Houston Mayor Annise Parker said her city has signed an agreement with locally based Reliant Energy, an NRG Energy Inc. company, to purchase more than 140 MW of renewable power through June 30, 2015. Parker said the city’s purchase of green power will account for half of its annual electricity demand, making it the largest municipal purchaser of renewable power in the nation, and in the top 10 overall nationally, according to federal energy statistical estimates. Through Reliant, Houston has purchased renewable energy credits (RECs) that are Green-E certified. Noting that they are “taking advantage of more cost effective and cost competitive REC prices,” city officials contend that they have maintained a relatively flat power price while also increasing the percentage of renewable energy in the city’s portfolio. Houston has committed $2 million for the two-year agreement, less than a cent/kWh on top of the city’s power price. In addition to purchasing green power, Houston has been purchasing and building renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar.
Locally
Articles from Locally
SDG&E to Seek More Local Generation, Including NatGas
Sempra Energy’s San Diego Gas and Electric Co. (SDG&E) was directed by state regulators Thursday to develop more locally based electricity generation, including some natural gas-fired plants and repowering. SDG&E now seeks to have nearly 300 MW of additional power under contract by 2018.
Enviros Weigh in Colorado State-City Energy Fight
In the midst of two lawsuits filed by Colorado officials against locally passed oil and natural gas drilling rules, Longmont, CO, gained some support Thursday when the Sierra Club and Earthworks’ attorneys filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit seeking to invalidate an ordinance passed last year.
Texas Producers Using, Recycling More Water
An update conducted last year of a Texas water use study found that oil and gas producers are using more water for hydraulic fracturing (fracking), but they’re also recycling more, making it important to distinguish between water “use” and “consumption.”
Columbia’s Appalachian Expansion Gets FERC Green Light
FERC Friday approved Columbia Gas Transmission’s proposal to expand its pipeline system in West Virginia to bring more locally produced Appalachian natural gas to market.
CA Independent Producer Unimpressed with State Political Change
Even with a change of administration in California and new energy plans that emphasize locally based energy supplies, one of the state’s more vocal independent oil/gas producers is skeptical that adequate incentives will be developed to unlock trillions of cubic feet of natural gas still lying under the state’s fossil-fuel rich central valley.
CA Independent Producer Unimpressed with State Political Change
Even with a change of administration in California and new energy plans that emphasize locally based energy supplies, one of the state’s more vocal independent oil/gas producers is skeptical that adequate incentives will be developed to unlock trillions of cubic feet of natural gas still lying under the state’s fossil-fuel rich central valley.
Study: Energy Efficiency Measures, More Renewables Would Save Gas Consumers $15B/Year
Increased focus on energy efficiency measures and renewable energy both locally and nationally could cut natural gas prices 10-20%, saving consumers $15 billion/year nationally or about $96 per year for an average residential household, according to a new study prepared for the Energy Foundation.
Study: Energy Efficiency Measures, More Renewables Would Save Gas Consumers $15B/Year
Increased focus on energy efficiency measures and renewable energy both locally and nationally could cut natural gas prices 10-20%, saving consumers $15 billion/year nationally or about $96 per year for an average residential household, according to a new study prepared by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and Arlington, VA-based energy consulting firm Energy and Environmental Analysis Inc. (EEA).
