“I am NOT a crook!”
If you recall President Nixon’s infamous quote…. I am reminded of it when WEC Energy denies any culpability in Peoples Gas ‘misinformation’ case.
As life goes in a circle, let’s recall the other adage of that time…follow the money, so lets.
In 2014 Illinois Commerce Commission approved $4,600,000,000 ($4.6 billion) for Peoples Gas to replace gas mains.
June 24, 2015 WEC Energy buys Peoples Gas for $9,100,000,000 ($9.1 billion)
July 7, 2015 Peoples Gas updates its estimate for gas main replacement to $8,200,000,000 ($8.2 billion)
So NO one in Peoples Gas was aware that the gas main replacement, the largest project Peoples has undertaking in some time, was costing X2 what it was approved to spend. Yet, about 2 weeks later they had detailed information of what those costs were and asked the ICC for approval to spend it.
The Attorney General’s Office is investigating Peoples Gas executives for what they knew and when they knew it……as I said the circle goes round and round.
Recall: Peoples as a regulated monopoly can only earn money when it spends on expenses approved by the ICC. If they are not approved by the ICC, Peoples gas runs the risk of having to have their investors pay for it.
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 and Index, Fixed pricing.
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The Supreme Court explains our electricity system
We all know the electric system isn’t rocket science….but explaining how our electric system operates sounds well….confusing.
Enter the US Supreme Court, yep that one.
The court entered a ruling in which they had to understand and rule on the economic and structure of our electric system (from utilities, power marketers, wholesale market, demand response, etc.)
Here is a quick review of their explanation/finds:
- ….understand demand response, you first need to grasp a key detail: You and I generally pay the same price for every kilowatt hour of electricity that we use at home, but that’s an artificial arrangement that protects us from shifts in electricity’s true price on wholesale markets. This price varies greatly based on the demand for it, and that demand fluctuates constantly — even if we tend to be individually insulated from these market shifts by our utility company, its regulators, and so on.
- wholesale electricity markets….suppose that at 9 a.m. on August 15 four plants serving Washington, D. C. can each produce some amount of electricity for, respectively, $10/unit, $20/unit, $30/unit, and $40/unit. And suppose that LSEs’ [load serving entities, aka utility companies] demand at that time and place is met after the operator accepts the three cheapest bids. The first three generators would then all receive $30/unit. That amount is (think back to Econ 101) the marginal cost—i.e., the added cost of meeting another unit of demand—which is the price an efficient market would produce. FERC calls that cost (in jargon that will soon become oddly familiar) the locational marginal price, or LMP.
- What happens during extreme days when power demands surges (think days of “polar vortex” and 100F/95% humidity). To keep providing power to their customers, utilities and energy marketers must ask their market operator for more electricity. To meet that spike in demand, the operator will have to accept more expensive bids from suppliers. The operator, that is, will have to agree to the $40 bid that it spurned before—and maybe, beyond that, to bids of $50 or $60 or $70. In such periods, operators often must call on extremely inefficient generators whose high costs of production cause them to sit idle most of the time….As that happens, LMP—the price paid by all LSEs to all suppliers—climbs ever higher. And meanwhile, the increased flow of electricity through the grid threatens to overload transmission lines…..
- “real time pricing” — electricity rate schemes in which individuals will pay more (or — and here’s the big opportunity — considerably less) depending on how they behave during periods of peak demand.
- “time demand pricing” – electricity rate schemes in which individuals will pay different amounts during different times of the day more (say; 8am-8pm is morning vs. 8pm-8am night)
- …how demand response can effect LMP….. what would happen if wholesale market operators could induce consumers to refrain from using electricity during peak periods? Whenever doing that costs less than adding more power, an operator could bring electricity supply and demand into balance at a lower price. And simultaneously, the operator could ease pressure on the grid, thus protecting against system failures. That is the idea behind the practice at issue here: Wholesale demand response, as it is called, pays consumers for commitments to curtail their use of power, so as to curb wholesale rates and prevent grid breakdowns.
So the court waded through and came to an understanding that this is all legal and the system it being operated fairly. It sound complicated but it’s supply and demand economics with price incentives to reduce consumption when it gets too expensive to generate or deliver.
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 and Index, Fixed pricing.
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A mammoth new power plant is on tap despite a power glut
So what happens when natural gas pricing decline into 1980 prices?
Well, of course you propose to use more….and nothing uses more natural gas than a BIG natural gas power plant.
A company is proposing to construct an 1,100-megawatt plant fueled by natural gas in Grundy County, about 50 miles southwest of Chicago, near Exelon’s existing Dresden nuclear plant. Enough for over 600,000 homes.
