With the oil disaster in the Gulf, “green energy” and energy conservation efforts have received some much overdue attention.  For families, helpful tips like how to save money heating and cooling and your home and how to save money on utilities with emerging technology.  However, there hasn’t been a whole lot of information for the local government and business environment.  Well, the EPA recently addressed the need to “go green” by releasing the “Sustainable Design and Green Building Toolkit for Local Governments”.

Yes, it’s long on title, but it’s also filled with useful information local governments can use to research and implement energy saving measures into new local building projects.  Good for the environment and energy conservation, “sustainable design” is also another means to address long term savings in local budgets.

According to a news release posted by the EPA, “The Toolkit is designed to assist local governments in identifying and removing permitting barriers to sustainable design and green building practices. It provides a resource for communities interested in conducting their own internal evaluation of how local codes/ordinances either facilitate or impede a sustainable built environment, including the design, construction, renovation, and operation and maintenance of a building and its immediate site.”

You can download the Toolkit directly from the EPA at: www.epa.gov/region4/recycle/green-building-toolkit.pdf

There seems to have been a lot of bad news floating around cable TV news channels.  So here’s a spot of good news I didn’t see on any of the morning news shows.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced last week that it’s providing $30 million in funding to develop clean energy technologies through small businesses.  This funding has the potential to truly drive progress in several fields: smart grid technology, fuel cell development, green building, solar energy, wind power, nuclear energy and fossil fuel recovery.

Not only does the $30 million funding drive much needed progress in the areas of electric utilities, natural gas providers and oil dependence, it also puts much needed capital behind small businesses.  You can read the specifics over at the DOE.

In a move to help its customers save money on utilities, Duke Energy just announced a pilot program with networking and technology giant Cisco.  According to the press release from Duke Energy, the pilot uses a “smart grid-enabled home energy management solution” to help customers better manage their energy use, saving money and wasting less energy.   The “smart grid”, as described bu Duke Energy, is a combination of “technologies like smart meters, automated switching devices and wireless sensors” creating a line of communication between users and energy suppliers to help better manage all of our resources.

Gianna Manes, senior vice president and chief customer officer of Duke Energy, sums up the program nicely by saying, “Customers want to save money on their energy bills, but it has to be easy. With Cisco’s proven expertise in Internet Protocol-based, open system networks, we’re confident our collaboration with them will result in a solution that provides customers back-of-mind simplicity and real back pocket rewards.”

It’s not quite the wired/wireless home of the future, but it appears to be a big step in the right direction – a utilities company attempting a “smart” approach to saving money and energy.

Initial testing of the Cisco Home Energy Management Solution® will occur over a year-long period in Charlotte, N.C., and Cincinnati, Ohio where Duke Energy has already installed digital smart grid technologies.

First, the supply and demand. The price gas companies pay for the natural gas they provide for customers is based on supply and demand. Like other commodities, the price fluctuates depending on the impact of factors such as weather, production, inventories, and sources. When inventories get too high, companies reduce production. Unexpected cold weather increases consumption, which then results in inventory fluctuations that may not have been anticipated.  Prices can also be impacted by simply the anticipation of increased consumption such as the speculation that gas will be used instead of coal to run more power plants since it burns cleaner with fewer emissions. Bottom line, many aspects of predicting natural gas pricing is, well, unpredictable.

Predicting the difference between fixed vs. variable rate plans offered by many natural gas providers can also be a challenge. There are price differences between gas marketers and, often, price differences within the same company’s variable rate plans. The Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) notes that “Not only do different marketers charge very different prices, the prices that some marketers charge their existing customers may vary greatly. So, even switching plans within the same marketer can save you money.” To help you decide what plan is best for your situation, read more about choosing between fixed and variable plans.

While understanding natural gas prices may seem overwhelming, comparing plans and prices is simple. If you live in a state with deregulated natural gas, it’s easy to compare natural gas pricing between the different companies and their various plans using the “Savings Widget” above.  After you find the best deal, Allconnect can easily establish or transfer your service.

Many people feel as if their natural gas bill is written in a foreign language: therms, CCFs, BTUs and fees, fees, fees. When you break it down, however, the charges from natural gas providers are justified (and necessary to keep pipelines maintained and natural gas delivery running smoothly to your home). Knowing what’s listed in your natural gas bill can help you compare natural gas rates and make sure you’re getting the best deal available in deregulated markets like Georgia.

