Electrification

Puget Sound Energy (PSE), which serves western Washington, has launched a pilot program for around 10,000 of its natural gas customers to transition to sustainable electric technologies for heating and cooling.   The program would offer incentives that include electric heat pumps and technologies to aid in the state’s ambition to become carbon-neutral by 2045. PSE’s…

States that want to effectively adopt rules to encourage industry to reduce carbon emissions would fare well by adopting a holistic approach, according to an executive with the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas.  NGI’s Leticia Gonzales, Price and Markets Editor, recently shared a microphone with Dana Adams, the legislative policy manager for the Coalition for…

Shell plc is not going to determine how quickly the energy transition happens, but there is a role going forward for natural gas and oil, the CEO said last week. CEO Wael Sawan, who took the helm in January from long-time chief Ben van Beurden, spoke at CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston. Asked if…

As the energy industry clamors for technologies to reach decarbonization goals, renewable natural gas (RNG), though still in short supply, may be the solution for hard-to-abate sectors.  Executives from RNG production, to midstream transportation and to utility applications discussed the potential scalability of the biofuel during a panel at CERAWeek by S&P Global.  After being…

The right incentives could allow natural gas utilities to use existing infrastructure to advance low-carbon fuels and fight climate change, according to a study commissioned by the American Gas Association (AGA). AGA consulted Concentric Energy in discovering key regulatory frameworks that would encourage the production of low carbon products.  “This study leaves no doubt that…

Commonwealth Edison Co. (ComEd) has filed to raise monthly electricity rates by about $4.25 for the average monthly residential electricity bill annually from 2024-2027 as it strengthens the grid and prepares for increased electrification.  The Chicago-based Exelon Corp. subsidiary noted that its electricity utility customers currently see an average bill of $93/month, about 20% lower…

Energy and Environmental Economics Inc. (E3), a sustainability consulting firm, revealed that while electrification overtakes natural gas heating as Illinois targets net-zero emissions by 2050, the state’s electric grid may shift from a summer-peaking to a winter-peaking system.  In a study commissioned by the state’s largest electric utility, Commonwealth Edison Co. (ComEd), E3 reported that…

The American Gas Association (AGA) called the plan of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to electrify all new or recently renovated federal buildings “impractical, unscientific and expensive.” Earlier this month, the Biden administration unveiled its Federal Building Performance Standard (BPS), which aims to achieve “zero” direct on-site emissions, aka Scope 1 emissions, in 30%…

Residents with new homes in 2023 in Marin County, CA will do their cooking with electric appliances after the Board of Supervisors in November voted to ban natural gas hookups in new buildings.  The county, a peninsula sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, is expected to adopt Ordinance No. 3776 in January.…