Natural gas power; in Illinois which has been dominated by coal and nuclear power plants. Coal plants require reinvestment to reduce emissions, the decision will either make an opening for such a new power plant or make a new competitor.
The proposed natural gas plant would compete in the wholesale market, where utilities and energy marketers buy power. More competition, will reduce the price of electricity and cleaner power is better for us all.
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 and Index, Fixed pricing.
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Obama to propose $10-a-barrel oil tax to fund rail and highway projects
Not a political question; but why not?
Such a tax could provide funding for:
- new rail corridors
- highway projects
- pilot projects for self-driving cars
- other technologies it said fall under the goal of a “clean transportation” system
It’s interesting to consider this in light of:
- the gasoline tax hasn’t increased in 25 years, during the Eisenhower era (the president on the “big” $1 coin)
- Obama is not running for reelection (ever again)
- technology is creating more changes in cars and the way they will be driven, ever
- domestic oil production would NOT be taxed
Investment in the future of transportation is necessary, combining that with decreasing imported oil…(near) perfect!
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 and Index, Fixed pricing.
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Peoples Gas Officials ‘Misled’ Regulators About Cost Overruns
“KNOWING MISLED.” ….this is like hearing from your kid’s teacher that homework wasn’t turned it on time because your house was flooded, and they were calling to check on you….. (you have to inform the teacher that no flooding occurred, but thanks for checking on us). So the teacher was misled.
Let’s recall; Regulators like the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) are responsible for ensuring that utilities, which are monopolies, spend and recover money ONLY for what is useful to provide their monopoly service. That is; expenditures by COMED that improve service, increase efficiency or improve services are approved while expenditures for mahogany desks, trips to Hawaii for a conference should not be asked for or approved. It is a mutual relationship, however, it becomes adversarial only when costs or misinformation is involved.
So, Peoples Gas received approval for improvements to their gas lines. HOWEVER, after the program was approved, Peoples Gas started to get reports back on the progress and cost of those improvements.
Guess what; it was costing more than they expected and taking longer…..they didn’t tell the ICC this. THIS IS REQUIRED by monopolies. The ICC requires monopolies to report back material changes; either good or bad. The ICC counts on the monopolies to be honest; after all they will recover the cost if they get it approved!
So now it’s adversarial; misleading a regulatory means the same thing as with your kid; they lose credibility (at least for a while) and EVERYTHING must now be proven.
The ICC needs to oversee Peoples Gas very closely. They are spending $$$$ Billions on this program and its costs will be recovered in their rates if approved. HOWEVER, if they misled or committed fraud then the utility shareholders will have to pay.
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 and Index, Fixed pricing.
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Solar Invitation
You are cordially invited to the solar power installation at
Hemenway United Methodist Church
of Evanston Illinois
Date: 17 February 2016
Time: 11 AM
Location: 933 CHICAGO AVE, EVANSTON, IL 60202
Reverend Mosley is the current Pastor of Hemenway UMC, which has provided services to the Evanston community and beyond for 143 years. Come and see how the Church is preparing the next 100+ years.
A tour of the installed 15.4 Kw PV solar power plant on the roof will be offered.
You can meet the PV Plant builder: Eco-Solar and Realgy Energy Services that supplies the Church’s solar power.
Hemenway UMC
Pastor: Rev. Richard Mosley
Eco-Solar Solutions, Inc.
Paul Szczesny
President
847.220.8786
www.eco-solar-solutions.com
Realgy Energy Services, LLC
Michael Vrtis
President
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
DOE EIA weekly Gas storage report
Here is this weeks’ EIA natural gas storage report. Working gas in storage was 2,934 Bcf as of Friday, January 29, 2016, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net decline of 152 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 490 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 445 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,489 Bcf. At 2,934 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Estimate 148 Bcf and 152 Bcf
Vs
Actual 152 Bdf
Gas demand fell across the nation last week as withdrawals likely decreased in all regions. A consensus of analysts surveyed by Platts expects the US Energy Information Administration will estimate a natural gas storage withdrawal of between 148 Bcf and 152 Bcf for the reporting week that ended January 29. Warmer temperatures last week dropped demand in all ofEIA’s five storage regions. “Week-over-week, total US demand is estimated to have averaged more than 9 Bcf/d lower than the previous week with US level heating degree days totaling 43 less at 134,” said Mitch DeRubis, a quantitative modeling analyst with Platts Bentek, an analytical division of Platts.
Hemenway United Methodist Church completes installation of its solar power project.
Hemenway United Methodist Church is now powered by 15.4 kW of solar energy.
