November 25, 2009

Although the electric industry has endorsed the concept of cap-and-trade as the least onerous approach to carbon regulation, at least one major company endorses it with unalloyed enthusiasm. Exelon not only supports the idea, it stated in a second-quarter conference call to analysts, which it posted to its Web site, that it expects to see a "$1.1 billion and growing annual upside to Exelon revenues from implementation of Waxman-Markey." Is that number real or simply wishful thinking? Does Exelon know something that's escaped the rest of us?

Actually, if one makes a couple of assumptions, the potential earnings boost is very real. Here's how it works. Exelon's 17 nuclear plants, the largest nuclear fleet in the country, generated just over a record 132 million megawatts-hours of power in 2007. That's fact. Assumption number one: The Senate follows the House and passes an unchanged version of the Waxman-Markey bill.

November 23, 2009

The U.S. coal-fired electric power industry is without doubt facing ever-increasing challenges in its efforts to remain a viable fuel.

Impending legislation and regulations concerning allowable carbon dioxide emissions, in whatever form these rules might ultimately take, are putting growing pressure on coal-burning utilities to invest in carbon-capture technology research and to diversify their energy portfolios.

November 20, 2009

Business has slowed. And so too has the demand for carbon emission allowances -- those credits that are traded among European nations and some American utilities as a way to motivate a transition to a carbon-free global economy.

If commerce were humming along, manufacturing and utility plants would be increasing production and thereby raising their emission levels. Because they are cutting back their operations, however, they are in essence keeping a lid on that pollution. In a world that is moving steadily toward pricing each ton of carbon released into the atmosphere, that dynamic has dampened the trading of carbon allowances.

Dear Readers,

The severity of the economic crisis has waned. A new and more energetic era has begun, renewing our hope for a better year ahead. As Thanksgiving approaches, it's also time to say 'thank you' to those who have influenced EnergyBiz Insider, and me.

The rocky year has never eroded the faith that Energy Central has in its core products and staff. Indeed, top management's determination to succeed during this difficult time is critical, as is its confidence in its staff. Its confidence is the cornerstone of this publication and the reason it continues to thrive. Even though they are extremely modest, Steve Drazga and Mark Johnson must be singled out.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2009

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing new requirements for audio/video (AV) products to earn the Energy Star label. AV products meeting EPA's new, more stringent specification will help protect the environment and reduce energy costs because they will be up to 60 percent more efficient than conventional models.

If all AV products sold in the United States met the new Energy Star requirements, Americans would save more than $1 billion in energy costs annually while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 1 million vehicles every year.