Josh Kessler, Author at Environment + Energy Leader

FERC Ruling: PJM Can Retain 2,000 MW of Reserve Capacity

February 25, 2015 by Josh Kessler

On December 24, 2014, PJM made two filings with FERC to address its resource adequacy issues for 2015/2016 (dockets ER15-738-000 and ER15-739-000). On February 20, FERC ruled on both filings. It accepted PJM’s request to retain 2,000 MW of generation for delivery in 2015/2016. However, it rejected the tariff proposal ... Read more »

Elevated Northeast Energy Prices

February 25, 2015 by Josh Kessler

Last week, we reported on soaring natural gas and electric prices across the Northeast. Spot market prices remained at elevated levels over the past week as a cold air mass settled over the Northeast and Midwest. Highlights: New York: Natural gas prices fluctuated between $17.00 and $35.37 per MBtu, while ... Read more »

Directory of Energy Shopping Websites

February 18, 2015 by Josh Kessler

Last week, we featured an article on Shopping for Retail Energy, which explained the concept of shopping websites. These sites help customers to identify local suppliers and in some cases to compare prices directly on the website. The table below provides a directory of shopping website URLs for each state that allows retail electric or gas competition – ... Read more »

Spot Market Prices Jump across the Northeast

February 18, 2015 by Josh Kessler

Spot market prices for natural gas and electricity soared this week in the Northeast as a result of winter weather. With average temperatures in the 20s across much of the country and constrained gas supplies, natural gas prices spiked throughout the week as heating needs increased. In turn, this caused ... Read more »

NY Demand Response Signup

February 18, 2015 by Josh Kessler

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) updated its list of demand response providers on February 9. With the snow piling up and average temperatures in the 20s, it may seem like an odd time for New Yorkers to think about air conditioning and peak summertime demand, but energy services ... Read more »

Michigan to See Power Capacity Shortfall

February 18, 2015 by Josh Kessler

DTE Energy’s CEO Gerard Anderson expressed concerns last week about a shortfall in Michigan’s power generation capacity during the company’s fourth quarter earnings call. While discussing the implications of the EPA Clean Power Plan, Anderson stated that his company and Consumers Energy, the state’s two largest electric utilities, are building ... Read more »

Five Tips for Energy Buyers

February 18, 2015 by Josh Kessler

Nate Kessman, Vice President of Great Eastern Energy in New York, posted an article on Facility Executive with five tips for energy managers (originally framed as five mistakes to avoid): Be a facility manager, not just an energy manager. – Think holistically about your energy strategy and the details of ... Read more »

Exelon Believes Aggressive Retail Competition Will Continue

February 18, 2015 by Josh Kessler

Exelon stated in its recent 10-K filing that “The market experienced high price volatility in the first quarter of 2014 which contributed to bankruptcies and consolidations within the industry during the year. However, forward natural gas and power prices are expected to remain low and thus we expect retail competitors ... Read more »

Ohio Retail Customers Could Be Forced to Subsidize Utilities

February 18, 2015 by Josh Kessler

Ohio utility FirstEnergy has petitioned the Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to guarantee sales from four of its aging nuclear and coal-based power plants, according to Midwestern Energy News. This would allow the company to bypass the normal rules governing auctions in a competitive energy market. Because the contracts would ... Read more »

New Retail Supplier Roundup

February 18, 2015 by Josh Kessler

A number of new retail suppliers have become licensed or offered new products in the past week. These include but are not limited to: District of Columbia – Agera Energy was licensed to operate as both a gas and energy supplier in the District of Columbia, serving all customer classes. ... Read more »

Welcome to Retail Energy Buyer

February 11, 2015 by Josh Kessler

What is retail energy? Traditionally, consumers had only one option for purchasing their electricity and natural gas: the local utility company. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) allowed states to restructure or “deregulate” their energy markets. Deregulation allows customers to negotiate directly with gas and ... Read more »

EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook – February

February 11, 2015 by Josh Kessler

DOE’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) updated its monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook on February 10. The STEO contains price and consumption data on electricity, natural gas, and other commodities. The next update will be completed March 10. Weather Impacts Average U.S. heating degree days decreased 10 percent compared with last January. Based on current weather forecasts, ... Read more »

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