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Energy Deregulation New York Opens Doorways For New Entrepreneurs

May 7th, 2011

As entrepreneurs across the nation frequently search for new opportunities, one stands out among the rest. The latest Energy Deregulation New York of vitality in Texas, New York and Illinois has sparked opportunities for individuals to jump on the bandwagon of vitality distribution. This sort of home business has extraordinarily high potential and may make monetary independence a risk for many people.It’s essential to grasp what deregulation is so as to see the future of vitality distribution services. Deregulation is the apply of governments to facilitate environment friendly market operation via the elimination, discount or simplification of restrictions on enterprise or individuals.Presently, states have just one or two companies providing vitality services. This hinders the apply of free enterprises and often impacts pricing to consumers. Having a digital monopoly on the distribution, these companies can pretty much do no matter they want. The fact is that customers are realizing that they will quickly have a selection of power providers. This is what’s opening doorways for brand spanking new entrepreneurs to begin a profitable, actual home based business with actual potential. Not prospects of referrals or even recruiting, however actual business with real income potential. Energy Deregulation New York places all of it within your attain now. The timing is completely perfect. With all alternatives, timing is the basis if profit. Since deregulation is simply catching on throughout the nation, this chance is absolutely without a doubt time sensitive. The opportunity will dissipate as time passes so the timing is vital to get your foot within the door. The product. Electrical energy is a large business and providers of electricity earn ungodly amounts of money. In contrast to many different products out there, power is something that each particular person makes use of each day. This is the epitome of the fundamental economic law of supply and demand. Folks everywhere need energy. You provide energy. It is that easy, really. You’ll have no stock, no deliveries to make, no advanced paperwork and no customer service to contend with. What could possibly be easier for you as a business owner? No inventory means you do not want storage space or have inventory tax issues. No deliveries means you need not keep a fleet of vans, pay technicians or buy elements/supplies. No customer support means you don’t have to take care of dissatisfied customers or problems. No paperwork means you needn’t hold detailed files or records. Truly a easy home business within the clearest sense. The deregulation will carry many restrictions and laws on vitality supply companies. This is the reason it will be very simple to start out with little or no capital up front. Mix limitless income potential with low beginning capital requirements and the probabilities current themselves moderately nicely.

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Major solar farm in Mannington Township wins final aproval

April 30th, 2011

Published: Saturday, April 30, 2011, 12:40 PM Updated: Saturday, April 30, 2011, 12:44 PM
By Phil Dunn / Today’s Sunbeam

MANNINGTON TWP. — A 10-megawatt photovoltaic solar farm was granted final site plan approval here by the Mannington Township Planning Board.

The $60-million solar farm will be located on the northeast corner of Pointers-Auburn Road and Haines Neck Road. The applicant, Lincoln Renewable Energy (LRE), has named the site Cedar Solar.

In total, the project will be comprised of 128 acres.

Byron Boone, senior development director for Lincoln Renewable Energy, said of that amount, 87 acres of land will actually be developed for the solar farm. The remaining 41 acres will be preserved farmland.

The property will also be deed restricted for solar or farming use only.

The solar site is bisected into an eastern and western portion by the Horne Run stream. The eastern portion will be comprised of the preserved farmland. The western portion will hold the more than 40,000 solar panels.

The site was granted final site plan approval by the Mannington Township Planning Board on April 14.

“We are still working through the next steps to tie up loose ends,” said Boone. “We need to obtain building permits and get site plans signed off on to make sure they meet code.”

Lincoln Renewable Energy plans to begin construction of the $60-million solar farm in the later half of 2011, creating approximately 100 construction jobs for the six-month construction phase.

“The jobs will be spread out evenly along the different phases of the project,” he said.

Boone stated they are working closely with construction contractors to bring in local companies to contribute to the building of the solar site.

“Once the site is operational, the site will be managed by one or two permanent plant manger positions that are local as well,” said Boone.

Mannington Township is traditionally known for its vast farmland, much of which is either preserved or used for production agriculture.

