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New Year, Old Problems

Happy New Year. Get ready to pay more at the pump.

You have probably heard all the news that gas prices are up and are poised to move even higher. The national average for a gallon of gasoline recently reached $3.12 and experts say a price of $5 is quite possible within two years. That would put gasoline prices well above the levels reached during that memorable summer of 2008, when some commuters said they could no longer afford to drive to work.

Here’s the back story consumers may not be as familiar with: Large swaths of the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico remain off limits to exploration, months after the Obama Administration lifted its ban on deep water drilling.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Gulf drilling remains stalled, and that multibillion dollar projects in the region are on hold, hurting major oil companies and independent operators alike, as well as the entire Gulf Coast economy. To illustrate just how onerous regulations and permitting processes in the region have become, the Journal reports that shallow water drilling has also fallen under increased scrutiny, even though that was never formally included in last year’s temporary moratorium.

Three years after the country entered the worst recession since the Great Depression, there are finally some signs of economic recovery. But that recovery is extremely fragile and may not be able to withstand a gas price shock. When oil prices rise, prices of just about everything else are also pushed higher. At first, this is most noticeable for those of us with lengthy commutes, but the ultimate impact is much broader. Prices for food staples like milk and eggs rise as the cost of transporting them goes up. Ditto for consumer durables – those products like refrigerators and furniture that consumers delay purchasing when times are tight and return to when they have a little more disposable income. But if prices of such goods are prohibitive, or if consumers are spending too much on essentials like transportation and home heating oil, discretionary purchases are further delayed.

In short, our entire economic outlook is tied up in the price of oil. Yet, at a time when our economy needs all the support it can get, we are failing to tap our own supply of domestic oil.

Make sense? We don’t think so either. In the coming weeks, we will have more to say about domestic gas prices and domestic drilling, the domestic economy and the ongoing shortage of jobs. We hope you will join us in supporting reasonable policies that promote growth and recovery.

Consumer Energy Alliance Welcomes New Member Gulf Coast Clean Application Center

Consumer Energy Alliance Welcomes New Member Gulf Coast Clean Application Center

HOUSTON – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is pleased to welcome a new affiliate member, the Gulf Coast Clean Energy Application Center (GC RAC). Joining as CEA’s 154th member, the GC RAC is one of eight clean energy centers established by the U.S. Department of Energy and is located within the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) in the Woodlands, Texas.

“Consumer Energy Alliance is pleased to announce this new partnership with one of the Gulf’s essential energy advocates,” said CEA president David Holt. “The Houston Advanced Research Center and the Gulf Coast Clean Application Center play an important role in promoting enhanced fuel efficiency, improved energy cost predictability, and stronger domestic energy security, which are common goals shared by CEA.”

“The GC RAC strives to expand the understanding of a variety of energy sources by educating end-users and policymakers on the importance of responsible, clean energy, and we find that CEA’s broader mission mirrors that charge”, said Krishnan Umamaheswar, research scientist at HARC.

The GC RAC’s mission is to increase support for combined heat and power (CHP), waste heat recovery and district energy in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The GC RAC initiates educational programs, facilitates policy development, and generates project-specific support to help business leaders move forward with reaching their project goals. Through its strong relationships with regional stakeholders, the GC RAC is working to build a community with enthusiasm for CHP and has become the leading voice and resource for these technologies in the region.

The GC RAC partners with the Texas Combined Heat & Power Initiative (TXCHPI), a non-profit association of business interests that supports clean, energy-efficient, CHP technology applications in industrial, commercial and institutional settings (http://www.texaschpi.org/).

For more information on the Gulf Coast Clean Energy Application Center, visit www.gulfcoastcleanenergy.com

For more information on Consumer Energy Alliance, visit www.consumerenergyalliance.org.

January 2011 CEA Newsletter

January 2011 CEA Newsletter
Issue 46


 

Consumer Energy Alliance begins the new year with not only new board leadership, but also a focused vision and fiery momentum. As 2011 begins to take shape, the overall mission of CEA is beginning to take new life.

This year will prove to be one of strength in numbers and an unparalleled unified voice. With the goal of solidifying our impact across the nation, it is key that we place utmost significance on working to distribute the balanced energy message as a whole in a loud and resonating way. CEA has much to do in 2011, and we look forward to taking this on with our membership in an active and robust fashion.

