Energy4Business

Funding Energy Efficiency Projects Can Be Easy

Louis J. Hutchinson III — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:57:47 +0000

Many businesses and organizations that are interested in energy efficiency may find it challenging to finance projects that could help them better manage their energy costs. The challenges are very real, internal barriers, lack of specialized knowledge and confidence in available option as well as economic pressures, can make it difficult to meet mandates and make an impact. An article recently published on sustainableplant.com titled “The Energy Performance Contract: It’s Better Than Doing Nothing” made some interesting points about how Energy Performance Contracts, which require
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Tenaska’s Taylorville Energy Center To Be Voted On Tomorrow

David Fein — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:49:11 +0000

At 10 a.m. tomorrow, May 16, we will face a critical moment in our fight against Tenaska’s Taylorville Energy Center project when it comes up for a vote before the Illinois House Public Utilities Committee. That’s why today it’s more important than ever for customers who want to avoid being saddled with the costs of an unnecessary and costly power plant to tell their legislators that they oppose Nebraska-based Tenaska’s plan. In anticipation of that vote, the Chicago Tribune issued an editorial yesterday and affirmed our view about what it would mean for businesses and families in
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What Are Some Challenges for Electricity Markets Today?

John Domagalski — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:18:20 +0000

The benefits of competitive markets may vary, but one thing is clear. There isn’t a “one size fits all” approach to developing a sustainable competitive energy market. This became even more apparent throughout the enriching conversations among academic, business, and government participants at the 2012 Northwestern Workshop on Challenges for Electricity Markets held at Northwestern University earlier this month. Different perspectives were shared about the impact of renewable sources on electricity market design, policies and structures that support a robust competitive energy market , and prospects for enhanced demand response that accompanies a next-generation
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Strategic Load Response: Uncovering the Real Value of Megawatt Reduction

Guest Author — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:27:48 +0000

By Chris Cantone Vice President of Load Response Sales, Constellation Energy Under today’s market conditions, people may find it difficult to piece all the information together in order to determine the many possible impacts they may have on their business. The same is true within the Demand Response market. Customers that have the ability to reduce their load consumption may not be aware of the “options” available to them, in particular, the difference between Demand Response and Load Response. Last week, I was honored to join Marianne Hedin, senior analyst of Pike Research, in a conversation about the common myths as well as new, innovative programs with more than 200 energy consumers during a webinar Constellation presented with Environmental Leader.
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Earth Day in Six Words

From the Authors of the Energy4Business Blog — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:02:57 +0000

Earth Day is officially here! As organizations everywhere celebrate this annual occasion, we’re proud to express our “six words for the planet” as part of the EPA project with SMITH Magazine. The project calls for entries of six words about the environment, including celebratory remarks, concerns, and general thoughts. At Constellation, we see Earth Day as happening every day. We take great pride in helping our customers meet sustainability goals all year long as well as investing in our own products and services to help improve environmental impact
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Constellation Awards 2012 EcoStar Grant Winners

The Constellation Community Outreach Team — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:51:46 +0000

Over the last two years, Constellation Energy, an Exelon company, has been proud to offer the EcoStar grants initiative. The past two years have supported a combined total of 147 different EcoStar projects across 20 states! EcoStar grants support projects that fit into one or more of five stewardship categories: pollution prevention, education and outreach, energy efficiency, conservation and community activism. In 2012, 93 EcoStar award winners will receive a total of $471,662 across 22 states where Constellation Energy does business. These grants will support several environmental initiatives in local commununities. The EcoStar projects will help to maintain
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Customer Spotlight: How McCormick & Company Achieved Net-Zero Energy Use in Belcamp, Md.

Michael D Smith — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:34:14 +0000

Solar has become an economic and practical way for businesses and organizations to achieve their sustainability goals and control their electricity costs. And, through conservation measures, which are essential to any effective energy management strategy, businesses can further maximize savings. McCormick & Company and Constellation Energy, a business unit of Exelon, announced today that McCormick has been operating its 363,000 square-foot distribution center in Belcamp, Md. as a net-zero facility for more than a year. This was achieved through a combination of energy conservation measures and the installation of a 1.8-megawatt
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Public Utility Commission of Texas Moves to Raise Price Cap

CNE Market Intel — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:15:37 +0000

The latest ERCOT market assessment report released last month suggests a notable tightening of the supply and demand balance in the state of Texas starting this year. The projected 2012 summer peak demand increased 2% from their previous forecast back in December, based on the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s 40% chance of hotter-than-normal summer for the state. The new ERCOT peak demand forecast is only 887 MW (1.3%) less than ERCOT’s all-time record-peak demand of 68,379 MW which occurred Aug. 3, 2011, during very extreme weather conditions. Based on current generation resources as well as planned additions the ERCOT
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Constellation’s “Powerful Moments at the Ballpark” Debuts Today in Boston

Guest Author — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:40:45 +0000

By Stephen Fabiani Vice President of Sales, Constellation - New England For Boston baseball fans out there, can you believe that it’s been 100 years since the city’s beloved ballpark hosted its first pitch? To celebrate this momentous anniversary, starting today -- Opening Day in Boston -- Constellation will proudly sponsor the “Most Powerful Moments at the Ballpark” series for Boston fans on WEEI Sports Radio 93.7 FM/850 AM. The series, showcasing selected customers’ most treasured memories at the ballpark, will air during WEEI’s pre-game broadcast before
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New COMPETE Report Shows Electric Choice Surge & Sustainability in its Growth

David Fein — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:57:36 +0000

Electric choice has grown significantly the past few years, according to a new report released by the COMPETE Coalition entitled Retail Electric Choice: Proven, Growing, Sustainable. While electric consumption was no greater in 2011 than it was in 2008, there has been substantial growth in the number of customers that have chosen a new competitive electric provider as well as definitive signs showing that growth in electric choice is feasible. The report released last week noted several key areas of growth in electric choice since 2008: -- Growth of more than 53 percent of customers
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