Because the main thrust of the township’s master plan is agriculture, Mayor Don Asay has mixed feelings about solar farms. He says solar projects would be more practical if placed on rooftops.

“They should not be taking quality farm land out of production when there is an abundant amount of rooftop space,” said Asay.

He added he understands that cost plays a big role into why companies are looking to farmland instead of rooftops for solar projects.

But he praised local businesses like J.E. Berokwitz, Mannington Mills, and Goya Foods for taking the lead on putting solar to use on rooftops.

“Yes, solar brings ratables to the town and that is a positive thing, but it’s a shame the trade off is to take agricultural farmland out of production,” Asay said.

Boone said the process of approving the solar farm begin almost a year ago. He said they worked to make the project become part of the community and not a distraction.

The township had some concerns and Boone said they worked with the township to provide all the necessary site plans and use variance to address those concerns.

“This is a good project in a good place, so we are excited to take the next step,” said Boone.

Take advantage of renewable energy for you home. (CLICK HERE)

Residents pack house for electric deregulation seminar in Harleysville

March 5th, 2011

Published: Friday, March 04, 2011

By Erin DuBois
Associate Editor

State Rep. Matt Bradford, D-70, said that he never expected the amount of questions about electric choice that he’s received from his constituents.

Another surprise may have been the crowd bottlenecked at the door of Encore Experiences, Harleysville, waiting to get into the electric deregulation seminar Bradford hosted in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission Feb. 24.

Originally having told Encore staff to expect a crowd of 25 to 30, “we stretched the truth a little,” Bradford said, as attendees jockeyed for standing room at the back of the cafeteria.

“You have a choice, but you have to exercise it,” was PUC Senior Communication Specialist Shari Williams’ message.

Since PECO’s rate caps expired Dec. 31, 2010, customers are now shopping a competitive market for the generation portion of their electrical service, although PECO still provides the transmission and distribution portions as previously, according to Williams.

“Deregulation transformed PECO from a company that used to make and deliver energy, to one that now just delivers it after buying energy from other companies,” Ray Moffo, a member of PECO’s energy education team, explained.

Even if customers choose a different supplier for the generation portion, they will receive only one bill, with all three portions itemized, Williams said.

A list of all the licensed suppliers in Pennsylvania, price information, and PECO’s price-to-compare can be found on the PUC website at www.papowerswitch.com.

PECO’s price-to-compare is currently 9.92 cents per kilowatt hour, but that will change to 9.99 cents per kilowatt hour in the second quarter of 2011 beginning in April, according to Moffo. The PUC website shows customers their estimated cost savings after they plug in their usage amount and area code.

Customers will also learn if they must enter a contract term with the supplier and if there is a cancellation fee. Cancellation fees average around $100, Williams said. With PECO’s residential heating rate program and peak usage program being phased out over the next two years, customers currently in these programs should look for a separate rate-to-compare specifically for these programs on the PUC website.

PECO will not charge customers a cancellation fee for switching to a new supplier because PECO is the default supplier. PECO will also continue to read customers meters and send them their bills, no matter who their supplier is.

“PECO is still in our lives,” Williams said. “They’re never going away.”

There is no deadline for choosing a different supplier, according to Williams.

Whether customers switch to a new supplier or stay with PECO does not impact PECO’s bottom line, since the company makes money only on distribution and not on generation, Moffo said.

Nearly a dozen attendees raised their hands when asked if they had switched to a supplier other than PECO, but others questioned how they can know if the suppliers are reputable.

“We’re not letting any old Joe Schmoe come into our state to do business with our customers,” Williams said.

Companies listed on the PUC website have demonstrated a willingness to be transparent about their rates and terms of service, Bradford said.

Williams also pointed out that suppliers pay around $50 million and undergo a rigorous screening process to become licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.

Customers choosing to stay with PECO are seeing a 5 percent increase in their electric bills so far this year, or an average of $5 more per month, Moffo said.

The rate increase is PECO’s first in nearly 20 years, and is based on market pricing after 10 years of rate caps as well as increased costs to operate its system over the years, Moffo said.

