June 07, 2010

Getting consumers to learn how electricity is priced is a good thing. That could lead to efficiency and conservation, resulting in lower rates. That's understood. But do those benefits outweigh the costs and will investors step up?

The issue is now before a multitude of state regulators who must decide how the assets that make up the intelligent utility will get financed. Utilities oftentimes are making the investments after getting regulatory approval to pass the cost of them along to consumers -- just as power plants are handled. Indeed, constructing a grid that allows utilities and consumers to talk with one another might possibly cut down on peak energy consumption and thereby avoid the build-out of expensive infrastructure.

June 04, 2010

Just as offshore natural gas drilling got its legs, the rug has been pulled out from underneath it. The mammoth oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is to blame.

The question of whether to allow more production in light of the BP oil disaster is one that is likely to haunt the oil and gas sectors for a long time. It's tantamount to how the accident at Three Mile Island has derailed nuclear development for three decades. For now, the Obama administration has pulled back on its earlier commitment to allow more offshore drilling and instead has decided to "study" the issue.

Below are a few letters received at EnergyBiz Insider on topics that appeared in the past few weeks. They capture the essence of how many readers say they feel.
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June 02, 2010

The economic forecast is not exactly clear but that has not stopped the country's risk takers from stepping out. By all accounts, venture capital investment in the clean technology sector is starting to shine with the electric automobile sector, energy efficiency and wind and solar projects taking in the biggest shares.

Despite the start and stop nature of the financial recovery, investors are allocating capital to projects that they think will be supported by public policy and where federal stimulus monies may be awarded. Toward that end, plug-in vehicles that could help reduce dependence on foreign oil are winning attention as is the intelligent utility that allows two-way communications between utilities and customers.

May 28, 2010

Note to readers: The following story first appeared in UtiliPoint's Issue on 8-8-03. In recent weeks, I've watched a documentary on CNBC regarding Enron's plight, and this has been coupled with the scrutiny now given to the investment banking world. In thinking about these issues over and over, I have thought about what I would say to readers with respect to the media's role -- only to realize that I've written it before. And with UtiliPoint's permission, Energy Central has decided to re-run this particularly story, with slight modifications to keep it somewhat current.

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