In today’s AUSenergy News Update: An electricity phone scam is targeting businesses, Alternative Utility Services, Inc. greens up its energy, and big manufacturers want to keep energy-efficiency benchmarks in Ohio.

Electricity Phone Scam Targeting Businesses

Summary: There are reports of several businesses in Texas are being targeted as part of an electricity service phone scam.
AUS Comment: This type of phishing tactic is not unique to Texas. All customers in deregulated electricity markets are encouraged to be wary of scams such as these. Never give out or confirm any personal information over the phone, or to someone knocking on your door. Instead, always contact the utility directly for any billing questions or concerns.

Alternative Utility Services, Inc. greens up its energy

Summary: Alternative Utility Services (AUS) has purchased 25 Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs); enough to cover the anticipated energy cost of doing business over a 12 month period.
AUS Comment: By purchasing RECs, AUS is able to reach its sustainability goals, minimize its carbon footprint and support the development of alternative energy.

Big manufacturers want to keep energy-efficiency benchmarks

Summary: A group of large Ohio manufacturers are opposing recent legislation to freeze Ohio’s renewable energy and efficiency standards at current levels. The 11 companies which include Honda of America Manufacturing, Honeywell International Inc., and Whirpool Corp., are urging lawmakers to spare the energy-efficiency requirements from a freeze.
AUS Comment: AUS views Ohio’s Senate Bill 310 as a major step backwards. Although the manufacturing companies in the story are primarily concerned with energy-efficiency, their collective opposition is evidence supporting the notion that SB 310 is a bad bill. The bill would place a moratorium on Ohio’s renewable and energy efficiency benchmarks. Utilities would only have to lower customer energy use by 4.2% instead of 22% by 2025. The bill also keeps the RPS at 2.5% instead of 12.5% by 2025.