Forecast: Rising electric demand to tighten Texas power reserve
A new report projects that demand for electric power in Texas will exceed generation capacity during peak periods by 2022–a slight improvement from an earlier projection of “negative reserve margin” by 2020. More »
Businesses reducing energy by 25 percent as recession lingers
Businesses are reducing their energy consumption up to 25 percent in response to the recession, according to a Deloitte & Touche survey released today. More »
Matagorda County coal plant developer fights new EPA rules
Analysts predicted early retirement for some coal-fired power plants when the Environmental Protection Agency issued new limits on emissions of mercury and other toxic pollutants last year. More »
Steffy: Electricity prices are going up – just ask Alice
It’s a riddle the Mad Hatter would love: Natural gas prices fall to a decade low. Electricity prices in Texas are pegged to natural gas prices. So what happens to electricity prices? More »
Houston ranks among the cities with highest utility bills
Houston is among the cities with the highest utility bills, according to a company that tracks costs.
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ERCOT looking for ways to keep lights for the summer, future
As the warm Texas summer months loom, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas is searching for ways to keep the lights on through this summer and in the future. More »
U.K. to pursue electricity-market law to boost low-carbon plants
The U.K. plans to overhaul its electricity market as the government seeks to prevent spikes in natural-gas prices and spur investment in lower-emitting technologies. More »
British Green Deal hopes to be model of market-driven efficiency
British energy officials shared a message of a market-friendly energy efficiency promotion and sniffed out possible trade and investment opportunities during a visit to Houston on Monday. More »
Chu says efficiency rules could cut need for power plants
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said tightening efficiency rules on appliances and industry could eliminate the need to build 200 new power stations. More »
Texans might see cooler summer, lower electricity use
The possibility of an El Nino, a warming of the mid-Pacific Ocean, has forecasters predicting lower temperatures across the U.S. this summer, which may mean less electricity will be needed to run air conditioners. More »
Expand the SEMATECH Approach to Solar
I participated last week on a panel at the New York Times Energy For Tomorrow conference in New York City. My session, the Closing Plenary, which you can watch here, focused on the issue of energy subsidies. Our session chair, Joe Nocera, queried whether it made sense to subsidize all of our different energy sources. [...] More »
Pilot program would ensure grid reliability, EV charging
IBM, Honda and PG&E are working on a pilot program aimed at seamless charging of electric cars while still ensuring the reliability of the power grid. More »
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