CEA’s Energy Advocacy campaign is underway, with an angled focus of both offshore and onshore access over the near-term, and developing our renewable resources over the longer-term. Crucial components to this plan include expanded educational outreach into key states that have been hit hard by the sustained lack of a U.S. energy policy, emphasis on the importance of offshore & onshore energy production for every state, and constant and committed messaging from all CEA affiliates. CEA’s website is currently undergoing a facelift, and enhancements will provide a way for the messages of CEA and our affiliates to be heard in multiple formats across multiple channels. As these pieces begin to fall into place, affiliate involvement becomes the theme that keeps us moving in an appropriate direction.

In the legislative arena, CEA plans to hold policy discussions with members early in the new year. We will also circulate our “Energy Policy Position Paper for the 112th Congress” in early 2011 to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the energy industry from all the viewpoints represented within Consumer Energy Alliance.

As natural gas issues become more center stage, CEA’s natural gas committee will be gearing up for new organization and a forceful voice. New chairmen are to be named, and the committee will continue to focus on government action with the intent of staying on top of the current issues in a proactive manner. CEA put our best foot forward with a successful showing of the documentary on natural gas development “Haynesville” in Houston, and plans with the film’s director are already underway to take this event on the road in a traveling succession of showings in key industry cities.

With much to anticipate in the upcoming year, it can be simplified by saying that we need your commitment to participate and be involved! As we begin the countdown to the 2012 election year (already!), now is the time to rally our troops and prepare for what lies ahead for the energy consumers of America.

David Holt
President

Support Energy Efficiency in Households Across America through the DOE’s Workforce Guidelines

What are the Workforce Guidelines?
The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Workforce Guidelines are intended to foster the growth of a high quality residential retrofit industry and a skilled work force to achieve energy efficiency goals.

As a part of the plan to reach those efficiency goals, the DOE calls for a voluntary national framework for worker certification and training program accreditation. This framework has been developed, and it is called the Workforce Guidelines for Home Energy Upgrades.

What is the impact of the Workforce Guidelines?
With an energy efficiency trained workforce in place, Americans will have better access to the know-how necessary to make their homes more energy efficient and better suited for saving energy dollars.

What can I do to support adoption of the Workforce Guidelines?
CEA supports the development and implementation of these guidelines and their economic impact on domestic energy costs. Please click here,  to answer the call.

Jump on Board for Energy Day 2011

We are steadily building momentum for our Energy Day 2011 event! Here are some updates to keep you informed of our progress:

  • The location for the event is set for Houston City Hall and Tranquility Park, Downtown, Houston, TX on October 15, 2011
  • The Mayor of Houston is an official sponsor
  • ABC-13 will be working with us to broadcast a pre-show that will air in Houston to publicize the festival
  • We have confirmed the following sponsors, and we want to add YOU to the rapidly growing list:
    1. 60 Plus Association
    2. ABC-13
    3. Apache
    4. Bug Ware, Inc.
    5. Caterpillar
    6. City of Houston
    7. Consumer Energy Alliance
    8. Consumer Energy Education Foundation
    9. Cooperative for After-School Enrichment (CASE)
    10. Earth Quest Institute
    11. Environmentally Friendly Drilling Project
    12. Greater Houston Partnership
    13. Halliburton
    14. Harris County Department of Education
    15. Houston Advanced Research Center
    16. Houston Independent School District
    17. Houston Museum of Natural Science Wiess Energy Hall
    18. Houston Renewable Energy Network
    19. Houston Technology Center
    20. Lone Star College
    21. Marathon
    22. NASA-Johnson Space Center
    23. National Algae Association
    24. Offshore Energy Center
    25. Science and Engineering Fair of Houston
    26. Shell
    27. Solar Tour Houston
    28. The Wind Alliance
    29. TXU
    30. University of Houston
    31. Western Energy Alliance

E-mail Mindy at MParker@consumerenergyalliance.org for more information or to let us know you’d like to sponsor this year’s event!

