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CEA Applauds Louisiana Lawmakers for Preserving Consumer Vehicle Choice

BATON ROUGE – Consumer Energy Alliance, the leading consumer advocate focused on the impacts energy policy has on families, small businesses, and consumers, applauds the Louisiana Legislature and Governor Jeff Landry for passing and enacting House Bill 515, which preserves consumer choice and supports an “all of the above” approach to energy that empowers consumers to make rational and informed decisions about their energy usage.

“Across the country, we have witnessed irresponsible policies put forth by state governments that would have the unfortunate consequences of increasing prices and harming reliability while failing to achieve environmental goals,” CEA Gulf Coast Deputy Director Shawn Waldron said. “It is simply not feasible nor practical to prohibit consumers from choosing what they drive by engine type. Policies that limit consumer choice do little to achieve the environmental progress we all desire. Furthermore, policies that force consumers to choose one vehicle type over another places an unnecessary strain on manufacturers, electricity grids, and car dealerships – many of whom are small businesses that cannot afford the upgrade costs of $100,000 to $1 million just to sell electric vehicles to a consumer who may not want them.”

Through Louisiana’s passage and enactment of HB515, the state is preserving the right of an individual consumer to choose the vehicle type that best suits their needs and preferences while continuing to support manufacturers and small businesses that rely on predictable and non-restrictive automotive policies that advance affordable and reliable energy.

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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, we’re committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.

Contact:
Bryson Hull
(202) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org

Energy Explorer: The Difference Between Regulated and Restructured/Deregulated Markets

Young Handsome Man Gives a Voice Command to a Smart Home Application on His Smartphone To Switch on the Lights and Set a Comfortable Temperature. It's a Cozy Evening in Living Room.

There are different types of energy markets, but let’s focus on two types that appear across the country: regulated and restructured or deregulated.

In regulated markets, investor-owned utilities (IOUs) own and operate all infrastructure that generates and transports electricity for the people and businesses they serve. This “vertical integration” means IOUs are responsible for the electricity they produce, moving the electrons over their system and reading the meter attached to your home business that shows how much electricity you use.

Explaining the Electricity Grid
Source: Best Practice Energy (https://bestpracticeenergy.com/2020/05/21/energy101-electricity-iso/)

IOUs are required to seek approval for their investments (think the poles and wires on your street) from the state’s Public Utility Commission or equivalent agency. They then look to recover those costs from the people and businesses they are obligated to serve—that’s you, the customer. Public Utility Commissions are responsible for supervising the IOUs to ensure that these investments are sensible and that rates are fair and reasonable.

In essence, regulated markets are, for the most part, carefully governed by regulators, which helps to promote a space that encourages utilities to invest and innovate while safeguarding the affordability and reliability of electricity for end-users. In most cases, that means all of us who rely on electricity in our daily lives. This means that when we flip the switch, the power turns on, and we can afford to pay the bill at the end of the month.

In restructured or deregulated markets, utilities generally do not own the electric generation facilities within that market. However, the utilities do own the transmission and distribution system poles and wires that deliver power to your home or business. ISOs and RTOs are neutral, independent organizations whose main job is managing the balance between the power generated to supply energy to the grid and the load, which is how much people use or demand from an electricity provider over time.

NERC Assessment Areas
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy

RTOs and ISOs also manage their region’s generators and transmission companies to ensure enough electricity to meet demand now and in the future. They also constantly monitor and study the electric grid to deliver reliable power at what is hopefully an affordable price. Running the grid is a 24/7 job many consider the world’s greatest engineering feat.

The original intent behind creating deregulated/restructured markets was to promote competition to lower prices. Utilities and retail electric suppliers compete to buy and sell electricity at the lowest rates, allowing consumers to choose their electricity. This is often referred to as “consumer choice.”

Through this process, consumers are tasked with actively deciding who their energy provider will be while navigating various pricing plans. While there is an open debate about whether or not retail competition is good for consumers, it requires people to make decisions about a very complex market they may not completely understand—opening up the unknowing consumer to predatory practices that often take advantage of them.

