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Gas Line Development Expected to Resume

Processing plant

Southeast Ohio has been the center of investment and economic growth as a result of energy development.  With the construction of new pipelines to processing facilities, local elected officials are optimistic about the new economic opportunities that will result.

Columbiana County commissioners are optimistic the gas development boom could resume as early as 2019 once area pipelines are in place to transport the product to market.

“When that infrastructure is in place things will pick up again,” predicted Commissioner Tim Weigle.

Read more – Salem News

Consumer Advocate Testifies on Grid Modernization Benefits and Needs

Senior Adult Couple Going Over Papers

Jefferson City, MO — Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) Midwest Director Chris Ventura testified before the Missouri Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee in support of Senate Bill 564 and the importance of improving and modernizing Missouri’s energy grid. Below are excerpts from his testimony:

“CEA is a national association with more than 450,000 individual members – over 11,000 reside here in Missouri – as well as energy consumers, and producers working to advance an all-of-the-above energy policy. Here at CEA, we have been advocating for affordable, reliable energy and sensible regulatory solutions in Missouri and across the country for more than a decade.

“Nothing is more important to us than ensuring energy consumers – especially those struggling to make ends meet – are treated fairly during these policy discussions. With this in mind, we believe it is time Missouri joined 46 other states which have moved forward with policies to allow improvements to our energy grid.

“For some, energy policy can be complex and at times hard to understand. What is not complex, however, is the fact that Missouri families, households, and small businesses could lose $1.6 billion in savings and benefits unless their General Assembly moves ahead with grid modernization legislation this year. Passage of this bill will support the economy and provide Missourians with never before seen rate caps in the range of 3% — that’s a huge win for consumers and people on fixed incomes!

“Modernizing our energy grid is about taking care of families and businesses struggling to make ends meet. Energy grids in states across our country are in a massive transition toward smart, stable and more secure energy. The benefits of this transition are immense. As the grid is modernized, power flows bi-directionally versus the traditional one-way power flow. This integrated grid will be more reliable, prevent or reduce power outages and give people and businesses access to the latest consumer technologies to manage their energy usage.

“The Missouri Grocers Association estimated that if grid modernization with a 3 percent cap on rate increases were passed, the five-year savings for a typical family over the status quo in Missouri would be $850. For a locally owned grocery store, that would translate into $25,000 in savings and $170,000 in savings for a large retail store over five years. That is real, life-changing money that could be reinvested in communities, schools, employee health care, or money for a family to simply afford to go out to eat or buy new clothes for school.

“The inability to update our 100-year-old energy policies has an unintended consequence of causing energy cost spikes in Missouri. The simple fact is that Missouri has historically been a low-cost energy state. But, due in part to outdated regulations, energy costs here have risen four times faster than the national average since 2007. In fact, our energy costs in Missouri have risen faster than all but three other states. Despite this trend and a more than century-old energy policy, the good news is that energy costs here were historically low because we still have a narrowing cost advantage. But, it’s critical that we find a way to bend the cost curve in order to modernize our energy grid.

”We ask you for your support for Senate Bill 564 in order to ensure our energy grid is modernized and strong pro-consumer policies are put in place.”

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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 450,000 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

Every Day Should Be for Giving in NC

Father Walking To School With Daughter

CEA Southeast Executive Director Tim Page discusses how North Carolinians are impacted by high energy costs.

Let’s work together to find common ground on ways to protect the environment, ensure the lowest possible prices and create greater energy security for struggling households, so that we’re lightening the load for everyone year-round, especially those who need it most.

Read more – The News Herald

Buddy Carter Wants Meeting on Coastal Georgia Offshore Drilling

Family at Sunset

CEA’s David Holt commented on the prospect of lowering energy costs and providing increased employment for American families as a result of additional access to offshore energy resources.

In addition to providing tens of thousands of higher-paying jobs and adding billions of dollars to the American economy, increasing offshore production will help keep gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel prices affordable for cash-strapped families and small businesses, reduce our dependence on foreign rivals, bolster domestic exports, and enhance our energy security well into the future.

Read more – Savannah Morning News

Consumer Watchdog Calls on New England Policymakers to Take Responsibility for Region’s Price Spikes

A couple paying their utility bills

Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) today called on New England policymakers who have been opposed to new energy infrastructure projects to publicly take responsibility for their failure to protect working families, seniors and those living in poverty by unnecessarily blocking the expansion of existing pipeline infrastructure, causing wholesale electricity prices to increase over 600 percent since early December.

CEA’s analysis found that the “Bomb Cyclone” in New England significantly increased regional demand for electricity. As households turned up their thermostats, the need for natural gas increased, but because elected leaders have blocked the modernization and expansion of New England’s existing pipeline infrastructure, the natural gas needed for electricity was not available. This directly resulted in wholesale electricity prices increasing by more than 600 percent.

To put that in perspective, the 5 million households in the New England states could pay between $1 billion and $1.6 billion for electricity, based on projections from the record cold weather. This is a staggering amount that should embarrass our political leaders.

“CEA – along with regional electrical grid experts like ISO New England — has repeatedly urged policymakers to take action and heed the warnings about the severe lack of pipeline capacity in New England,” said David Holt, president of CEA. “For too long, many of New England’s political leaders have played politics with our pocketbooks by relying on misguided and flawed claims by groups that know nothing about actual energy solutions that compliment renewables. Now, this lack of political will is hurting families, seniors and the working poor who may be paying hundreds more in their next electricity bill. This should have been an easy solution, but now it is a nightmare for families throughout the region.”