CEA Announces New Board Members

At its annual board meeting on December 6th, Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) named Rich Moskowitz, vice president and regulatory affairs counsel of the American Trucking Association, as its next chairman of the board. Also named at the meeting was John Heimlich, vice president and chief economist for the Air Transport Association of America, to the position of vice chairman; Mark Pulliam, solution partner with Sabre Airline Solutions, to the position of treasurer; and Kathleen Koehler, director of events and special projects for CEA, to the position of secretary. All new officers will assume their new responsibilities effective immediately. Read the full press release here…

CEA Announces New Affiliate Members

Illinois Chamber of Commerce

The Illinois Chamber becomes the 153rd affiliate member of CEA, and the third state Chamber of Commerce to join the Alliance in addition to the United States Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is the state’s oldest, largest broad-based business advocacy group seeking to bring together members from every part of the state, in every type of business or industry. The mission of the Chamber is to exist as a pro-business advocacy membership organization. Read the full press release here…

Gulf Coast Clean Energy Application Center

Consumer Energy Alliance is pleased to welcome a new affiliate member, the Gulf Coast Clean Energy Application Center(GC RAC). The GC RAC is one of the eight centers established around the country by the U.S. Department of Energy and is located within the Houston Advanced Research Center in the Woodlands, TX. The GC RAC’s mission is to increase the adoption of combined heat and power (CHP), waste heat recovery and district energy in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The GC RAC undertakes educational programs, policy development, and project specific support to help adopters move forward with project initiation. Through its work with regional stakeholders, the GC RAC is working to build a community with enthusiasm for CHP and has become the leading voice and resource for these technologies in the region. For more information on the Gulf Coast Clean Energy Application Center, visit www.gulfcoastcleanenergy.com

CEA Blog: Earmarking of Natural Gas Royalties

For those of us in Texas, this one hits closely to home. As technology improves and natural gas plays across the country become even more of a stronghold of the American economy, it’s a topic that every city and state ought to begin seriously considering. Should the natural gas royalties be earmarked to return to the land from which it was generated? Is this really a practical and/or wise legislative necessity? Read blog…

Ways to Go Ahead and Get Green at Your Fingertips!

Many American consumers support the green movement, and take steps to actually put these practices into place. But when it comes to renewables and actually changing our typical household infrastructure and/or behaviors, how far are we willing to go? A handy website called GoGreenSolar.com can help us actually get started with those replacement projects in our homes and retails products to get the ball rolling. The company not only retails small renewable energy systems, wind turbines, and solar panel, but also connects you to renewable energy professionals in your area to take on larger projects.

 

 

American Public Power Association

The American Public Power Association (APPA) is the service organization for the nation’s more than 2,000 community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that serve more than 45 million Americans in 49 states (all but Hawaii).  APPA was created in 1940 as a non-profit, non-partisan organization. APPA’s purpose is to advance the public policy interests of its members and their consumers, and provide member services to ensure adequate, reliable electricity at a reasonable price with the proper protection of the environment.  APPA is governed by a regionally representative Board of Directors, its policy positions are determined democratically, and the staff is committed to serving the interests of its members.

Because all electric utilities, including not-for-profit public power systems, generate electricity from numerous types of fuels, most energy issues impact us on some level — environmental/greenhouse gas issues related to burning coal and natural gas and well as supply and transportation policies related to these fuels (drilling, rail, pipeline, etc.), the use of hydropower’s impact on river species, the myriad issues surrounding the use of nuclear, and the integration of newer technologies like wind, solar, biomass, and hydrokinetic technologies.

“Having a broad-based, consensus driven organization like CEA, provides an opportunity for APPA to understand what others in the energy industry care about and are facing in the policy arena,” said Joy Ditto, Director of Legislative Affairs for APPA. “This type of opportunity is invaluable as we seek to work with others on issues of common interest.”

To learn more about APPA, visit www.publicpower.org.

Consumer Energy Alliance Holds Annual Board Meeting, Announces New Board Officers

HOUSTON — At its annual board meeting today, Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) named Rich Moskowitz, vice president and regulatory affairs counsel of the American Trucking Association, as its next chairman of the board. Also named at the meeting was John Heimlich, vice president and chief economist for the Air Transport Association of America, to the position of vice chairman; Mark Pulliam, solution partner with Sabre Airline Solutions, to the position of treasurer; and Kathleen Koehler, director of events and special projects for CEA, to the position of secretary. All new officers will assume their new responsibilities effective immediately.

“The newly elected members to the CEA board embody the dedication our organization has for the American consumer in the nation’s pursuit for balanced, long-term energy policy,” said CEA President David Holt. “They have long been leaders in the CEA family and under their direction, the Alliance will continue to advocate for the ‘all of the above approach’ to the U.S. energy economy that we hope our nation can achieve.”

Chairman Rich Moskowitz has practiced environmental, regulatory and corporate law for more than 20 years and is a frequent lecturer on regulatory issues affecting the trucking industry. “I look forward to helping CEA lead the charge to enact a balanced energy policy that meets consumers’ growing energy needs,” said Moskowitz. “CEA’s mission to improve domestic energy security and promote stable energy prices for consumers dovetails with the goals of the trucking industry and other energy consumers.”

In assuming the role of vice chairman, John Heimlich, said he is “thrilled” to serve and continue CEA’s efforts. “Our combined work should ensure that all forms of energy can compete to meet the needs of American consumers with respect to availability, affordability, reliability and environmental compatibility. I will work closely with CEA to explore every opportunity to emphasize the critical importance of conservation and efficiency, enabling airlines and other conscientious consumers to use the minimal amount of energy to stimulate economic growth,” said Heimlich.

Newly-elected treasurer Mark Pulliam said, “Before CEA, the voice of the consumer was inadequately represented in the national discourse on energy policy. Because of CEA, that voice now reverberates through all levels of government. I am invigorated by the opportunity to play a larger role in CEA’s mission of promoting a balanced energy policy – a policy that recognizes the need to responsibly develop our country’s natural resources as well as increase our utilization of alternative energy.”

For more information on Consumer Energy Alliance, visit www.consumerenergyalliance.org.

Consumer Energy Alliance and Illinois Chamber of Commerce Energy Council Announce Reciprocal Memberships

HOUSTON — Today, Consumer Energy Alliance and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Energy Council announce their official affiliation in the form of reciprocal membership. The Illinois Chamber becomes the 153rd affiliate member of CEA, and the third state Chamber of Commerce to join the Alliance in addition to the United States Chamber of Commerce.

The Illinois Chamber is the state’s oldest, largest broad-based business advocacy group seeking to bring together members from every part of the state, in every type of business or industry. The mission of the Chamber is to exist as a pro-business advocacy membership organization.

“As economic trends for the country continue to become more and more dependent upon the energy sector, this affiliation marks another key strategic relationship in promoting a balanced energy policy for America that creates domestic jobs and boosts state fiscal health,” said CEA President David Holt. “The Illinois Chamber of Commerce places a significant emphasis on energy issues within the state and across the nation, and CEA is proud to welcome the Chamber as our newest member.”

The Chamber’s Energy Council advocates for energy policies in Illinois that will make the state a place where energy development of all kinds can flourish in a competitive marketplace.  The Energy Council is made up of companies that generate, transmit or transport energy, or supply energy companies.

“We are excited to have this new relationship with the Consumer Energy Alliance,” said Tom Wolf, executive director of the Chamber’s Energy Council.  “We look forward to working together to find the best technical, environmental and economic ‘sweet spot’ for our nation’s energy future.”

For more information on Consumer Energy Alliance, visit www.consumerenergyalliance.org.

Earmarking of Natural Gas Royalties: Necessity or Hindrance?

For those of us in Texas, this one hits closely to home. As technology improves and natural gas plays across the country become even more of a stronghold of the American economy, it’s a topic that every city and state ought to begin seriously considering. Should the natural gas royalties be earmarked to return to the land from which it was generated? Is this really a practical and/or wise legislative necessity?

This article on Yahoo cites the example of Beaumont, Texas, and the $35.3 million profits that have been generated near the airport by natural gas royalties. Beaumont, a city of about 110,000, with a tiny airport, couldn’t use $35.3 million on their airport land even if they tore it down and rebuilt the whole thing. But because of federal regulations, that money must be reinvested into that piece of property. So, in short, $35.3 million is sitting just out of reach for a town like other American towns that could use it to compensate for other budget deficits.

With the American economy in such a fragile state and every arm of budgeting being so crucial, is it really wise to create these boundaries of red tape that, when examined, may not actually be useful? Isn’t this one of the times that it would make the most sense to re-examine our national priorities?

