Solar Energy is Gaining in Scale
Solar Energy scale of deployment is accelerating.
Solar energy’s share of the total electricity supply has been gaining for years. Now, it becoming so mainstream that entire companies and even States are not only committing to buying solar energy but to building it.
Amazon is building the largest solar farm in Virginia. It is part of their commitment to run their company using 100% renewable energy.
Hawaii will be the first state that will run entirely on renewable energy.
A trend, certainly.
The cost is at or below fossil fuel costs. Taking into account environmental and health benefits of solar energy, the commitments are becoming easier to make and implement.
Supporting documentation:
Indiana’s Electric Rate Hurts Competitiveness
One measure of competitiveness is the price of electricity in a State.
Indiana has gone from 5th lowest in the Nation in 2003 to 26th in 2014 (electric rates went up)!
Surrounding States have all improved (lowered their electric costs).
A major difference: all surround States have implemented electric choice.
Electric Choice allows customers to purchase their energy from a wholesale supplier without any utility markup. The idea: give customers a choice and direct access to the energy markets and have competition do what competition does; lower costs and improve services.
In Illinois, not exactly the most business friendly state for taxes, electric savings have exceeded $37 BILLION. http://realgyenergyservices.com/competition-work-tune-37-billion/
In NIPSCO and Citizens Energy, where they have customer choice programs for natural gas customers, Realgy’s average customer is saving money monthly:
- Citizens Energy: over last 36 months savings of $6,643: http://realgyenergyservices.com/service-plans-52/
- NIPSCO: over last 36 months savings of $6,581: http://realgyenergyservices.com/service-plans-47/
In Indiana: some of the biggest utilities do not offer customer choice for natural gas service; this includes Vectren, Duke and AEP. No utility in Indiana is offering customer choice for their electric service.
Competition in energy markets has been demonstrated to lower costs. Surrounding States’ to Indiana have lower electric costs in-part because of implementing electric choice. Natural gas costs are more competitive in NIPSCO and Citizens due to customer choice.
Realgy supports customer choice for energy, our experience has demonstrated that it saves consumers time and money in energy use and decisions.
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. Additional information: www.realgyenergyservices.com
Supporting Article: http://www.nwitimes.com/business/industry-indiana-electric-rates-hurt-competitiveness/article_a10b7072-4e2f-51a7-8ed0-0b99c4e4ce01.html
Realgy joins GE, Travelers and Aetna in opposing Connecticut’s unitary tax
Realgy operates as an energy services company which sells natural gas, electricity and related services in the States’ of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
Most of our employees are located in Connecticut, in which we earn NO revenue.
Below is a table that shows a simplified representation of where we earn revenue and where we pay tax in the state where we earn it.
Connecticut taxes are based on a ratio of revenue (in states where we do not pay state tax), payroll and property taxes. The other states are purely revenue based tax.
So as depicted above we do not pay Connecticut any state sales taxes when we earn and pay taxes for that revenue in other states.
However, we are currently before the state of Connecticut tax commission which wants to recognize the income in other states as being earned and taxable in Connecticut.
This would results in Realgy PAYING TAX in the state where we earn and currently pay tax and IN CONNECTICUT where we do not earn any revenue.
Realgy does pay tax in Connecticut for our employees and for revenue earned in states where we do not pay taxes.
If Connecticut tax commission is successful in their audit it will result in a charge to Realgy of some $20,000 in additional taxes owed (for this year and each year hereafter). Again, we have already paid taxes on this income in other states.
The issue of unitary tax being commented on by the large companies is exactly what we are facing before the CT tax commission. The CT legislature is going after the big companies that have split up the companies legally to avoid the double taxation by CT.
If CT is going to tax ALL of a company’s revenue, in addition to paying local property and payroll taxes, keeping multinationals or small companies (like Realgy) that work in other states headquartered in CT will be a very difficult proposition.
