Author Archives: Gordon

2011 Energy Procurement Observations. 2012 Outlook.

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Gordon

From the consumers’ point of view, the last three years in the energy business have been unexpectedly benign.  Electricity and natural gas prices have retreated from their high point in 2008.  Some would say they have collapsed.  The causes for … Continue reading →

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The Perils of Shopping Solo: from the Sunday Times Union (Albany, NY)

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Gordon

People who shop by themselves for energy are taking a risk with their own, and sometimes their organization’s money.  They remind me of people who go wilderness trekking by themselves, or ride bicycle without a helmet, or jaywalk.  Things might … Continue reading →

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Flood Repair and Renewable Energy in New York’s Mohawk Valley

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Gordon

Can renewable energy be used to repair the locks on the Barge Canal that were damaged in the recent floods?  It’s worth a look. The New York State Barge Canal, mostly on the Mohawk River, sustained millions of dollars in … Continue reading →

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A Diversified Portfolio: the most sensible energy policy

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Gordon

Investment advisors are always recommending a “diversified portfolio” for us small retail types, in order to insulate us from the misfortunes of isolated companies or sectors.  Also, my guess, to keep our expectations under control that we are not going … Continue reading →

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Electrical Insulation? The New York ISO’s new Consumer Council

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Gordon

One can only wonder what New York electric consumers will think when they learn that their interests are being represented by a power plant construction company from Long Island, two Ivy League professors, a New Jersey university researcher, a professor … Continue reading →

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Gimme Shelter! The security of fixed pricing

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Gordon

Our customers have been responding with appropriate caution to all the global hurly burly the last couple of weeks, taking a hard look at fixed pricing both for electricity and natural gas.  It is hard to recall a time since … Continue reading →

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Wrong Question!

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Gordon

This week, while the nuclear plant crisis in Japan is still unfolding, the media are asking every available elected politician, “do you still support nuclear power?”  The fact that they have all said “yes” (more or less) does not give … Continue reading →

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Japan crisis may end natural gas buyers’ market

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Gordon

I am going to be watching natural gas markets with extra interest this morning when they open around 10:30 to see if the crisis in Japan has any effect on prices here.  My guess is we will see a significant … Continue reading →

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New York State: A sleeping giant wakes

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Gordon

I am on the road today, but wanted to just say that in today’s Saratogian reporter Lucian McCarty went to work on this and has published a very readable, coherent and accurate article about the congestion problem afflicting the region.  … Continue reading →

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Energy Anxiety from Libya or Separation Relief?

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Gordon

Time was, before about 2008, that whenever oil markets went haywire, natural gas would follow right along.  9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, crises in the Persian Gulf, OPEC shenanigans.  Anything that would drive up the price of crude oil caused natural … Continue reading →

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