Who Should Pay For Electric Vehicle Chargers? Who Should Profit?
Electric vehicles are becoming a viable option. One issue holding back broader acceptance is charging. States, utilities and utility regulators are trying to address the need to provide charging stations. Such innovations include:
- California is moving toward allowing utilities to invest in the transmission/distribution and own the charging stations
- Massachusetts is allowing utilities to invest in the infrastructure but leave the charging stations to others
- Texas allows ONLY utilities to own and operate charging stations
- Missouri is considering a request to allow utilities to build and own charging stations
- Kentucky is allowing utilities to build and own charging stations BUT only charges customers who use them
Utilities are monopolies. This allows them to charge all their customers for a charging station (that few will ever use), will not allow competition and will most likely stifle the electric vehicle industry. Allowing utilities to build out the infrastructure to which an entity can provide the charging station seems likely to win the day.
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:
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,726 Bcf as of Friday, November 17, 2017, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net decrease of 46 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 319 Bcf less than last year at this time and 121 Bcf below the five-year average of 3,847 Bcf. At 3,726 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
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:
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,772 Bcf as of Friday, November 10, 2017, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net decrease of 18 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 271 Bcf less than last year at this time and 101 Bcf below the five-year average of 3,873 Bcf. At 3,772 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Illinois rated second in the country in grid modernization survey
Illinois is being recognized as one of the top states that has invested or modernized its electric grid (transmission and distribution).
The Commerce Commission and the state Legislators have authorized very large expenditures, in some cases without showing any benefit.
The real question will be HOW this investment will provide returns in reliability, lower costs and improved services to the people of Illinois.
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:
Tesla Powerpacks will supply Nantucket’s backup power
Tesla’s Powerpack battery systems have been selected by Nantucket to boost the backup power and grid stabilizers. The current generators will need to be replaced and National Grid decided this will be the best alternative power support system. Multiple US properties have already been using these Powerpacks, including Puerto Rico as they recover from hurricane damage.
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.engadget.com/2017/11/10/tesla-powerpacks-supply-nantucket-backup-power/
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,790 Bcf as of Friday, November 3, 2017, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 15 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 219 Bcf less than last year at this time and 71 Bcf below the five-year average of 3,861 Bcf. At 3,790 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
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/
New Illinois rules aim to protect customers of alternative energy suppliers
Add competition while keeping a monopoly…of course there is confusion. Utility regulators initially wanted competition and now appear to see competition as deceptive. Instead of pushing energy marketers and utilities to clearly adopt “customer choice” as a clear alternative, the regulators are focusing on energy marketing sales practices. Competitive energy markets are not new, nor is buying things. So, why the confusion with energy sales?
Comparisons
Most regulators think it’s about the rate, however, the true answer is: it’s NOT. Low rates and saving money should be the driver, but like anything else you buy, quality (in energy’s case terms and conditions) is an important consideration. Comparing the price of energy without looking at the quality issues will always invite confusion.
Fair dealing; do not lie, do not mislead, and do not commit fraud
Consumers have strong consumer protection laws. Utilities have complaint departments as do all energy marketers, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) can remove energy marketers, the Illinois Attorney General’s (IAG) office can seek restitution, and the Illinois State Attorney can prosecute fraud. Energy marketers are required NOT to mislead or commit fraud.
Market competition
No system is more ruthless in removing inefficiency, driving down costs, and providing service as competition. EVERYTHING to support true competition should be implemented. Realgy supports aggressive policing of energy marketers and has applauded the action of the ICC and IAG in these matters. In addition, allowing market competition to fully drive down and deliver energy is the real long term solution.
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:
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,775 Bcf as of Friday, October 27, 2017, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 65 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 180 Bcf less than last year at this time and 41 Bcf below the five-year average of 3,816 Bcf. At 3,775 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
