Solar Panel Luddites
Woodland, North Carolina rejected a proposal to rezone land just outside its borders for the use of a solar farm. Three solar farms have already been approved in the area, but local residents are not impressed. The council defeated the motion for the rezoning of an area on US Highway 258 for an additional solar farm after a public comment period, where members of the town could give their opinions.
Retired science teacher (?) Jane Mann sighted rising risk of cancer deaths in the area (despite reports showing cancer rates in NC fell over the 2008 to 2012 period) as that no one could tell her solar panels were not causing the cancer.
She’s also concerned photosynthesis would slow due to solar panels stopping plants from growing in solar farm fields. “I want to know what’s going to happen. I want information. Enough is enough. I don’t see the profit for the town,” Mann said at the meeting, according to The Roanoke-Chowan News Herald.
“People come with hidden agendas. Until we can find if anything is going to damage this community, we shouldn’t sign any paper,” she added. Bobby Mann (it’s not clear if he’s related to Jane), said that he was worried local communities would dry up. “You’re killing your town,” he said. “All the young people are going to move out.”
He also argued that solar farms would suck up all the energy from the Sun, and new businesses would not come to Woodland. (Editors Note – If he’s that wrong about something so basic, he should not have a say in anything).
The area just outside Woodland is a popular spot for solar farm developers, because it has an electrical substation, which means the panels can be hooked up to the national grid. While construction has started on one of the three farms that have already been approved for the area, it’s unlikely this forth one will get the go-ahead.
Unfortunately, this dislike of solar is not new. The New York Times reported in 2011 that when Oradell, New Jersey began putting up solar panels on power poles, many residents were unhappy. “I hate them,” Eric Olsen told The New York Times. “It’s just an eyesore.”
Other residents were also reported as calling the panels “ugly” or “hideous”, and said they were worried about their property value declining because of it.
However, these panels pushed New Jersey closer to their renewable energy target, which is one of the highest in the US. As of earlier this year, New Jersey also approved a bill that requires the state to get at least 80 percent of all its energy from renewable sources by 2050.
And not all New Jersey residents have been against these changes, with some seeing the panels as a badge of pride representing their switch to clean energy.
Hopefully, with increased exposure and better education, we can outline the positives of having solar panels installed in both big cities and country towns. We don’t want another fiasco like this Wind Turbine Syndrome travesty.
Quoted from: http://www.sciencealert.com/us-town-rejects-solar-farm-amid-worries-it-would-suck-up-all-the-energy-from-the-sun
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.
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Here is this weeks EIA natural gas storage report. Working gas in storage was 3,880 Bcf as of Friday, December 4, 2015, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net decline of 76 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 514 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 236 Bcf above the five-year average of 3,644 Bcf. At 3,880 Bcf, total working gas is above the five-year historical range.
US EIA to estimate 61-Bcf withdrawal:
vs
Actual 76 Bcf
A consensus of analysts surveyed by Platts expects the US Energy Information Administration on Thursday will estimate a natural gas storage withdrawal of between 59 Bcf and 63 Bcf for the reporting week that ended December 4. The EIA plans to announce its storage report at 10:30 a.m. EST Thursday. Withdrawal within expectations would be more than the 47-Bcf withdrawal reported at this time in 2014 and less than the 65-Bcf five year average withdrawal, according to EIA data. The wider range of analysts’ expectations for this week was for a withdrawal ranging from 48 Bcf to 67 Bcf. Last week, the EIA reported a 53-Bcf withdrawal that decreased inventories to 3.956 Tcf, which was 543 Bcf, or 15.9%, more than the year-ago inventory of 3.413 Tcf, but 247 Bcf, or 6.7%, more than the five-year average of 3.709 Tcf.
Midwest Winter 2015/16 Weather Forecast (in December)
…and it’s good news. (Waiting til forecast winter until December helps the forecast vs. October)
For the last two winters, we set records for cold. This year’s forecast is for a near Normal winter.
It might not get you Florida in January but it’s better than a stick-in-the-eye!
Michigan energy overhaul won’t happen in 2015
…and now for the grownups.
Michigan Senate leaders say they won’t get legislation through the senate this year.
This is very good news, as the House passed energy legislation without reading it: http://realgyenergyservices.com/michigan-energy-policy-is-moving-forward-to-higher-costs-under-full-monopoly-control/
Hopefully, given time to review, the senate will reverse the House and pass meaningful energy legislation.
When you see your Senator, thank them for taking the time to read the legislation before passing 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.
Additional information
MI Consumers Energy Electric prices are increasing
Consumers Energy, the regulated utility monopoly, has received permission from the MI Public Service Commission (MPSC) to raise prices.