Regardless of whether you live in a regulated or restructured state, all utilities are required by state regulators to provide a connection to the electric grid for every home and business. This requirement comes with the agreement that regulators will ensure utilities are fairly compensated to maintain and invest in the electric grid.

CT’s Risky Attitude Toward Utilities Won’t Keep Lights on or Lower Prices

Senior citizens paying bills

Twenty years ago, Connecticut consumers paid only about 30% more than the national average for electricity, and today, it’s 100% more.  CEA’s Marc Brown explores why consumers are paying more, and what can be done to help alleviate energy bills.

That is the real challenge families and businesses face: Government officials, elected and unelected, who dictate the terms and conditions of our energy infrastructure rarely take responsibility for forcing conflicting policies on utilities.

Read more – Hartford Courant

Higher Fuel Prices Forcing American Families, Small Businesses to Make Sacrifices

• Memorial Day forecast to be this year’s priciest holiday at the pump
• Gasoline price changes of just a few cents a gallon can significantly alter household budgets
• Gas prices are forcing those in poverty or on fixed income to make sacrifices

WASHINGTON – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, today issued “Fueling America: High Fuel Costs Put the Brakes on Family Budgets,” an analysis showing that American families and small businesses are suffering by paying more for fuel in the summer of 2024 than they should.

“Since early 2021, American consumers have seen their family budgets getting squeezed more and more. On top of the direct impact of excessively high gasoline and diesel prices, family budgets are crushed by the inflationary impact those fuel prices have on essential, everyday commodities like eggs, bread, milk, and clothing – all of which require diesel fuel to get to our markets or homes. Simply put, when gasoline and diesel costs go up, the cost of everything goes up,” said CEA President David Holt. “With the Memorial Day holiday kicking off and more families hitting the road for summer adventures, the change of just a few cents per gallon will add up quickly.”

“CEA recently heard from a retiree who decided she couldn’t afford the monthly gas bill to drive 15 miles each way to get her doctor-ordered exercise at a gym. She was forced to make the impossible choice to sacrifice her health because of the high pump prices. Millions of people in poverty or on fixed incomes are making choices and sacrifices like this every day,” he said.

CEA’s report analyzes the influence fuel prices have on America’s transportation sector, U.S. economy and ultimately, consumers. Our transportation industry – everything including airlines, land and sea freight, cruise ships, trucking and ride-share services – requires large amounts of fuel to function, and higher energy prices across the industry means increased costs for families and businesses at every turn.

“Our households, small businesses, and communities need relief. The only remedy for America’s families and small businesses is embracing commonsense energy policies that do not limit our energy choices, and which foster reliable, affordable energy and environmental progress,” Holt said.

Click here to view the analysis.

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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, we’re committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.

Contact:
Bryson Hull
(202) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org

This Week in South Florida: Kevin Doyle

Family cooking breakfast

This week, CEA’s Kevin Doyle sat down with Local 10 News to talk about Florida energy policies that can bring affordable costs and reliable service to families across Florida.

Listen here – Local 10 News

CEA Applauds Florida Legislators and Gov. DeSantis for Ensuring Continued Access to Affordable, Reliable Energy

liquid transport pipe with US flag

TALLAHASSEE – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, released the following statement today upon the signing of Florida HB 1645 regarding energy resources.

Kevin Doyle, CEA’s Florida Executive Director said, “On behalf of CEA and all of our nearly 400-member companies, thank you to Governor DeSantis and to lead sponsors, Representative Bobby Payne and Senator Jay Collins, for moving this important legislation forward into law.”

“Reliable and affordable energy is vital for Florida’s families and businesses and crucial for our health, safety, and welfare. Diversification of Florida’s fuel supply is a necessary measure in advancing the reliability and sustainability of energy for Floridians.”

“Through comprehensive reforms, HB 1645 promotes policies that ensure Florida’s energy future is secure. This legislation promotes the development of natural gas and renewable energy resources and prioritizes energy production and infrastructure improvements.”

