This week’s guest blog is by Mark Justice, Director of Education and Community Relations at Cobb EMC. Mark provides leadership for member education, public relations, and public and media information. Cobb EMC, a not-for-profit electric cooperative, serves a large, diverse population in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. Their efforts to educate students and schools about energy are making a difference and are worth duplicating across the country.
Each school year brings opportunities to help young people learn about the energy sector. Students, elementary to college, are interested in electricity and related energy topics. What could be better than to have them
During hot summer months when many households rely on air conditioning to stay cool, energy suppliers across the Southeast are prepared to help low-income customers in need of assistance coping with energy bills. This summer, it’s been really hot across America. As part of the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition’s August LIHEAP action month campaign, we’re spotlighting the Southeast region’s growing need for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP is a federally-funded block grant program, heralding from the early days of the Reagan Administration. Grants are made to states, tribes and territories to
Last night, Energy Fairness joined a community event in Georgetown, Texas, asking whether the city is really powered by 100 percent renewable electricity? Over 100 citizens turned out for a 90-minute panel discussion and robust Q & A session, convened by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and also featuring:
Honorable Charles McConnell, Executive Director of Rice University’s Energy and Environment Initiative. Bill Peacock, Vice President of Research at Texas Public Policy Foundation. Kevin Roberts, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Georgetown is a charming city north of Austin with a diverse population, thriving businesses and a
This week, Energy Fairness presented energy policy updates to the American Coal Council and conducted a workshop for state leaders at the American Legislative Exchange Council’s annual meeting.
You can see some of the content and ideas we shared here. Download the presentation PDF.
Top Takeaways:
Renewable energy plays a valuable role in the nation’s generation mix. But when renewable energy flows into the wholesale market at prices below zero, the generation mix is distorted over the long haul. There really is no such thing as “free electricity.”
Like many people, I love free stuff. Tote bags and coffee go-cups top my list of free energy conference swag. So, I can understand why renewable energy enthusiasts enjoy discussing “negative pricing” and the benefits for consumers’ electricity bills. Some trumpet “free electricity” in a manner that calls to mind cell phone advertising.
However,
Many eyes are on Texas this summer. Some are watching the Houston Astros to see if a repeat of the 2017 season is possible; currently they are leading the American League West by 6 games and occupy the number 2 spot in USA Today’s Power Rankings. I cannot report similar good news for the Atlanta Braves, although hope springs eternal.
However, those lucky enough to have a professional or avocational (yes, that is a word) connection to the energy industry are collecting a different set of stats by following the state’s roller coaster of summer peak temperatures and power prices.
Today’s PACE Blog is an abridged version of a PACE column published yesterday by Morning Consult.
When it comes to ensuring a resilient energy grid capable of serving American customers no matter what comes our way, there are few things more vital than safeguarding the security of our energy and electricity delivery systems.
Despite cybersecurity being front and center across the energy and electricity value chain for years, the Department of Energy (DOE) recently asserted that pipeline operators in the U.S. are not adequately prepared for cyber-attacks and that natural gas pipelines specifically are “increasingly vulnerable to cyber- and physical
This week, we continue our conversation with hedging expert Andy Whitesitt. Over two decades, and as a senior executive with ACES, he’s helped dozens of utilities smooth cost curves and mitigate risk. Hedging helps consumers across the country every day.
What’s the difference between financial hedging and physical hedging?
Financial hedging is locking in only the price risk by utilizing either a futures contract or a swap. After locking in the price, the utility still must go out and procure the natural gas needed to run the generation unit.
Physical hedging is a purchase of physical gas to be
Recently, Energy Fairness asked Andy Whitesitt, Vice President of Business Development & Customer Service at ACES, to talk with us about hedging basics.
We hope the following Q & A interview will help you understand how utility hedging programs work to remove some worry about future costs. Next week, we’ll follow up with some additional insights about this common business practice many utilities routinely deploy to protect consumers.
Can you provide a 101 explanation of hedging?
Hedging is simply locking in the price of a commodity in order to reduce the risks of potential impacts. When electric utilities use
Energy Fairness is on the road again, enjoying 110 degree highs in Phoenix. Back in D.C., energy debates are heating up the Beltway atmosphere, but we also found some bright spots to share.
The Senate is working on appropriations bills, but partisan divides mean that many “riders” aimed at rolling back rules and programs set in motion by the Obama Administration aren’t viable this year. For example, language that would halt the unpopular and sweeping “Waters of the U.S.” rule won’t be included.
With Energy Fairness now formally a part of the National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC)
|
|
