Illinois legislation promises a renewable energy revolution. But who would pay?
Isn’t that the age-old question? Who will pay? Perhaps it’s the actual cost, the time or the impact to our environment that will be paying the price.
Illinois has two pieces of legislation that could alter the energy, environment, and economics of the state.
These two bills differ in supporting how to obtain more renewables as both want to increase the current goal to 100% renewable by 2030.
- The Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) largely builds on the 2017 Future Energy Jobs Act that caused a solar installation rush. The CEJA would expand incentives for training and jobs while constructing more solar. They are supported by environmental and community groups.
- The Path to 100 is supported by the renewables industry and would accelerate the goal of 100% clean energy in Illinois.
How it gets paid: essentially by changing how the capacity market procures the energy Illinois needs.
Both bills would encourage the move toward lower priced solar while minimizing the disruption to oil, gas, and nuclear.
The debate is in the right place. Solar energy is the cheaper cost and causes less impact to the environment. Creating incentives now to capitalize growth and allow transition into this less costly energy source will setup Illinois for the future.
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://energynews.us/2020/02/24/midwest/illinois-legislation-promises-a-renewable-energy-revolution-but-who-would-pay/
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,091 Bcf as of Friday, February 28, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net decrease of 109 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 680 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 176 Bcf above the five-year average of 1,915 Bcf. At 2,091 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
South Carolina House Passes Resolution To Require Study Of “Full” Retail Electric Choice
Energy deregulation allows consumers to select their energy supplier while retaining the monopoly utility delivery system.
South Carolina would be joining many states offering customer choice.
We applaud South Carolina for believing in markets over monopoly.
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: http://www.energychoicematters.com/stories/20200224aae.html
Utilities vs. grid edge upstarts: Turf battles in an increasingly DER-centric world
You’ve heard of the Internet of Things… devices using a network to transfer data such as door bells, Alexa, light switches, TVs, thermostats, etc.
What about solar panels or car chargers? Think about this:
The fastest growing portion of the US electric market is in solar panel installation and EVs (Electric Vehicles).
Consider the following growth:
PV Solar and EVs produce as near real-time information about their energy production or usage.
This data is the issue.
Utilities want the data to be part of the electric grid while almost everyone else disagrees.
Regulators will be hearing both sides of the arguments about data control and best-practices. Given the importance of the issue for all parties, a final decision is likely years away but, initial decisions seem to favor the utility.
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.utilitydive.com/news/utilities-vs-grid-edge-upstarts-turf-battles-in-an-increasingly-der-centr/572718/
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,200 Bcf as of Friday, February 21, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net decrease of 143 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 637 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 179 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,021 Bcf. At 2,200 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Michigan regulators demand changes to DTE Energy’s long-range plan
Last July, we summarized the difference between the 2 largest Michigan utilities. Consumers was attempting to reduce costs by moving to renewables and closing high cost power plants which included legacy coal. DTE on the other hand, stayed with legacy power plants. A summary and link are below.
https://realgyenergyservices.com/consumers-vs-dte-long-term-planning-winners-and-losers/
The MPSC basically rejected DTE’s plan as inadequate in addressing Michigan law to address long term planning. DTE must now resubmit their plan to focus on reducing costs and complying with environmental policy by March 21, 2020.
Consumers’ plan on the other hand was approved.
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.michiganradio.org/post/public-service-commission-sends-much-dte-energy-plan-back-drawing-board
How New York City plans to end natural gas, oil use in buildings
New York City’s goal of carbon neutrality is set for 2050. To help get there, they have a goal to reach 100% emissions-free power by 2040 by ending fossil fuel use in large building systems. Part of the plan is to follow California’s suit of denying gas hookups in new buildings or renovations. Starting with government owned structures will allow them to set the example for the rest of the city. Since NY has vast climate differences compared to CA, natural gas usage is higher and skeptics aren’t sure it will play out the same way it did on the west coast. Alternatives are being considered to ensure they accomplish those goals but there are many cogs in the machine that we need to see work together.
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.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/how-new-york-city-plans-to-end-natural-gas-oil-use-in-buildings-57232171
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,343 Bcf as of Friday, February 14, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net decrease of 151 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 613 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 200 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,143 Bcf. At 2,343 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Warren Buffett Has Started The Biggest Energy Revolution
Green energy has been on the rise with governments pledging to invest and countries committing to using 100% renewable energy in the upcoming decades. In the past several years, the cost of solar has decreased drastically and has grown ten-times more efficient. For the first time, solar energy is cheaper than fossil fuels.
Warren Buffet struck a deal in September to build America’s largest solar farm. Located in the desert outside of Las Vegas, the sunshine will power the world’s largest battery and produce 6-7% of LA’s electricity needs. Costs are half of that of a natural gas power plant. Solar became 2019’s best performing exchange-traded fund and forecasts show solar stocks increasing exponentially if we continue to see progress.
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.forbes.com/sites/stephenmcbride1/2020/02/11/warren-buffett-has-started-the-biggest-energy-revolution/#38c11d204494
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,494 Bcf as of Friday, February 7, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net decrease of 115 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 601 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 215 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,279 Bcf. At 2,494 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.