While natural gas bills may vary between natural gas providers, most bills in Georgia will contain these elements in some order.

• AGLC Base Charge: This charge is regulated from Atlanta Gas Light Company, billed through natural gas companies and includes costs associated with:
  • Fixed costs such as meter, regulator and service lines
  • Ancillary service, i.e., costs of meter reading
• DDDC Charge: The cost of delivering natural gas to your home on the coldest day of the year.
• Peaking Service: Applies to AGLC’s costs of operating liquefied natural gas and propane operations; it may not be on every customer’s bill.
• Franchise Recovery Cost: Recovers fees AGLC pays for the right to use public rights-of-way for AGLC’s gas lines and other facilities.
• Customer Service Charge: Covers natural gas companies’ costs to maintain and service the account.
• Gas Charge: Quantity of gas used multiplied by the price per therm for the billing period.
• Interstate Pipeline Capacity Charges: A transportation charge based on your DDDC.

Sales Tax Terms

• Social Responsibility Rider: Covers costs of providing a senior citizens’ discount to eligible customers.
• Pipeline Replacement Program: Recovers AGLC’s costs to replace all bare steel and cast iron pipe.
• Environmental Response Cost: Covers costs for environmental compliance.

As you can see, when you pay your natural gas bill, you’re paying for a lot more than just therms of natural gas you use. Understanding what you’re paying will help you compare natural gas rates.

Paying utility bills are usually a chore and, with the terms and lingo involved, trying to understand your gas bill just adds to the frustration. Some companies provide definitions on the bill, and most have a page online that explains natural gas terms. However, while it may be clear what amount you’re paying for a therm, what exactly is a therm?

Here’s a quick glossary of frequently used natural gas terms that will help you understand your gas bill. Note that different natural gas companies use different terms, so you may not see all of these on your bill.

• Base Charge or Customer Charge: Charge assessed to run the natural gas company i.e. to read meters, issue bills, and maintain lines. This charge doesn’t fluctuate with usage. When comparing gas plans at Allconnect, it’s important to note what this charge is as they may vary by company.
• BTU (British Thermal Unit): A measure of energy used as a conversion factor to calculate the amount of gas consumed (CCFs) in therms. The BTU factor fluctuates monthly as heat content varies.
• CCF: A measurement in hundreds of cubic feet that is used to measure the natural gas used during the billing period.
• Consumption Charge: Calculated by multiplying your natural gas consumption (expressed in therms) by your energy rate. Energy rates can vary depending on your plan; compare promotions and rates at Allconnect.
• Energy Rate: The multiplier by which the total natural gas consumption (expressed in therms) is multiplied. Rates vary by service plan and they can be fixed or variable depending on where you live. Introductory offers may impact the rate as well.
• Fixed Rate or Variable Rate: Your bill should specify which plan you are on. See How to Choose Between Fixed vs Variable Rate Plans for details on the difference. To compare current rates, go to Allconnect’s natural gas page.
• Therm: The industry standard unit of measure for which all natural gas consuming customers are charged.

Other Rates used in determining gas bills: While the terms listed above are standard, companies have additional charges that vary. Look online or call the company for a specific explanation. Two examples of these are:

• DDDC (Dedicated Design Day Capacity) to cover the common costs of delivering gas based on a customer’s demand on the system on the coldest day of the year.
• Other companies may have a Weather Normalization Adjustor (WNA) that factors in temperature extremes.

Other charges: Depending on the company, your bill may have a fee called  a“pass-through charge” or “public purpose program surcharge.” These are regulated charges that may support state-mandated gas assistance programs for low income customers, energy efficiency programs, and public-interest research and development. DDDC may be included here.

There’s a new green energy in town, and its name is “recycled natural gas,” sometimes called “biogas.” Natural gas suppliers get recycled natural gas from a few different sources:

1. Landfills: This type of natural gas is a byproduct generated from the decomposition of landfill waste, with no other additives.
2. Agricultural waste: Typically referred to as “biogas,” this natural gas comes from manure waste on farms, placed in a machine called a biodigester, which harnesses the normally dangerous methane that comes from manure into a natural energy source.

Currently, many natural gas suppliers add recycled natural gas processed from landfills into their conventional gas supply, creating a greater supply of natural gas without tapping into our nation’s precious, nonrenewable resources.

Technology is still being developed and perfected to capture the methane from manure and use it to supplement existing natural gas supplies.

