CEA’s David Holt discusses the lower gas prices and what we can expect to see for energy consumers and workers in the energy industry.
“We are going to see cyclical oil prices like we have seen for decades. But the United States, long term, is in the best position in the world for energy and energy production,” Holt explained.
Read more – 740 KTRH
Looking at the importance of bipartisanship, CEA’s Emily Haggstrom talks about how New Mexico’s regulatory climate has lowered costs for families while encouraging businesses and energy producers to stay.
There’s much to be thankful for this holiday season. The state has the largest budget surplus in its history; just recently posted its largest job growth and lowest unemployment marks in several years; and more funding has been allocated for roads, schools and public safety. And that state’s record energy production is a big reason why.
Orlando, Fla. — Thanks to increased production and safer, state-of-the-art technologies – which together have decreased the price of natural gas – Florida’s families and businesses saved more than $8 billion between 2006 and 2016, according to a state report released by Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), with calculations developed by Orion Strategies.
Households saved over almost $798 million while commercial and industrial users saved more than $7.2 billion, combined, the report, titled, “Floridians Benefit from Affordable Natural Gas,” revealed.
The analysis details how the national and local energy revolution has helped Florida energy consumers increase disposable income, adding to job growth, and economic investment while revitalizing communities. It also details how Florida’s lack of availability to local and state resources creates a reliance on energy infrastructure to ensure that affordable energy can be delivered to the state. As a result, it is critical that families and businesses work with local and state governments to guarantee that current, and future, Floridians are able to count on domestic energy and a robust pipeline network to deliver energy to their homes and businesses.
Highlights from the report include:
“This report demonstrates how Florida families and businesses who use energy benefit from maintaining an all-of-the-above energy strategy that emphasizes the growth of all resources and the expansion of all energy infrastructure, here and nationally,” CEA’s Florida Director Kevin Doyle said. “Tourism is crucial to Florida’s economy, creating 1.1 million jobs for Floridians and pumping $51 billion into the state’s coffers. None of this would be possible without energy.”
Doyle continued: “Resources such as oil and natural gas are necessary to fuel the airplanes and cars that visit our state daily. These same resources power theme park rides, light our homes and keep us cool during hot, humid summers. Floridians need to understand how supporting productive energy policies is critical to ensuring that families and businesses can continue to count on domestic energy and the pipeline networks that deliver it to our homes and businesses while also striving to achieve our environmental goals.
Doyle added, “Unfortunately, energy from Florida’s pipeline network and potential future access to valuable offshore and onshore energy supplies is under attack by anti-development activists working to eliminate the production and transportation of safe, affordable sources of energy. These anti-development efforts not only harm the environment, but they also lack solutions to help meet consumer demand and threaten our environmental goals. CEA strongly encourages Florida’s elected leaders to come together and work through ways that we can continue to support energy solutions that will ensure affordable, reliable energy for everyone.”
To view the report, click here.
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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) brings together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America’s energy future. With more than 500,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households across the country. We believe energy development is something that touches everyone in our nation, and thus it is necessary for all of us to actively engage in the conversation about how we develop our diverse energy resources and energy’s importance to the economy. Learn more at ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org.
Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org
In a new analysis by Wood Mackenzie the U.S. energy storage market is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years, possibly doubling between 2018 and 2019 with utility-scale installations driving most of the growth. In recent studies, storage projects are increasing worldwide with 1,900 projects in the works – an increase of 200 since last year. These storage projects add to the efficiency and stability of the grid, improving the national security as the grid will be more resistant to disruptions.
In an effort to prepare for the future jobs and career paths that will face upcoming generations, the White House announced its five-year strategic plan for science, technology, engineering and math education. The National Science and Technology Council in partnership with the Committee on STEM Education worked together to develop a plan that pushes to “build strong foundations for STEM literacy, increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM and prepare the STEM workforce for the future.” Basic STEM skills like computational thinking and digital literacy are among the foundational skills mentioned in the report that will help Americans be better prepared to handle the advancements in technology as well as participate in civil society.
U.S. oil exports surpasses oil imports with a net export of 211,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the week through November 30th – the first time this has happened in recorded history. The U.S. shale revolution has helped increase production from just gasoline and diesel, boosting U.S. production to a record 11.7 million bpd. The EIA expects U.S. crude production to average more than 12 million bpd in 2019, an increase by more than 3 million bpd in 2016.
Breaking the nation’s own record, Costa Rica went 300 days using only renewable energy. 98.15% of the total electricity produced in the country was from water, wind, geothermal energy, biomass and the sun. While Costa Rica generates 99% of its electricity through the following methods: hydropower (78%), wind (10%), geothermal (10%), biomass (1%) and solar (1%), its energy consumption tells a different story. Nearly 70% of Costa Rica’s energy consumption comes from oil and gas. Oil is the primary fuel for vehicles and gas for cooking.
