Newsletter
3.31.2011
Steven Chu Announces that US Saves More Energy than Consumed
Important Milestone
Illustrates Commitment to Energy Efficiency
This past week, in celebration of Earth Hour, United States Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that we are now saving more energy than we Read more>>
2.3.2011
Demand Response 2011
ComEd Rolls out CLR
What’s Best for You?
With January of each new year comes the roll out of ComEd’s demand response program – Rider CLR. Although the basic Read more>>
1.4.2011
Holiday Gift for Food Pantries
Client Savings top $160K
Environmental Benefits Stay in the Chicago Area
Each year, to celebrate the season, we give holiday presents to associates and friends. In the Read more>>
11.12.2010
Is Tenaska’s Taylorville Energy Center Good for Illinois?
Recently I was asked to evaluate the effect of the proposed Taylorville Energy Center (TEC) facility on electricity prices for non-utility purchasers of electricity in Illinois. Some of you may know of this project as Read more>>
11.3.2010
Trick or CFL - 2010 Halloween Results
Who’s Not Benefitting from CFL Programs
Five years ago I started handing out Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) to parents of the children who come to our door on Halloween. In exchange for a “treat Read more>>
9.10.2010
Hourly Pricing’s been Good, but is it Time to Switch?
A Story in Pictures
Last July (2009), I wrote a newsletter about hourly electricity pricing and how it had been a good idea to be on hourly pricing the previous year. With the economy in the tank, prices for both Read more>>
7.26.2010
CFLs Revisited
As we strive to move toward a greener, more energy-efficient world, people are looking for the best ways to save money and reduce our impact on the environment. Technologies abound that will reduce energy consumption – but there Read more>>
6.8.2010
BP’s Gulf Blowout – An Engineering Failure?
As crude oil continues to flow into the warm, fertile waters of the Gulf of Mexico, BP is trying new methods to reduce the flow of oil until one of two relief wells is completed. Like everyone else, BP is discovering that working Read more>>
4.1.2010
FERC Renames Off-Peak
Heads to Hill for Tax Incentives
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has decreed that the term “off-peak” will officially be changed to “Smart” as of today. This change not only Read more>>
3.22.2010
DePaul’s Carbon Footprint
More than an Accounting Exercise
This month we completed a carbon footprint study for DePaul University. When the project was originally envisioned, it was thought that it was going to be a straightforward Read more>>
2.8.2010
Demand Response 2010
For the past several years, soon after the holidays are over, there is a mad rush to make a decision regarding demand response programs. After PJM fine-tunes the rules and establishes the process Read more>>
1.5.2010
Energy Outlook 2010
In getting a handle on where energy markets are headed for the coming year, we must first revisit the happenings of 2009. Like most years, 2009 energy prices exhibited great volatility. Over the Read more>>
12.7.2009
DOE Announces Smart Grid Winners
Unfortunately American Public is Not Among the Winners
Last month DOE released information on the winning Smart Grid proposals. Out of 400 or so projects competing for the $3.4 Read more>>
9.30.2009
There’s More Than One Route to a Carbonless Economy
The True Cost of Wind Energy
With the Climate Conference in Copenhagen coming up in December, there is great effort to get world leaders lined up to do something of substance for the environment in reducing green house Read more>>
8.24.2009
CFTC Considers Reining in Energy Speculators (or Manipulators)
How Does This Affect You?
Over the past month or so news has leaked out that several firms are being investigated for causing the run up in crude and natural gas prices last summer. In response to these investigations, the Read more>>
7.13.2009
A Subscriber on Hourly Electricity Pricing Seeks Advice
Is ComEd’s Hourly Rate the Best Deal?
Knowing When to Switch to Fixed Price Contract is Key
As the outlook for the economy in the near-term continues to look questionable, energy prices continue to sag. Read more>>
7.13.2009
Update - ComEd Business Incentives
Recent conversations with the group coordinating ComEd’s Business Incentives program revealed that they have received applications for only half of the $16 million funds available this year. That means that there is Read more>>
6.26.2009
ComEd Rebate/Incentive Season Opens
Filing Pre-Application is Recommended
Move Quickly – or Wait Till Next Year
As of June 1st, ComEd (and DECO for municipalities) started the second year of re-distributing rate-payer money for Read more>>