Speakers join White House officials, industry leaders, government officials and renowned economists scheduled to address the world’s premier energy conference March 8-12 in Houston
CNN Political Analyst, David Gergen and Washington Post Associate Editor and columnist, David Ignatius will join the impressive list of speakers at CERAWeek 2010, March 8-12 at the Hilton Americas – Houston. Gergen and Ignatius will deliver dinner keynote remarks on Wednesday, March 11. They will address the outlook for American politics in an election year and international political risks.
Gergen is a senior political analyst for CNN. He previously served as an advisor to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton. He is the director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and serves as editor-at-large for U.S. News & World Report.
Ignatius is an associate editor and columnist for the Washington Post, covering global politics, economics, and international affairs. He previously served as editor of the International Herald Tribune and as the Washington Post’s assistant managing editor in charge of business news. He is the author of several novels including Body of Lies, which was recently adapted as a major motion picture.
CERAWeek, now in its 29th year, is recognized as a leading forum offering insight into the energy future. Chaired by IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates (IHS CERA) Chairman and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Prize, Daniel Yergin, CERAWeek 2010 Energy: Building the New Future will convene an international group of industry, policy and financial leaders—along with leading researchers from IHS CERA—to discuss the central energy challenges and opportunities.
Other Featured Speakers at CERAWeek 2010 include:
Hon. Steven Chu, secretary of energy, U.S. Department of Energy
Khalid Al-Falih, president and CEO, Saudi Aramco
Hamad Rashid Al-Mohannadi, managing director and CEO, RasGas Company Limited
Nariman Behravesh, chief economist, IHS
Brandon Bethards, CEO, Babcock & Wilcox
Philippe Boisseau, president, gas and power, TOTAL
Jean-Francois Cirelli, vice chairman and president, GdF SUEZ
Theodore F. Craver, Jr., chairman, president and CEO, Edison International
Peter Darbee, Chairman, president and chief executive officer, PG&E Corporation
José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo, CEO, Petrobras
Andy Inglis, chief executive, exploration and production, BP
Philippe Joubert, executive vice president, Alstom, president of Alstom Power
Andrew Liveris, chairman and chief executive officer, Dow Chemical Company
Helge Lund, president and chief executive officer, Statoil
Alexander Medvedev, deputy chairman and general director of Gazprom Export, Gazprom
Mike Morris, Chairman, president and CEO, American Electric Power Company Inc.
James Mulva, Chairman, president and CEO, ConocoPhilips
Richard Newell, administrator, US Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Kjell Pederson, CEO, Petoro AS
Raghuram Rajan, Eric J. Gleacher Distinguished Service Professor of Finance, University of Chicago
Ken Rogoff, professor of economics, Harvard University
Paolo Scaroni, CEO, ENI Group
Nobuo Tanaka executive director, International Energy Agency (IEA)
Tom Walters, president gas and power marketing, ExxonMobil
Key CERAWeek 2010 themes include:
Demand: Has the “Great Recession” caused a fundamental shift in energy demand?
Future Investment in the Industry: What will be the short-term and long-term impacts of the economic slowdown on the energy industry?
Economics: What is the future of the global economy?
Future Fuel Mix: How will climate change, the economy, new technologies and new supply impact interfuel competition and technology choice?
Climate Change: How will climate change legislation affect future investment and prices around the globe?
Geopolitics: How will geopolitical forces impact energy prices and investment decisions?
Company Strategy: In the midst of such political and economic uncertainty, which strategies are the most resilient to future shocks?
Game Changers: What innovations will be the game changers in the new energy future? The electric car? Unconventional natural gas?
A complete agenda, speaker updates and registration information are available at www.ceraweek.com
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Cooper Lighting Products Recognized in Next Generation Luminaires Solid-State Lighting Design Competition
(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cooper Lighting, a division of Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) has announced that four of its products have been recognized for excellence by the Next Generation Luminaires™ (NGL) Solid-State Lighting Design Competition. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and the International Association of Lighting Designers, the second annual NGL competition was created to recognize and promote excellence in the design of energy-efficient LED commercial lighting luminaires. Cooper Lighting’s four awarded products were chosen as winners in four different categories of lighting for both indoor and outdoor environments, showing diversity of the vast company offering of LED products.
“We invest heavily in product development across all of our portfolio of quality brands and these awards validate our commitment to providing sustainable, energy-efficient LED solutions for our customers.”
The products that have been “recognized,” meaning the products are recommended for specification, include Cooper Lighting’s Halo Stasis LED track lighting luminaires, the Halo LED 900 recessed downlight series, the Invue LED Entri wall-mount luminaires, and the Streetworks OVH LED Cobrahead roadway luminaire.
“We are extremely honored to have our products recognized for superior design, performance and reliability,” says Neil Schrimsher, President, Cooper Lighting. “We invest heavily in product development across all of our portfolio of quality brands and these awards validate our commitment to providing sustainable, energy-efficient LED solutions for our customers.”
Earning praise in the accent lighting category, the Halo Stasis LED luminaire is a track-mounted accent fixture, available in two sizes (Small and Medium), three optical distributions (Spot, Narrow Flood and Flood) and two color temperatures (3000K and 4000K). Providing excellent color quality (85 CRI), the Small luminaire consumes only 8 watts with an equivalent intensity of a 50W PAR halogen lamp and the Medium fixture consumes 18 watts, providing the intensity of the 120W PAR halogen or 39W CMH lamp.
Recognized in the recessed downlighting category, the Halo LED 900 series is a new addition to the Halo LED 6" aperture high lumen downlight offering that delivers in the range of 511-945 lumens (depending on the trim and selected color temperature) yielding smooth beam distribution with excellent cutoff. Designed for new construction (with the LED housing Series H750x) or retrofit applications into compatible incandescent housings (using the Edison screw base adapter included), the Halo LED 900 series offers comparable light output and distribution of a 75W PAR30 or PAR38 halogen lamp, or a 26W compact fluorescent luminaire, while consuming less than 15 watts. In addition, the new Halo LED 900 series offers several models that achieve ENERGY STAR® qualification.
