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Archive for January, 2011

More Small to Mid-Sized Companies in Michigan are Choosing Competitive Natural Gas Supply

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Small to medium-sized business customers spanning all industries in the Greater Grand Rapids (shown above) have been able to benefit by natural gas choice for nearly a decade.

To say that Michigan’s natural gas choice program has grown in popularity would probably be an understatement. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) recently announced that the number of gas choice customers in Michigan has reached an all-time high since the gas choice program became available to customers about a decade ago…
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Rising Global Commodities and U.S. Energy Markets

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U.S. power markets will be affected by rising global commodity prices in 2011. Europe and Asia continue to show signs of inflation driven by improving economic growth. The European Central Bank (ECB) warned this week about possible interest rate hikes to deal with potential inflationary pressure. The Eurostat, the European Union’s (EU) statistical office, reported that the EU had exceeded its 2% interest rate target for the first time in two years. Germany and France are both driving the recovery in Europe, with record increases in new orders in January.  China’s inflation rate reached 4.6% in December of 2010, which…
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The Future Of Carbon in California

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On January 13, the Air Resources Board (ARB) approved regulations associated with the implementation of the law AB 32 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.  The plan is to institute a cap and trade program that targets sources that are responsible for 85% of the carbon emissions in the state.  The plan is to start with the major sources in 2012, such as utilities and large industrials, and gradually include transportation fuels by 2015.  The program will create the largest carbon trading market in the U.S and the second largest in the world, with over 2.7…
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Nonprofit Customers: Apply to Receive an EcoStar Grant from Constellation Energy

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Constellation Energy is accepting applications for its annual EcoStar Grants program, which provides qualifying nonprofit organizations with funds to implement environmental stewardship projects. The awards will be up to $5,000. In 2010, Constellation awarded 62 EcoStar grants in 14 states where Constellation Energy does business for community-based projects focused on pollution prevention, education and outreach, energy efficiency, conservation and community activism.

“We look forward to building on the success of the EcoStar Grant program, which has provided funding for a wide range of environmental stewardship projects that demonstrate our commitment to the organizations making a difference in our communities,” Paul…
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New 1.25 MW Solar Installations to Promote Clean Energy & Savings for Taxpayers in Maryland

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The 750 kW on-site solar installation at the Anne Arundel County Combined Support Service Complex building shown above is expected to begin producing electricity this spring.

Terrific developments are taking place in Maryland! Coppin State University in Baltimore and Anne Arundel County’s Combined Support Service Complex building in Millersville are both developing and constructing on-site solar installations. Coppin State’s 500 kW solar installation and Anne Arundel County’s 750 kW project are both scheduled to begin producing electricity in spring 2011.

Both organizations will purchase the…
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Will the Decline in Gas-Only Horizontal Rigs Lead to Tighter Gas Supplies in 2011?

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“Drilling activity remains high. Crude pricing is strong, and margins are good. Growth in the rig count has slowed due to the continued shift away from dry gas toward more oil-directed drilling, natural gas formations rich in associated oil or natural-gas liquids. The liquid-rich Permian basin and Eagle Ford shale areas in South Texas are booming.” Dallas Federal Reserve Beige Book – Jan 11
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