Exelon, politics and Illinois’ low-carbon future
This article offers excellent insight into how policy (politics) influences energy and energy costs.
Government is the only entity that can impose priorities on energy. That is, without environmental laws, energy production would be governed by cost and perhaps by convenience.
So when the Government (state or federal) imposes or doesn’t impose a tax or subsidizes an energy utility, it’s important.
Illinois has a history of supporting coal with tax advantages which historically has provided jobs and low energy costs; however, both have declined and could decline further due to carbon emissions and nuclear power.
Illinois has halted its support of renewable energy (created from wind, solar or water) with tax advantages. When they have supported renewables, it has favored larger utility scale renewables over smaller installations.
This article shows how two large corporations are presenting their case for economic assistance from the State of Illinois. Which one do you think deserves assistance?
In the interest of full disclosure, let me say that Realgy has built and operates four solar photovoltaic power plants in Illinois. Realgy received State and Federal tax subsidiaries and would not have done so without them.
Read the full Renewablesbiz article, “Exelon, politics and Illinois’ low-carbon future”
Realgy Energy Services and Lake Line Deliveries completes installation of first solar power project
PRESS RELEASE 27 DECEMBER 2011 | BY: REALGY, LLC
Lake Line Deliveries’ central warehouse is now powered by 37.5 kW of solar energy.
Realgy, LLC today announced the completion of a 37.5 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for Lake Line Deliveries, a privately held moving and storage company serving the moving needs for Illinois and Wisconsin for 25 years.
The solar PV system was installed on the roof of the main warehouse of Lake Line Deliveries located in Evanston, Illinois. “The roof wasn’t being used but to keep us dry” laughed Mr. Jay Collier, President of Lake Line Deliveries. “The addition of the solar panels will generate clean solar energy enough to satisfy most of our annual electricity requirements. It’s really exciting to see the roof area is really exciting and builds on our sustainable commitment.”
The solar PV system was installed by Renewable Energy Alternatives of Northbrook, Illinois. This is the first solar project that Renewable Energy Alternatives has completed for Lake Line Deliveries. “Lake Line’s warehouse with a flat roof and southern exposure was a great building to install solar PV system,” said Bernie Schmidt, President of Renewable Energy.
“Adding solar to the warehouse 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 the solar PV system. Realgy supplies Lake Line Deliveries 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.
“We are excited to announce the completion of the Lake Line Deliveries solar PV project,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy. “Realgy made this investment as a trial and looks forward to Illinois promoting renewable energy so that we can continue to install and provide the benefits of renewable energy to businesses in Illinois.”
The Lake Line Deliveries system will produce over 48, 907 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 U.S. homes every year. The environmental benefits associated with the system will offset about 900 thousand pounds of carbon dioxide over the initial 25 years of operation.