The Invue Entri LED was recognized in the wall-mount area lighting category. The state-of-the-art LED luminaire features architectural appeal in a compact form. Designers are offered vast versatility in function and performance through downward illumination, upward illumination or a combination of both, in addition to energy saving bi-level switching capabilities and egress solutions using LED battery packs. There is a choice of eight optical distributions and two lumen outputs. Entri’s design offers effortless quick-mounting capabilities, toolless access, and sustainable design features that allow field replacement of the LightBAR™ and driver system.
Chosen in the street/roadway lighting fixtures category, the OVH LED area luminaire offers a choice of 15 optical patterns and four lumen outputs and is designed for area, walkway, and roadway applications. The 27"L x 13"W x 7"H housing is heavy‐duty, die‐cast aluminum. The entire LED assembly, individual LightBAR™ optical modules, and the driver can be replaced in the field. No tools are required for access. Cooper also offers this product in the Lumark and Streetworks brand portfolios.
Twelve judges independently evaluated 126 products by assessing their lighted performance and appearance, construction, and photometric data with special attention focused on serviceability/replacement issues. Forty-three commercial LED products were chosen as “recognized” winners and four were honored as “best in class.” The winning products were announced and awarded at a ceremony at the Strategies in Light conference in Santa Clara, California held on February 11, 2010.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
“We invest heavily in product development across all of our portfolio of quality brands and these awards validate our commitment to providing sustainable, energy-efficient LED solutions for our customers.”
The products that have been “recognized,” meaning the products are recommended for specification, include Cooper Lighting’s Halo Stasis LED track lighting luminaires, the Halo LED 900 recessed downlight series, the Invue LED Entri wall-mount luminaires, and the Streetworks OVH LED Cobrahead roadway luminaire.
“We are extremely honored to have our products recognized for superior design, performance and reliability,” says Neil Schrimsher, President, Cooper Lighting. “We invest heavily in product development across all of our portfolio of quality brands and these awards validate our commitment to providing sustainable, energy-efficient LED solutions for our customers.”
Earning praise in the accent lighting category, the Halo Stasis LED luminaire is a track-mounted accent fixture, available in two sizes (Small and Medium), three optical distributions (Spot, Narrow Flood and Flood) and two color temperatures (3000K and 4000K). Providing excellent color quality (85 CRI), the Small luminaire consumes only 8 watts with an equivalent intensity of a 50W PAR halogen lamp and the Medium fixture consumes 18 watts, providing the intensity of the 120W PAR halogen or 39W CMH lamp.
Recognized in the recessed downlighting category, the Halo LED 900 series is a new addition to the Halo LED 6" aperture high lumen downlight offering that delivers in the range of 511-945 lumens (depending on the trim and selected color temperature) yielding smooth beam distribution with excellent cutoff. Designed for new construction (with the LED housing Series H750x) or retrofit applications into compatible incandescent housings (using the Edison screw base adapter included), the Halo LED 900 series offers comparable light output and distribution of a 75W PAR30 or PAR38 halogen lamp, or a 26W compact fluorescent luminaire, while consuming less than 15 watts. In addition, the new Halo LED 900 series offers several models that achieve ENERGY STAR® qualification.
The Invue Entri LED was recognized in the wall-mount area lighting category. The state-of-the-art LED luminaire features architectural appeal in a compact form. Designers are offered vast versatility in function and performance through downward illumination, upward illumination or a combination of both, in addition to energy saving bi-level switching capabilities and egress solutions using LED battery packs. There is a choice of eight optical distributions and two lumen outputs. Entri’s design offers effortless quick-mounting capabilities, toolless access, and sustainable design features that allow field replacement of the LightBAR™ and driver system.
Chosen in the street/roadway lighting fixtures category, the OVH LED area luminaire offers a choice of 15 optical patterns and four lumen outputs and is designed for area, walkway, and roadway applications. The 27"L x 13"W x 7"H housing is heavy‐duty, die‐cast aluminum. The entire LED assembly, individual LightBAR™ optical modules, and the driver can be replaced in the field. No tools are required for access. Cooper also offers this product in the Lumark and Streetworks brand portfolios.
Twelve judges independently evaluated 126 products by assessing their lighted performance and appearance, construction, and photometric data with special attention focused on serviceability/replacement issues. Forty-three commercial LED products were chosen as “recognized” winners and four were honored as “best in class.” The winning products were announced and awarded at a ceremony at the Strategies in Light conference in Santa Clara, California held on February 11, 2010.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Southern Company Receives DOE Support for Nation's First Nuclear Units in 30 Years
/PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has offered its subsidiary Georgia Power a conditional commitment for loan guarantees for the construction of the nation's first nuclear power units in more than 30 years, a move designed to help spur a renaissance in America's nuclear industry.
"We are honored by the administration's confidence in our ability to build the nation's first new nuclear power plant in more than three decades," said Southern Company CEO David Ratcliffe, following an event at which President Obama and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the award. "It's an important endorsement in the role nuclear power must play in diversifying our nation's energy mix and helping to curb greenhouse gas emissions."
President Obama and Secretary Chu announced the commitment for the loan guarantees at a news conference held at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 in Lanham, Md. Ratcliffe was joined at the event by Georgia Power CEO Mike Garrett, Southern Company COO Tom Fanning, Southern Nuclear CEO Jim Miller and Southern Company Executive Vice President Chris Womack.
The new units will be located at Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Ga., where the company already owns and operates two nuclear units. The conditional commitment is for loan guarantees that would apply to future borrowings related to the construction of Vogtle units 3 and 4.
Total guaranteed borrowings would not exceed 70 percent of the company's eligible projected costs, or approximately $3.4 billion, and are expected to be funded by the Federal Financing Bank. Any guaranteed borrowings would be full recourse to Georgia Power and secured by a first priority lien on the company's 45.7 percent ownership interest in the two new units.
Ratcliffe added that loan guarantees would serve as a catalyst to accelerate the construction of new nuclear plants and other clean energy sources while adding jobs and aiding the economy. The additions of units 3 and 4 are expected to produce approximately 3,500 jobs during construction and an additional 800 permanent jobs once the units begin operation.
