Peoples Gas is spending billions to replace miles of aging pipe below Chicago by 2040. But will natural gas be obsolete before it’s complete?
In 2011, Peoples Gas began to replace 2,000 miles of pipelines below Chicago. Originally estimated to take 20 years and cost $2.6 billion, it is now projected to continue until 2040 and cost $7.7 billion. Interruptions have occurred due to “budget overruns, delays and charges of mismanagement”.
Many believe the project should be reviewed. By the time of completion, both gas and electric are anticipated to be very different from the systems we have now. Replacements are necessary to lower leaks and halt possible explosions as some pipes date back to the 1800s. However, costs have been passed along to customers. While Peoples has tried to keep those amounts down and minimize disruption in each neighborhood, consumers worry about paying their bills.
The Citizens Utility Board believes the focus should be on more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient alternatives such as electric-powered heat pumps. They want Peoples and the ICC to target and repair problem areas while pursuing their renewable energy goals.
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.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-peoples-gas-pipeline-replacement-renewable-energy-20201222-i6er5w2abjeazg34ywajhfvg7q-story.html
Fight Robo-Scams
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) advocates for Illinois’ citizens. They fight utility rate hikes, promote environmentally friendly programs, and keep their consumers informed. Last month, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul released a statement denouncing a robocall that told residents if they vote by mail, their information will be shared with various organizations.
CUB created a guide full of information on how to reduce calls from scammers and what not to do when you receive these calls. This is updated to warn you of the most recent scams people have encountered. For example: voting misinformation, government imposters, electric rip offs, bogus COVID-19 tests, and more. You can order a free copy or a printer- friendly version here which offers tips on avoiding scams that would rob you financially and/or of your rights.
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.citizensutilityboard.org/
How Duke’s Unique Energy Landscape Dictates Its Path to Net Zero
Based in North Carolina, Duke Energy’s customer usage is double in comparison to other areas around the country since most rely highly on electric appliances for both cooling and heating. Duke must be able to compensate enough energy for peaks of high loads throughout both winter and summer.
Some unique circumstances must be overcome if they continue planning to reach 50% carbon reduction by 2030. Options are limited, costly, and will require years of planning and building. Solar generation is weak due to low output during winter when there have been weeks on end of only 20% yield. Wind farms aren’t as reliable in the Southeast unless locations are offshore. However, Duke’s major load centers are inland. They would need to invest in transmission lines plus battery installations. Plans are already in motion to upgrade their pumped hydro storage as they are the most reliable long-duration storage system. This will ensure long term needs are met and will help Duke’s journey to reducing carbon.
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.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/how-duke-energys-southeastern-service-territory-dictates-its-path-to-zero-carbon
Illinois is protecting Utility customers from disruption during pandemic
The Illinois Commerce Commission has passed a COVID-19 protection response for Illinois Utility customers.
The relief is intended to protect consumers from loss of utilities during the pandemic.
Relief is available in the following areas:
- Disconnection
- Waiving Deposits
- Payment Plan
- Bill pay assistance
The assistance has the following limits:
Please contact your Utility to apply. Documentation will be required.
To find your utility’s contact, look at your bill or you can find it here: https://realgyenergyservices.com/customer-services/web-links/#1551681878726-b1861abf-f0df
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.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200618_COVIDconsumerprotections.pdf
The True Impact Of COVID-19 On Natural Gas Demand
2020 has seen a record decline in natural gas usage. Covid-19 hit directly after a warmer winter in the northern hemisphere. Both factors created the largest shock in the history of natural gas global markets and severely impacted the industry. Demand is expected to drop by 4% year on year and all regions with major markets will be hit; losing about 75% of consumption this year. Markets are adjusting supply and trade resulting in high volatility. Future developments will have a lasting impact from this pandemic and we will see more uncertainties come to light as the year progresses.
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://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-True-Impact-Of-COVID-19-On-Natural-Gas-Demand.html
Peoples Gas blows away record with first-quarter profit growth
What happens when a public utility gets approval from politicians to spend money? They do it, a lot of it. The result is record profits for public utilities.
Peoples Gas’ net income increased over 20% to $81.3 million. This was at a time when gas deliveries were down. They moved less gas to consumers.
So, how do you make more money and move less gas?
Through surcharges. Politicians approved costs that DO NOT have to be reviewed and approved by the Illinois Utility Regulatory Commission. These surcharges were approved in 2013 as a way to expedite repairs. However, Peoples has utilized this law to increase charges while maximizing revenue. Peoples’ parent company WEC Energy boosted its dividend payment by 7% this year.
