Save Money on Electricity Bills. Get Cow Manure?

And if all else fails, try cow manure. According to writer Jim Hook, three Franklin County, PA farmers have agreed to join a program that will determine whether it's economical for smaller dairy farms to produce electricity from cow manure.

• "If we can get a return on the top end of the cow instead of the bottom end, I'll try it," Jack Martin said. He won't get a check from Allegheny Power, but will get credit on his farms' electric bills. Mason Dixon Farms, south of Gettysburg, PA., has produced electricity from methane digestion since 1979. The family farm has about 2,300 cows. 
• Martin has a 225-cow herd that should grow to 250 before the end of 10-year manure-to-energy trial. "If you didn't have between a 700- and 800-cow dairy, you couldn't even consider it," Martin said.
• NativeEnergy of South Burlington, Vt., was awarded a $894,000 competitive grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to develop a pilot project for smaller farms.

PECO's 5% Electricty Bill Increase

"PECO Sees 5% Price Hike," reports the Bucks County (PA) Courier Times. Here are some highlights:

• Pennsylvania utility customers, for the past decade, have been protected by "rate caps" on what they're charged for be charged for electricity.
• Before electric deregulation reached PPL customers, last year, the utility's 30-percent rate hike prediction sent "thousands of Upper Bucks County residents scurrying to find a better deal"
• Now it's PECO's turn, but the market has changed to a competitive one. So instead of a 30-percent hike, the utility estimates a 5-percent jump, a smaller jolt to consumers that could result in fewer switches. 
• "I think consumer interest was greater in the PPL area last year because they knew they were facing a 30 percent rate increase," said Pennsylvania Consumer Advocate Sonny Popowsky.
• Still, according to the article, PECO spokeswoman Cathy Engel said about 20,000 of PECO's 1.6 million electric customers have gone to a new supplier so far - about 1.25 percent. By Christmas 2009, 8 percent of PPL's customer base had switched.  
• About 15 companies have rolled out plans targeting PECO customers. They include ConEdison Solutions, BlueStar Energy Solutions, Gateway Energy Services and Stream Energy.
• PECO confirms it will be the utility company that delivers the power to homes regardless of who generates it. "We're still the delivery company," she said. "We want people to make the choice that makes the most sense for their energy circumstance. But they'll still call us if there's a storm and their power goes out."
• Both Popowsky's Office of the Consumer Advocate and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission set up websites to help people compare rates offered by various utility companies. The sites also provide contact information for each power company. The state-run Office of the Consumer Advocate site is www.oca.state.pa.us. The PUC's site is www.papowerswitch.com. 

Bottom line: PPL customers had more motivation, but PECO customers may still save, if they shop wisely and understand that the choice does not risk what happens with emergency service. Most, I'd predict, will remain with PECO because of "fear, uncertainty and doubt." However the savvy shoppers are going to explore the options. I hope this blog helps take you to credible, objective places to inform your decision. Again as a disclaimer, I'm representing Stream Energy, so I'm not without bias. But whether you sign up with Stream (links in sidebar) or not, please keep yourself informed!

Electricity Choice Online Resource (PA State)

Another nice resource for learning about electricity choice in Pennsylvania: a state website called "Pennsylvania Utility Choice," and here's a link to the electricity page.

The site contains a lot of resources including information on how to shop, questions to ask, and even information for low-income Pa residents. 

J.D. Powers Ranks Leading Electricity Providers

The results are in... The independent firm, J.D. Powers & Associates, ranked "retail electric providers" this week (December 1, 2010), and gave top ranks to the company I've chosen (Stream Energy). The criteria for the customer-feedback ranking were: price; billing and payment; communications; and customer service.

While energy deregulation is new to Pennsylvania, Stream is one of the leading providers in Texas  where the study was conducted. Here are the rankings/scores of the providers:

1. GEXA Energy Corporation: 681.5
2. Stream Energy:676.5
3. Direct Energy: 631.3
4. Industry Average: 629.3
5. Reliant Energy: 621.3
6. TXU Energy: 599.2

To watch a video about saving with Stream Energy, click here and sign up if you're in PA. If you're interested in spreading the word (saving people money while you earn a secondary income), visit IgniteInc.com here. 

