Laura Schepis

November 10, 2021

High Prices Threaten Solar Growth

Although some might not have noticed in the midst of Covid-19, 2020 saw some of the lowest solar panel prices ever witnessed. Utilities responded, resulting in record-breaking installations this past year. However, like most other in-demand products, the cost of solar panels has skyrocketed during the pandemic. How will the […]
November 4, 2021

Winter Energy Supply Crunch Highlights Coal’s Importance

Natural gas shortages have wreaked havoc on global energy prices in recent weeks. While the U.S. has mostly been shielded from the kinds of skyrocketing prices that Europe and Asia have faced, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects energy costs to rise significantly this winter. Power grid operators are responding […]
October 28, 2021

The Twin Challenges of Increased Electrification

The American Coal Council published Energy Fairness Executive Director Paul Griffin’s article on the Twin Challenges of Electrification in their most recent edition of American Coal magazine. The original piece can be viewed here.  Politically speaking, California and Texas couldn’t be more different. Republicans control all levers of power at the […]
October 26, 2021

Winter is Coming. Get Out Your Wallet

The economic fallout in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic is continuing to squeeze U.S. families. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) issued a dire warning this past week: Expect to spend more heating your homes this winter. The EIA says the average family will spend 30-50% more on heating […]
October 18, 2021

If Texas Officials Want to Beef Up Electric Reliability, Just Look at Alabama

There is nothing more important for power customers than ensuring that electricity is available through all conditions, including extreme winter weather. Events such as Winter Storm Uri last February remind us of the need to adequately prepare for all circumstances that stress our power production capabilities. Texas regulators are now […]
October 15, 2021

Biden Administration Approves Major Offshore Wind Sites, Storage Still needed

Yesterday the Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, announced a push for major off-shore wind expansion off nearly every coastline of the U.S. continental coast. The announcement comes on the heels of the Administration’s approval of the Vineyard Wind Project off the coasts of Nantucket and Martha Vineyard. In May, […]
October 13, 2021

Nuclear Energy Finds Growing Support

Will nuclear energy ever have a level playing field with other carbon-free resources? It finally seems to be a possibility. And recent actions by lawmakers at the federal and state level protecting this valuable carbon-free energy resource have only reinforced this sentiment. Energy Fairness has emphatically supported nuclear energy for […]
October 7, 2021

Automakers Optimistic On EVs

Over the past few months, car sales have plummeted, with supply chain disruptions a significant factor in the sharp decrease. As a result, automakers have been forced to idle plants as they scramble for supplies, which in turn has delayed deliveries of new vehicles. Yet, optimism in the auto industry […]
October 5, 2021

Record northwest heatwave illustrated need for Goldendale project

ICYMI:  The Bend Bulletin of Central Oregon recently published an op-ed from Energy Fairness Executive Director Paul Griffin regarding the importance of pumped hydropower storage and the Goldendale Energy Storage Project in meeting the needs of an affordable, reliable and resilient energy economy.   Click here to be redirected to the […]
October 1, 2021

Energy Secretary calls for resilient grid 

In a recent op-ed for CNN, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said it’s time for Congress to make the necessary investment to ensure the resiliency of the electric grid.  After catastrophic weather events like the recent devastation wrought by Hurricane Ida or the destruction witnessed by so many Texans after Winter […]
September 23, 2021

UK, Germany Face Energy Squeeze

Natural gas prices in Europe are soaring. Consumers across the continent are feeling the pain with no relief in sight. What happened? A perfect storm of factors has contributed to rising prices. Global energy demand is on the rise as the global economy emerges from Covid-19 related shutdowns. The thirst […]
September 17, 2021

Biden Administration Will Go Big On Solar. But Is It Realistic?

Last week, the Biden Administration announced that solar energy would supply 45% of U.S. electricity by 2050. It’s a highly ambitious goal, considering that solar currently provides only about 3% of current U.S. electricity production. So the question arises, just how will we get there? Solar energy installations will have […]
April 25, 2018

Community Solar for All

PACE supports “all of the above” energy policies, even though the phrase itself has fallen out of fashion in some circles. All of the above, in case we haven’t always been clear, includes renewable energy. One of the most important renewable sources is community solar. The price is right, compared […]
April 24, 2018

A Rising Tide of Questions About Deregulation

As a long-time and loyal UGA fan, I don’t usually make tide references. But the image occurred to me after reading up on some state developments concerning deregulated electricity markets. State leaders and citizens are increasingly asking questions about whether or not deregulation is all it’s cracked up to be, […]
April 20, 2018

Springtime in D.C. – Cold, Sunny, Chance of Hearings and Orders

PACE got a taste of warm weather, sunshine and BBQ last week, visiting with Cobb EMC, a progressive urban/suburban electric cooperative just outside Atlanta that serves over 200,000 meters. Cobb’s board and leadership team are responding adeptly to consumer demand for renewable energy by making significant investments in utility-scale solar. PACE […]
April 18, 2018

Fired up to Do Good with LIHEAP

PACE is always seeking new avenues and alliances that will strengthen our ongoing mission of highlighting consumers’ interests in reliable and affordable energy. We’ve made a lot of new friends this past year. However, we are particularly excited about a new relationship with the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition […]
April 10, 2018

Views from a Visit with APGA

Last week, I was honored to be invited to address the American Public Gas Association’s annual marketing conference. Millions of consumers across the country receive natural gas service from community-owned distribution utilities. Over 150 attendees spent three days examining trends affecting how customers view and use natural gas in their […]
April 4, 2018

Hedging Protects More than Just Energy

Brian Munzlinger is a member of the Missouri State Senate, representing District 18. He recently introduced a resolution, which is advancing in the Missouri Senate, to educate consumers and fellow lawmakers about the benefits of allowing utilities to hedge fuel inputs. His April 2 op-ed in the Hannibal Courier-Post appears […]