Welcome to Our New Blog!

May

16

2012

Funding Energy Efficiency Projects Can Be Easy

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energy efficiency    Funding Energy Efficiency Projects Can Be EasyMany businesses and organizations that are interested in energy efficiency may find it challenging to finance projects that could help them better manage their energy costs. The challenges are very real, internal barriers, lack of specialized knowledge and confidence in available option as well as economic pressures, can make it difficult to meet mandates and make an impact.

An article recently published on sustainableplant.com titled “The Energy Performance Contract: It’s Better Than Doing Nothing” made some interesting points about how Energy Performance Contracts, which require…
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May

15

2012

Tenaska’s Taylorville Energy Center To Be Voted On Tomorrow

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At 10 a.m. tomorrow, May 16, we will face a critical moment in our fight against Tenaska’s Taylorville Energy Center project when it comes up for a vote before the Illinois House Public Utilities Committee.  That’s why today it’s more important than ever for customers who want to avoid being saddled with the costs of an unnecessary and costly power plant to tell their legislators that they oppose Nebraska-based Tenaska’s plan.

In anticipation of that vote, the Chicago Tribune issued an editorial yesterday and affirmed our view about what it would mean for businesses and families in…
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May

14

2012

What Are Some Challenges for Electricity Markets Today?

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The benefits of competitive markets may vary, but one thing is clear. There isn’t a “one size fits all” approach to developing a sustainable competitive energy market.

This became even more apparent throughout the enriching conversations among  academic, business, and government participants at the 2012 Northwestern Workshop on Challenges for Electricity Markets held at Northwestern University earlier this month. Different perspectives were shared about the impact of renewable sources on electricity market design, policies and structures that support  a robust competitive energy market , and prospects for enhanced demand response that accompanies a next-generation…
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May

11

2012

Uncertainty in Europe May Impact Energy Market

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Anti-austerity parties in Greece gained power this past weekend.  The two mainstream political parties that had been critical in drafting agreements with other European nations have lost their combined majority and will need coalition from a third party to form a government.

This election is a direct rejection of current plans to reign in the debt crisis in Europe by imposing strong austerity measures to control the unmanageable deficit.  A third party necessary to have a majority coalition will be one with a pro-growth platform.  The pro-growth belief relies on government spending to stimulate economic growth and thus lift…
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May

4

2012

Department of Interior Releases Draft Rule for New Fracking Guidelines

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Today, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar released a draft rule requiring natural gas and oil companies that drill on public or Native American lands to comply with new procedures.   These rules are intended to increase the transparency of the fluids used in “fracking” process as well as ensure adequate protection of ground water supplies from contamination just below the well head casing.…
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