“After seeing wholesale prices for electricity in New England spike nearly 600 percent since the end of December, policymakers who have stood in the way of approving modernized infrastructure for the past several years are now going to have some tough conversations with their constituents when they open their next power and heating bills,” Holt said.

Holt added: “Unfortunately, New England families will continue to be crushed by the untenable costs of energy prices this winter, and every foreseeable winter, until their policymakers finally take responsibility and make energy affordability a priority. It is imperative that state legislators and the region’s public utility commissioners learn from this past cold snap and get serious about the burden facing New England energy consumers. We hope all these voters remember this come November.”

CEA’s analysis is based on data available from ISO New England and metered generation for the week of December 25-31, 2017.

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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 450,000 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

How to Brighten Florida’s Energy Future

Group of Seniors Playing Games

CEA Florida’s Kevin Doyle reflects on how Florida’s families budget their hard-earned money to pay for energy, and what can be done to help those living below the poverty line or on fixed incomes.

With per-capita energy spending nearly $2,800 per person statewide for energy, the poorest households shell out as much as 50 percent of their take-home pay on heating, air conditioning and electricity. Economists say that percentage should be six percent, at most.

Read more – Tallahassee Democrat

CEA Statement on FERC’s Grid Reliability Decision

Household Electric Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Energy Alliance’s (CEA) President David Holt issued the following statement concerning the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) decision that more information and public input is needed as it continues its efforts to review and improve the U.S. electricity grid.

“Today’s action underscores what CEA has long said on this important topic.  The U.S. grid, electricity markets and our national energy mix, as well as the needs of families and business everywhere is changing rapidly.  Just look at the exorbitant – and unnecessary – electricity prices families are forced to pay in the North East as the latest example of the need for sensible public policy to help lower energy prices. Wholesale prices for electricity increased by 600 percent, forcing hard-hit New England families to pay even more because elected leaders have failed to recognize basic needs for expanded energy delivery.

“CEA’s underlying concern continues to be that energy prices for families, seniors, small businesses, blue collar workers and those struggling to get by remain affordable and their service is reliable and there when they need it.”

Holt went on to say, “These are complex and serious times. We are glad this Administration and our regulatory agencies remain committed to addressing the challenges facing family budgets and their demands over the long-term. That is why CEA has long advocated for an all-of-the-above approach to energy approach, to ensure we have enough of a diversified fuel mix to meet electricity demand and provide affordable, reliable energy to families and businesses across the country.”

 

Pipeline Video Game a Blow to Low-income Families

Man Using Computer

CEA Midwest Executive Director Chris Ventura discusses how counterproductive is is for state institutions of higher education to develop games encouraging people to destroy critical public infrastructure.

Peaceful or violent, protests disregard another critically important issue: energy costs. While an extra few dollars a month might not mean much to some, for others, like low-income families – and the 15 percent of Michiganders living below the poverty line – it could mean choosing between turning on the lights and the heat this winter and putting food on the table.

For those living on low or fixed incomes who regularly spend a significantly larger percentage of their disposable income on energy than those in other income brackets, the burden is even more crushing. And unlike other necessities like housing, food and health care, these consumers often cannot shop for cheaper resources.

Read more – Lansing State Journal

Consumer Group Urges Southeast Policymakers to Support Access to Energy and Infrastructure Development

Family Walking in the Winter Snow

January 5, 2018 — Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) President David Holt today urged Southeast policymakers to take immediate action to support working families, seniors and those living in poverty through policies that expand energy delivery and infrastructure.  According to energy experts, easing energy bottlenecks and supporting an all-of-the-above energy solution – including oil, natural gas, solar, coal, nuclear, and wind – will ensure the lowest possible energy prices, strengthen our energy security and improve the livelihoods for struggling households. Like most of the U.S., the Southeast is facing record low temperatures – and record high demands for energy.

“After seeing the impact of the largest highest snowfall the Southeast has seen in 30 years, we urge political leaders across the political spectrum to fully and unequivocally support smart energy and environmental solutions that delivers more energy to ensure families and small businesses have access to affordable, domestic energy,” said Holt. “This cold snap stresses the importance of coming together today to support sensible energy policies that balance all of our resources.  Sensible energy policies will lower energy prices for all, especially those who can least afford it. Thanks to record advancements and improvements in technology, techniques, materials, and regulations, these resources can be utilized safer than ever.”

Holt added: “While some elected officials have suggested we must choose between our environmental goals or a prosperous economy, it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, this political argument is actually making us pay more for our energy.   Protecting the environment and promoting pro-active energy solutions can and MUST can go hand in hand. Without quick energy solutions, families, seniors and the working poor that need energy to fill up the gas tank to drive the kids to school, will only continue to suffer.   And those consumers will remember who put them in this dire financial situation when they open up their power and heating bills – and when they enter the voting booth in November.”

Gulf of Mexico to Open up for Offshore Drilling

Seismic research vessel

CEA’s Kevin Doyle was recently interviewed about the Trump administration’s proposal for offshore energy exploration and how it will impact Florida’s families.

“Regarding energy development in Florida, we need to ensure that there is a balanced approach that takes into account the military community and its training programs, Florida’s tourism industry, our pristine environment and the responsible development of energy resources. With the technology available, we are confident that we can reach that balance which would result in a win for the millions of families, farms and small businesses in Florida that depend on reliable affordable energy.”

Read more – WINK-TV

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