Georgia Power has 90 days to accept the conditional commitment, including obtaining any necessary regulatory approvals. The company will work with the DOE to finalize the loan guarantees. Final approval and issuance of the loan guarantees are subject to receipt of the Combined Operating License (COL) from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), completion of final agreements, the receipt of any other required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other conditions. The company received an early site permit from the NRC for the two additional units in 2009, and preliminary site work has begun.
Along with Georgia Power's portion of the two 1,100-megawatt reactors, the remaining ownership is split among Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power) and Dalton Utilities. Total cost of the new units is currently projected to be approximately $14 billion. Georgia Power's share is currently projected at approximately $6.1 billion, which includes approximately $1.7 billion of financing costs to be collected during construction.
Units 3 and 4 are expected to begin commercial operation in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company, will oversee the construction as well as operate the two new units for Georgia Power and the other owners. Southern Nuclear currently operates Plant Vogtle's two existing nuclear power units as well as Georgia Power's Plant Hatch nuclear facility near Baxley, Ga., and Alabama Power's Plant Farley nuclear facility near Dothan, Ala.
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.
With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices below the national average. Southern Company is consistently listed among the top U.S. electric service providers in customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at www.southerncompany.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the conditional commitment and DOE loan guarantees, estimated cost savings from DOE loan guarantees, and projected costs of construction and in service dates for Vogtle units 3 and 4. Southern Company and Georgia Power caution that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Southern Company and Georgia Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K of Southern Company and Georgia Power for the year ended December 31, 2008, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: timely receipt of necessary regulatory approvals related to the Plant Vogtle expansion, including Georgia Public Service Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvals; interest rate fluctuations and financial market conditions, including the credit ratings of Southern Company and Georgia Power; satisfaction of all conditions to the final issuance and approval of DOE loan guarantees, including negotiation of final agreements, continuing due diligence by DOE and receipt of any required regulatory approvals; and the ability to control costs and avoid delays in the construction of Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4, including risks related to shortages and inconsistent quality of equipment, materials and labor, work stoppages, contractor or supplier non-performance under construction or other agreements, adverse weather conditions, unforeseen engineering problems, changes in project design or scope, environmental and geological conditions, and unanticipated cost increases. Southern Company and Georgia Power expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
"We are honored by the administration's confidence in our ability to build the nation's first new nuclear power plant in more than three decades," said Southern Company CEO David Ratcliffe, following an event at which President Obama and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the award. "It's an important endorsement in the role nuclear power must play in diversifying our nation's energy mix and helping to curb greenhouse gas emissions."
President Obama and Secretary Chu announced the commitment for the loan guarantees at a news conference held at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 in Lanham, Md. Ratcliffe was joined at the event by Georgia Power CEO Mike Garrett, Southern Company COO Tom Fanning, Southern Nuclear CEO Jim Miller and Southern Company Executive Vice President Chris Womack.
The new units will be located at Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Ga., where the company already owns and operates two nuclear units. The conditional commitment is for loan guarantees that would apply to future borrowings related to the construction of Vogtle units 3 and 4.
Total guaranteed borrowings would not exceed 70 percent of the company's eligible projected costs, or approximately $3.4 billion, and are expected to be funded by the Federal Financing Bank. Any guaranteed borrowings would be full recourse to Georgia Power and secured by a first priority lien on the company's 45.7 percent ownership interest in the two new units.
Ratcliffe added that loan guarantees would serve as a catalyst to accelerate the construction of new nuclear plants and other clean energy sources while adding jobs and aiding the economy. The additions of units 3 and 4 are expected to produce approximately 3,500 jobs during construction and an additional 800 permanent jobs once the units begin operation.
Georgia Power has 90 days to accept the conditional commitment, including obtaining any necessary regulatory approvals. The company will work with the DOE to finalize the loan guarantees. Final approval and issuance of the loan guarantees are subject to receipt of the Combined Operating License (COL) from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), completion of final agreements, the receipt of any other required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other conditions. The company received an early site permit from the NRC for the two additional units in 2009, and preliminary site work has begun.
Along with Georgia Power's portion of the two 1,100-megawatt reactors, the remaining ownership is split among Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power) and Dalton Utilities. Total cost of the new units is currently projected to be approximately $14 billion. Georgia Power's share is currently projected at approximately $6.1 billion, which includes approximately $1.7 billion of financing costs to be collected during construction.
Units 3 and 4 are expected to begin commercial operation in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company, will oversee the construction as well as operate the two new units for Georgia Power and the other owners. Southern Nuclear currently operates Plant Vogtle's two existing nuclear power units as well as Georgia Power's Plant Hatch nuclear facility near Baxley, Ga., and Alabama Power's Plant Farley nuclear facility near Dothan, Ala.
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.
With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices below the national average. Southern Company is consistently listed among the top U.S. electric service providers in customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at www.southerncompany.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the conditional commitment and DOE loan guarantees, estimated cost savings from DOE loan guarantees, and projected costs of construction and in service dates for Vogtle units 3 and 4. Southern Company and Georgia Power caution that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Southern Company and Georgia Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K of Southern Company and Georgia Power for the year ended December 31, 2008, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: timely receipt of necessary regulatory approvals related to the Plant Vogtle expansion, including Georgia Public Service Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvals; interest rate fluctuations and financial market conditions, including the credit ratings of Southern Company and Georgia Power; satisfaction of all conditions to the final issuance and approval of DOE loan guarantees, including negotiation of final agreements, continuing due diligence by DOE and receipt of any required regulatory approvals; and the ability to control costs and avoid delays in the construction of Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4, including risks related to shortages and inconsistent quality of equipment, materials and labor, work stoppages, contractor or supplier non-performance under construction or other agreements, adverse weather conditions, unforeseen engineering problems, changes in project design or scope, environmental and geological conditions, and unanticipated cost increases. Southern Company and Georgia Power expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Sunday, February 7, 2010
U.S. Secretary of Energy to Deliver Keynote Address at CERAWeek 2010
Energy Secretary Steven Chu joins industry leaders, government officials and renowned economists scheduled to address the world’s premier energy conference March 8-12 in Houston
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu will join an impressive list of speakers at CERAWeek 2010, March 8-12 at the Hilton Americas – Houston. Secretary Chu will deliver a keynote address Tuesday, March 9 at 12:30pm CT.