Cost Regulations
2015 ENERGY REGULATIONS LEAD TO HIGHER EQUIPMENT COSTS, BUT WILL THEY HELP YOU SAVE ON ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS?
The Department of Energy has implemented new efficiency regulations on electric and natural gas water heaters as well as air conditioning equipment for 2015. The standards will make new equipment slightly more energy efficient, however, the savings will, for the most part, be insignificant. The increased cost of new equipment will be pricey for homeowners upfront. The resulting savings per household for reduced electricity and natural do pay for the upgrade.
The air conditioning equipment regulations went into effect on January 1, 2015. They apply to split air conditioners and heat pumps as well as traditional central AC compressors. The regulations call for new equipment to increase the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) from 13 to 14. The one point SEER increase is fairly negligible from a cost savings standpoint, but the reduction in energy usage across millions of household will add up. The one point translates to roughly 7% electricity savings per year for the average household. Based on national electricity usage and cost averages this would equate to savings of approximately $18 per year.
The most significant referenced downside associated with the new HVAC regulation revolves around the higher cost of the equipment and installation. New equipment will be larger and will likely require most all parts of the AC system to be replaced, not just the compressor. Also, because the equipment will be larger, some very small homes may require modifications to accommodate the larger equipment.
Regulations affecting water heaters run by electricity and natural gas took effect on April 16, 2015. The pros and cons parallel that of the AC standards. The new efficiency guidelines have resulted in more costly equipment. By some estimates new water heaters will cost roughly $120 more. In addition the new equipment means a more complex, time-consuming installation with more expensive parts. Electricity and natural gas savings will vary widely based on the size of your tank.
The changes the US Government is taking are part of a larger trend by all governments worldwide towards implementing more energy efficient regulation. Initial upfront cost is certainly a factor taken into account by such regulations, but cited more frequently are the health and environmental benefits that will compound yearly as a result of reduced emissions and improved air quality.
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 savings. Additional information: www.realgyenergyservices.com
Wind power…in all 50 states
Look outside: chances are you don’t see a wind turbine or a fifty story building. But, chances are, within 5 years, you will see a fifty story wind turbine!
Currently, the United States produces about 65 gigawatts across 38 states. However given the recent gains in technology, the Energy Department forecasts that wind power could contribute 16,150 gigawatts…this is 10x more power than we currently consume!
So will wind power drive our future. In will certainly be a growing contribution and here is why:
1. Climate change: the warmer the climate the more wind is produced
2. Larger Scale: as wind turbine design grows the economics for large scale development improve
3. Smaller Scale: new technology allows for efficient small deployment (think 1-2 homes)
Climate change is driving weather changes. These weather changes are becoming more pronounced. Weather forecasting is showing that current trends will continue resulting in wind speeds that provide for larger scale wind turbines.
Larger scale: Currently, the largest wind turbines are 260 feet. The higher the wind turbine reaches, the faster the wind blows so getting larger means you can install a wind turbine and compete with the economics of coal. Current designs are being planned for 460 feet; that’s nearly as tall as a fifty story building.
Smaller scale: a wind turbines without spinning blades! It looks like asparagus but rises between 25-100 feet depending on location. The trunk of the column spins (no blades) and the power is generated in the base. This type of wind turbine is safe for use in residential neighborhoods.
As we learn: With change comes opportunity and certainly power development and climate is changing.
Keep looking for the wind turbines, they are coming.
Realgy Energy Services provides power to Illinois customers that is produced from renewable resources such as solar, wind and hydro (water). It’s called ManagedGreenTM; it’s priced slightly below the utility cost of service and provides health and environmental benefits. Consider that the average mid-west home uses about 10,859 kWh/year if that power comes from Realgy’s ManagedGreenTM service it would result in the following benefits:
1. Reduction in 29,295 lbs. of coal/year
a. 7,595 lbs. of CO2 NOT emitted
b. No sulfur, lead or waste emissions
c. 29 fewer trucks on the road
2. Equivalent of 584 trees planted
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. Additional information: www.realgyenergyservices.com
Links to contributing articles:
http://www.iflscience.com/technology/new-bladeless-wind-turbine-looks-asparagus
Nine coal plants to be retired across Michigan as Consumers Energy looks to provide reliable, affordable, clean energy
Retiring coal plants will be replaced with renewables THAT lowers customers energy costs…..outstanding.
