Duke Energy proposes plan to modernize electric grid
Duke Energy’s proposal for maintaining/updating their electric grid in their franchise service area of Indiana is a great example of a regulated utility’s typically large improvement process.
First step; maintain the current system without improvement for as long as practical. This is usually cost effective in keeping rates low but comes with the cost of more frequent outages and high system maintenance costs.
Second step; offer to upgrade an outdated (in this case a century old) technology. After nearly 100 years without significant changes, you would think there would be benefits in replacing old technology. The highlighted benefits would be expected; however, note the absence of any measurable benefits.
Third step; get paid. Regardless of what benefits actually occur, Duke will be guaranteed 80% recovery of their costs (not estimates, but what they actually spend). The remaining 20% will be included in a new filing that is subject to regulatory review. The regulators could disallow recovery of this 20% if they found Duke did not spend the money prudently or that the intended benefits did not materialize.
Bottom-line, this will most likely be approved. The rates will increase and service should be improved. Correlating cost vs. benefits is always a challenge.
Indiana is an outlier in the area, as they do not have customer choice for their electric service as neighboring states do. One would hope that with consideration of a modern electric grid, a modern energy choice program would precede it. And, with a modem energy choice program, there is no rate increase.
Realgy offers electric choice in Illinois where the average savings is over 8%.
Read the full Intelligent Utility article “Duke Energy Indiana proposes plan to modernize its statewide electric grid.”
NIPSCO: Winter Temperatures Bring Higher than Projected Natural Gas Bills
NIPSCO is adding up the costs from the Winter Vortex and forecasting higher costs ahead.
Unlike Realgy, who reconciles our accounts each month, NIPSCO will accrue these costs and recover or charge for them later. This accrual method prevents price increase from occurring all at once as it spreads the increase over months.
Realgy’s service in NIPSCO has 10 years of providing consistent monthly savings, except for January and February 2014 we have been below NIPSCO every month but 2 in the last 4 years (48 months). Once NIPSCO passes through their costs our higher price will be like the winter snow; gone and your savings will come like the greening of Spring!
Happy Spring.
Read the whole NW Indiana Life article, January Temperatures Bring Higher than Projected Natural Gas Bills
In Indianapolis: Cold Weather Driving Higher Gas Usage and Higher Bills
Citizens Energy is passing through the costs for winter as they get added.
Realgy can account for gas costs by the end of each month and has passed through this winter’s costs already.
Citizens Energy like most utilities will accrue the costs associated with this winter and then pass through the total costs over time.
In the past 5 years; Realgy’s INDEX+ service was higher than Citizens Energy in just 2 months; January 2014 and February 2014. Once Citizen Energy passes through their costs due to winter; Realgy’s higher cost for those two months will disappear. Just like the snow.
Think Spring.
Read the whole Citizens article, Cold Weather Driving Higher Gas Usage and Higher Bills
Realgy Proposes $2.6 Million in Savings for Indianapolis Public Schools
PRESS RELEASE October 16, 2013 | By: Realgy, LLC
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, October 16, 2013 – Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) has issued a request for proposals for natural gas to serve its 90 schools. Realgy Energy Service, a wholesaler or third party supplier in the Citizens Gas Energy Select program responded with a proposal that would have saved the school district over $2,588,000 for the last 3 years.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer IPS nearly 3 million dollars in savings,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy Energy Service. “We submitted our proposal and even if we are not selected, the savings IPS can expect to receive from purchasing their natural gas directly from a supplier, without any Citizens Gas markup, will provide significant cost reductions.”
The Energy Select program was initiated by Citizens Gas to “reduce the energy cost of Citizens Gas customers.” This was in keeping with their charter which states; “We maintain the lowest possible rates with sound financial management.”
The Citizens Gas Energy Choice program is not well known but it provides all municipal, commercial, and industrial customers a choice between purchasing their natural gas from Citizens Gas or directly from a registered third party supplier of natural gas such as Realgy Energy Services.
In April 2009, Realgy Energy Services received approval as a third party supplier in Citizens Gas. Unlike other suppliers, Realgy Energy Services extends customer choice to commercial and small businesses.
“The benefits from receiving your gas service with Realgy Energy Services as your wholesale supplier instead of Citizens Gas has been demonstrated every month over the last 3 years,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy Energy Services. “From November 2010 through to October 2013, Realgy Energy Services has delivered nearly 16.79% savings compared to purchasing from Citizens Gas. For the average commercial customer that is an annual savings of $7,120.86.”
