DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,814 Bcf as of Friday, December 18, 2015, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net decline of 32 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 561 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 411 Bcf above the five-year average of 3,403 Bcf. At 3,814 Bcf, total working gas is above the five-year historical range.
EIA to estimate 22-Bcf storage withdrawal
Vs
Actual was 32 Bcf
A consensus of analysts surveyed by Platts expects the US Energy Information Administration on Thursday will estimate a natural gas storage withdrawal of between 20 Bcf and 24 Bcf for the reporting week that ended December 18. EIA plans to announce its storage report at 10:30 a.m. EST Thursday. Above-normal temperatures blanketing the eastern half of the US this December prompted most analysts to call for a drawdown of almost 100 Bcf below the five-year average for this week. Withdrawal within expectations would be less than the 52 Bcf withdrawal reported at this time in 2014 and substantially less than the 121 Bcf five-year average withdrawal, according to EIA data. The wider range of analysts’ expectations call for a withdrawal of 15 Bcf to 30 Bcf. Last week, EIA reported a 34-Bcf withdrawal that decreased inventories to 3.846 Tcf, which was 541 Bcf, or 16.4%, more than the year-ago inventory of 3.305 Tcf, but 322 Bcf, or 9.1%, more than the five-year average of 3.524 Tcf
Solar Panel Luddites
Woodland, North Carolina rejected a proposal to rezone land just outside its borders for the use of a solar farm. Three solar farms have already been approved in the area, but local residents are not impressed. The council defeated the motion for the rezoning of an area on US Highway 258 for an additional solar farm after a public comment period, where members of the town could give their opinions.
Retired science teacher (?) Jane Mann sighted rising risk of cancer deaths in the area (despite reports showing cancer rates in NC fell over the 2008 to 2012 period) as that no one could tell her solar panels were not causing the cancer.
She’s also concerned photosynthesis would slow due to solar panels stopping plants from growing in solar farm fields. “I want to know what’s going to happen. I want information. Enough is enough. I don’t see the profit for the town,” Mann said at the meeting, according to The Roanoke-Chowan News Herald.
“People come with hidden agendas. Until we can find if anything is going to damage this community, we shouldn’t sign any paper,” she added. Bobby Mann (it’s not clear if he’s related to Jane), said that he was worried local communities would dry up. “You’re killing your town,” he said. “All the young people are going to move out.”
He also argued that solar farms would suck up all the energy from the Sun, and new businesses would not come to Woodland. (Editors Note – If he’s that wrong about something so basic, he should not have a say in anything).
The area just outside Woodland is a popular spot for solar farm developers, because it has an electrical substation, which means the panels can be hooked up to the national grid. While construction has started on one of the three farms that have already been approved for the area, it’s unlikely this forth one will get the go-ahead.
Unfortunately, this dislike of solar is not new. The New York Times reported in 2011 that when Oradell, New Jersey began putting up solar panels on power poles, many residents were unhappy. “I hate them,” Eric Olsen told The New York Times. “It’s just an eyesore.”
Other residents were also reported as calling the panels “ugly” or “hideous”, and said they were worried about their property value declining because of it.
However, these panels pushed New Jersey closer to their renewable energy target, which is one of the highest in the US. As of earlier this year, New Jersey also approved a bill that requires the state to get at least 80 percent of all its energy from renewable sources by 2050.
And not all New Jersey residents have been against these changes, with some seeing the panels as a badge of pride representing their switch to clean energy.
Hopefully, with increased exposure and better education, we can outline the positives of having solar panels installed in both big cities and country towns. We don’t want another fiasco like this Wind Turbine Syndrome travesty.
Quoted from: http://www.sciencealert.com/us-town-rejects-solar-farm-amid-worries-it-would-suck-up-all-the-energy-from-the-sun
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM and Index, Fixed pricing.
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Here is this weeks EIA natural gas storage report. Working gas in storage was 3,880 Bcf as of Friday, December 4, 2015, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net decline of 76 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 514 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 236 Bcf above the five-year average of 3,644 Bcf. At 3,880 Bcf, total working gas is above the five-year historical range.
US EIA to estimate 61-Bcf withdrawal:
vs
Actual 76 Bcf
A consensus of analysts surveyed by Platts expects the US Energy Information Administration on Thursday will estimate a natural gas storage withdrawal of between 59 Bcf and 63 Bcf for the reporting week that ended December 4. The EIA plans to announce its storage report at 10:30 a.m. EST Thursday. Withdrawal within expectations would be more than the 47-Bcf withdrawal reported at this time in 2014 and less than the 65-Bcf five year average withdrawal, according to EIA data. The wider range of analysts’ expectations for this week was for a withdrawal ranging from 48 Bcf to 67 Bcf. Last week, the EIA reported a 53-Bcf withdrawal that decreased inventories to 3.956 Tcf, which was 543 Bcf, or 15.9%, more than the year-ago inventory of 3.413 Tcf, but 247 Bcf, or 6.7%, more than the five-year average of 3.709 Tcf.
Midwest Winter 2015/16 Weather Forecast (in December)
…and it’s good news. (Waiting til forecast winter until December helps the forecast vs. October)
For the last two winters, we set records for cold. This year’s forecast is for a near Normal winter.
It might not get you Florida in January but it’s better than a stick-in-the-eye!
Michigan energy overhaul won’t happen in 2015
…and now for the grownups.
Michigan Senate leaders say they won’t get legislation through the senate this year.
This is very good news, as the House passed energy legislation without reading it: http://realgyenergyservices.com/michigan-energy-policy-is-moving-forward-to-higher-costs-under-full-monopoly-control/
Hopefully, given time to review, the senate will reverse the House and pass meaningful energy legislation.
When you see your Senator, thank them for taking the time to read the legislation before passing it!
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM and Index, Fixed pricing.
Additional information
MI Consumers Energy Electric prices are increasing
Consumers Energy, the regulated utility monopoly, has received permission from the MI Public Service Commission (MPSC) to raise prices.
Consumers Energy, as a regulated monopoly, must show that its costs have increased thereby justifying a cost increase. The MPSC acts to ensure that utilities, which operate as a monopoly, have oversight over their expenditures. The MPSC must certify that expenditures are used to actually provide or improve service to customers. Once approved by the MPSC, the utility will collect the increase on your next bill.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM and Index, Fixed pricing.
Additional information:
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/11/19/consumers-energy-electric-customers-to-see-rate-increase/