CERAWeek, now in its 29th year, is recognized as a leading forum offering insight into the energy future. Chaired by IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates (IHS CERA) Chairman and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Prize, Daniel Yergin, CERAWeek 2010 Energy: Building the New Future will convene an international group of industry, policy and financial leaders—along with leading researchers from IHS CERA—to discuss the central energy challenges and opportunities.
Other Featured Speakers at CERAWeek 2010 include:
Khalid Al-Falih, president and CEO, Saudi Aramco
Hamad Rashid Al-Mohannadi, managing director and CEO, RasGas Company Limited
Nariman Behravesh, chief economist, IHS
Brandon Bethards, CEO, Babcock & Wilcox
Philippe Boisseau, president gas and power, TOTAL
Jean-Francois Cirelli, vice chairman and president, GdF SUEZ
Theodore F. Craver, Jr., chairman, president and CEO, Edison International
Peter Darbee, Chairman, president and chief executive officer, PG&E Corporation
José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo, CEO, Petrobras
Andy Inglis, chief executive, exploration and production, BP
Philippe Joubert, executive vice president, Alstom, president of Alstom Power
Andrew Liveris, chairman and chief executive officer, Dow Chemical Company
Helge Lund, president and chief executive officer, Statoil
Tan Sri Hassan Marican, president and chief executive officer, PETRONAS
Alexander Medvedev, deputy chairman and general director of Gazprom Export, Gazprom
Mike Morris, Chairman, president and CEO, American Electric Power Company Inc.
James Mulva, Chairman, president and CEO, ConocoPhilips
Richard Newell, administrator, US Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, chairman (Nobel Laureate), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Kjell Pederson, CEO, Petoro AS
Ken Rogoff, professor of economics, Harvard University
Paolo Scaroni, CEO, ENI Group
Nobuo Tanaka executive director, International Energy Agency (IEA)
Tom Walters, president gas and power marketing, ExxonMobil
Key CERAWeek 2010 themes include:
Demand: Has the “Great Recession” caused a fundamental shift in energy demand?
Future Investment in the Industry: What will be the short-term and long-term impacts of the economic slowdown on the energy industry?
Economics: What is the future of the global economy?
Future Fuel Mix: How will climate change, the economy, new technologies and new supply impact interfuel competition and technology choice?
Climate Change: How will climate change legislation affect future investment and prices around the globe?
Geopolitics: How will geopolitical forces impact energy prices and investment decisions?
Company Strategy: In the midst of such political and economic uncertainty, which strategies are the most resilient to future shocks?
Game Changers: What innovations will be the game changers in the new energy future? The electric car? Unconventional natural gas?
A complete agenda, speaker updates and registration information are available at www.ceraweek.com
Media Registration:
Members of the media interested in registering for CERAWeek 2010 must first apply for accreditation. Please send your name, organization, phone, email, and organization Web site to ceraweekmedia@ihs.com. Once IHS CERA has confirmed your eligibility, you will receive information for completing your complimentary registration online.
####
About IHS CERA (www.ihscera.com)
IHS CERA is a leading advisor to energy companies, consumers, financial institutions, technology providers and governments. IHS CERA (www.ihscera.com) delivers strategic knowledge and independent analysis on energy markets, geopolitics, industry trends, and strategy. IHS CERA is based in Cambridge, Mass., and has offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Calgary, Dubai, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, Oslo, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, DC.
About IHS (www.ihs.com)
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is a leading global source of critical information and insight dedicated to providing the most complete and trusted information and expertise. IHS product and service solutions span four areas of information that encompass the most important concerns facing global business today: Energy, Product Lifecycle, Security, and Environment, all supported by Macroeconomics. By focusing on our customers first, IHS enables innovative and successful decision-making for customers ranging from governments and multinational companies to smaller companies and technical professionals in more than 180 countries. IHS has been in business since 1959 and employs about 4,100 people in 28 countries.
---
Community News You Can Use
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.ReadMyLipstickNetwork.com
Twitter: @readmylipstick
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
www.Hummingbird-Hollow.com
Twitter: @hhpotterystudio
---
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu will join an impressive list of speakers at CERAWeek 2010, March 8-12 at the Hilton Americas – Houston. Secretary Chu will deliver a keynote address Tuesday, March 9 at 12:30pm CT.
CERAWeek, now in its 29th year, is recognized as a leading forum offering insight into the energy future. Chaired by IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates (IHS CERA) Chairman and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Prize, Daniel Yergin, CERAWeek 2010 Energy: Building the New Future will convene an international group of industry, policy and financial leaders—along with leading researchers from IHS CERA—to discuss the central energy challenges and opportunities.
Other Featured Speakers at CERAWeek 2010 include:
Khalid Al-Falih, president and CEO, Saudi Aramco
Hamad Rashid Al-Mohannadi, managing director and CEO, RasGas Company Limited
Nariman Behravesh, chief economist, IHS
Brandon Bethards, CEO, Babcock & Wilcox
Philippe Boisseau, president gas and power, TOTAL
Jean-Francois Cirelli, vice chairman and president, GdF SUEZ
Theodore F. Craver, Jr., chairman, president and CEO, Edison International
Peter Darbee, Chairman, president and chief executive officer, PG&E Corporation
José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo, CEO, Petrobras
Andy Inglis, chief executive, exploration and production, BP
Philippe Joubert, executive vice president, Alstom, president of Alstom Power
Andrew Liveris, chairman and chief executive officer, Dow Chemical Company
Helge Lund, president and chief executive officer, Statoil
Tan Sri Hassan Marican, president and chief executive officer, PETRONAS
Alexander Medvedev, deputy chairman and general director of Gazprom Export, Gazprom
Mike Morris, Chairman, president and CEO, American Electric Power Company Inc.
