In today’s AUSenergy News Update: PJM requests lifting of $1,000 Price Cap, the majority of U.S. Mayors surveyed anticipate future energy efficiency projects for their communities, and the ABACCUS 2014 report has been released.

PJM requests lifting of $1,000 Price Cap

Summary: In wake of the most recent cold spell hitting much of the PJM territory, the RTO is asking FERC to remove the $1,000/MWh price cap on generation. Heating demand has caused natural gas spot prices to rise to the point that generators are operating at a loss. PJM would like to remove the cap for the remainder of the heating season.
AUS Comment: Removing this cap would help to ensure that generators remain online going forward, by allowing them to know that they will not need to operate at a loss. Otherwise PJM may see some generators leave the market in future years, something that could challenge reliability and increase costs.

Majority of U.S. Mayors surveyed anticipate future energy efficiency projects for their communities

Summary: A majority of U.S. mayors surveyed at the recent US Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting see energy efficiency projects as something their communities will be investing in during the next few years. Lighting and public building retrofitting were seen as the most common projects expected to be pursued, with most mayors expecting to finance these projects with their own money or through public-private partnerships.
AUS Comment: AUS is a staunch supporter of energy efficiency projects in both the public and private sectors. Not only do these projects reduce energy use, which saves money and cuts greenhouse gas emissions, but within PJM these projects can also become a source of revenue. Contact AUS to find out more about these opportunities.

ABACCUS 2014 Report Released: Annual Baseline Assessment of Choice in Canada and the United States

Summary: Distributed Energy Financial Group LLC recently released their Annual Baseline Assessment of Choice in Canada and the United States for 2014. The report found that Texas remains most competitive market for residential customers, with all of the state’s residential customers receiving service from a third party supplier. Illinois has seen over 68% of its residents move to a competitive supplier, while Ohio as seen a little over half of their residents switch.
AUS Comment: This report further highlights the benefits of customer choice when it comes to energy. In Illinois specifically, customers have saved over $250 million compared to ComEd between June 2012 and May 2013, largely due to the success of opt-out municipal aggregation programs. Over 17.2 million households and thousands of businesses in North America now have access to retail energy competition, which is providing them more affordable energy options and innovative energy solutions.