Researchers from the University of Portsmouth and the University of Cambridge have been involved in the development of a lightweight and low-cost material made from date palm fibre biomass to be used in non-structural parts for the automotive and marine industries. Non-structural parts including car bumpers and door linings. Based on research, the date palm fibre was shown to have an increased malleable strength and more low-velocity impact resistance than traditional human-made composites. The significance of such studies is the possibility of using these lightweight alternatives to help reduce the weight of vehicles and thus using less fuel consumption and producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
When most people think of energy, they think of oil and gas, solar and wind, and nuclear. Unless you live in a country like the Philippines, Indonesia, or even Iceland, geothermal energy may seem foreign or evening confusing for local consumers. Though it is often discussed in terms of using hot water resources to generate electricity, home geothermal systems can be found even in places with little to no volcanic or seismic activity. So, what is geothermal energy and how does it work? Here’s what we think you should know about geothermal systems as an energy consumer.
What Is Geothermal Energy?
As its name suggests, geothermal energy is an energy source derived from the heat inside the Earth, which at its core burns as hot as the surface of the sun. Large-scale geothermal plants access power from deep inside the earth’s crust through wells that pump up geothermal energy for electricity, these baseload power plants generate much of the world’s geothermal energy – with 14,060 MW by January of 2018. That’s because much higher levels of heat are generated by groundwater heated by volcanic activity and extremely high-pressure conditions.
However, there any many different sources of geothermal energy. Throughout the year, the ground absorbs the above ground temperature, both hot and cold in what is known as a frost line. Below the frost line, however, is a well maintained and regulated temperature – roughly around 54 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat provides the basis for the most common form of home geothermal energy provided through a Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP.)
Geothermal Energy at Different Scales
The most familiar form of geothermal energy for most people is the ambient heat stored in the ground itself, which is sufficient to heat a home in the wintertime if paired with the right exchange equipment. Cold air circulates through the exchange pipes, warming the air before it is pushed through a GHP and warmed some more before being dispersed into the house. During the summer, the same system is used in reverse with warm air being pumped in and cooled to the ground temperature, which during summer is below the outside air temperature. These systems are mostly used by homeowners, as they are extremely effective on a small scale.
Although less common, other forms of geothermal energy can be used to supply much larger amounts of power. Tapping sources of hot water buried beneath the Earth’s surface can provide heating for large populations, as well as produce enough energy to generate electricity on a large scale. When used to produce electricity, heated groundwater is allowed to convert into high-pressure steam, which then turns turbines.
More recently, scientists and researchers have been exploring volcanic energy to generate low-cost electricity by exploiting the heat created inside of volcanoes. In volcanic environments, water can become supercritical, a state in which it takes on unique fluid properties produced by extremely high pressure and temperature conditions. Supercritical water is an excellent source of energy, though the technology for exploiting it fully is still under development.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy
With a constant supply of heat available from the Earth’s center, one of geothermal energy’s biggest advantages is that it is renewable, and relatively low-cost once the basic infrastructure for it has been built since geothermal energy sources incur no fuel costs. Even the small-scale heating and cooling systems that are common in home use are very energy efficient and can save their owners considerable amounts of money over the lifetime of the system.
With that said, geothermal energy does come with some disadvantages, particularly during the implementation of large-scale plants for power generation. This happens as geothermal power plants tap into large sources of hot water underground, which can produce greenhouse gas emissions as a byproduct as trapped sulfur dioxide rises to the surface.
The generation of electricity from geothermal sources is also highly dependent upon location since not all areas have hot water underground that can be used for this purpose. And while geothermal plants are cost-effective in the long run, they do have fairly high upfront construction costs along with the risk of causing instability to the surface where the plant is built.
How Consumers Benefit from Geothermal Energy
Consumers can benefit from geothermal systems in a number of ways. For residential consumers who are looking at home scale geothermal heating and cooling installations, these systems have a projected lifetime of 50 years or more, a period over which substantial returns can be seen in the form of savings on heating and cooling bills. These systems can also help homeowners reduce their personal carbon footprint.
On a larger scale, consumers who live in places where hot water resources are used to produce electricity are given access to sustainable, baseload sources of power. While consumers may see high power costs early on as a result of the expense involved in constructing geothermal plants, over time, the electricity produced by these plants more than pay for themselves. As we continue to find cleaner forms of energy around the globe and geothermal power becomes more widespread, it’s likely that more and more consumers will see it becoming a part of their local power grids.
It’s not what you use, it’s how you use it. So, as we look at new ways to save energy and make our lives more efficient, these are some of the fun gift ideas we’ve been looking at. Reducing energy costs in your home can not only help you save money, but it can also help you reduce your energy footprint. So, if you’re looking for something to give the eco-friendly and socially conscious people in your life, here are some unconventional gifts that will help improve efficiencies in their home lives.
Pressure Cooker
A pressure cooker is a great energy efficient gift since it helps improve the amount of time and energy that goes into preparing a meal. Plus, they use less energy than electric or gas stovetops. A pressure cooker works by trapping steam within the pot or cooker until it reaches its highest pressure and then slowly reduces the pressure from there until the food is done.
