Cogeneration is not Deregulation
Indiana is in the midst of trying to address its high cost of electricity. Two trade associations are facing off; the industrial trade association wants to be able to build cogeneration plants (very efficient plants that produce electricity and heat) while the utility trade association doesn’t want competition on other energy sources. Both trade associations miss the evolution of energy deregulation.
Energy deregulation started during the oil crisis (late 1970s early 80s) and initially the “deregulation” manifested as competition on constructing new power plants. That is: before a utility could build a new power plant, it had to put out to bid what it was going to build and the price and see if others could build it for less and with different fuels.
The second phase of energy deregulation occurred with energy supply to customers (natural gas and electricity). First came large energy users followed over time by residential consumers. During this phase of energy deregulation, the utility became a delivery company and the energy supply (natural gas or electricity) could be purchased from the utility or other energy suppliers.
A review of the facts of energy deregulation over the last 30+ years illustrates:
- The utility model of regulated competition has been demonstrated to cost more than direct competition.
- Power plants should be sited to allow for the efficient use of its output (both the heat and the electricity)
- Customer should be allowed to choose their energy supply. Competition for retail customers in energy supply has demonstrated lower costs, improved efficiency and greater service options.
- Utilities should continue to operate their monopoly on energy delivery
Hopefully, the Indiana legislators review the history and benefits from energy deregulation.
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, MangedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM and Index, Fixed pricing.
Additional information: www.realgyenergyservices.com
Supporting Article:
EIA Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,099 Bcf as of Friday, August 21, 2015, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net increase of 69 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 480 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 88 Bcf above the 5-year average of 3,011 Bcf.
EIA estimate 58-62 Bcf
Actual 69
A consensus of analysts surveyed by Platts expects the US Energy Information Administration on Thursday will estimate a natural gas storage injection of between 58 Bcf and 62 Bcf for the reporting week that ended August 21. An injection within expectations would be less than the 77-Bcf injection reported at this time in 2014 and similar to the 61-Bcf five-year average injection, according to EIA data. The wider range of analysts’ expectations for this week was for an injection of 47 Bcf to 67 Bcf. “US demand rose modestly from the previous week and averaged just above 64.5 Bcf/d during the week,” said Bentek Energy, an analytics and forecasting unit of Platts. “However, this did not translate to lower injection activity, as Bentek’s sample injections increased within both the East and Producing regions compared to the previous week.”
Support State Rep Gary Glenn on his energy policy
Realgy Supports State Rep. Gary Glenn position on Michigan Energy Policy
Glenn is the majority vice chair of the House Energy Policy Committee who observers say has taken a strong interest in energy issues this session. His current positions that Realgy support include:
- Lift the current 1 percent cap on net metering for solar projects (the opposite direction Senate Republicans are headed)
- Restructure the 10 percent limit on customers who can participate in Retail Open Access that would allow customers to choose an alternative energy supplier if it is for renewable energy.
We hope Representative Glenn, continues his interest towards energy matters including expanding customer choice beyond the 10% cap to allow Customer Choice for all customers and not just a few.
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, MangedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM and Index, Fixed pricing.
Additional information: www.realgyenergyservices.com
Supporting Article:
http://midwestenergynews.com/2015/08/26/michigan-tea-party-legislator-pushing-for-more-clean-energy/
DC Regulators reject Exelon; no public benefit
A public utility actions (expenses) must benefit the public; simple right but so often this is not the focus of the utility executives or the regulators.
Reviewing the cost vs. benefits the regulators in Washington, DC rejected Exelon’s bid for BGE citing that Exelon’s takeover did not demonstrate benefits to its customers. Bravo!
As previously cited, there is little reason for a public utility to acquire another utility, especially one that does not share a border.
Putting the focus on customer benefits verse stockholders the DC regulators did their job. Applause.
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, MangedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM and Index, Fixed pricing.
Additional information: www.realgyenergyservices.com
Supporting Article:
http://realgyenergyservices.com/comed-parent-company-pay-6800000000-east-coast-utility/
http://www.energybiz.com/article/15/08/dc-regulators-reject-proposed-merger-exelon-pepco?utm_source=2015_08_26&utm_medium=eNL&utm_campaign=EB_DAILY&utm_content=4521
Communications take effort, does yours?
6 Common Communication Mistakes that You May be Making by Ann Meacham
Communication can make or break our world. Bad communication leads to broken relationships: with the people who work for you, with you, your clients or customers, your family, your at-large community.
6 Common Communication Mistakes that you might be making:
1. Not using “we” language.
Newsflash: Relationships are not a competition. Or at least they shouldn’t be. When you start to think in terms of “me” and “you”, it’s time re-frame the conversation and think of yourselves as a team. Work to solve a problem, not to be victorious.
2. Not giving eye contact.
When people are not looking at you when you talk, how does that make you feel? Not good. Right? So try living by the golden rule and give other people the same courtesy that you want to be given.
3. Interrupting.
What does it say to someone when you interrupt them? It says, “What I have to say is more important than what you have to say.” This can be a result of excitement or a desire for power. Either way, it still says, “I’m more important than you.”
4. Making assumptions before you hear the whole message.
You have probably had the thought, “Oh I don’t even have to hear the rest of this – I already know what they’re going to say!” Well, maybe you do, and maybe you don’t. Don’t do that. We don’t like when people make assumptions about what we are saying, so don’t do that to other people either.
5. Not asking probing questions of other people.
Saying things like, “Tell me more about that” or “So how did that make you feel?” lets the other person know that you care about them enough to ask for more information. That’s called a probing question. Ask people to elaborate. It makes them feel good and shows that you’re interested. (Always open-ended questions. Never ask “why.”
6. Needing to “win” an argument.
I repeat… Relationships are not a competition. Admitting that you’re wrong is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of maturity. No one is right all of the time. Don’t think you have to “win.” Acknowledging your mistakes will not give away your power. It shows that you are the better person because you can be honest.
Being a good communicator takes effort. It’s like being a good athlete – you have to practice if you want to be good at your craft!
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, MangedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM and Index, Fixed pricing.
Additional information: www.realgyenergyservices.com
Supporting Article: http://blogs.detroitnews.com/politics/2015/08/11/charged-dte-misses-point-choice-works/
Weekly Basis Report
DEFINITION of ‘Futures Market’
An auction market in which participants buy and sell commodity/future contracts for delivery on a specified future date. Trading is carried on through open yelling and hand signals in a trading pit.
Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/futuresmarket.asp#ixzz3in48jxPn