Stream is kicking off its Pennsylvania launch tomorrow (December 4, 2010), and you would be among the first in the state to introduce Stream Energy via Ignite Inc., with a team full of people helping you. Please be mindful of the fact that a) energy is energy, b) PECO still provides billing and emergency services, and c) unlike other "get rich quick" nonsense, electricity is a necessity an annuity. I'm excited to help people save money while I collect income what some of these other companies are wasting on advertising. Do we really need another piece of junk mail about energy deregulation? :)

Or if you'd prefer, leave me a message here or write me at:

7 Ways to Save Money on Pennsylvania Electric Bills (without choosing a new provider)

By now hopefully you're considering new "electric distribution company" (EDC) or "electric generation supplier" (EGS) (see explanation) to reduce your electrical bill from one PECO is charging you now (and avoid the rate hikes ahead).

But nothing beats being smart about how you conserve your energy, and here's where small steps can mean a lot. Some tips courtesy of PA Power Switch, which you've no doubt heard about on television and radio advertisements. 

1. Seal leaks and weather strip doors. You're probably heating the planet through those cracks beneath doors or poorly-insulated windows.
2. Do you have a water heater in your basement? Drop it to 120 degrees, and save money and reduce the chance you might burn yourself or a child. 
3. Move furniture away from vents. My parents used to get furious when I'd place my file cabinet over my vent, which causes the air conditioning or heater to work overtime.
4. Get an inexpensive thermostat at Home Depot or Sears. They're surprisingly easy to replace, and they'll save you the task of changing your upstairs and downstairs temperature as part of your morning or night-time ritual.
5. Pay attention to appliances that run very hot or cold. They're usually spinning your meter, and we often leave things (coffee makers, fridges) running when we don't need them.
6. Don't underestimate the power of energy-saving bulbs. They're cute, last longer, and save significant dollars over their lifetime. They aren't always as bright, so you may need more of them running. 
7. Finally, consider updating some appliances. A fuel efficient drier or heater can drop your bill significantly.

Now stay warm, and keep the heat to yourself. We don't need any more global warming because your heat is slipping out doors, windows and attics. And sometimes spending on a new appliance is a long-term money saver. Plus that toaster oven probably has some crumbs in it from 1998.

Energy Deregulation 101 (Video)

This is a fairly simple and educational video -- even if it's a bit cheesy, repetitive and posted by someone selling a service. It explains how deregulation in Pennsylvania electricity creates competition. That competition provides a market (you and your neighbors) with better pricing and service.

Some myths it dispels:

• The electricity from another provider will be different from PECO (wrong)
• Service to the home will be different (nope- PECO still services your home and neighborhood)
• Quality of electricity will be different based on price or provider (for instance when you buy a Panasonic camera from Amazon.com or a high-end electronics store, it's still the same camera).

Idiot's Guide to Picking an Electricity Provider

The PA Power Switch price has a handy downloadable PDF file that can help you simplify your options beyond PECO. Check out the "Energy Shopping Worksheet (links to PDF)" for some tips. Here are some key questions for your potential provider. Remember that adding a new electricity provider in Pennsylvania does not mean that you lose PECO for service and billing. It just prevents you from paying the increase ~5% in rates, and gives you more options (just like your telecommunications or television providers).

In Pennsylvania, you will most likely keep PECO for electricity service issues (power outages) and billing, but you can also choose an "electric distribution company" (EDC) also known as an "electric generation supplier" (EGS).

Some questions to consider (see also the image below).

• Are they licensed by Pennsylvania Utility Company (that's why it's important to check PAPowerSwitch.com).
• What are the length and other terms in the agreement?
• What's the "price to compare" and how long is that effective? 
• Is it a "fixed" or "variable" contract? (see my post on the difference between the two)
• Is there a penalty for canceling or terminating an agreement? 
• What are the steps to switch providers?
• Will I receive one bill or two?