Pressure cookers can be used to make everything from meats, beans, rice, stews, and even soups. To make the process even easier, inventors of the Instant Pot, made the latest iteration of its product by speeding up cooking times by 2-10 times – using up to “70% less energy”. This multi-use, programmable pressure cooker reduces even the time of the pressure cooker and comes in various sizes. Looking for the Instant Pot? It’s only available online and at select retailers.
The AON Collapsible Portable Speakers
We’re always on the go these days, and every chance we get we’re listening to music, podcasts or playing on our phones. So, wouldn’t it be nice to have an eco-friendly, portable speaker to use when you’re out? If so, the AON Box Collapsible Portable Speakers are something you should consider but beware, they’re only available at select retail stores. These speakers are great because they’re made from renewable sources. They also don’t require an outlet or the use of batteries. They’re compatible enough to use with smartphones, MP3 players, and other devices that have an audio frequency jack. Plus, they make the perfect gift with their fun colors and unique designs.
Thermal Leak Detectors
During the winter we like our homes to stay cozy and warm, but it can be a challenge with fluctuating energy costs, especially if you’re trying to save money on your bills. While newer houses built after 1990 were required to have insulation up to a certain level, older houses prior to that time had lower levels of insulation thickness or none at all. Though some people have the ability to add insulation and reduce energy costs, this can be expensive for many homeowners.
Though it is one thing to try and heat your home accordingly, it’s another to have drafts or leaks that let warm air out and cold air in. By using a thermal leak detector like this one from Black & Decker you can use the infrared sensors to measure the surface temperatures in your home. This can help you and other homeowners detect those drafts or leaks and have them patched or repaired. Catching these leaks can help homeowners save up to 20% on their heating costs – and every little penny helps.
Sowden Softbrew Coffee Pots
Most people love waking up to a hot pot of coffee in the morning. Since coffee filters are made out of paper, the production not only uses energy, it creates waste. Sowden’s SoftBrew Coffee Pots do not require the use of filters, but still make a great cup of coffee, even for coffee snobs. This coffee pot only has coffee grounds as leftover trash, which can be used as fertilizer or for composting.
The Laundry Pod
Laundry requires a lot of time, energy, and money. You can reduce your energy bill by not only using cold water but reducing the amount of water you use in a single cycle. Another alternative is using The Laundry Pod, which is an eco-friendly washer that’s only available online.
It doesn’t require electricity and only uses a small amount of water to wash all kinds of items, including delicates. The Laundry Pod from Home Depot only uses 5 gallons of water and very little electricity, which is great for the planet and your wallet. Your loved ones will enjoy doing their laundry on the go, especially if they travel or camp a lot. Know someone considering a tiny home or an off-grid dwelling? This is a perfect gift for them!
Finding the right gift that’s also energy-efficient involves thinking outside of the box. Hopefully, these gift ideas give you insight into other ways to save and be more efficient so when you give this year, you give thoughtfully in more ways than one.
With one of the largest budget surpluses in New Mexico’s history as a result of bipartisan energy policies, CEA’s Emily Haggstrom talks about the importance of working across the aisle to continue seeing New Mexico prosper.
That’s why calls for increased partisanship should be vigorously pushed aside by the newly elected, who should improve what their predecessors came up short on and build upon what they did well, like leadership in energy.
Read more – Albuquerque Journal
Smart energy policies have enabled small businesses and manufacturers across Louisiana to operate more cost-effectively and have contributed to increased disposable income for families according to CEA’s Kaitlin Schmidtke.
To maintain and expand this advantage, policymakers must continue to take steps to secure our long-term energy and economic security. This includes supporting pipelines — statistically, the safest and most efficient way to move energy — and the federal government’s proposal to expand oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico, which could generate nearly 24,000 jobs, almost $2.2 billion in annual GDP and over $1.4 billion in revenue for coastal projects.
CEA’s Tim Page talks about the importance of developing our energy infrastructure to safely provide the energy our families and farmers need everyday.
Energy production and infrastructure would bring welcome relief in household energy costs. Saving a few bucks might be of little consequence to well-heeled activists, but it would be a lifesaver for countless others, including the 15 percent of North Carolinians in poverty who regularly see a dangerously-high, double-digit percentage of their take-home pay go toward electric and gasoline costs. Sensible, balanced policies that support wind, solar, oil, natural gas and nuclear can lower these unnecessarily high expenses.
Read more – The Daily Reflector
CEA President David Holt discusses the importance of affordable energy to those living below the poverty line and on fixed incomes and why it is a false choice to say we can have either affordable energy bills or protect our environment but not both.
Despite Big Green collectively spending hundreds of millions more this past election cycle trying to pit energy against the environment, most voters didn’t bite. Leading into Election Day, poll after poll showed that Americans didn’t see energy production and a safe environment as an either-or option. In fact, polling showed most Americans – 99 percent of Republicans, 90 percent of independents and 87 percent of Democrats – supported policies that promoted energy independence and reduced dependency on foreign resources.
Read more – Real Clear Energy