Both sources of natural gas solve the problem of what to do with the dangerous waste produced by both farms and landfill sites, while supplementing our nation’s existing natural gas supplies with a renewable, green resource.

The advent of recycled natural gas has even resulted in lower prices from natural gas suppliers in areas where it is used.

Natural gas usage is measured in a unit called therms, the energy created when 100 cubic feet (CCF) of natural gas burns. When you compare natural gas rates with the intention of switching natural gas providers, you’ll want to know:

1. Your usage in therms for a sample month.
2. Your Dedicated Design Day Capacity (DDDC). This number represents the cost of delivering gas to your home on the coldest day of the year.

Knowing this will estimate how much it should cost to power a home similar to one your size with natural gas.

Other Factors to Consider When You Compare Natural Gas Prices
When you compare natural gas prices, keep in mind additional fees that may be assessed, including:

• Fees for paying via credit card or directly through your bank
• A one-time fee for establishing service
• Fees if you opt for a fixed rate vs. a variable rate plan
• A deposit, which may be a one-time fee or financed over time
• Disconnection fees, particularly if you cancel a fixed rate plan before the contract (typically one year) expires

Other Questions to Ask When you Compare Natural Gas Prices
The answers to other questions may affect your monthly budgeting or the cost of your bill each month. You may want to find out:

• Does your billing cycle change each month? The number of days in your billing cycle can dramatically affect your bill.
• Are choices available for fixed or variable rate plans?
• How soon after you receive your bill is money due?
• What is the late payment fee?

Are budget options available so your payments will be more consistent throughout the year?

If you shop through Allconnect.com, a customer service rep can answer all your questions, help you compare natural gas rates and ensure you make the best choice in natural gas providers.

Recycled natural gas and landfill gas are two terms natural gas customers are hearing more frequently, especially when the topic is green energy. But what exactly do these terms mean and how do they impact customers?

First, landfill gas. Landfill gas (LFG) is the natural by-product that is created as solid waste in landfills begins decomposing. In other words, it’s the gas emitted from rotting garbage. Comprised primarily of carbon dioxide and methane, landfill gas contributes to smog, odors, global climate change (methane is a greenhouse gas), and it’s flammable. However, instead of allowing this recycled natural gas to escape into the air, natural gas companies can capture, convert, and use it as an energy source.

Landfill gas becomes recycled natural gas when it is processed and added into the existing natural gas distribution system for delivery to homes and businesses. Thanks to new technologies, the result is a cleaner and safer environment with no difference in the natural gas service being provided. Recycled natural gas means that the gas was generated in a landfill.

So, it’s a win-win. The dangers of landfill gas are reduced and the natural gas supply is increased. And it’s eco-friendly and sustainable. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, landfills are one of the largest sources of methane gas emissions in the United States, accounting for 25 percent of all methane sources. However, of the 1,800 municipal landfills in the U.S., which accept approximately 60 percent of all municipal solid waste, less than 500 are capturing and converting LFG. One of these is the Live Oak Landfill in metro Atlanta. Georgia natural gas customers are already benefiting from this DeKalb County landfill that is capable of producing enough natural gas to fuel approximately 15,000 homes and could produce recycled gas for about 15 years. This process is also contributing to better natural gas prices for people in this area.

If you live in a deregulated market such as Georgia, you have a choice in natural gas providers. But what should you look for when shopping for natural gas providers? Obviously, you want to find a low price, but there are other considerations, too.

What is the provider’s customer service reputation? You can find out by asking friends and family about their experience with natural gas providers . Don’t be afraid to harness the power of social media, either. Post a question on Twitter or Facebook asking for recommendations.

What fees are associated with natural gas services from this provider? Some plans have fees associated with them. When you compare natural gas rates, be sure to factor in any fees. Some natural gas providers will have fees if you choose a fixed-rate plan, but not for a variable rate plan. Take this into consideration when you choose both a provider and the best plan for you.

Is a deposit required? How much? Many natural gas providers require a deposit. You may want to find out how they determine the deposit: based on your credit history or utility payment history. Additionally, find out if you must pre-pay the deposit or if you can pay it in installments with your regular monthly bill. How can you make sure you get your deposit back if you cancel service?

If you shop for natural gas providers through Allconnect.com, the website’s friendly customer service representatives will be able to answer all your questions for you, as well as make sure you get the best price on natural gas services.