California Dreamin'
Left-coast lawmakers envision a greener America.
As the new U.S. government takes shape, at least one trend seems clear: California is taking over the country. Well, maybe not “taking over,” exactly. But leading.
People (January 2009)
El Paso Electric (EPE) selected David W. Stevens as CEO. DPL Inc. promoted Frederick J. Boyle to senior vice president, CFO and treasurer of DPL and its principal subsidiary, The Dayton Power and Light Co. Great Plains Energy named Todd Kobayashi v.p., strategy and risk management. Consumers Energy promoted Richard J. Ford to vice president of energy delivery. And others...
Trial and Error in Texas
A hard year puts deregulation to the test.
Deregulation is being tested by a series of crises, from a devastating hurricane to the Wall Street meltdown. Regulators and companies are applying the lessons learned to strengthen the Texas market’s framework.
Energy Strategy: Flat Bills, Peak Satisfaction?
Why a risk-hedging product for small customers isn’t the gamble you may think.
Most believe flat electric bills pose tremendous risk, but the reality is that an exciting pricing opportunity exists. The energy supplier can manage uncertainty by gradually building program participation as it learns to balance risk and returns, or through a risk adder. The experience of Internet and telecom service providers suggests that safe, profitable flat fees can be constructed, and that customers will buy them.
Good News for Coal
Resolving the climate debate gives coal a path forward.
I met Congressman Rick Boucher (D-Va.) in November. He was speaking to attendees at EEI’s Finance Conference in Phoenix, and after his speech many people remarked that they wished other members of Congress were even half as well versed about the utility industry’s issues as Boucher seems to be.
People
(December 2008) Arizona Public Service named Daniel Froetscher vice president of energy delivery. Southwest Gas Corp. hired Don Soderberg as vice president of external affairs.Chesapeake Utilities Corp. named Michael P. McMasters as executive vice president and COO. American Gas Association elected Thomas E. Skains chairman. And others...
CEO Roundtable: Debating The Boucher Bill
Utilities consider imposing a retail surcharge to fund clean-tech R&D.
Utility CEOs debate the merits of a retail surcharge to fund clean-tech R&D.
The Capture-Committed Power Plant
Moving coal forward requires a clear path to CCS.
‘Capture readiness’ hasn’t helped coal projects move forward, but a firm commitment might make the difference.
Memo to the President-Elect (Part 2)
A clear and present need for nuclear energy expansion.
Addressing climate change will require extending the life of today’s nuclear fleet and laying the foundation for new plants.
Water Worries
With new plants pending, cooling requires serious thought.
Cooling water shortages might force nuclear project developers to get creative.