Illinois Residents Want Choice
Over 81% of residents want the right to choose an alternative provider for their energy supply.
And really, why not?!
Energy suppliers move the price of power from being set by REGULATION to being set by COMPETITION; like everything else we buy.
Competition has lowered the price of energy.
Energy suppliers are registered with the State and each utility. They operate under consumer protection laws and are bonded.
Energy suppliers REDUCE the price of power making Illinois one of the lowest cost energy markets compared to its neighbors.
Energy Choice works.
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:
http://www.energychoicematters.com/stories/20180530z.html
Opening of Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center Solar Array Expansion
PRESS RELEASE
Opening of Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center Solar Array Expansion
25 May 2018 | By: Realgy, LLC
The home of the historic Lake County Fair has begun operation of the expansion of their solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Lake Country Fairgrounds and Event Center (LCFEC) in Grayslake, IL now has a system more than double the size of the original array.
Realgy, LLC selected LCFEC for the initial and expanded project. Lake County will receive all solar energy produced by the panels. Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy said, “We are proud to have reinvestment at Lake County Fairgrounds. The expansion will allow greater environment and safety benefits.”
Eco Solar Solutions completed the expansion and will continue to maintain it over the duration of the next 20 years to ensure its productivity and efficiency. The array will produce enough power to supply about 11 Illinois residences every year for 25 years. “Eco Solar did a fantastic job and was the most professional contractor we have ever used,” Jon Brodzik Jr, the General Manager of LCFEC said.
The economic benefits that LCFEC will see are not limited to monetary savings. It will benefit the environment with limiting the carbon dioxide produced from gas emissions and reducing the amount of trucks on the road that would transfer coal which in turn creates safer roads and less pollution.
To commemorate the opening of the addition, LCFEC hosted an event to bring the community together. All were invited to attend such as Lake County officials, various media outlets, local organizations, environmental activists, state politicians, Grayslake trustees, local law enforcement, and many more. The attendees were treated to a great opening with all involved in making the project come to life.
Media Contacts:
Sue Markgraf
GreenMark Public Relations
847-917-9654
smarkgraf@greenmarkpr.com
for:
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center
1060 East Peterson Road
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
847-680-7200
www.lcfair.com
Eco Solar Solutions
317-201-4435
www.eco-solar-solutions.com
Realgy, LLC
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
Compliance Audit Report On Ohio Corporate Separation
FirstEnergy Solutions (FES) is an energy supplier in Ohio focused on competitive wholesale generation sales. It has recently undergone an audit with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The report covers various issues with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and PUCO’s Corporate Separation Rules.
FirstEnergy Operating Companies along with PUCO has stated that a prior assignment with FES to FirstEnergy Service Company (Service Company) was “highly inappropriate”.
The Service Company’s Retail Sales and Marketing group formerly reported to FES’s President however, back in 2016, the Service Company’s reporting relationship was transferred when it was assigned to FirstEnergy Products (FEP). FEP does not sell CRES but provides products and services such as smart thermostats and electrician referrals.
Sales and costs of the competitive retail electric service (CRES) sales in Ohio are recorded by FEW but the sales and support for the function is provided by the Service Company. “The report states that, ‘The assignment of FES CRES retail sales and service responsibility to the Service Company and the designation of FES CRES sales and service leaders as Shared Services Employees is highly inappropriate.’ “
Successful CRES sales for FES is thought to be related to its FirstEnergy name due to customers belief that the name connotes that it is a part of FirstEnergy just as several others are a part of FirstEnergy. It causes them to give greater consideration to FES when choosing a CRES. The report recommends that FES remove “FirstEnergy” from it’s name.
” ‘FES is a legal entity with a clear distinction as a non-regulated competitive enterprise. The Service Company is intended to provide shared and common services to all FirstEnergy subsidiaries such as information technology, accounting, security, and the like. It is not intended to provide unregulated, competitive sales and service,’ the report said.’ ”
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:
http://www.energychoicematters.com/stories/20180515b.html
Wind energy proposal may dictate industry’s future in Ohio
Regulation of wind energy in Ohio has been a battle over the past few years. Ohio’s wind energy capacity is one of the lowest in the Midwest and produced one-third of it’s neighboring state, Michigan.