Illinois legislators should review this law and amend it so rate payers do NOT continue to enrich corporations, which in-turn enriches politicians.
Insight into Peoples’ massive gas project can be reviewed: https://realgyenergyservices.com/state-orders-new-probe-of-massive-peoples-gas-project/
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.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2020/06/10/peoples-blows-away-record-with-first-quarter-profit-growth-2/
Looking Back
As we prepare to ring in the new year, most are looking back on an incredible year of innovations and historical moments. Events such as these do not occur without hard work, inspiration, and dedication. Look back at the last year and relish the ups and downs, the hurdles and accomplishments; whether minor or grand, know that 2019 set the precedence for our future. And it sure is looking bright.
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://realgyenergyservices.com/illinois-100-clean-energy-bill/
https://realgyenergyservices.com/midwest-groundcovers-completes-addition-to-solar-power-project/
https://realgyenergyservices.com/transforming-energy-education-in-the-digital-age/
https://realgyenergyservices.com/wind-energy-supplies-nearly-7-of-us-electric-demand/
https://realgyenergyservices.com/powerhouse-building-produces-more-energy-than-it-needs/
Love Michigan Clean Energy Plan
Consumers Energy unveiled a “Love Michigan” tour to introduce their Clean Energy Plan. Their focus is on meeting the state’s electricity demands with 90% clean energy resources by 2040 while reducing carbon emissions and eliminating coal. They will be encouraging every resident and business to participate in various programs designed to save energy and money. Optimization of new technologies geared towards these goals will be put in place to rely more on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
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.mlive.com/news/2019/08/clean-energy-plan-is-consumers-energys-commitment-to-people-planet-prosperity.html
More renewable energy options available under Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage
Duke Energy has expanded renewable energy choices for their large energy users. Through the Green Source Advantage (GSA) program, customers can choose their renewable supplier and negotiate preferred price terms and contract length. They will take applicants until the 600 MW capacity is fully subscribed. Partial capacity is set aside for military installations and University of North Carolina institutions. Duke has been investing in renewable energy and increasing solar energy awareness for all customers “to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves”.
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://finance.yahoo.com/news/more-renewable-energy-options-available-122900991.html
Realgy Settlement with IAG
PRESS RELEASE
Realgy Settlement with IAG
20 AUGUST 2019 | BY: REALGY, LLC
Realgy Energy Services recently settled an investigation with the Illinois Attorney General (IAG) over allegations of non-compliance with consumer protection laws.
The IAG investigation stemmed from a TV report and a unique Realgy offer; Guaranteed Savings below the utility. Realgy is the only energy marketer in Illinois that guarantees its energy rate will be below the utility. The investigation covered 7 years, the entire time Realgy Energy Services provided service to residential customers in Illinois.
The result, Realgy provided savings per below:
| Utility | Savings | Energy Savings ($) |
| NICOR, Peoples and North Shore | Yes | Over $300,000 |
| Ameren | Yes | Over $400,000 |
| ComEd | Yes | Over $110,000 |
Michael Vrtis of Realgy Energy Services stated, “The investigation looked at our energy costs paid by the customer compared to what the customer would’ve paid for the utility’s cost each month during the 7 years we served residential customers. Customer savings resulted from the fact that Realgy’s energy costs were on average less than the utility.”
So, Realgy saved Illinois customers money.
However, Realgy reached a settlement with the IAG to refund $181,000 to ComEd customers. Again, Michael Vrtis, “Yes, even though our energy costs were less during this time, we had a high turnover of customers. The resulting early termination fees paid by these customers when added to the savings brought the total costs to ComEd customers above the utility.”
Realgy acknowledged the IAG findings in agreeing to the refund as its goal is to provide savings as compared to the utility costs. “The IAG conducted a fair review of Realgy’s practices and we agreed to the refund and to changes already made to our sales practices like eliminating door to door enrollments and monitoring our sales agents more closely,” stated Michael Vrtis. The IAG assembled a list of transgressions they uncovered during their investigation of many other energy marketers. The list was included in the settlement even though Realgy was already in compliance with them.
Realgy reported that the bulk of the refunded amount of $100,704.06 will go to 1,871 existing customers and the remainder to clients that were served by Realgy between January 2012 and January 2019. The average refund is $36.60.
Realgy, LLC
Michael Vrtis, President
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