Due to a requirement to come into compliance with clean air regulations, mainly to reduce toxic air emissions from combusting coal (such as mercury, dioxins, etc), many coal plant owners have found it more economical to shut them down.
Nine of these plants are located in Michigan and supply about one million customers their power needs.
Replacing this power will come from renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. Reread that statement; renewable energy and a reduction in energy usage. This is due in part to Michigan’s energy policy that encourages renewables and efficiency.
After the coal plants are shut down and renewable energy and efficiency programs are in place the effect; current rates will be reduced by 5-15%.
Michigan can continue to create new jobs in Michigan, increase the use of renewable power and lower all customer energy prices by offering a customer choice program throughout the state instead of just for 10% of businesses.
Competition has been shown to reduce energy costs and provide a more robust energy mix for customers.
Consider that Illinois has documented savings of over $75 Billion since the start of their customer choice program.
http://realgyenergyservices.com/competition-work-tune-37-billion/
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 savings. Additional information: www.realgyenergyservices.com
Link to the original article:
http://www.mlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/02/nine_coal_plants_to_be_retired.html
City of Warsaw
WARSAW, Indiana (April 17, 2015) The City of Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety (Warsaw) has issued a request-for-proposal for natural gas to service its 21 meter locations. Realgy Energy Service, a wholesaler or third party supplier in the NIPSCO Choice program, responded with a proposal that showed savings compared to the current supplier which showed an estimated savings $10,000 to 15,000 for the last year.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer Warsaw a true savings program.” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy Energy Services. “We submitted our analysis and agreement that substantiated the estimated annual savings Warsaw can expect to receive from purchasing their natural gas directly from a supplier without any NIPSCO Gas markup, which will provide significant cost reductions.”
The NIPSCO Choice program was initiated by NIPSCO as an opportunity for customers to purchase their natural gas supply directly. NIPSCO is currently the only utility in Indiana offering customer choice to all levels of customers; from residential to industrial.
Warsaw Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Christiansen was given the approval, with a stipulation, to drop the city’s current natural gas supplier, IGS Energy, formerly Border Energy, and sign a two-year contract with Realgy Energy. A study showed Warsaw has been paying IGS more than what NIPSCO would charge and a switch would save Warsaw an estimated$10,000 to $15,000 a year on gas costs. There is no cost to sign the contract with Realgy.
Lew Roberts of Go West, Realgy’s representative, recognizes the challenges faced by cities and municipalities in Indiana. We approached Warsaw with a Managed Price program. Mr. Roberts explained; “having over ten (10) years of service in the NIPSCO Choice program we were able to show consistent performance and real savings compared to NIPSCO and even more compared to IGS Energy.” Mr. Roberts continued; “Working with Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer and the board members, together they quickly understood they were overpaying with their current energy marketer and appreciated the new approach.”
Realgy Energy Services is an energy marketing serving retail customers in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. They have been serving Indiana customers since April 2003; since that time they have a perfect record (certified A+) with the Better Business Bureau; http://ct.bbb.org and no complaints before the IURC http://www.in.gov/iurc or OUCC http://www.in.gov/oucc/
Contact:
Michael Vrtis
President
Realgy Energy Services
860-233-2270
Ameren Capacity costs increase 10 fold, what does it mean?
It was big news; the wholesale energy market in Illinois received National attention …for the highest capacity costs in the Midwest (for the wrong reason)!
The wholesale price went from $16.75 per MW-day to $150; a near 10 fold increase for the coming year.