Realgy, LLC today announced the completion of a 15.4 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for Hemenway UMC, an active parish serving the Evanston community and beyond for 143 years.
The solar PV system was installed on the roof of the main church building located in Evanston, Illinois. Pastor Mosley stated: “We share our building with several non-profits who provide vital services to the community. The solar panels provide energy to reduce our energy costs so that we can redirect resources to life saving endeavors. It’s really exciting to see the roof area with the panels installed, as it builds on our commitment to sustainability.”
The solar PV system was installed by Eco Solar Solutions of Chicago, Illinois. This is a smaller project than ECO Solar normally installs but it will make a big impact for the church. “Hemenway’s church building is a flat roof and southern exposure which was a great building to install the solar PV system,” said Paul Szczesny, President of Eco Solar Solutions. “Adding solar to the church so that it will now be able to generate most of its ongoing energy needs for the next 25 years is very exciting and a great investment.”
Realgy, LLC is an alternative energy service supplier in Illinois and is the owner of 5 solar PV systems, including our newest at Hemenway UMC. Realgy supplies Hemenway their electricity and selected them for this installation. Realgy paid for the installation so as to generate renewable energy locally as part of its sustainable commitment in Illinois.
The Hemenway PV Solar system will produce over 18, 250 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually and more than one million kWh over the next 25 years. That is enough energy to power about 2 average Illinois homes every year. The environmental benefits associated with the PV system is the reduction of 50 pickup trucks of coal or 12,775 lbs. of carbon dioxide each year for the next 25 years of operation!
“We are excited to announce the completion of the Hemenway solar PV project,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy, LLC. “Realgy made this investment as a continuation of our commitment to Illinois, and especially Evanston.” It is Realgy’s second project in Evanston. Vrtis continues; “The Hemenway PV project builds on our commitment of reducing the cost and proving the environmental benefits of renewable energy to our customers in Illinois.”
Realgy entered into a long term agreement with Hemenway UMC under which Hemenway pays nothing for the Solar PV plant’s installation and maintenance. Hemenway simply remains a customer of Realgy and pays only the market based cost of power it uses (averaging 5% below COMED). In addition, the church will receive a discount of about 10% as a result of having the solar energy displace energy that would otherwise be delivered (and charged) by COMED.
Contacts:
Hemenway United Methodist Church
Reverend R. Mosley
933 Chicago Avenue
Evanston, Illinois 60202
847-328-2600
ECO SOLAR Solutions
Paul Szczesny
President, Co-Founder
773.733.4110
www.eco-solar-solutions.com
Realgy Energy Services, LLC
Michael Vrtis
President
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
Deregulation, but with Regulations
Deregulation allows for competition.
So, the State of Delaware has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for energy suppliers to run an opt-in program for state residents to voluntarily select an alternative to their current utility service under an Energy Choice program. This process is generally called “deregulations”.
The RFP has 10 requirements for which they will judge suppliers. The winning supplier will be awarded the “approved” supplier in the state. Most likely, becoming the approved supplier will result in confusion and higher costs than what other state marketers will offer.
Why? Because regulators cannot regulate competition. They can only enforce quality and fair service.
So, what is the promise of deregulation….
- Less government requirements
- New ideas and opportunities
- Competition to lower cost, verse regulators to oversee expenses
So, how can a competitor actually compete when the regulators don’t want to deregulate but want regulated competition? Stay tuned and we will find out…..
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 and Index, Fixed pricing.
Additional Information:
DOE EIA weekly Gas storage report
Here is this weeks’ EIA natural gas storage report. Working gas in storage was 3,086 Bcf as of Friday, January 22, 2016, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net decline of 211 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 530 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 432 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,654 Bcf. At 3,086 Bcf, total working gas is above the five-year historical range.
Estimated between 204 and 208 Bcf.
Vs
Actual witdrawl 211 Bcf
A consensus of analysts surveyed by Platts expects the US Energy Information Administration will estimate a natural gas storage withdrawal between 204 Bcf and 208 Bcf for the reporting week that ended January 22. EIA plans to release its weekly storage report at 10:30 a.m. EST Thursday. Withdrawal within expectations would be much more than the 112 Bcf drawdown reported at this time in 2015 and more than the 170 Bcf five year average withdrawal, according to EIA data. And for the third straight week, this looks to be the highest withdrawal of the heating season to date. It also would be the first of the season that is larger than both the withdrawal reported this week last year and the five-year average. The range of analysts’ expectations this week was narrow, calling for a withdrawal between 202 Bcf to 214 Bcf.