Although the timing of the rate increase may seem ironic, it has nothing to do with the other changes in electric service happening currently, Williams said.

Moffo suggested a number of ways that customers can offset the rate increase by using less energy, including unplugging appliances when not in use for a savings of up to 25 percent on a customer’s electric bill.

PECO’s Smart Ideas programs offer incentives for recycling old appliances, purchasing Energy Star appliances, and allowing PECO to remotely manage customers’ air conditioning systems during periods of high demand. Information on these programs can be found at www.peco.com/SmartIdeas.

For more information:
Tony Wideman
973-230-7452
TonyWideman.com

Viridian Energy Brings Affordable Clean Energy to the Big Apple

February 27th, 2011

February 15, 2011 12:34 PM Eastern Time

Green Energy Provider to Impact the Local Environment, Enliven the Economy and Drive Demand for Greener Energy Solutions

NORWALK, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Viridian Energy, a leading provider of affordable, green retail energy, today announced the launch of its services in New York City and the surrounding area. Viridian’s NYC launch is the most recent expansion in the company’s rapid growth and development, which includes ten markets in five states in just 17 months.

Entrance into the nation’s single largest residential market represents a tremendous milestone in the company’s vision to offer high-quality, affordable renewable energy to more customers for a greater collective impact on the environment and the local economy.

“Our vision to provide individuals with a simple, affordable way to go green and drive demand for clean energy is spreading at a rapid pace. The vast majority of consumers want to support green living and the development of renewable solutions, but these options have traditionally only been available at a premium price,” said Michael Fallquist, founder and CEO of Viridian Energy. “Current market conditions and Viridian’s commitment to take a lower margin on clean energy enable us to offer attractive rates and savings to customers, all while having a significant incremental environmental impact. In short, it’s a better product at a better price.”

Viridian offers products that contain a minimum of 20% locally-sourced, renewable energy. The company also offers a 100% renewable rate plan certified by Green-e Energy, the highest standard for energy certification in the retail renewable industry, which will soon be available to Con Edison customers. Simply by switching to one of these rate plans, New Yorkers can make a significant impact in reducing their individual carbon footprints.

“It is so easy and accessible to make a real difference. The impact this city could have simply by choosing greener electricity goes beyond just their individual footprint,” said Robert McFadden, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Viridian Energy. “Retail choice and demand for green energy on a large scale can and will continue to drive the development of renewable energy.”

The New York market has been deregulated since the 1990s, allowing consumers to select a competitive supplier other than the utility. Many customers, however, are not aware that they can select an Energy Service Company, or “ESCO” as they are commonly known.

“This is an exciting time for retail electricity in New York. There have never been such attractive offers, especially an offer that combines pricing and environmental impact like Viridian,” said Gus Philemont, a New York-based independent sales associate for Viridian Energy. “Viridian is a driving force behind the demand and market for clean, renewable energy and we are excited to engage with customers in New York who want to be part of this collective effort to green the grid.”

The new market rollout, which includes service to the Con Edison utility territory in and around New York City, marks the company’s first entrance into New York State. For more detail on Viridian Energy, its mission and the markets it serves, please visit www.Viridian.com.

About Viridian Energy

Viridian Energy is a retail energy supplier that provides greener electricity at an affordable price. Viridian empowers its customers to make significant collective impact through simple individual choice.

Tony Wideman
973-230-7452
TonyWideman.com

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February 27th, 2011

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VIDEO: East Norriton meeting informs residents how to shop for an electric supplier

February 25th, 2011

Published: Friday, February 25, 2011

EAST NORRITON – More than 100 senior citizens and residents Thursday night jammed into the East Norriton township building to learn how they can shop for an electric supplier and save money now that rate caps have expired in the Peco Energy service territory.

State Rep. Matt Bradford, D-70th Dist., and East Norriton Assistant Township Manager Larry Brown brought extra chairs from the board room to help seat the overflow crowd.