Most new projects have not been approved due to the state requiring locations to be at least a quarter- mile from the nearest property line . While many wind projects are placed on hold, natural gas is being pushed into becoming the dominant energy source with new plants being built or planned.
Supporters of wind are hoping to enact a new plan where counties have the final say on location of turbines.
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:
http://www.weirtondailytimes.com/news/national-news-apwire/2018/02/wind-energy-proposal-may-dictate-industrys-future-in-ohio/
Illinois Commerce Commission order a victory for solar, advocates say
New goals have been put in place for The Future Energy Jobs Act. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved an order defining aspects that solar advocates were concerned about.
The final order:
-Allows municipal and cooperative customers to participate in the solar renewable energy credit (SREC) program. Management of renewable energy purchases and the sale of SREC’s will be handled by the Illinois Power Agency (IPA).
-Eliminates spot procurements that were to take place in 2018 and 2019. It focuses on prioritizing long- term contracts even if budget constraints prove to be troublesome. To qualify for contract incentives, out-of-state projects will have to meet tighter requirements based on a point system.
-Implements community solar to make it more accessible to residents from all walks of life. Larger subscribers allow a more cost-effective way to build projects since they have more money to spend. The requirements will allow smaller subscribers to have a higher chance of buying into solar projects.
The IPA must monitor the program and make necessary adjustments throughout the growth of this Act. It is important to factor in sustainability over the long term for these projects and it is all part of the process. One thing for sure is that this will help put Illinois on the map as a leader in Solar Development.
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:
LAKE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS & EVENT CENTER SOLAR ARRAY EXPANSION
PRESS RELEASE
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event center Solar Array expansion
18 May 2018 | By: Realgy, LLC
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, Grayslake, IL has recently incorporated an addition to their solar photovoltaic (PV) system more than doubling the size and efficiency of the current system.
Realgy, LLC has announced the start of usage with the new 99.84 kilowatt (kW) roof installation. Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, operated by Lake County Fair Association, is home to many popular events including the historic Lake County Fair. The fair will be celebrating its 90th Anniversary this July with the help of the new solar array. Jon Brodzik Jr, the General Manager of the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, said, “The expansion is more than welcome and we are all looking forward to its usage and the events surrounding it.” The destination’s significant space allowed the capability of higher production to be more than just a day dream. With the help of Eco Solar Solutions, the goal to expand has been made a reality.
Eco Solar Solutions completed the new addition. “This project will provide great environmental benefits to the local community, and we’re ecstatic to have been part of the team to make this happen. We will be maintaining this system for the next 20 years to make sure that it continues to operate,” said Paul Szczesny, President of Eco Solar Solutions.
Realgy, LLC is a choice energy supplier in Illinois and selected LCF for both the initial and expanded project. Lake County will receive all solar energy produced by the panels. With its popular events comes high consumption that leads to environmental disadvantages. Renewable energy sources such as PV arrays help to combat those issues. This expansion will save LCF approximately $12,000 each year while improving the environment and safety in the area as follows:
- The Lake County solar PV system will produce over 121,324 kW hours (kWh) or enough power to supply about 11 average Illinois homes every year for the next 25 years.
- Some environmental and safety benefits associated with this array’s solar energy production:
- Over 84 thousand pounds of carbon dioxide WILL NOT be produced over the initial 25 years of operation.
- The level of offset emissions is equal to planting over 6,500 trees.
- Over 327 thousand pounds of coal would be necessary to produce the same amount of electricity.
- Reduction of 328 half- ton trucks used to transport that coal annually means less trucks on the road and less pollution from those trucks.
“We are happy to be partnered with Lake County on such a great endeavor,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy. “Realgy is pleased with the extension of this project and the boundless support of the municipality. We look forward to everyone coming together with us for this Solarbration.”
Please join us at the Lake County Fairgrounds on May 18th, 2018 at 1 PM for this celebration.