James Mulva, Chairman, president and CEO, ConocoPhilips
Richard Newell, administrator, US Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, chairman (Nobel Laureate), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Kjell Pederson, CEO, Petoro AS
Ken Rogoff, professor of economics, Harvard University
Paolo Scaroni, CEO, ENI Group
Nobuo Tanaka executive director, International Energy Agency (IEA)
Tom Walters, president gas and power marketing, ExxonMobil
Key CERAWeek 2010 themes include:
Demand: Has the “Great Recession” caused a fundamental shift in energy demand?
Future Investment in the Industry: What will be the short-term and long-term impacts of the economic slowdown on the energy industry?
Economics: What is the future of the global economy?
Future Fuel Mix: How will climate change, the economy, new technologies and new supply impact interfuel competition and technology choice?
Climate Change: How will climate change legislation affect future investment and prices around the globe?
Geopolitics: How will geopolitical forces impact energy prices and investment decisions?
Company Strategy: In the midst of such political and economic uncertainty, which strategies are the most resilient to future shocks?
Game Changers: What innovations will be the game changers in the new energy future? The electric car? Unconventional natural gas?
A complete agenda, speaker updates and registration information are available at www.ceraweek.com
Media Registration:
Members of the media interested in registering for CERAWeek 2010 must first apply for accreditation. Please send your name, organization, phone, email, and organization Web site to ceraweekmedia@ihs.com. Once IHS CERA has confirmed your eligibility, you will receive information for completing your complimentary registration online.
####
About IHS CERA (www.ihscera.com)
IHS CERA is a leading advisor to energy companies, consumers, financial institutions, technology providers and governments. IHS CERA (www.ihscera.com) delivers strategic knowledge and independent analysis on energy markets, geopolitics, industry trends, and strategy. IHS CERA is based in Cambridge, Mass., and has offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Calgary, Dubai, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, Oslo, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, DC.
About IHS (www.ihs.com)
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is a leading global source of critical information and insight dedicated to providing the most complete and trusted information and expertise. IHS product and service solutions span four areas of information that encompass the most important concerns facing global business today: Energy, Product Lifecycle, Security, and Environment, all supported by Macroeconomics. By focusing on our customers first, IHS enables innovative and successful decision-making for customers ranging from governments and multinational companies to smaller companies and technical professionals in more than 180 countries. IHS has been in business since 1959 and employs about 4,100 people in 28 countries.
---
Community News You Can Use
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.ReadMyLipstickNetwork.com
Twitter: @readmylipstick
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
www.Hummingbird-Hollow.com
Twitter: @hhpotterystudio
---
Friday, January 29, 2010
Pelosi Statement on President's Announcement of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target
/PRNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on President Obama's announcement of a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for the federal government:
"The effort to build a future founded on sustainability, clean energy, and conservation begins in homes and offices nationwide. The federal government is no exception.
"Our 'Green the Capitol' initiative is a symbol of Congress' commitment to the future. We've reduced our reliance on fossil fuels with wind power and conservation, started printing the Congressional Record on 100 percent recycled paper, replaced traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives, and increased recycling across all Members' offices. So far, we have already reduced our carbon footprint by 74 percent. These steps save money for our nation's taxpayers, create good-paying jobs, and cut pollution caused by global warming.
"President Obama's announcement marks a critical step forward in our effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the federal government -- the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. economy. This measure will spur investment in clean energy jobs, place innovation at the center of our economic agenda, and decrease the emissions that harm our environment.
"With the President's renewed call to complete work on a clean energy bill this year, we look forward to putting people to work building up the industries of tomorrow, reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and preserving our natural resources for generations to come."
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
"The effort to build a future founded on sustainability, clean energy, and conservation begins in homes and offices nationwide. The federal government is no exception.
"Our 'Green the Capitol' initiative is a symbol of Congress' commitment to the future. We've reduced our reliance on fossil fuels with wind power and conservation, started printing the Congressional Record on 100 percent recycled paper, replaced traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives, and increased recycling across all Members' offices. So far, we have already reduced our carbon footprint by 74 percent. These steps save money for our nation's taxpayers, create good-paying jobs, and cut pollution caused by global warming.
"President Obama's announcement marks a critical step forward in our effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the federal government -- the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. economy. This measure will spur investment in clean energy jobs, place innovation at the center of our economic agenda, and decrease the emissions that harm our environment.
"With the President's renewed call to complete work on a clean energy bill this year, we look forward to putting people to work building up the industries of tomorrow, reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and preserving our natural resources for generations to come."
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Labels:
conservation,
emissions,
fayette,
fayette front page,
federal,
gas,
georgia,
georgia front page,
greenhouse,
pelosi,
president obama,
target
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Teetering Biodiesel Industry Awaits President Obama's Remarks on Job Creation in His State of the Union Address
/PRNewswire/ -- Tonight, President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver his first State of the Union Address. Though the President is widely expected to highlight a host of new initiatives to create new "green collar" jobs in the speech, the failure of Congress to extend the existing biodiesel tax incentive has placed 23,000 existing jobs that are supported by the domestic biodiesel industry at risk.
Manning Feraci, the National Biodiesel Board's Vice President of Federal Affairs noted, "If Congress and the Administration are serious about creating green jobs, the first immediate step they should take is to extend the biodiesel tax incentive as soon as possible. Expiration of the biodiesel tax incentive on December 31, 2009 has devastated the industry, severely curtailed domestic biodiesel production, and placed 23,000 good-paying jobs in immediate jeopardy. Biodiesel companies have already started shedding employees, and this will continue at an accelerated pace unless Congress and the President act swiftly to reinstate this effective tax incentive."
Biodiesel is a diesel replacement fuel made from agricultural oils, fats and waste greases that meets a specific commercial fuel definition and specification. The fuel significantly reduces harmful emissions including greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum diesel fuel. The biodiesel tax incentive is structured in a manner that makes the fuel price competitive with diesel fuel in the marketplace. Thus, absent the tax incentive, biodiesel is significantly more expensive that petroleum diesel fuel. On December 31, 2009, Congress adjourned and allowed the biodiesel tax incentive to expire.