“I realize we are a little bit a victim of our own success,” Bradford said. “(PUC) Commissioner Wayne Gardner said we will be able to hold another informational session.”

Gardner said consumers should shop for the best electric rate from 22 suppliers listed on the www.papowerswitch.com Web site.

“Peco does not care who your electric supplier is. They are an infrastructure company,” Gardner said. “They will deliver whatever supplier you choose. Today, 170,000 (Peco) residential customers have chosen alternative suppliers.”

“I’m going to buy the cheapest electricity that I can,” he said. “You don’t get a better quality electron by spending 20 percent more.”

Several residents who have all-electric heat asked whether they should shop for a supplier now or wait. Gardner said that because Peco is offering a two-year transition off a subsidized rate for RH customers, they should wait to shop until 2013.

Suzanne Ryan, a Peco external affairs manager, said the rate cap expiration had included an increase in the distribution charge of about 5 percent. Peco’s rate increase went to improved technology and infrastructure, she said.

“Deregulation did work. It did protect our customers from price changes,” she said. “Generation makes up 65 to 75 percent of the electric bill. Distribution and transmission makes up the rest of the bill.”

“We are encouraging customers to shop for a supplier,” Ryan said.

Learn more about Energy Choice. Visit: http://tonywideman.com

Trustee questions LIPA rate increase

February 25th, 2011

The McClatchy Company  02/25/2011 2:37 AM ET

Feb. 25–The 1.9 percent LIPA rate increase had already been approved in its 2011 budget — all that remained was for trustees to approve a change in LIPA bylaws to make it official.

That’s when trustee Neal Lewis raised what turned out to be a controversial question.

At a regular monthly meeting of trustees Thursday, Lewis asked LIPA vice president Bruce Germano whether LIPA intentionally kept the increase to under 2.5 percent to avoid an automatic rate review by the state Public Service Commission, required in LIPA’s rules.

The issue is significant because Long Island lawmakers have long pushed bills seeking PSC review of LIPA rates.

Germano responded, “No,” indicating that the PSC trigger had not been considered.

But LIPA chief operating officer Michael Hervey quickly clarified LIPA had “an eye on that 2.5 percent,” but did not keep the rate increase lower because of it. In fact, he noted, LIPA under-collects on its delivery charge. If it collected all its costs, he said, the charge would average $15 rather than the $8.25 it was recently increased to (from a prior $5.37).

After the vote, LIPA chairman Howard Steinberg said that in his 12 years on the board, he has never known any LIPA employee to act with anything but “complete integrity.”

Lewis, a supporter of PSC review of LIPA rates, later expressed surprise at Steinberg’s statement. “I felt it was a very heavy-handed attempt to chill trustee discussion of a PSC review,” said Lewis, who was the single trustee to vote against the 1.9 percent increase.

Trustee Gemma de Leon, who noted the increase represented a 60 percent jump in the fixed portion of the delivery charge, abstained.

The increase, which takes effect next week, passed.

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13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill

February 18th, 2011

Beating the heat this summer is an expensive proposition as temperatures soar into the triple digits in some parts of the U.S.

Cities along the East Coast endured record-setting highs Tuesday, with more than half a dozen topping temperatures not seen since 1999, according to Accuweather.com. (Baltimore topped 105 degrees, compared with 101 in 1999; and Warwick, R.I., hit 103, up from 97 in 1999.) Power demand during the heat wave is also expected to hit record highs, with many utilities warning of brownouts and blackouts.

Here’s how to stay cool and keep electricity bills reasonable:

Fine-Tune Your Equipment

Arrange an HVAC inspection. Anyone can hire a certified technician for an annual check that their home’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system is operating at peak efficiency. Leaking ducts, for example, could reduce energy efficiency by up to 20%, says Ronnie Kweller, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy. Inspections usually cost $50 to $100, but that could be offset by the energy savings over time.

Shop for size. Consumers in the market for a new room or window air conditioner should use Energy Star guidelines to determine how powerful a unit they need. A too-powerful unit not only wastes energy, it’s also less effective at reducing humidity.