The bidding for natural gas service was opened October 16, 2013 with service expected to begin January 1, 2014. Additional information on the bid and the bid results can be obtained by contacting the IPS Purchasing Agent at 120 E. Walnut Street, Rm. 117 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.
Realgy Energy Services is an energy marketer serving retail customers in Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. They began serving Indiana customers in 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/
Contacts:
Michael Vrtis
President
Realgy Energy Services
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
Nicole Werner
Media Contact
Realgy Energy Services
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
Realgy Energy Services Facebook promotion leads to donation to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana
PRESS RELEASE 18 MARCH 2013 | By: Realgy, LLC
Realgy Energy Services Facebook fans chose to donate to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana
In October 2012, Realgy Energy Services ran a promotion on its Facebook page for fans to decide which charity to donate $1 for every Facebook “Like” during November and December 2012. Among the selected charities was the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which won by a landslide. “Thanks to our Facebook fans, Realgy will be donating $116 to the Food Bank of Northern Indian, a very deserving charity in our service territory,” says Michael Vrtis, President, “This promotion has not only increased our fan base by 116 likes but will also be making a difference in the lives of those that rely on the Food Bank.”
Picture courtesy of The Food Bank of Northern Indiana
The Food Bank of Northern Indiana has been feeding the hungry since 1993 and working with the community to increase awareness of the effects of hunger. “We appreciate innovative ways businesses and organizations like Realgy Energy Services help us feed the hungry in Northern Indiana,” says Marijo Martinec, Food Bank of Northern Indiana, Director of Community Impact. She added, “Thanks to all the individuals who “Liked” Realgy Energy Services on behalf of the Food Bank!” A donation of just one dollar can provide up to eight meals for those in need.
A group of people who worked for many years with large utilities, energy service companies and energy marketers came together to found Realgy Energy Services in 1999. Within these organizations they saw the limitations of the systems and software and decided they could provide a more efficient service. Today Realgy Energy Services is a retail energy marketer and wholesale energy provider in three deregulated states Michigan, Indiana and Illinois with plans to expand. Realgy has had a perfect record (certified A+) with the Better Business Bureau; http://ct.bbb.org since 2003 and has been recognized as an Inc 500 | 5000 company in 2011 and 2012. http://www.inc.com/inc5000/profile/realgy
A Big thank you to all of our Facebook Fans for helping Realgy Energy Services make this generous donation!
Storage Season is here!
The natural gas you have stored starting April 1st running through October 31st will begin to be added into your monthly natural gas usage from November 1st through March 31st.
You have probably noticed your summer bills were a little higher than normal, this is because Realgy Energy Services has been storing 20% of your natural gas annual usage at the lower summer rates, to be used during the winter months when the demand and more importantly the pricing for natural gas historically increase.
You may be asking do I have natural gas in storage, and if so how much?
If you are a customer of Realgy Energy Services and you live in Indiana or Illinois and are services by one of the following Utilities: Nicor, Nipsco, North Shore and Peoples Gas.
You most likely have natural gas in storage.
To find out how much natural gas you have in storage you can either:
Log into your account and view your account summary
Call one of our customer services representatives at (877) 300 6747
Enjoy the saving that the Realgy Energy Services Storage Program provides and have a wonderful toasty warm winter!
Realgy Energy Services Now Offering Electricity Services to All Illinois Customers
PRESS RELEASE 21 SEPTEMBER 2012 | By: Realgy, LLC
At their customers’ request Realgy Energy Services is now serving all Illinois electricity markets.
The president of Realgy, Michael Vrtis announced that the Illinois Commerce Commission has given authorization to extend service to residential customers in the Commonwealth Edison service territory. Realgy has also been approved to start serving all customers in the Ameren Illinois, MidAmerican Energy, and Mt. Carmel Public Utility. Realgy was previously authorized to service only retail commercial accounts.
“Our expansion in the ComEd residential electric market as well our entry into the Ameren, MidAmerican Energy, and Mt. Carmel Public Utility markets is the next logical step in Realgy’s plans to expand service to our customers in the Illinois market,” said Vrtis. “It’s the perfect complement to our existing Illinois gas services in the Nicor, Peoples, and North Shore markets. This expansion will give our customers a chance to save money on both their natural gas and electric. In addition, we will be expanding our Solar and Green Energy division, already established in Indiana, into the state of Illinois.”