What does that mean if you are an Ameren customer:
- Everyone who takes electric service from Ameren will pay more.
- Residential customers about $150 more
- Industrial customers anywhere from $10,000 to $1,000,000 / month
- If you are an energy customer with an energy marketer
- Your costs may not go up, however watch your bill
Can you avoid this increase: YES
Realgy contracts with the power suppliers that are not covered by the Ameren bid process. Realgy’s capacity costs have not increased.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Supplier in Illinois serving COMED, Ameren and MidAmerican – Illinois.
Please contact us to discover how we can save you on your natural gas and electivity while providing award winning service: A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2015/04/22/illinois-lawmakers-question-miso-about-capacity-auction/
Chicago sending city households back to ComEd
Crain’s recently reported that after more than 1 year of charging customers MORE than COMED and the City will send them back to the utility (AFTER the summer)!
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150421/NEWS11/150429969
No one likes an “I told you so”…..so I won’t say it.
One year ago: I posted: Chicago electric bills to rise up to 18% in June
http://realgyenergyservices.com/chicago-electric-bills-rise-18-june/ which included the following:
The idea is that “aggregation” of the residents will provide the marketer the ability to deliver a lower price. If that were the case, no one could beat the utility because the question is who would be a bigger aggregator than a utility? The utility AGGREGATES everyone in the state. Yet, Realgy beats ComEd and Ameren consistently. So why can’t municipalities come in lower?
The difference is cost of service and overhead.
Municipalities require energy marketers to deliver savings compared to the utility, take on billing and collections, and pay the municipality a portion of the margin. The simple fact remains; the cost municipalities want to collect makes them higher than the utility.
Realgy continues to post savings compared to both COMED and Ameren.
To learn more about how Realgy Energy Services’ variety of programs that can help you save money on electricity, call 877-300-6747, or visit www.realgyenergyservices.com.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered energy marketer with a A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and able to save you money on your natural gas and electricity usage anywhere in Illinois.
John Deere Slowdown
FINDING SAVINGS IN QUAD CITIES AMIDST SLOW ECONOMY
Over the past several months John Deere has been forced to layoff hundreds of employees, including the most recent round of 910 from their Illinois, and Iowa facilities. This comes on the heels of relatively abundant hiring over the past few years. Although experts close to the situation feel that this news does not necessarily indicate that the company is falling behind, the Quad Cities economy is feeling the pinch.
Economic cycles bring highs and lows. During the low points, as we’re experiencing now, the affects can reach a variety of business types. The results have a ripple effect, causing loss of business to local banks, healthcare establishments, local suppliers, etc.
When the economy turns, businesses look for ways to save. For those located on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities, electric choice provides the opportunity for businesses to choose an alternative energy supplier for their electricity. This means that they are no longer locked into the rate charged by the utility. Electric choice allows direct purchasing of electricity without additional costs from MidAmerican, Ill. The result is savings for businesses.
Realgy Energy Services provides electricity savings to businesses across the Quad Cities in the MidAmerican, Illinois service area – savings of 6% for our average customer. As a result, well-known businesses, and many municipalities including, East Moline, Rock Island, Andover, Hampton, Rapids City, and Milan, among others, have chosen or are getting approval for Realgy to become their electricity provider. Electricity services are not yet available in this market for residential clients.
When it comes to offering savings for businesses, Realgy is an innovator of plans that lead to costs savings. We have programs in place that assess, in detail, the electricity usage of the marketplace. We’ve been analyzing the MidAtlantic market for over a year. We apply these learning’s to the particular usage needs of our business clients. The result is a plan designed to help businesses take advantage of the most cost effective fee structure available.
As businesses in the Quad Cities, and beyond, continue to deal with the affects of a slower economy, it can be nice to know that there are options available to help improve the bottom line. Electricity, for a large or small business, can be a significant cost factor. When these costs can be reduced businesses start to see the affect.
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 savings. Additional information; www.realgyenergyservices.com