Illinois is protecting Utility customers from disruption during pandemic
The Illinois Commerce Commission has passed a COVID-19 protection response for Illinois Utility customers.
The relief is intended to protect consumers from loss of utilities during the pandemic.
Relief is available in the following areas:
- Disconnection
- Waiving Deposits
- Payment Plan
- Bill pay assistance
The assistance has the following limits:
Please contact your Utility to apply. Documentation will be required.
To find your utility’s contact, look at your bill or you can find it here: https://realgyenergyservices.com/customer-services/web-links/#1551681878726-b1861abf-f0df
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.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200618_COVIDconsumerprotections.pdf
How wind turbines are changing
Taller than a 10-story building, able to be built on site, and can power 14,000 homes!
These are the newest machines in harnessing wind energy.
GE’s turbines reached a record last year at 12 MW and roughly 10 stories tall.
The latest is 14 MW and a bit taller. Wind speed increases about 10 MPH every 100 feet up from the ground.
Along with improvements in efficiency comes the next phase of 3D-printed concrete bases. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bpOLSWtE1U . This is so cool (engineering geek here).
A major limitation has always been transporting bases to site. This technique will allow for wider and taller bases with greater generation.
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.cnbc.com/2020/06/17/3d-printing-dizzying-heights-how-wind-turbines-are-changing.html
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,892 Bcf as of Friday, June 12, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 85 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 722 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 419 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,473 Bcf. At 2,892 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
The True Impact Of COVID-19 On Natural Gas Demand
2020 has seen a record decline in natural gas usage. Covid-19 hit directly after a warmer winter in the northern hemisphere. Both factors created the largest shock in the history of natural gas global markets and severely impacted the industry. Demand is expected to drop by 4% year on year and all regions with major markets will be hit; losing about 75% of consumption this year. Markets are adjusting supply and trade resulting in high volatility. Future developments will have a lasting impact from this pandemic and we will see more uncertainties come to light as the year progresses.
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://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-True-Impact-Of-COVID-19-On-Natural-Gas-Demand.html
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,807 Bcf as of Friday, June 5, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 93 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 748 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 421 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,386 Bcf. At 2,807 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Peoples Gas blows away record with first-quarter profit growth
What happens when a public utility gets approval from politicians to spend money? They do it, a lot of it. The result is record profits for public utilities.
Peoples Gas’ net income increased over 20% to $81.3 million. This was at a time when gas deliveries were down. They moved less gas to consumers.
So, how do you make more money and move less gas?
Through surcharges. Politicians approved costs that DO NOT have to be reviewed and approved by the Illinois Utility Regulatory Commission. These surcharges were approved in 2013 as a way to expedite repairs. However, Peoples has utilized this law to increase charges while maximizing revenue. Peoples’ parent company WEC Energy boosted its dividend payment by 7% this year.
Illinois legislators should review this law and amend it so rate payers do NOT continue to enrich corporations, which in-turn enriches politicians.
Insight into Peoples’ massive gas project can be reviewed: https://realgyenergyservices.com/state-orders-new-probe-of-massive-peoples-gas-project/
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.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2020/06/10/peoples-blows-away-record-with-first-quarter-profit-growth-2/
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,714 Bcf as of Friday, May 29, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 102 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 762 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 422 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,292 Bcf. At 2,714 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,612 Bcf as of Friday, May 22, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 109 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 778 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 423 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,189 Bcf. At 2,612 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,503 Bcf as of Friday, May 15, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 81 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 779 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 407 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,096 Bcf. At 2,503 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Renewable energy has now produced more electricity in the U.S. than coal for 40 days straight
Add another first stemming from this COVID-19 period: renewable energy surpasses coal in electric supply.
As demand for energy dropped off, utilities had to shut down power plants because they needed less power. The first to shut down are the most expensive. Coal is more expensive than solar, wind, and hydro-generated electricity.
Overall, energy demand is expected to fall at least 3% in 2020. Investments in new power generation are dominated by renewable energy sources due to their cost benefits. As renewable energy continues to grow, coal-generated electricity could fall by more than 20%. Renewable energy does not contribute to climate change as coal fired energy production does.
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.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-lockdowns-renewable-energy-overtakes-coal-record-40-days/