"If Congress and the Administration truly want to protect and promote green job creation, they should act immediately to extend the biodiesel tax incentive," concluded Feraci.
The National Biodiesel Board is the national trade association of the biodiesel industry and is the coordinating body for biodiesel research and development in the U.S. NBB's membership is comprised of state, national, and international feedstock and feedstock processor organizations, biodiesel producers, fuel marketers and distributors, and technology providers.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Manning Feraci, the National Biodiesel Board's Vice President of Federal Affairs noted, "If Congress and the Administration are serious about creating green jobs, the first immediate step they should take is to extend the biodiesel tax incentive as soon as possible. Expiration of the biodiesel tax incentive on December 31, 2009 has devastated the industry, severely curtailed domestic biodiesel production, and placed 23,000 good-paying jobs in immediate jeopardy. Biodiesel companies have already started shedding employees, and this will continue at an accelerated pace unless Congress and the President act swiftly to reinstate this effective tax incentive."
Biodiesel is a diesel replacement fuel made from agricultural oils, fats and waste greases that meets a specific commercial fuel definition and specification. The fuel significantly reduces harmful emissions including greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum diesel fuel. The biodiesel tax incentive is structured in a manner that makes the fuel price competitive with diesel fuel in the marketplace. Thus, absent the tax incentive, biodiesel is significantly more expensive that petroleum diesel fuel. On December 31, 2009, Congress adjourned and allowed the biodiesel tax incentive to expire.
"If Congress and the Administration truly want to protect and promote green job creation, they should act immediately to extend the biodiesel tax incentive," concluded Feraci.
The National Biodiesel Board is the national trade association of the biodiesel industry and is the coordinating body for biodiesel research and development in the U.S. NBB's membership is comprised of state, national, and international feedstock and feedstock processor organizations, biodiesel producers, fuel marketers and distributors, and technology providers.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Labels:
barack obama,
biodiesel,
emissions,
energy,
fayette,
fayette front page,
georgia,
georgia front page,
green,
incentive,
jobs,
tax
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Southern Company and Ted Turner Join Forces to Explore Renewable Energy Projects
/PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company CEO David Ratcliffe and visionary business leader and environmentalist Ted Turner today announced a strategic alliance to pursue development of renewable energy projects in the United States.
"This alliance unites our common goal to explore and develop new renewable energy projects," said CEO David Ratcliffe. "We have said for some time that renewable energy should play an increasing role in this country's energy mix and that Southern Company would seek opportunities to expand our renewable portfolio where it makes sense. This is evidence of that commitment."
"I've always been passionate about developing renewable energy, and I'm excited to join forces with Southern Company to explore our renewable energy potential," said Ted Turner, owner of Turner Renewable Energy. "Southern Company's experience in power project development, construction and operations, and customer relations help make this a strong alliance, and I look forward to working together."
Initially, Southern Company and Turner will focus on developing and investing in large scale solar photovoltaic projects in the U.S. Southwest where solar resources are currently most efficient and in demand, with the goal of further commercializing the technology and making it more cost competitive.
Southern Company and Turner also may consider developing other renewable technologies.
Turner is the largest individual landowner in North America with more than two million acres. The alliance will explore renewable projects both on Turner land as well as other suitable sites.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
"This alliance unites our common goal to explore and develop new renewable energy projects," said CEO David Ratcliffe. "We have said for some time that renewable energy should play an increasing role in this country's energy mix and that Southern Company would seek opportunities to expand our renewable portfolio where it makes sense. This is evidence of that commitment."
"I've always been passionate about developing renewable energy, and I'm excited to join forces with Southern Company to explore our renewable energy potential," said Ted Turner, owner of Turner Renewable Energy. "Southern Company's experience in power project development, construction and operations, and customer relations help make this a strong alliance, and I look forward to working together."
Initially, Southern Company and Turner will focus on developing and investing in large scale solar photovoltaic projects in the U.S. Southwest where solar resources are currently most efficient and in demand, with the goal of further commercializing the technology and making it more cost competitive.
Southern Company and Turner also may consider developing other renewable technologies.
Turner is the largest individual landowner in North America with more than two million acres. The alliance will explore renewable projects both on Turner land as well as other suitable sites.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Atlanta Gas Light STRIDES Forward with Pilot Program Designed to Encourage Economic Growth
/PRNewswire/ -- Atlanta Gas Light received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) today on a new program designed to encourage economic growth and spur the addition of new customers under the Georgia Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement Program or (STRIDE). The new program will not increase monthly rates to consumers, but instead will be collected through the existing STRIDE surcharge for an additional three years.
The program, known as the Integrated Customer Growth Program or i-CGP, will allow Atlanta Gas Light to invest up to $45 million to extend its pipeline facilities to serve customers without pipeline access. The new program will also allow Atlanta Gas Light to install pipelines to create new economic development corridors in order to help spur growth.
The new line extension program under i-CGP is available for both residential and commercial customers. Currently many customers that want natural gas service and who are not located near an existing pipeline are required to make a cash payment to have service established. This has been a significant disincentive, particularly under the current economic conditions. The i-CGP program will reduce or eliminate this requirement for many potential customers.
The new strategic corridor development program will allow Atlanta Gas Light to make major investments to extend its gas distribution facilities to areas where growth is forecasted, or to locations where existing development does not have access to natural gas. This will be a new resource that will allow Atlanta Gas Light to work with state and local economic development officials to attract new business, with the potential of bringing jobs to Georgia.
"The Georgia Public Service Commission has given Atlanta Gas Light a new regulatory framework to restore growth on our system and help keep the pressure to increase rates down," said Suzanne Sitherwood, president, Atlanta Gas Light. "It also allows us to be a partner to spur economic development in more communities throughout the state where natural gas service is not presently available."
To avoid an increase in monthly rates due to the program, i-CGP will extend the duration of the STRIDE program by three years.
