A cyber-attack just disrupted grid operations in the U.S. But it could have been far worse.
I have experienced it, perhaps you have…your computer screen goes blank and it instructs you to call a number to get your data back.
Now imagine it on the electric grid.
A “disruption” or hack of the US grid occurred and was attributed to a basic web hack; bombarding a website with clicks. Unlike overseas, this disruption did not cause anyone to lose power… yet. Everyday the US consumes several trillion dollars worth of electricity. Any disruption would be consequential.
The federal government must stay engaged in maintaining world standards of business conduct . Utilities can and do take steps to safeguard the grid. However, unlike concluding a foreign government attempted to influence our elections, a foreign government causing a power outage would undoubtedly be an act of war.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. 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 Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,797 Bcf as of Friday, August 16, 2019, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 59 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 369 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 103 Bcf below the five-year average of 2,900 Bcf. At 2,797 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Love Michigan Clean Energy Plan
Consumers Energy unveiled a “Love Michigan” tour to introduce their Clean Energy Plan. Their focus is on meeting the state’s electricity demands with 90% clean energy resources by 2040 while reducing carbon emissions and eliminating coal. They will be encouraging every resident and business to participate in various programs designed to save energy and money. Optimization of new technologies geared towards these goals will be put in place to rely more on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. 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 Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/08/clean-energy-plan-is-consumers-energys-commitment-to-people-planet-prosperity.html
More renewable energy options available under Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage
Duke Energy has expanded renewable energy choices for their large energy users. Through the Green Source Advantage (GSA) program, customers can choose their renewable supplier and negotiate preferred price terms and contract length. They will take applicants until the 600 MW capacity is fully subscribed. Partial capacity is set aside for military installations and University of North Carolina institutions. Duke has been investing in renewable energy and increasing solar energy awareness for all customers “to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves”.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. 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 Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/more-renewable-energy-options-available-122900991.html
Realgy Settlement with IAG
PRESS RELEASE
Realgy Settlement with IAG
20 AUGUST 2019 | BY: REALGY, LLC
Realgy Energy Services recently settled an investigation with the Illinois Attorney General (IAG) over allegations of non-compliance with consumer protection laws.
The IAG investigation stemmed from a TV report and a unique Realgy offer; Guaranteed Savings below the utility. Realgy is the only energy marketer in Illinois that guarantees its energy rate will be below the utility. The investigation covered 7 years, the entire time Realgy Energy Services provided service to residential customers in Illinois.
The result, Realgy provided savings per below:
| Utility | Savings | Energy Savings ($) |
| NICOR, Peoples and North Shore | Yes | Over $300,000 |
| Ameren | Yes | Over $400,000 |
| ComEd | Yes | Over $110,000 |
Michael Vrtis of Realgy Energy Services stated, “The investigation looked at our energy costs paid by the customer compared to what the customer would’ve paid for the utility’s cost each month during the 7 years we served residential customers. Customer savings resulted from the fact that Realgy’s energy costs were on average less than the utility.”
So, Realgy saved Illinois customers money.
However, Realgy reached a settlement with the IAG to refund $181,000 to ComEd customers. Again, Michael Vrtis, “Yes, even though our energy costs were less during this time, we had a high turnover of customers. The resulting early termination fees paid by these customers when added to the savings brought the total costs to ComEd customers above the utility.”
Realgy acknowledged the IAG findings in agreeing to the refund as its goal is to provide savings as compared to the utility costs. “The IAG conducted a fair review of Realgy’s practices and we agreed to the refund and to changes already made to our sales practices like eliminating door to door enrollments and monitoring our sales agents more closely,” stated Michael Vrtis. The IAG assembled a list of transgressions they uncovered during their investigation of many other energy marketers. The list was included in the settlement even though Realgy was already in compliance with them.
Realgy reported that the bulk of the refunded amount of $100,704.06 will go to 1,871 existing customers and the remainder to clients that were served by Realgy between January 2012 and January 2019. The average refund is $36.60.
Realgy, LLC
Michael Vrtis, President
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,738 Bcf as of Friday, August 9, 2019, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 49 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 357 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 111 Bcf below the five-year average of 2,849 Bcf. At 2,738 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.