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REMINDER:
First Energy is suspending its energy efficiency program
December 31, 2014!! This means that First Energy will no
longer offer rebates and incentives for small and medium
sized customers in 2015. Mercantile customers (large energy
customers) will continue to enjoy a variety of rebates and
rate discounts. However, First Energy will HONOR and provide
REBATES on ENERGY PROJECTS that are PRE-APPROVED before
DECEMBER 31, 2014!! This means that energy assessments and
projects that save energy will be funded if carried over
into 2015, as long as they were approved before 12/31/2014.
Call
419-297-6139 or 419-486-9273 to receive assistance with
getting your project pre-approved before December 31, 2014.
Why are
gas prices so low now?
Answer: Global Energy
Economics
Northwest
Ohio residents are enjoying gas prices at $2.70/gallon and
below! According to AAA, the average gasoline price in the
U.S. last Thursday was $2.92, the lowest since December of
2010. What in the world is going on?
Well, it is
a direct result of basic supply and demand. Adam Sieminski,
administrator of the Energy Information Administration (EIA),
the Energy Department's statistical arm, attributed the
lower pump prices to lower prices for crude oil and weak
fuel demand. The global price of crude oil has fallen by
$35 a barrel, or 30 percent, since late June and closed at
below $80 per barrel @ $75.16!! This is amazing for
consumers and the upcoming holiday retail market.
Again,
why is this happening?
Oil
production around the world has been exceptionally strong in
recent years. A boom in the U.S. has pushed domestic
production up 70 percent since 2008 as a result of the shale
oil revolution. Production is expected to reach 9.4 million
barrels a day in 2015, an increase of 4 percent over this
year and the highest domestic crude oil production since
1972. Additionally, Saudi Arabia and other OPEC
(Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) members
continue to produce oil at high levels thus increasing oil
inventories. At the same time, demand for fuels is growing
slower than expected in Asia and Europe because of weak
economic growth. Japan, specifically, one of the world’s
leading oil importers, has slipped into a recession.
The US
remains the largest consumer of oil. However, domestic
gasoline demand is trending lower as a result of changing
driving habits and influx of more fuel-efficient cars in the
market. This surprises me a little since I continue to see a
plethora of new SUVS & big pick-up trucks rolling around!
I just hope
that US citizens do not allow the current reduction in oil
prices to put them to sleep and foolishly think that we
should not continue to embrace energy efficiency and
renewable energy strategies.
To learn
more about global energy economics, please visit
www.eia.gov.
Introducing: The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE)
In NW Ohio
we are not exposed to the many African-American
organizations that are developing talent to transform the
landscape and complexion of several industries in the USA.
One of those organizations is the American Association of
Blacks in Energy (AABE).
The American
Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) is a national
association of energy professionals founded and dedicated to
ensure the input of African Americans and other minorities
into the discussions and developments of energy policies &
regulations, R&D technologies, and environmental issues in
USA.
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AABE was
conceived by Clarke Watson of Denver, Colorado in the
spring of 1977 in response to President Carter’s
appointed special energy task force, in which persons of
color and other minorities were not represented, and
also to expand economic opportunities for minorities.
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The
intent was to create a structure or mechanism by which
African Americans and other minorities with expertise,
knowledge, and understanding of the U.S. energy
situation could impact the energy policy-making process.
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Purpose:
A) Ensure African Americans and other minorities have “a
place at the table” where energy matters are discussed
and decided upon; B) Encourage minority students to
follow courses of study leading to careers in the energy
field; C) Promote better understanding of energy-issues
amongst African Americans and other minorities.
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Vision:
1) Make AABE a preeminent organization addressing energy
and environmental issues and creating potential business
opportunities; 2) Establish AABE as the leading public
policy advocate for African-Americans, low-income and
minority organizations on energy and environmental
issues; 3) Establish a cadre of experts on energy and
environmental issues.
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AABE
currently has 37 chapters across the nation with over
1,300 members.
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Ohio has
chapters in Columbus, Cincinnati and the Cleveland area.
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The AABE
membership pool consists of individuals from the
managerial and professional ranks of the energy field:
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Owners of energy-related businesses (PES is one!)
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Employees of energy-related businesses
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Consultants
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Educators
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Governmental officials
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Students in technical fields of study
The AABE’s
principles guide the organization’s involvement and
positions on energy policy. In December 2012, the AABE
board of director's adopted principles on the following
topics:
Climate
Change, Cyber Security, Energy & Environmental Justice,
Energy Delivery, Energy Efficiency, Federal Income Taxes,
Fossil Fuels, Nuclear Energy, Renewable Energy, Smart Grid
Technology, Supplier Diversity
My favorite
aspect of AABE is its passion for creating future energy
leaders to ensure that our future generations have a seat at
the table and have an opportunity to enjoy the many
lucrative benefits associated with the energy industry.
Since its inception, AABE has awarded millions of dollars to
potential African-American energy leaders.
To learn
more about AABE, please visit
www.aabe.org.
The next
article will review and introduce the integration of the
Energy and Innovation economies.
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