Atlanta Gas Light received approval from the PSC for its STRIDE program in October. STRIDE will install new pipeline and liquefied natural gas facilities throughout metro Atlanta to improve system reliability and operational performance on peak demand days. The first three year construction program of $175.7 million is underway and should be completed by 2012.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
The program, known as the Integrated Customer Growth Program or i-CGP, will allow Atlanta Gas Light to invest up to $45 million to extend its pipeline facilities to serve customers without pipeline access. The new program will also allow Atlanta Gas Light to install pipelines to create new economic development corridors in order to help spur growth.
The new line extension program under i-CGP is available for both residential and commercial customers. Currently many customers that want natural gas service and who are not located near an existing pipeline are required to make a cash payment to have service established. This has been a significant disincentive, particularly under the current economic conditions. The i-CGP program will reduce or eliminate this requirement for many potential customers.
The new strategic corridor development program will allow Atlanta Gas Light to make major investments to extend its gas distribution facilities to areas where growth is forecasted, or to locations where existing development does not have access to natural gas. This will be a new resource that will allow Atlanta Gas Light to work with state and local economic development officials to attract new business, with the potential of bringing jobs to Georgia.
"The Georgia Public Service Commission has given Atlanta Gas Light a new regulatory framework to restore growth on our system and help keep the pressure to increase rates down," said Suzanne Sitherwood, president, Atlanta Gas Light. "It also allows us to be a partner to spur economic development in more communities throughout the state where natural gas service is not presently available."
To avoid an increase in monthly rates due to the program, i-CGP will extend the duration of the STRIDE program by three years.
Atlanta Gas Light received approval from the PSC for its STRIDE program in October. STRIDE will install new pipeline and liquefied natural gas facilities throughout metro Atlanta to improve system reliability and operational performance on peak demand days. The first three year construction program of $175.7 million is underway and should be completed by 2012.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Friday, January 15, 2010
Higher Gas Bills Prompt Georgia Consumers to Review Rates at Allconnect
(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following this week’s announcement by the Georgia Public Service Commission warning of higher natural gas bills, consumers are accessing Allconnect.com to evaluate rate plans and ensure they pay the lowest price possible.
“The Commission noted that the cold weather is expected to continue”
The Commission noted that December 2009 was 30% colder than the previous year resulting in consumers using more gas and receiving higher bills. Consequently, Georgia consumers are visiting Allconnect.com for an easy way to review natural gas providers and plans, including the option to compare variable versus fixed rate plans.
By entering their home address at Allconnect.com, consumers find a one-stop resource to find the lowest price and most convenient plan for their household. This free, online service not only shows current rates, but also highlights any special promotions, such as gift cards or bill credits for new customers. One-time fees, contract terms, and other specifics are clearly spelled out, and there is a best-price guarantee.
Allconnect.com is a free online resource to review and compare costs and choices for natural gas, and other essential home services including high speed Internet, phone, cable TV, satellite TV, home security systems, and electricity. Consumers also have the option to call 1-800-ALLCONNECT to reach a Home Services Consultant who will review the different rates and plans specific to the caller’s address.
“The Commission noted that the cold weather is expected to continue,” says Mark Miller, Allconnect CEO. “Even in Georgia, winter is not going to be over anytime soon. By reviewing their natural gas plans and rates at Allconnect, consumers could find savings immediately.”
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
“The Commission noted that the cold weather is expected to continue”
The Commission noted that December 2009 was 30% colder than the previous year resulting in consumers using more gas and receiving higher bills. Consequently, Georgia consumers are visiting Allconnect.com for an easy way to review natural gas providers and plans, including the option to compare variable versus fixed rate plans.
By entering their home address at Allconnect.com, consumers find a one-stop resource to find the lowest price and most convenient plan for their household. This free, online service not only shows current rates, but also highlights any special promotions, such as gift cards or bill credits for new customers. One-time fees, contract terms, and other specifics are clearly spelled out, and there is a best-price guarantee.
Allconnect.com is a free online resource to review and compare costs and choices for natural gas, and other essential home services including high speed Internet, phone, cable TV, satellite TV, home security systems, and electricity. Consumers also have the option to call 1-800-ALLCONNECT to reach a Home Services Consultant who will review the different rates and plans specific to the caller’s address.
“The Commission noted that the cold weather is expected to continue,” says Mark Miller, Allconnect CEO. “Even in Georgia, winter is not going to be over anytime soon. By reviewing their natural gas plans and rates at Allconnect, consumers could find savings immediately.”
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Labels:
allconnect,
fayette,
fayette front page,
georgia,
georgia front page,
natural gas,
plans,
rates,
resource
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
HHS Provides an Additional $1.2 Billion to States to Help Low-Income Households with Energy Costs
Georgia receives $21,120,355 to assist low income Georgians with expected high heating bills due to recent cold snap.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the release of $1.2 billion to states to help low income citizens in the coming weeks with their heating bills. These funds represent grants to states, tribes and territories under the
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
"The release of these funds will assist millions of Americans who may not be in the position to afford heating costs during these cold winter months," Secretary Sebelius said. "More low-income families will now have the chance to use their income for other necessities."
LIHEAP helps eligible families pay the costs of heating and insulating their homes in the winter and cooling their homes in the summer. HHS is releasing such a large allocation of LIHEAP funds now in order to ensure that states have resources available to support their energy assistance programs as the weather turns colder and the nation faces high unemployment rates.
"LIHEAP helps more than six million low-income households deal with energy costs," said Carmen R. Nazario, assistant secretary for children and families. "We will continue to work with states, tribes and territories to assure their heating assistance programs work effectively."
----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the release of $1.2 billion to states to help low income citizens in the coming weeks with their heating bills. These funds represent grants to states, tribes and territories under the
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
"The release of these funds will assist millions of Americans who may not be in the position to afford heating costs during these cold winter months," Secretary Sebelius said. "More low-income families will now have the chance to use their income for other necessities."
LIHEAP helps eligible families pay the costs of heating and insulating their homes in the winter and cooling their homes in the summer. HHS is releasing such a large allocation of LIHEAP funds now in order to ensure that states have resources available to support their energy assistance programs as the weather turns colder and the nation faces high unemployment rates.
"LIHEAP helps more than six million low-income households deal with energy costs," said Carmen R. Nazario, assistant secretary for children and families. "We will continue to work with states, tribes and territories to assure their heating assistance programs work effectively."