Keep it clean. Clean air filters monthly for central air and individual window or wall units. Dirt and dust hinder air flow, reducing efficiency.

Program the thermostat. Give the air conditioner a break during the work day. Shifting the settings to allow higher daytime temperatures could cut the average household’s electric bill by $180 a year, according to Energy Star.

Seek out incentives on appliances. Investing in a new energy-efficient unit can cut long-term bills — and be cheaper upfront, too. Through the end of 2010, qualifying central air conditioners are eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% of the cost, including installation, up to a total of $1,500 for all projects. Plenty of states also still have rebates available under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A Maine resident, for example, can get $100 back on a qualifying central air conditioner, while Georgia offers $30 for room units and $99 on central units. Check for other government and utility deals in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

Hunt Down Heat Sources

Seal up the house. Cooled air can leak through cracks along window and door frames. Invest in some caulk and weather-stripping to plug up these drafts. A home that’s properly insulated and sealed improves energy efficiency by up to 20% year-round, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. (Insulation materials are also eligible for the 30% energy efficiency federal tax credit, up to $1,500 for all improvements combined.)

Avoid chores. The hotter the space, the harder an air conditioner must work to keep things cool. Limit the use of heat-generating appliances such as the oven, dishwasher and clothes dryer during the daytime hours when temperatures are hottest, says Steve Rosenstock, manager of energy solutions for the Edison Electric Institute, an industry group. “That just makes more of a load for your air conditioner,” he says.

Change light bulbs. Swapping incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents can cut a home electric bill, Kweller says. Switching one incandescent for a CFL saves $35 in energy costs over the projected 10-year life of the bulb. Not only do CFLs use less energy than conventional bulbs, but they also generate less heat.

Close the blinds. Rooms get hotter without shades or curtains to block the sunlight, especially with south- and west-facing windows. Put this idea to work more effectively with insulated window treatments.

Use fans. A breeze makes the room feel a few degrees cooler. Just be sure to turn it off when leaving. “Fans cool people, not rooms,” Kweller says.

Unplug. Gadgets like a cellphone charger or microwave suck energy — and generate heat — as long as they’re attached to a power source. Standby power for appliances not in use typically accounts for 5% to 10% of residential electricity use, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Plug those devices into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use.

Assess Utility Suppliers

Check alternate suppliers. Residents of states where the electric industry is deregulated can shop around for their energy provider, says Rosenstock. Depending on the options, some residents could save 5% to 15% a month. Many alternative companies use renewable energy, so they’re much less dependent on volatile oil, coal and natural gas prices. Most will also fix billing rates for a year or more — a bonus if energy prices creep up. The state’s public service commission should keep a list of options. Just be aware that most providers require a commitment of at least a year and charge a hefty fee for ducking out early, Rosenstock says.

Consider time-of-use plans. A growing number of electric companies are offering so-called time-of-use plans, which offer lower rates for energy consumption during off-peak hours (usually from midevening to early morning). The catch is that users often pay more for peak-hours use, so consider the daily schedule before signing up. Arizona-based SRP, for example, regularly charges 10.64 to 12.12 cents per kilowatt hour during July and August, based on the amount used in a billing period. On the time-of-use plan, it charges a flat 21.30 cents for on-peak hours (1 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays) and 6.65 cents during the rest of the day, on weekends and holidays.

Fix the bill. Ask the utility company about fixed-bill plans, which charge the same amount every month for a set period, regardless of electricity use. Users pay a premium rate per kilowatt hour to hedge against price increases and seasonal spikes, so make sure to crunch the numbers to confirm the savings, Kweller says. Also, keep in mind that these plans periodically reconcile, which can leave users with a big bill if they’ve used more than the supplier anticipated. Check with the utility to see if it alerts customers using more power than they anticipated and whether users can pay extra as they go.

This story was updated from a piece that originally ran July 22, 2009.