Realgy Energy Services is an energy marketer serving retail and residential customers in Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. They have been serving Illinois customers beginning in 2004; since that time they have had a perfect record (certified A+) with the Better Business Bureau; and have been recognized as an Inc 500 company in 2011 and 2012.
Contact:
Realgy, LLC
Michael Vrtis
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
Realgy is getting ready for our next Facebook promotion and we are asking for your help!
This holiday season Realgy Energy Services will be donating $1 to a charity for every “like” we receive on our Facebook page Facebook.com/RealgyEnergyServices starting November 2012 and running through the end of December 2012.
But first we need to decide which charity we will be donating to. We would appreciate your help in picking a deserving charity in the Michigan, Indiana or Illinois area.
At present we are considering:
- The Food Bank of Northern Indiana
- March of Dimes
- Action for Healthy Kids
- Forgotten Harvest
- Gleaners Community Food Bank
Add your suggestions to our list and vote for the winner through October 25, 2012
Link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MLZBH6B
We will announce the winning charity on the Realgy Energy Services Facebook page on October 29, 2012.
No matter which charity wins we know it will be going to a good cause!
Thank you for your help!
The Realgy Energy Services Team
Link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MLZBH6B
Realgy has Exceeded the Agreements of the Small Businesses Express Program Eight Months Early
PRESS RELEASE 12 september 2012 | By: Realgy, LLC
Back in May 2012 Gov. Malloy announced Realgy Energy Services as one of five Connecticut small businesses that had qualified for assistance through the state’s Small Business Express Program (EXP).
Today the President of Realgy Energy Services Michael Vrtis has announced that the West Hartford Company successfully exceeded the requirements eight months early. “Realgy has exceeded the agreements of the Small Business Express Program,” said Vrtis, “We have hired nine new employees as of August 2012 which far exceeds the original seven outlined in the agreement.”
Excerpt from the May 2012 CT Press Release “[Realgy] will retain 13 employees, and hire 7 new positions in the areas of customer service, energy brokerage, and information technology” http://www.ct.gov/ecd/lib/ecd/press_releases/2012/small_businesses_express_program_is_helping_ct_companies.pdf
A grant of $59,500 was awarded to Realgy as part of the Small Business Express Program, combined with company funds of $309,800, to invest in employee training, computer equipment and software, marketing and contractual services.
Realgy Energy Services was founded in 1999 by individuals who worked for many years with large utilities, energy service companies and energy marketers. Within these organizations they saw the limitations of the systems and software. Today Realgy Energy Services is a retail energy marketer and wholesale energy provider in three deregulated states Michigan, Indiana and Illinois with plans to expand. Realgy has had a perfect record (certified A+) with the Better Business Bureau; since 2003 and has been recognized as an Inc 500 | 5000 company in 2011 and 2012
Contact: Realgy, LLC Michael Vrtis 675 Oakwood Avenue West Hartford, CT 860-233-2270 www.realgyenergyservices.comRealgy Energy Services is now a BP Preferred Energy Supplier
PRESS RELEASE 1 September 2012 | By: Realgy, LLC
British Petroleum (BP) will be the primary supply of Realgy Energy Services natural gas and electricity.
The president of Realgy, Michael Vrtis and the VP of Operations Doug Gugino, have announced that Realgy Energy Services has become a BP preferred supplier. This means that BP will become Realgy’s primary supplier of natural gas and electricity allowing Realgy to expand their pricing offers for existing and new customers. Entry into new markets will also be accelerated to better serve customers.
“Doug and I are very pleased to announce that Realgy has become a preferred supplier with BP,” said Vrtis “Becoming a preferred supplier to BP allows Realgy to join a very limited group. This offer was only made possible due to the work laid down in establishing Realgy, and will only be maintained by the decisions we make every day in providing service for our customers.”
BP is an international company with many subsidiaries, Realgy works closely with BP North America and BP Canada. BP is one of the world’s leading international oil and gas companies, providing fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services and petrochemical products for everyday items.
Realgy, LLC DBA Realgy Energy Services was founded in 1999 by individuals who worked for many years with large utilities, energy service companies and energy marketers. Within these organizations they saw the limitations of the systems and software. Today Realgy Energy Services is an energy supplier in three deregulated states Michigan, Indiana and Illinois with plans to expand.
Contact: Realgy, LLC Michael Vrtis 675 Oakwood Avenue West Hartford, CT 860-233-2270 www.realgyenergyservices.com