American solar industry rises up against Suniva Section 201 trade petition
Suniva and SolarWorld have filed a trade petition with the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The petition seeks to subject imported solar equipment to trade tariffs. This could double solar prices, stopping growth and destroying 88,000 jobs. The energy independence the US has gained would halt and country-wide investments would be jeopardized. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) leads the opposition due to the endangerment of America’s solar jobs.
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50% Rise in Renewable Energy Needed to Meet Ambitious State Standards
Renewable energy production (wind, solar, wave, and biomass) has been the fastest growing energy producing technology over the last 8 years. However, if renewable energy is to meet all State issued renewable goals, it’s hardly started. Every State has set a goal in order to shift energy production to a sustainable effort, increase technology jobs in their State, and reduce greenhouse gases.
No state has decreased their renewable energy goal. The cost of renewables is comparable to fossil fuel technology. So… how much renewable energy has to come online to meet ALL the State’s renewable goals? The chart below shows the current level of renewable energy production in 2017 and the growth that is required to meet each region’s collective renewable energy standard. Renewable energy has to grow from under 10 TWh to over 150 TWh. Such growth is exiting and will cause new jobs, less pollution, and new technology.
Consider the following; if just 10% (current estimates are close to 30%) of cars and trucks in the US converted to electric power (battery), the renewable energy produced would be used ONLY to power those cars and trucks.
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Senate appropriators advance $38.4 billion energy spending bill
The Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act was approved to support investments with infrastructure, research, and security. The $38.4 billion budget for the bill is above the President’s request and delegates the bulk of spending towards the Energy Department. Some disagreement on details include amendments to boost spending on solar and wind energy. Programs that encourage the U.S.’s energy independence are prioritized within an amendment that supports nuclear. Sen. Graham believes without supporting nuclear, the U.S. will not become the low carbon, green economy we want to be. When the bill comes up for a final vote on the floor, we expect to see a push to boost renewable energy.
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As Kansas utility pursues surcharge on solar customers, advocates want more data
The Kansas Corporation Commission has been looking at the rate design for distributed-generation customers. They are considering a demand fee to be added onto customer bills by the utility company. Various utilities nationwide state that solar customers reduce the power they purchase and no longer pay their total share of costs. Studies funded by utilities have shown this outcome. However, independent studies conclude that these customers pay for more than their expenses. Advocates believe more data is necessary to come to an agreement about what expenses are being covered and how to handle those that are not.
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 Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
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Mr. President: In Iowa, wind energy equals jobs
Iowan’s see that investments in renewable energy are investments in rural communities themselves. Iowa’s wind industry employs 7,000 and is expected to grow to 20,000 by 2020. 35% of Iowa’s electricity is wind produced and is estimated to increase to 40% within 3 years. The ability to lower dependence on other energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create domestic jobs, and lower electric bills are all benefits to not just Iowan’s but to our entire nation.
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 Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
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Study: Solar roof customers benefit the grid
The Institute for Energy Innovation (IEI) conducted a study on solar roof customers. The utility says they credit those customers, meaning the customer pays less than their share of the electricity infrastructure. However, IEI concluded that customers pay for more than their portion.
IEI’s President, Dan Scripps says the credits are fair and the simplicity of the plan is beneficial. If the commission alters the credit, he believes customers should receive more instead of less since the electricity they produce is worth more than the credit received.
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 Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
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http://michiganradio.org/post/study-solar-roof-customers-benefit-grid
Lowell school district makes switch to solar power
Lake County’s involvement with solar energy began in 2015. Tri-Creek School Corporation’s bus barn converted to solar and since then 3 schools have installed panels. They are only hoping to increase that number. It is expected that the arrays will provide 80% of their energy needs, saving about $250,000 a year.
Benefits are numerous. Tri-Creek sees the ability to allocate those savings towards education. Solar panels dedicated to student projects can be found at each school. This venture prepares students for a future in clean energy, reduces the carbon footprint, decreases water usage at power plants, and is a catalyst for other schools to focus on being more green.
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 Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
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Exxon Mobil Lends Its Support to a Carbon Tax Proposal
Fossil fuels contain carbon that is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (C02) (and carbon monoxide (CO) if combustion is not complete). Exxon Mobil sells fossil fuels. C02 is a major contributor to global climate change as a greenhouse gas.
SO WHY WOULD EXXON MOBIL SUPPORT A CARBON TAX PROPOSAL?
Two possible answers:
- They realize global warming is happening and that fossil fuels contribute.
- By supporting the idea or proposal, NOT an actual bill or tax, they can win the publicity battle.
Exxon Mobil is defending themselves in multiple courts regarding liability for past emissions. This statement undoubtedly helps their case.
IF a carbon tax is ever enacted, the law would undoubtedly protect companies from lawsuits for prior emissions.
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 Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/20/science/exxon-carbon-tax.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0
Technology is not only electronics but about knowledge like bees, honey, and solar
Knowledge is gained over a lifetime and can be put into electronics, music, or any field which advances technology for all.
Community solar is advancing and requires ground mounted solar panels (which can be done cheaper than mounting on a building). The ground surrounding the solar panels is available but of limited value for agriculture due to proximity to the solar panels (narrow area between the panel rows). The height of any agriculture must be low otherwise it interferes with solar production. However, the area is perfect for growing sun loving plants such as those that produce high nectar and pollen. If you have flowers, you will have bees that use the pollen and nectar to produce honey.
Community solar produces sustainable and clean electricity, which can be surrounded by a garden area populated with wild flowers attracting bees which provide honey. A win, win, and win.
Realgy awards its Damn-Smart award to Travis and Chiara Bolton for advancing knowledge that supports technology in bee breeding, solar energy, and native plant re-population.
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 Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
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How Retiring Nuclear Power Plants May Undercut U.S. Climate Goals
Low natural gas costs have decreased energy prices and greenhouse gas emissions. However, now those low costs are putting nuclear plants out of business. Clean energy cannot keep up with the demand created when losing those reactors. To make up for the lack of power generated, coal and gas must step up. This will result in a loss of the gains renewables have made over the years.
Unless policy makers help stop the early retirement of these reactors, the U.S. is looking at an increase in pollution. We can see the hesitancy in helping to subsidize this industry but, we also see the benefits. These factors all feed into a larger debate on the importance of climate change.
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 Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
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