DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 1,725 Bcf as of Friday, May 25, 2018, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 96 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 788 Bcf less than last year at this time and 500 Bcf below the five-year average of 2,225 Bcf. At 1,725 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Wind Energy development in Illinois, Michigan and Indiana as coal plants are closing.
In one day I came across 4 articles which all carried a similar message: coal is being phased out in favor of renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.). This is not a political statement; but economical. More coal plants have closed during President Trump’s first year in office as compared to the President Obama’s last year. What’s being planned to replace the coal fired generated electricity? Wind, solar and natural gas energy.
Illinois:
- Passed the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition last year. Goal is 100% renewable energy (accompanied jobs) by 2050
- Has generated more renewable energy jobs than all coal jobs combined
Michigan:
- Michigan electric utility companies must get 30% of their power from wind, solar or other renewables by 2030
- Consumers Energy vow to end coal generation by 2040
Indiana:
- Vectren plans to close 3 coal plants by 2023
- Natural gas 800 MW and 50 MW of solar generation would replace the coal
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.greentechmedia.com/amp/article/trump-cant-save-coal?__twitter_impression=true
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/02/19/coalition-launches-clean-energy-initiative/
https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2018/02/19/consumers-energy-emissions-coal-renewable/350559002/
https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/2018/02/20/vectren-natural-gas-plant-solar-farm-join-energy/356818002/
Electricity from Coal generation continues to decline in the US
The Federal Energy Agency (FERC) looks ahead annually and forecasts the energy supply for all the generation sources in the US. In the most recent forecast, the energy source being reduced the most remains coal. Natural gas, wind and solar will contribute the most new generation in the coming years. This is the trend that has been in place for 10+ years. Last year was the first time that coal contributed less than ½ of all US electricity.
Coal generation continues to decline as does coal jobs while solar and wind jobs more than made up for the net loss of jobs. However, the wind and solar jobs are generally not located in areas where the coal jobs are lost (with the exception of Illinois, and Indiana).
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-20-gw-of-coal-capacity-headed-for-retirement-by-2020/514277/
NIPSCO receives multi-million dollar bailout for aging coal plants
What is the point of regulatory oversight if it fails to protect rate payers from unsustainable and higher cost decisions? NIPSCO the monopoly utility owns and operates aging coal facilities which are the costliest power plants to run in the entire area. NIPSCO admits that shutting them down WOULD SAVE money and cause less pollution.
HOWEVER, the Indiana regulators have approved their continued operation. If NIPSCO was a competitive business, these plants would be shut down. Indiana’s electric pricing is some of the highest in the area and this regulatory process explains why. The businesses and residents of Indiana deserve better oversight by their regulators.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
How the House Tax Bill Would Impact Wind, Solar, Electric Vehicles and Utilities
Long term planning is what all businesses and countries seek right?
The U.S. passed laws to encourage the investment in renewable energy technology and innovation. Since then, companies, states and municipalities have invested $BILLIONs to achieve commercially available energy products, sustainable energy and reduced pollution/greenhouse gases. Renewable energy has been a top job producer.
The House Republicans and Senate have unveiled tax reform bills that would undermine this planning and progress. Proposed reforms would include:
- Curtail wind construction
- Stop long term investment in solar development
- Stop investment in electric vehicles
These 3 items represent the majority of jobs created in the electric energy industry over the last 8 years.
One addition was incentive for small wind turbines, fuel cells and geothermal. This is a good plan as none of these technologies are currently commercially viable. That will take a long-term plan. While the Republican tax reform gets finalized, look at what is done to the engines of job growth in the energy industry and for those that carry out long term planning.
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:
Hemlock Semiconductor to lay off 100 workers
Ever wonder what ingredients are in the products we use? Most of us realize glass uses sand and computer chips and solar panels use silicon….but from where? Probably overseas, right? WRONG.
Hemlock runs mines producing poly silicon in Michigan. They just closed their second facility in Tennessee. The U.S. is blessed with abundant coal, some of the best wind resources for generating wind power, abundant silicon (the main ingredient in solar panels), and enough natural gas that we can export it.
With such resources, you have to ask yourself: “why don’t we have an energy policy that takes these blessings into account?”
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:
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2017/10/19/hemlock-semiconductor-to-lay-off-100-workers/
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:
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.
Additional Information:
Global demand for coal falls in 2016 for second year in a row
Coal usage has been declining globally. In some areas, it has fallen to levels we haven’t seen in 200 years. We can see the steady increase of clean energy worldwide as more countries fight to improve air quality and use less pollutants. That desire along with the lesser expenses associated with wind, solar, and natural gas are huge factors in the decrease of coal. On top of it all, everyone wants to be the leader in renewables. From usage to manufacturing the necessary parts, there are perks to this expansion for those that know how to work the market.
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: