Can Energy Independence Start with Texas?

In a state widely know for it's larger-than-life approach to... well everything, it begs the question of how and when can Texas lead the way to U.S. energy independence?

My travels across the blogosphere has provided many articles on the development of alternative energy and fuels in Texas, with everything from agricultural biofuels (ethanol, cow manure to natural gas) to wind energy. With the emergence of a renewable energy market, and the desire for an economic stimulus that would correlate with the construction and maintenance of new renewable energy facilities, energy independence appears closer than ever.

Texas already boasts the largest wind energy capacity of any state in the U.S., and recent rumors point to as many as eight new nuclear reactors in discussion for the Lone Star state.  In addition to one of the largest natural gas pipelines in the country, there are also proponents of building new clean coal facilities in Texas as well, leaving this energy guy with the notion that Texas could be the shining example for new energy policy of the future.

Wind Power: The Future of U.S. Energy?

A recent report from the Department of Energy (DOE) points to increasing wind capacity (45 percent in 2007) as a viable option for renewable energy providing more than 20 percent of the nation's electricity.The scenario would require a significant influx of wind capacity—up from 17 gigawatts today to more than 300 gigawatts by 2030.

Combating oil prices that are resting at record rates for a barrel of crude petroleum is certainly one reason that the DOE would look to improve the efficiency and availability of renewable energy in the national grid. Which brings me to a larger issue.

Wind power is growing, but only accounts for a little over 1 percent of total energy capacity in America,  and in order to reach the goal of 20 percent the electricity grid would need major reinvention. Fortunately, the DOE and several utility companies are working on a massive makeover for the nation's grid over the next five years. Reducing the dependence on fossil fuels through wind energy would require either new transmission and distribution lines, or an advancement in wind farm technology that would help ease the pains of transition.

It's safe to say that such a venture would provide immediate environmental and monetary benefits. Consider the following:

• The DOE report lists the reduction of carbon emissions from electricity by more than 25 percent
• An additional reduction in water consumption by 4 trillion gallons

So regardless of the apparent challenges, which are to be expected, the positive environmental benefits of wide-scale wind production could be vastly important, helping alleviate many concerns over fossil fuels and foreign energy dependence.

New and Improved ElectricityTexas

If you haven't stopped by to check out the ElectricityTexas site, then I have five reason why you should. ElectricityTexas is one of the leading sites that makes it easy for you to order new service or switch your electricity.  Click on by and see how we've improved the site.

New additions to ElectricityTexas:

• New Clean Look – The new ElectricityTexas site has a cleaner, simpler look that is easier to navigate. You can choose to search for electricity by city or provider, or just simply peruse the site for more in depth electricity information. On nearly every page you have the option to begin the ordering process by entering in your address to view the companies that service your area.
• Knowledge Center – This page is designed to give you all the information you would need to make a more informed decision when searching for an electric company. There is a section about deregulation and its benefits, money saving tips, energy facts and even a section that explains how to place your order using our site.
• For the Spanish Speaking Consumer – Spanish speaking consumers can order electric service by calling ElectricityTexas. The number they call will be directed to one of our Spanish speaking representatives that will help them place their order. There is a page on the site that explains to the Spanish speakers a little about ElectricityTexas and the number they should call to place their order.
• Tell a Friend – You can now easily refer your friends to ElectricityTexas by clicking on the Tell a Friend icon.

Georgia Natural Gas Wins Award

Georgia's largest natural gas provider, Georgia Natural Gas, was recently presented with the 2008 Torch Award for Community Service
from the Better Business Bureau of Atlanta.

Here is a quote from the press release:

"Georgia Natural Gas has been a BBB Accredited Business for almost 10 years, and their community service program has made a tremendous difference in the lives of children and senior citizens in our area. We applaud GNG for their commitment to our community," said Fred Elsberry, president & CEO of BBB Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens and Northeast Georgia.

For more information, check out the official press release.

Solar City Meets the Sands of the Middle East

Peace in the middle east has a new neighbor. Enter Masdar City,  a proposed green haven near the sprawling desert city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates. The eco-friendly Masdar City of 50,000 would be the world's largest green city, right in the heart of the Persian Gulf, generally known for it's oil production, not green construction.

