There are different types of supply pricing options for electric customers, and many times each of the various suppliers have their own unique pricing systems.  However, there are common factors in every electric price.  In order to fully comprehend electric pricing, whether it be from a utility or an alternate supplier, you need to understand...Continue Reading

Almost immediately after releasing last week’s blog regarding slamming, we were made aware of a recent scam affecting customers that are served by Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. (RG&E) and New York State Electric & Gas Corp. (NYSEG). Customers are being warned about scammers claiming they represent the utility and who say they are calling...Continue Reading

In the energy industry, slamming is a term used when an individual gathers enough information about a customer to enroll them with a supplier without consent and most times, little or no knowledge by the customer of this happening. Many times customers don’t find out they’ve been slammed until they get a bill from a...Continue Reading

FirstEnergy Solutions (FES), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., announced Tuesday that it will be exiting the electric retail market for mass market and mid-sized commercial and industrial customers.  FES will serve their existing customers through their contract terms but will eliminate any selling or renewal efforts to mid-C&I and mass markets.  “[W]e intend to exit...Continue Reading

Among other places, you may notice the mention of the natural gas injection or inventory “storage reports” if you receive our emails, or read the Energy News Flashes or Power New Energy Updates. Each Thursday (except for weeks that include Federal holidays) around 10:30 a.m. the Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report is posted on the U.S Energy Information...Continue Reading

What is the Block Bidding Program? The Block Bidding Program is a sealed-bid auction that was established by NYSEG and RG&E utilities to help New York State reach their goal of reducing energy by 15% by 2015.  NYSEG and RG&E purchase “blocks” of electricity savings – reduced electric usage – from commercial, industrial and municipal...Continue Reading

What Is ReCharge New York (“RNY”)? Statewide economic development power program for qualified businesses and not-for-profit corporations. The program is designed to retain and create jobs through allocations of low-cost power. This replaces the Power For Jobs Program. Who Is Eligible? Many businesses and non-profit organizations are eligible however, there are certain entities that do not qualify....Continue Reading

As you may be well aware, solar has become a very hot topic. It may be surprising to learn however that only about 15-20% of electric customers are actually able to access solar energy on their own. Various factors such as physical characteristics of a home or business, consumers who lack ownership of the property,...Continue Reading

Improved technologies, tax credits, Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), and Renewable Energy Certificates/Credits (RECs) have all helped to increase and encourage the use of renewable energy sources over the years.  In 2013, according to the EIA, 13% of electricity produced in the United States was generated by renewable energy sources.  Hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass are...Continue Reading

The vocabulary used to reference individuals who provide services in the energy industry many times can be confused with one another.  The terms energy broker, energy consultant and energy management company many times are used interchangeably and can sometimes be misinterpreted as the entity that supplies the energy. However, typically this company is responsible for...Continue Reading

f you’ve been watching the FIFA World Cup games in Brazil you may have noticed prominently displayed PV solar panels on stadium roofs and in parking lots.  Solar energy will play an important role in the World Cup games as the majority of stadiums are powered by this clean energy source.  According to Joseph F....Continue Reading

In 2010, commercial buildings consumed roughly 20 percent of all energy in the U.S. In response to this alarming number, the Better Buildings Challenge was introduced by President Obama in December 2011, as an added component of the Better Buildings Initiative launched earlier that year. With the introduction of the Better Buildings Challenge, President Obama hoped to...Continue Reading

Don’t think you’re alone if you feel that glossy look come over your eyes when people start discussing BCFs or BTUs and how your LDC relates to your ISO or RTO. The energy industry is constantly changing and advancing so it comes as no surprise that this industry jargon can feel overwhelming at times.  Deregulation...Continue Reading

There has been a lot of buzz in the energy world over the past few years regarding renewable energy choices.  At the height of this discussion is solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) technology.  As the price of solar panels decline, solar technology is becoming increasingly popular for businesses looking to stabilize their energy costs as...Continue Reading

The heat is being turned up. And for the future of coal power in America, not in a good way!  Growing competition from cheaper, cleaner alternatives combined with stricter regulations imposed by government and environmental agencies is making it more difficult for coal-fired facilities to survive. Such regulations have recently led several power producers to...Continue Reading

This past March, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) launched an online advocacy group called the United Shale Advocates (USA).  The group’s mission is to encourage individuals in favor of natural gas exploration and drilling in the Marcellus Shale to come together and have their viewpoint heard. United Shale Advocates provides a means for those who have...Continue Reading

ate last week the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) recognized a new capacity pricing zone called the Lower Hudson Valley capacity zone (LHV).  The Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved this new capacity pricing zone which includes the NYISO Load Zones G, H, I, and J.  Capacity is a cost component included in the overall...Continue Reading

What is a demand response program? With increased pressure on the grid especially during peak times, reducing energy use is becoming more and more important.  One way system operators and utilities are urging companies to aid in this needed relief is through participation in a demand response program.  Demand response programs assist with balancing the...Continue Reading

A few months back, we wrote a blog post warning of energy scammers and tactics they may use. We were recently informed by some of our customers of the most recent scam they have been personally affected by. Below we have given a description of a specific situation so that other customers may learn from...Continue Reading