In the Wind

Humans have been using wind power for many thousands of years. From transportation uses such as ships and sailboats, to the creation of the windmill, and now to fancy high-tech wind turbines, the idea of harnessing this natural resource has long been in our energy toolkit. And judging from an announcement by the Department of the Interior last week, it’s about to become much more abundant.

Last week, Secretary Salazar announced his new accelerated wind energy permitting process, called “Smart from the Start,” a program which will finally get offshore wind energy moving in the right direction. He recognized the need to speed up the permitting procedure and rid the process of lengthy technical delays in order to get moving to begin efficiently putting the projects into production. In other words, no fancy red tape needed to begin our offshore wind initiatives.

In 2009, the U.S. wind industry installed over 10,000 MW of generating capacity— enough to power over 2.4 million homes or generate as much electricity as three large nuclear power plants. Wind power represented 40% of all new U.S. electric generation capacity in 2009.

Now that our first offshore wind farm lease, called Cape Wind, has been signed by the Secretary, these offshore wind projects are expected to become more and more popular. This is great news for the states of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, who are happy to have the income and jobs these projects will create.

There are both pro’s and con’s to harnessing wind energy. Tell us what you think.

CEA’s David Holt on Houston’s ABC-13: Salazar’s Gulf Announcment Signifies More Unnecessary Delay

Click here to see the clip from ABC-13 that aired on December 1, 2010.

SEA: REINSTATEMENT OF OCS MORATORIUM IS BAD NEWS FOR SOUTHEAST

FREDERICKSBURG – Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) announced the ban of offshore oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as part of the next five-year outer continental shelf (OCS) plan.

Michael Whatley, Executive Director of the Southeast Energy Alliance (SEA), a non-partisan organization that advocates for balanced and rational energy policies for the Southeast, issued this statement:

“We are extremely disappointed with the Administration’s announcement that it is going to reinstate the OCS Moratorium in the Atlantic and prohibit any potential lease sales for at least five more years.”

“The people of both the Southeast and the entire nation sent a strong message in the November elections that they want the Administration to focus on job creation, economic growth and deficit reduction. Responsible offshore exploration and production in the Southeast Atlantic would create thousands of high paying jobs, add hundreds of millions of dollars to the GDP and create hundreds of billions of dollars in government revenues – and taking this off the table while the economy is still hurting and unemployment remains stubbornly high makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.”

“We strongly believe that Secretary Salazar and the Administration need to thoroughly examine what happened to cause the Deepwater Horizon explosion and subsequent oil release. We support the development and implementation of new regulatory safeguards to prevent future catastrophes of this kind and to move forward with developing all energy resources – including wind, solar, oil, natural gas, biofuels, and nuclear – that this country needs.”

For more information, visit www.southeastenergyalliance.org.

CEA: Offshore Drilling Ban is Wrong Approach; Will Continue to Hurt American Consumers

WASHINGTON – Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) announced the ban of offshore oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as part of the next five-year outer continental shelf (OCS) plan.

David Holt, president of Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), a non-profit, non-partisan organization that advocates an “all of the above” approach to securing, reliable energy, issued this statement:
“While we agree with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that a continued review of the circumstances that led to the tragic Deepwater Horizon accident needs to be completed to ensure safe offshore production, today’s disappointing announcement is the wrong approach to creating a balanced commonsense national energy plan.

“On top of the “de facto” moratorium on both deep and shallow water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and the state of Alaska, this administration continues to keep critical supplies of oil and natural gas off-limits that can be safely leveraged into more American jobs and secure, affordable energy supplies for struggling American families, consumers and small businesses.

“Banning offshore drilling in these areas will not create the jobs we desperately need or spur the economic development our citizens deserve. American consumers should be able to depend on their government for access to the energy resources they need, demand and rightfully own — energy that, if harnessed, could help invigorate the U.S. economy for decades to come, create millions of new jobs, billions in local revenue, and the prospect of long-term energy affordability.

“CEA asks Secretary Salazar to fulfill President Obama’s promise of realistically meeting our energy needs in all forms – wind, solar, oil, natural gas, biofuels, and nuclear — through expanded (and expedited) development of our natural resources. We must work together to create a robust national energy policy and secure our energy and economic future.”

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