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Archive for July, 2011

Debt Crisis: A Historical Perspective of What May Happen if the Government Runs Out of Money

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There are two very contrasting views of what might happen if the Congress and the President do not come to an agreement by the August 2nd debt deadline. One faction believes that nothing of major consequence will occur once we hit this self created deadline, that the markets will be pushed around by speculators but we will very quickly go back to business as usual. They say the main concern of the economic world is that we come out of this with a strong plan to balance our budget. Another larger and louder group is calling for economic Armageddon. They…
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The Future of Demand Response

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Demand response is a resource that allows electric customers to voluntarily reduce their electricity usage in response to a price signal, financial incentive, environmental concern or reliability emergency. By lowering usage at these times, customers are able to help lower wholesale energy prices and possibly prevent rolling black-outs by offsetting the incremental amount of electricity needed to meet increased demand during high load periods. It is a tariff or program that was designed to motivate changes in electricity use by end-use customers that can help modify the load profile of a utility or region. 

Common methods of…
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Energy Management Tips for Commercial Property Owners

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Commercial property owners may find it challenging to determine what energy management benchmarking tool to use as well as ways to reduce energy consumption per square-foot to remain more competitive. These issues along with other sustainability and efficiency topics were the focus of the 2011 BOMA International Convention and The Every Building Show last month.

During the convention, Allen Kenney, managing editor of REIT.com, stopped me to ask a couple of questions about energy procurement and energy management alternatives for commercial property owners. To find out more…
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Hot Weather Heating Up Energy Costs for Your Business?

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High temperatures spike up the need for air conditioning and pushes prices higher.

This week’s 95-110 degree heat combined with high humidity throughout the central U.S., extending to the mid-Atlantic, presents a challenge. For some parts of the country, it’s the hottest week in over five years.  This drives significant electricity demand – mostly related to air conditioning – and also pushes prices higher.  But while it creates a challenge for the power grid, it also presents an opportunity for many businesses and institutions…
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Natural Gas Gains on Extreme Near-Term Heat

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NYMEX natural gas futures are on track to end the week sharply higher as markets reacted in anticipation of what may be a record heat wave in the eastern U.S. that could push power demand above levels seen during last summer’s extreme heat.

July 20-24; Source: NOAA

A ridge of high pressure is expected to build over the Midwest this weekend, bringing several days of heat and humidity to the middle one-third of the nation. Forecasts are for temperatures to climb into the upper 90s…
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A Growing Challenge for Businesses in Michigan

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Michigan's energy market continues to impact businesses throughout the state, including Grand Rapids (shown here).

For businesses and organizations in Michigan that are trying to grow and succeed it has become very challenging to compete in today’s recovering economy when a legislative hurdle blocks most businesses from developing a strategy to manage their energy costs, the third largest cost impact on their operational performance.

Under the state’s current electricity monopoly market structure, electricity rates have increased by more than 20 percent since 2008…
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