----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Labels:
assistance,
fayette,
fayette front page,
georgia,
georgia front page,
grants,
heat,
heating,
heating bills,
liheap,
low income,
winter
Southern Company Sets Winter Peak Demand Record Again; Third Record in Seven Days Tops Summer Peak Demand
/PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company today (January 11) announced it has set its third record for winter peak demand in the past seven days. Between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. EST, preliminary peak demand for electricity averaged approximately 37,224 megawatts, exceeding by 1,363 megawatts Southern Company's January 6 winter time peak of 35,861 megawatts. Today's peak also exceeds Southern Company's 2009 summer peak demand, which was 36,505 megawatts.
"While last summer was cooler than normal, it is still very unusual in our part of the country for a winter peak to be higher than a summer peak," said Greg Darnell, Southern Company Generation Fleet Operations manager.
According to Darnell, the primary contributor to the record loads of the past week was "sustained cold temperatures." Monday morning's "system temperature" - the average temperature weighted across five cities in Southern Company's service territory - was 18 degrees Fahrenheit, with especially cold readings in the coastal region of the service territory. The "system temperature" had been 19 degrees last Wednesday, Jan 6, and 18 degrees Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Last Wednesday's peak exceeded the record of 35,580 megawatts set last Tuesday, between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. EST, by 281 megawatts. The Tuesday peak had surpassed by 139 megawatts Southern Company's previous winter record of 35,441 megawatts set Feb. 5, 2009.
System peak demand is an indicator of how hard Southern Company's generating plants are working and what is required to ensure the reliable supply of electricity needed by customers. The peak demand number reported by fleet operations represents the average peak demand for electricity generated during a one-hour period and reflects the retail and wholesale obligations of Southern Company.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
"While last summer was cooler than normal, it is still very unusual in our part of the country for a winter peak to be higher than a summer peak," said Greg Darnell, Southern Company Generation Fleet Operations manager.
According to Darnell, the primary contributor to the record loads of the past week was "sustained cold temperatures." Monday morning's "system temperature" - the average temperature weighted across five cities in Southern Company's service territory - was 18 degrees Fahrenheit, with especially cold readings in the coastal region of the service territory. The "system temperature" had been 19 degrees last Wednesday, Jan 6, and 18 degrees Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Last Wednesday's peak exceeded the record of 35,580 megawatts set last Tuesday, between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. EST, by 281 megawatts. The Tuesday peak had surpassed by 139 megawatts Southern Company's previous winter record of 35,441 megawatts set Feb. 5, 2009.
System peak demand is an indicator of how hard Southern Company's generating plants are working and what is required to ensure the reliable supply of electricity needed by customers. The peak demand number reported by fleet operations represents the average peak demand for electricity generated during a one-hour period and reflects the retail and wholesale obligations of Southern Company.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Labels:
electricity,
fayette,
fayette front page,
georgia,
georgia front page,
peak,
record,
southern company,
winter
AGL Resources Sets New Company Record for Peak-Day Gas Delivery
/PRNewswire/ -- AGL Resources (NYSE:AGL) today (January 11) announced that its six distribution companies have helped customers weather the cold temperatures dominating the East Coast by breaking the company record for peak-day natural gas delivery twice during the past week.
On Jan. 8, the company delivered 3,078,064 dekatherms of natural gas to customers within AGL Resources' footprint, which stretches from New Jersey to Florida. The company operates Atlanta Gas Light in Georgia, Chattanooga Gas in Tennessee, Elizabethtown Gas in New Jersey, Elkton Gas in Maryland, Florida City Gas in Florida and Virginia Natural Gas in Virginia.
The new record enabled AGL Resources to surpass the 3 million dekatherm mark for the first time in the company's 154-year history. The company's previous peak-day delivery record was set just five days earlier. On Jan. 3, AGL Resources provided customers with 2,926,099 dekatherms of natural gas.
"This has been an exceptional cold snap for the eastern United States, and I am proud that our local distribution companies have responded by ensuring that our customers have had the natural gas they needed to stay warm and safe," said Hank Linginfelter, executive vice president of Utility Operations.
"The ability of natural gas to meet the needs of millions of customers during this demanding period is even more impressive when you consider that it is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel and that we have more than 100 years of proven reserves in North America," Linginfelter said. "When you add it all up, natural gas is unsurpassed when it comes to a safe and reliable energy source that is environmentally friendly and domestically abundant."
During the first eight days of 2010, AGL Resources' Gas Control organization managed the safe and efficient delivery of more than 21.5 million dekatherms of natural gas to customers in six states.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
On Jan. 8, the company delivered 3,078,064 dekatherms of natural gas to customers within AGL Resources' footprint, which stretches from New Jersey to Florida. The company operates Atlanta Gas Light in Georgia, Chattanooga Gas in Tennessee, Elizabethtown Gas in New Jersey, Elkton Gas in Maryland, Florida City Gas in Florida and Virginia Natural Gas in Virginia.
The new record enabled AGL Resources to surpass the 3 million dekatherm mark for the first time in the company's 154-year history. The company's previous peak-day delivery record was set just five days earlier. On Jan. 3, AGL Resources provided customers with 2,926,099 dekatherms of natural gas.
"This has been an exceptional cold snap for the eastern United States, and I am proud that our local distribution companies have responded by ensuring that our customers have had the natural gas they needed to stay warm and safe," said Hank Linginfelter, executive vice president of Utility Operations.
"The ability of natural gas to meet the needs of millions of customers during this demanding period is even more impressive when you consider that it is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel and that we have more than 100 years of proven reserves in North America," Linginfelter said. "When you add it all up, natural gas is unsurpassed when it comes to a safe and reliable energy source that is environmentally friendly and domestically abundant."
During the first eight days of 2010, AGL Resources' Gas Control organization managed the safe and efficient delivery of more than 21.5 million dekatherms of natural gas to customers in six states.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Labels:
AGL,
atlanta,
atlanta gas light,
cold,
distribution,
fayette,
fayette front page,
georgia,
georgia front page,
peak,
record
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)