For even more important information CLICK HERE


Maryland Moves on Offshore Wind

February 16th, 2011
By Jeff Siegel | February 16th, 2011

very year, thousands of high school graduates in the state of Maryland race to Ocean City after graduation day. They call it Beach Week, and it’s been a tradition for decades.

When I graduated from high school, I didn’t go.

To be honest, I was never really a fan of Ocean City, so I flew to San Diego after graduation, then drove down to Mexico with a friend of mine.

I have no doubt my week-long adventure through the Baja Peninsula trumped anything I could’ve experienced in Ocean City…

But a lot has changed since then.

My days of tequila-soaked debauchery and Hunter S. Thompson illusions are over, and I actually want to go Ocean City these days.

But not to wander the boardwalk or watch the seagulls feast on junk food leftovers deposited by gaggles of gluttonous beach-goers and drunken teenagers…

No, I want to go to Ocean City because that’s going to be the site of Maryland’s first offshore wind development. And I want to watch the whole thing unfold.

Did somebody say jobs?

If Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley is successful, his state may soon become home to a massive offshore wind farm — one that could end up generating up to 600 megawatts, or enough to power nearly 100,000 homes.

This would satisfy between 10% and 15% of Maryland’s renewable portfolio standard of 20 percent clean energy by 2022.

Under his newly proposed Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act, the state’s four utilities will be required to sign fixed-price contracts of at least 20 years with offshore wind developers.

It is expected the wind farm will cost Maryland ratepayers an additional $1.60 a month.

Certainly some are firing off about the increase. Maryland Senate Minority Leader Nancy Jacobs had asked, “What happened to competition?”

Ironically, Jacobs represents a Maryland county that’s home to the Conowingo Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Perryman Power Plant — the latter operating four oil-fired combustion turbines. Both of these power plants have long operated with the assistance of very generous government support.

Regardless, I don’t imagine it’ll take long for Jacobs or any other potential opponent to come around. Because at the end of the day, this offshore wind deal will be a huge job creator.

Based on DOE estimates, the development of Maryland’s offshore wind resources could generate 2,000 construction jobs over five years and 400 long-term jobs in turbine maintenance.

And rest assured, the lure of fat contracts has got some mighty big players sniffing around offshore possibilities in Maryland… and up and down the East Coast.

Staking an early claim

Just last week, Gamesa (PK: GCTAF) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) launched the Offshore Wind Technology Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

If you’re not familiar, Gamesa is one of the largest wind turbine suppliers on the planet, boasting more than 20,000 megawatts of installed wind turbines in 30 different countries. The company is aggressive as hell, and is looking to capitalize on new offshore wind development off the East Coast of the United States.

Recently, reps from Northrop Grumman said they were getting into the wind turbine business because this could create a new market for the company’s shipbuilding arm.

And we know for a fact that Gamesa and Northrop are now on track to test two 5 MW wind turbines in the Atlantic Ocean in Q4 of 2012. Those will actually be constructed along the Outer Banks.

Essentially, from New Jersey to as far south as North Carolina, the U.S. government and state governments are looking to build an offshore wind corridor that will not only bolster clean, domestic power generation… but help create jobs and generate revenue for local economies.

Here’s what the Department of Interior currently has listed as areas under consideration:

Connecting the dots

Also worth noting is that back in October, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced it would be investing in a new offshore wind power grid that will serve as the transmission backbone for a string of offshore wind farms along the East Coast.

Dubbed the Atlantic Wind Connection, it will be located about 10 miles offshore, stretch 350 miles from New Jersey to Virginia, and connect 6,000 megawatts of capacity — enough to power about 2 million homes.

Google has partnered with Trans-Elect, Good Energies, and Marubeni Corporation to construct the project.

Click here to learn how Green Energy can work for you.

Here is a copy of a letter from my Power Company?

February 6th, 2011

My power company (PSE&G) will sill read my meter, do repairs and deliver power to my home. I just took 5mins to choose a power generation company and I will save money every month. Nothing will change. My power company (PSE&G) will still send me a bill but it will just be less. Learn more and get started saving.

Why pay more?

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