Media Contacts:
Sue Markgraf
GreenMark Public Relations
847-917-9654
smarkgraf@greenmarkpr.com
for:
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center
1060 East Peterson Road
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
847-680-7200
www.lcfair.com
Eco Solar Solutions
317-201-4435
www.eco-solar-solutions.com
Realgy, LLC
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
Utility Implementing TOU
Under a settlement filed for approval, TOU (Time-of-Use) customers would be charged distinct on-peak and off-peak rates. This would be based upon the winning wholesale supplier’s on-peak and off-peak generation prices (set using multipliers noted below), plus the following non-TOU rate components: the default service administrative cost, E-factor, merchant function charge, transmission service charge, and applicable State Tax Adjustment Surcharge.
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:
http://www.energychoicematters.com/stories/20180314a.html
Remembering…the Polar Vortex of Dec17 thru Jan18
It was cold, dark and who knew how expensive it would be!
Now we do. PJM is the system operator that controls when power plants run to maintain the electric grid between NJ to Northern Illinois. They reported the cost of the “uplift” or charges related to running power plants during this unusually high demand period. They were:
- For the months of the polar vortex Dec 17/Jan18 the total was $70 million (the normal is $20 million)
- During the worst day, the cost was $47 million (average charges are $4.3 million per day)
So, yes it was cold, yes it was dark and yes it was expensive.
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:
http://www.energychoicematters.com/stories/20180227d.html
St. Louis vs. Chicago; who’s ready for electric vehicles
Well it’s not the Cubs vs. Cardinals but the two cities are always competing. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates the U.S. will have 15 Million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. This week Missouri and Illinois each released a look into their electric vehicle plans.
In Illinois:
- Chicago will need to support 80,000 electric cars
- 2,700 public charging stations will be required
- Costs range from $80,000-$100,000
- Today: only 34 fast charging stations are located in all of northeastern Illinois
In Missouri:
- Ameren piloted a program in 2016
- Proposal to install 1,200 charging plugs in its territory
- Ameren would partner with companies to operate the charging stations
- Ameren estimates the costs at $20,000-$50,000 for each charging station
All states and cities are looking at the infrastructure and locations for installing electric charging stations. They understand the coming demand.
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://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/02/22/study-chicago-could-see-80000-electric-cars-2030?utm_source=EHN&utm_campaign=8f5bea7cf2-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8573f35474-8f5bea7cf2-99396161
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ameren-seeks-to-add-hundreds-of-electric-vehicle-charging-stations/article_ebacca29-7355-52ff-b230-3b56d90d4fa7.html
Regulation of the Unregulated.
Taxation without Representation leads to the start of a new nation. Who knows what regulation of the unregulated will unleash?
Utilities are monopolies. As such, they have no competition for the delivery of electricity or natural gas. The way their costs are established is by oversight by government regulatory agency (not competition). The agency determines if expenditures are spent for useful purposes and if they are, they get to recover the cost PLUS a profit of around 10%.
In Illinois, the regulatory agency is called the Illinois Commerce Commission or ICC; the ICC’s charter requires them to be
“…safe and least-cost public utility services, while promoting the development of an
effectively competitive energy supplier market.” (emphasis added)
In the 1980’s, utilities sold off the majority of their power plants to create competition amongst power generators and a wholesale power market. The ICC recognized that the monopoly utility was no longer necessary to buy and markup the electricity for their customers. Customers could buy it directly. The result: 75% of Illinois residents purchase their energy from an energy supplier and the result is $37 billion in savings.
A monopoly takes NO RISKS and passes through all their costs to customers. Regulators are only necessary when competition doesn’t exist or public interest is at risk.
The state legislators want to tax energy marketers to pay for the ICC regulatory enforcement. Enforcement over the utility. Taxing NON-MONOPOLY companies that compete against each other every day and against the utility which takes no risks.The ICC should reject this action as against their charter and require legislators or the utilities to pay for the cost of oversight of regulated companies. Energy marketers shoulder the risk and costs to provide electricity to customers through the regulated utility. Taxing them will NOT promote competitive energy supply.
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:
http://www.energychoicematters.com/stories/20180221a.html