The more than $20 billion project features  solar-powered transport on magnetic rails, innovative composting and recycling facilities, which would lend to Masdar City's claim as the world's only carbon-and-waste free city. According to designs, water and agriculture will be produced in locally controlled environments, with a desalination plant and several greenhouses a part of the the plan, in addition to air conditioning powered by wind towers , which honestly the whole plan just floors me.

All in all the proposal is extremely impressive, though some would argue the irony of a solar-powered city in the world's oil market, and a city boasting mass transit and zero vehicles to boot. One thing to keep in mind, as an article from the Toronto Star points out, sunlight is more than abundant in the Middle East. In many ways, especially in the land of oil, you could argue that sunlight is it's greatest resource.

New Natural Gas Processing Plant in North Texas

Crosstex Energy LP is planning to build an $80 million processing plant in the Barnett Shale region of Texas. The new plant is dubbed Bear Creek and will begin operation in the third quarter of 2009, if everything goes as planned.

Bear Creek will add another 200 million cubic feet per day to the Barnett Shale natural gas capacity, effectively raising the processing capacity in the area to 485  million cubic feet per day.

The New and Improved WhiteFence Index

Ok, so we've (or our talented tech gurus) added some new features to the WhiteFence Index. If you haven't seen it yet, the WhiteFence Index is a pretty nifty tool that allows you to compare utility averages for phone, TV, Internet, electricity and natural gas in 21 of the top U.S. cities.

New features:

• City-specific pages, allowing comparison of services between cities
• Service-specific pages, allowing comparison of services from month to month

These two features are in addition to the category prices, averages by city and national averages for each service.

Here is a screenshot and link to the WhiteFence Index:

For more information on the WhiteFence Index, head over to the WhiteFence Home Services blog, where our good man Eddy has described the new features in greater detail. Booyah Eddy!

Texas Electricity Providers Stepping Up to Help Customers

From a recent WhiteFence Home Services blog:

"Fortunately for Texas electricity users, companies like Reliant™ and TXU are stepping in to help seniors and low-income households during the Summer months."

Sounds like exciting stuff, as apparently both TXU and Reliant specifically are working payment options out with seniors and low-income households.

For the full read, check out the Texas electricity blog over at WhiteFence.com

 

Today in Global Energy

• Indonesia may be opting out of OPEC. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is concerned over daily exporting declines—down from 1.6 million barrels in the mid-90's to 860,000 today—and contended that essentially, Indonesian wells are drying up.  Indonesia has been a member of OPEC since 1962—the only Southeastern Asian country. Unfortunately, according to the current numbers, Indonesia's production is nearly 40 percent below it's maximum per OPEC.


• SMA Technologie AG is breaking ground, and energy records, with it's new solar inverter factory in Kassel, Germany (82,000 square feet, carbon dioxide neutral and all energy supplied from renewable sources). A solar inverter converts direct current (DC) from solar cells to alternate current (AC) to be grid capable.


• Private equity firm First Reserve infused Osage Bio Energy is investing $300 million in new barley-based ethanol plants in the Southeaster U.S.


• Department of Energy has set aside a hefty chunk of change to help rebuild Greensburg, Kansas with 100 percent renewable energy. Very cool... (if anyone doesn't remember, Greensburg was hit very hard by an F5 twister in May 2007, which literally destroyed 95 percent of the small town).

Georgia Public Service Commission Expects Higher Natural Gas Prices this Winter

Commissioner Stan Wise is quoted in a recent press release from the PSC as expecting next winter's natural gas prices to be "significantly higher." The PSC is subsequently urging Georgians to lock in their rates now and avoid the strain once the colder months arrive. “I believe consumers who can take advantage of lower prices now will achieve significant cost savings on their upcoming winter natural gas bills,” said Wise.

Wise is also encouraging customers to start researching companies and rates now to avoid price increases in the coming months.

I have included a few links to help you research and compare fixed natural gas rates in Georgia. I would recommend going with a fixed rate simply because it will protect you from fluctuations in the market, something that could be monumental come October and beyond. Lock a lower rate in now folks, before you get stuck with a higher gas bill down the road.

Feel free to e-mail us with any additional sites that you think might help (just click the "what babble did we miss" link at bottom-right).

Georgia PSC - Prices are updated on the 5th of each month, and you can look them up here

GasGeorgia - Allows you to compare and order natural gas service, including fixed rate plans.