Consumers Energy, as a regulated monopoly, must show that its costs have increased thereby justifying a cost increase. The MPSC acts to ensure that utilities, which operate as a monopoly, have oversight over their expenditures. The MPSC must certify that expenditures are used to actually provide or improve service to customers. Once approved by the MPSC, the utility will collect the increase on your next bill.
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:
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/11/19/consumers-energy-electric-customers-to-see-rate-increase/
Michigan energy policy is moving forward….to higher costs under full monopoly control
As previously noted, the MI House Energy Committee voted on three bills without reading them. These bills were sent to the full House for a vote.
Where do they stand now:
- Electric Energy Choice: currently, 10% of MI customers can choose an electric energy supplier. The result has been millions of $$ dollars in savings. House Bill would have imposed non-commercial requirements on the energy marketers causing them to withdraw from offering customers an alternative to the utility.
- As of now, 10% would stay in place BUT customers would be barred from switching for 15 YEARS! What choice is this?
- Energy suppliers will face additional regulatory requirements that would do nothing more than raise their cost to provide service, thereby limiting customer savings.
- Thirty percent (30%) renewable energy goal by 2025. This “goal” has no enforcements. Currently, MI is achieving a 1.5% efficiency gain per year. So this a net increase of 5%. A token nod to a cleaner environment and improved energy efficiency.
MI must hope that the MI Senate counters this energy policy with a policy that encourages market competition and clean energy production.
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
Working gas in storage was 4,000 Bcf as of Friday, November 13, 2015, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net increase of 15 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 404 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 207 Bcf above the five-year average of 3,793 Bcf. At 4,000 Bcf, total working gas is above the five-year historical range.
Survey predicts storage to hit historic 4 Tcf level
- EIA storage estimate gets an overhaul
- 4-plus Tcf becomes the new normal
Actual 15 Bcf.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration on Thursday is expected to report a natural gas storage injection between 17 and 21 Bcf for the week that ended November 13, according to a Platts’ survey of analysts. If the injection comes in as expected, storage levels will crack the 4-Tcf level, an all-time record. An injection within expectations would be more than the 9-Bcf withdrawal reported at this time last year and more than the 12-Bcf five-year average withdrawal, according to EIA data. Last week, the EIA reported a 54-Bcf injection that increased inventories to 3.985 Tcf, which was 379 Bcf, or 10%, more than the year-ago inventory of 3.606 Tcf, and 180 Bcf, or 4.7%, more than the five-year average of 3.805 Tcf.
Will SMART Meter installations bring smart services?
Bay City, MI is 4 years into implementing a citywide Smart meter program for water and electric utilities. The result: non-complaint customers will be charged $9 / month who have not cooperated with meter installers.
That’s right; a higher cost for those who DO NOT have a smart meter installed. This affects about 10% of accounts.
What benefits do you get with a smart meter? For consumers, none. For the water company, discrepancy in water usage is more readily found.
With MI electric choice, under threat of repeal the benefits for the Smart electric meter don’t look all that appealing either. Additional information: http://realgyenergyservices.com/energy-policy-passes-house-energy-committee-without-being-read/
So, get your Smart meter and pay more along with those who don’t…just don’t look for any benefits.
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:
http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2015/11/bay_city_residents_without_sma.html
Could a superman leap this wind turbine?
The tallest U.S. wind tower is under construction in Iowa. At 377 feet from ground to hub, the wind tower is as high as a 40 story building. The tower is attempting to show that concrete can be used as the tower base for wind turbines. Typically, steel is used in tower construction.
MidAmerican Energy will own and operate this tower as part of a 154 megawatt wind farm. Each 1 megawatt can supply about 800 homes.
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
http://midwestenergynews.com/2015/11/16/tallest-u-s-wind-tower-under-construction-in-iowa/
Energy policy passes house energy committee without being read
Rep Gary Glenn of Michigan has attempted to stop a freight train.
The Michigan House Energy Committee voted to forward energy legislation to the entire House of Representatives BEFORE it WAS READ. That’s right; they voted on energy policy that wasn’t even reviewed, understood or had a chance to be read by the committee members. It will now go to the full House for review.
The bill they passed, by a majority, will in fact limit if not eliminate MI electric customer choice.
- The 10% of energy users will have to return to the utility default service.
- Customer Choice marketers will withdraw as the requirements put upon providing service ARE NOT commercially available.
o Since MI Electric Customer Choice began every energy marketer has delivered its energy, never a default
- Michigan will continue to have the HIGHEST electric costs in the Mid-west
- Michigan will have some of the most polluting power plants in Mid-west
We salute Rep Gary Glenn for trying to bring reason to a process that has been dominated by lobbyist and utility donations to politicians.
Unfortunately Rep Gary Glenn, could not stop this runaway train that carried this bill forward.
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: www.realgyenergyservices.com
Supporting Video: https://youtu.be/J-ssV31O8Ig