers would pay $1 billion a year less in energy bills. (Larry Rulison, Times-Union)
According to the Times-Union, it's unclear if the utilities submitted their plan as part of the governor's proposal to create an "energy highway." Our Marie Cusick reported on what that "highway" might look like in April.
The Commerce Department has slapped tariffs on Chinese-made wind turbines because of unfair subsidies. This is the third case this year against Chinese clean energy manufacturers. (Matthew L. Wald, New York Times)
Economic recovery
A third consecutive month of disappointing job numbers. This time unemployment actually increased to 8.2 percent. The latest jobs report casts more doubt on the U.S. economy. (Don Lee, Los Angeles Times)
The Commerce Department has lowered its annual growth rate for the first quarter of 2012 to 1.9 percent. There is some hope that falling gas prices will offset a big reduction in government spending. (Associated Press)
Rusting train cars that have sat in a field for almost a decade are now going to be sold as scrap. The train cars were bought as part of an ill-fated plan to update Amtrak lines in New York to high-speed. (Rick Karlin, Times-Union)
Technology is oft-cited as a way to democratize the marketplace - since anyone can start a business online. But there is some concern that in today's job market, people are being forced to sell their wares at ever-shrinking prices. (Anand Giridharadas, New York Times)
Wirewalking
Tightrope walker Nik Wallenda says he's crunched for cash! He's now offering up tightrope lessons for $10,000 and signed posters for $10. (Charlie Specht, Buffalo News)