HB 1645 allows our utility companies to build redundancy into their operations, offers customers more energy choices and provides Floridians with greater reliability during extreme weather and peak demand events. Florida’s energy rates are much lower than the national standard due to our diverse portfolio, and HB 1645 aims to promote and maintain the benefits Florida’s energy innovation has provided thus far.

Doyle continued, “We appreciate your support of HB 1645 and we thanks Representative Bobby Payne and Senator Jay Collins for sponsoring this legislation during the legislative session. With your signature of this important piece of legislation, our residents in Florida can continue to have access to reliable, affordable, and abundant energy sources.”

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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, we are committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.

Contact:
Bryson Hull
(202) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org

Western PA Has the Technology to Serve Both the Environment and the Market

Hydrogen Storage Tanks

CEA’s Mid-Atlantic Executive Director, Mike Butler, explores how Western Pennsylvania is continuing to lead the way in energy technology and innovation to ensure continued economic development across the state.

While tech­nol­o­gies like car­bon cap­ture have gained mo­men­tum in re­cent years — spawn­ing more wide­spread adop­tion and news cov­er­age — they have been safely de­ployed for de­cades and thor­oughly stud­ied by lead­ing gov­ern­ment, in­dus­try, and ac­a­demic ex­perts in­clud­ing those at Penn State and Car­ne­gie Mel­lon. Cap­tur­ing and stor­ing car­bon mol­e­cules from nat­u­ral gas can also be ap­plied in low-car­bon hy­dro­gen en­ergy pro­duc­tion, where the only emis­sion is wa­ter.

Read more – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With Improvements, Proposed CT Energy Bill Could Be Good for CT

Power plant cooling towers

CEA Northeast Executive Director Marc Brown looks at the practical implications of ensuring the continued operation of Connecticut’s Millstone nuclear power station and the benefits provided to consumers.

With growing reliability concerns from overly restrictive energy policies throughout New England, it is increasingly important that Millstone — the largest permanently-on, emissions-free power facility in the region — remain a viable and essential part of our energy future. It is therefore important that the Public Utility Regulatory Authority investigate mechanisms to better share the costs among all New England states —relieving some of the excessive burden on Connecticut’s consumers.

Read more – CT Mirror

CEA Applauds ‘Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act’: Preserving Consumer Choice and Affordable Energy

H.R. 6192 Protects Traditional Fuels, Prevents Backdoor Bans, and Supports an ‘All of the Above’ Energy Approach

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the national consumer advocate focused on the impacts energy policy has on families, small business and consumers, writes to voice its support for H.R. 6192, the “Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act,” legislation that preserves consumer choice and supports an “all of the above” approach to energy which empowers consumers to make rational and informed decisions about their energy usage. This preemptive piece of legislation ensures that the Biden Administration cannot continue attacking affordable and reliable energy types.

“For the last three years we have witnessed irresponsible policies at the federal and state level that have had the unfortunate consequence of increasing prices and harming reliability while failing to achieve environmental goals,” said CEA Vice President Kaitlin Hammons. “It is simply not feasible nor practical to prohibit the use of traditional fuels like natural gas and propane in homes and businesses either through outright bans or backdoor bans by changes to building codes. These harmful policies will lead to higher energy bills, significant service disruptions, and increase income inequality and segregation while doing little to achieve the environmental progress we all desire.”

Through the House’s passage of H.R. 6192, Congress is taking another step to preserve the right of an individual consumer to connect or use any available utility service or source of energy desired, furthering their access to affordable, reliable energy for their homes and businesses.

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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, we are committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.

Contact:
Bryson Hull
(202) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org

A Government Takeover of the Utility Will Cost San Diego Taxpayers

Group of Friends on the Beach

Matthew Gonzales, CEA’s Southwest Executive Director, examines the costly and misguided history of utility municipalization, and why it ultimately costs families and businesses more money through higher rates.

Barely 15% of these government takeover attempts have succeeded, and two of the nine municipalized utilities identified in a 2019 report subsequently sold the assets back to the incumbent provider. In almost 90% of cases, the economics don’t justify having the city take over the electric utility, and in several instances when the economics seemed sensible, deteriorating finances resulted in the city reversing course.

Read more – Heartland Daily News

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