Natural Gas Forecast
U.S. dry natural gas production is forecast to average 73.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2017, a 1.2 Bcf/d increase from the 2016 level. Natural gas production in 2018 is forecast to be 3.9 Bcf/d above the 2017 level.
In July, the average Henry Hub natural gas spot price was $2.98 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), about the same as in June. Higher natural gas exports and growing domestic natural gas consumption in 2018 contribute to the forecast Henry Hub natural gas spot price rising from an annual average of $3.06/MMBtu in 2017 to $3.29/MMBtu in 2018. NYMEX contract values for December 2017 delivery that traded during the five-day period ending August 3 suggest that a range of $2.17/MMBtu to $4.48/MMBtu encompasses the market expectation for December Henry Hub natural gas prices at the 95% confidence level.
Energy Department Invests Up to $50 Million to Improve the Resilience and Security of the Nation’s Critical Energy Infrastructure
Hurricane season has hit hard this year. Many continue to be impacted by the destructive storms with a lack of power being a huge setback. The Department of Energy (DOE) has decided to award National Laboratories to improve the Nation’s critical energy infrastructure for electricity, oil, and natural gas. The ability to withstand and recover quickly from energy interruptions needs to be a priority for the DOE. The awards are up to $50 million and will help shape the future of the Nation’s grid to ensure resilience and security.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 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.
Additional Information:
https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-invests-50-million-improve-resilience-and-security-nation-s-critical
Sun shines on ‘green rate,’ solar project
Traverse City put their money where they live!
The city will pay an extra 0.2 cents per kilowatt-hour for all municipal operations. That amount represents the difference between the cost of the solar array’s energy and the utility’s avoided cost in buying it. TCL&P will adjust the surcharge every year of the 20-year, fixed contract, and the surcharge could become a credit if prices for power on the open market rise.
Realgy applauds the City’s goal to power all government operation with renewable energy by 2020.
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.
Additional Information:
$200M Jay County wind energy center updates construction
South of Fort Wayne and East of Indianapolis is rising 57 wind turbines.
The wind industry continues to grow, adding 4x more jobs than coal last year.
The investment of $200 million dollars will generate 12 full time jobs and provide renewable power to 36,000 homes.
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.
Additional Information:
http://wishtv.com/2017/08/28/jay-county-wind-energy-center-updates-construction/
What blackout? How solar-reliant power grids passed the eclipse test
In areas where solar energy contributes a large percentage of electricity, it is expected that certain weather patterns or natural phenomena’s such as a solar eclipse will affect the power grid. With Monday’s total solar eclipse in the US, system operators furthered their understanding of production interruptions. Despite the decline in output, it did not cause a major disruption to the network. Luckily, other power plants such as gas-fired and hydro overcompensated for the loss. We have more work to do with creating resilient networks that operate seamlessly but, being able to avoid a blackout is a step in the right direction.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 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.
Additional Information:
https://phys.org/news/2017-08-blackout-solar-reliant-power-grids-eclipse.html
States Are Using Social Cost of Carbon in Energy Decisions, Despite Trump’s Views
What would you pay to have a beach to go to, fish on the shore, or not have to move your manufacturing plant inland due to flooding?
Such questions are being asked today by corporations and States in considering the price of Carbon and other greenhouse gases. Yes, these social factors can be quantified into $/kWh, some as high as $43/ton of carbon. Put simply, the social cost of carbon is a dollar estimate of the future damages from droughts, sea level rise, heat waves and other climate impacts wrought by each ton of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Consider how one utility regulator explained the cost imposed on his utility due to social costs;
“We know that climate change makes our [power] generation fleet less efficient. We know that it causes wildfires and other natural disasters that affect our transmission and distribution system. We know that there are actual costs to utility customers that come from not acting to prevent catastrophic climate change.”
The federal Government recently relaxed the social cost provisions due to the “impact to the economy and jobs”. Such federal shortsightedness is not new but, passing the pollution onto future generations in the hopes of retaining current jobs seems like a false promise for such a huge impact on future generations.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 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.
Additional Information:
Ameren request for lower energy efficiency targets stokes division in Illinois
When does negotiating STOP and work begins? Perhaps after you sign the agreement? NOT if you are Ameren. They want to amend an agreement that took 2 years and countless parties to negotiate. Ameren agreed to reduce emissions to help lower consumer’s energy bills and reduce climate change. They still want to be paid if they achieve their goals but, they want them lower.
In looking to reduce energy efficiency goals, Ameren is trying to create separation between Chicago issues and downstate issues; arguing that Chicago bureaucrats don’t know downstate Illinois. This might be fair if it WASN’T for the FACT that Ameren negotiated these goals with downstate bureaucrats.
Also, isn’t saving money and reducing greenhouse gases going to affect both Chicago and downstate the same?
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.
Additional Information:
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.
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.
Additional Information:
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.
Additional Information:
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.
Additional Information:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/20/science/exxon-carbon-tax.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0