EarlyBird News

National Grid has filed its new rates with Mass Dept of Public Utilities.  This rate filing is important in evaluating the value of contracting electricity in the state of Massachusetts.  While this summer, the rates were unusually low, fixed price contracts can benefit customers again.  The following rates were filed: NEMA: G-2 and G-3 Fixed […]

ATLANTA, Ga., (November 1, 2011) – The Georgia Public Service Commission today took the first step towards incentivizing the construction of a network of Compressed Natural Gas fueling stations around the state. The Commission adopted by a vote of 4-1 a revised plan that allows Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGLC) to use $11.57 million from […]

U.S. Renewables.  Led by conventional hydropower, the total supply of renewables is projected to grow about 14 percent from 2010 to 2011.  EIA expects total renewable energy supply to remain flat in 2012 as the decline in hydropower offsets growth in other renewable energy supply. Because of high levels of precipitation in regions such as […]

This weeks storage poll is for week ending 9/9 and reported by EIA on 9/15. Observations:Tropical storm Lee shut-in effects will be reflected in this weeks report. Total weekly supply was lower by about 12.8 bcf due to the storm. Destin pipeline outage further reduced supply.Demand from power generation fell as heat over texas and the south […]

Electricity U.S. Electricity Consumption.  Although cumulative cooling degree-days for 2011 through August for the entire United States were just 2.8 percent higher than the same period in 2010, some regions experienced extreme weather during the past few months.  Record heat in Texas has led to record-setting power demand while Hurricane Irene recently caused widespread power […]

Natural-gas futures settled at their lowest level since April on Wednesday as weak economic data led to negative sentiment among traders who now wait for Thursday’s inventory data for more direction. Natural gas for September delivery settled down 6.5 cents, or 1.6%, at $4.090 per million British thermal units on the New York Mercantile Exchange. […]

A month ago, Pennsylvania regulators held a hearing on the state’s competitive electric market, because so few residents are switching providers. For advice, they turned to Texas, inviting a top regulator along with some industry executives. Barry Smitherman, chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission, gave the opening address. Jim Burke, CEO of TXU Energy, […]

Germany’s decision to shut down Terawatts of low carbon electricity in the middle of Europe was a political move to appease the green party but is likely to increase overall carbon use. Germany’s move will result in about 400 million tons of extra carbon emissions by 2020, as the country relies more on fossil fuels. Nor is […]

Gas demand is showing unexpected signs of growth, and longer-term prices face more upside risk. Gas demand from power is poised to climb 15% by 2016 to 22.9 Bcf/d, led by coal-to-gas switching, coal plant retirements and gas-fired capacity additions. Demand from the residential, commercial, exports, transportation and other sectors also is rising. Mexican exports […]