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Articles by Dick Munson
New data suggests real-time pricing can help customers save money
By Dick Munson Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location. Live Online 6 hours Instructor-led Group Training Available Regular Price: $249 Coupon Price: $199 Reserve Your Seat Today Most utility customers now pay an average price for electricity that changes little (if at all) over the course of the year.
Tokens 2.0: Curved Token Bonding in Curation Markets
Since introducing Curation Markets in earnest earlier this year, quite a few projects have started adopting some of the designs. Curation Markets is a set of protocol designs that aims to reduce information asymmetry through the use of tokenized signals. Tokens are minted as needed through a continuous token model. In the post above, I described some scenarios where I see Curation Markets could be useful for, from monetizing and governing any open source project to trading dank memes.
What are Stablecoins: An Overview
By AsianMarketCap Official on The Capital Cryptocurrencies are known for paving the way for decentralized, peer-to-peer methods of payment and blockchain-based currencies are promising to take electronic money to the next level. There are several obstacles that hinder their widespread adoption and might block the support that national governments have regarding cryptocurrencies. One of the biggest issues that cryptocurrency face is the extreme volatility of market capitalization and price swings.
The FirstEnergy bailout bill benefits out-of-state executives and investors, not Ohioans
By Dick Munson FirstEnergy and its supportive legislators have tied themselves in knots to sell their bailout bill (HB 6), a $1.4 billion money grab by a publicly traded company and its speculative, out-of-state investors that made a bad bet on a declining business. They’ve been lying to Ohioans, claiming that HB 6 is a panacea that will clean the air, preserve local jobs and keep the lights on across Ohio. But it isn’t about any of that. And it’s barely about Ohio.
The FirstEnergy bailout bill benefits out-of-state executives and investors, not Ohioans
By Dick Munson / Bio / Twitter profile / Published: July 1, 2019 FirstEnergy and its supportive legislators have tied themselves in knots to sell their bailout bill (HB 6), a $1.4 billion money grab by a publicly traded company and its speculative, out-of-state investors that made a bad bet on a declining business. They’ve been lying to Ohioans, claiming that HB 6 is a panacea that will clean the air, preserve local jobs and keep the lights on across Ohio. But it isn’t about any of that.
Opponents of FirstEnergy bailout outnumber supporters 73-2. Here’s what they’re saying.
By Dick Munson / Bio / Twitter profile / Published: May 14, 2019 FirstEnergy’s bailout bill (H.B. 6) – which would subsidize its uneconomic power plants and destroy state programs that encourage energy efficiency and clean energy – received a hearing in the Ohio House of Representatives last week. Two supporters testified (including FirstEnergy). Seventy three opponents testified. You can find full transcripts of the testimony here.
Opponents of FirstEnergy bailout outnumber supporters 73-2. Here’s what they’re saying.
By Dick Munson FirstEnergy’s bailout bill (H.B. 6) – which would subsidize its uneconomic power plants and destroy state programs that encourage energy efficiency and clean energy – received a hearing in the Ohio House of Representatives last week. Two supporters testified (including FirstEnergy). Seventy three opponents testified. You can find full transcripts of the testimony here.
Court Denies FirstEnergy’s Attempt to Evade Environmental Responsibilities
EDF statement from Dick Munson, Director, Midwest Clean Energy April 4, 2019 Catherine Ittner, (212) 616-1443, cittner@edf.org (COLUMBUS, OH) The U.S. Bankruptcy Court today ruled that FirstEnergy could not use its subsidiary’s bankruptcy filing to evade its environmental clean-up and remediation responsibilities.
With this new roadmap, Ohio can lay the groundwork for billions of investment dollars and thousands of new jobs
Earlier this year, I wrote about a report that shows Ohio could net more than 20,000 jobs and $25 billion in investment dollars through energy innovation. And now we have the roadmap – with nine common-sense, concrete action steps – to get Ohio from here to there. Building on a vision The new roadmap report, Powering Ohio: A Path Forward for Energy and Transportation Transformation, is the second in a series by Synapse Energy Economics.
New President, New Electric Grid?
A new set of leaders today entered the White House. As they consider measures to enhance roads and bridges, they also should focus on America’s electricity infrastructure. By focusing on investment, efficiency, and markets as their policy foundation, the U.S. will have a world-class electricity system that will advance our economy into the 21st century. Electricity is a marvel, something even physicists don’t fully understand, yet it is the foundation for our entire economy.
The Ripple Effects of Subsidizing Utility Monopolies
By Dick Munson Munson | Environmental Defense Fund Ohio regulators recently provided $600 million to FirstEnergy, the state’s largest utility. Although the decision was labeled as a “distribution modernization rider,” the money seemingly came with no strings attached, meaning the utility giant need not do anything to update or improve its system of wires and transformers.
Report: More Renewables Could Mean 5,000 New Jobs And $8B In Investment For Ohio
Last year, I highlighted how voters in Ohio overwhelmingly support developing more clean energy like solar and wind over more traditional resources like coal. Ohio has a remarkable opportunity to capture the benefits of a growing renewable energy market. A new report shows the state could boost supply chains and create local jobs by developing more wind and solar, potentially creating more than 5,500 jobs and bringing in nearly $8 billion in investment.
Report: More renewables could mean 5,000 new jobs and $8B in investment for Ohio
Last year, I highlighted how voters in Ohio overwhelmingly support developing more clean energy like solar and wind over more traditional resources like coal. Ohio has a remarkable opportunity to capture the benefits of a growing renewable energy market. A new report shows the state could boost supply chains and create local jobs by developing more wind and solar, potentially creating more than 5,500 jobs and bringing in nearly $8 billion in investment.
New utility settlement highlights how Ohio utilities are leaving FirstEnergy behind on clean energy
A new utility settlement in Ohio is loaded with promising clean-energy components. Meanwhile, Ohio-based utility giant FirstEnergy continues to cling to the energy sources of the past. Along with FirstEnergy, Duke, and AEP, Dayton Power & Light (DP&L) is one of Ohio’s four investor-owned utilities that deliver electricity to people’s homes and businesses.
New Utility Settlement Highlights How Ohio Utilities Are Leaving FirstEnergy Behind On Clean Energy
A new utility settlement in Ohio is loaded with promising clean-energy components. Meanwhile, Ohio-based utility giant FirstEnergy continues to cling to the energy sources of the past. Along with FirstEnergy, Duke, and AEP, Dayton Power & Light (DP&L) is one of Ohio’s four investor-owned utilities that deliver electricity to people’s homes and businesses.
An electrified transportation future could create thousands of jobs for this Midwestern state
Today General Motors offers two models of electric vehicles (EVs). Within the next five years, the automotive giant will offer at least 20 EV options. That’s just one of many signs pointing to a more efficient, connected, and electrified transportation sector, which presents a prime opportunity for Ohio companies.
FirstEnergy’s Dangerous Push For An $8B Bailout: What You Need To Know
A mega utility from Ohio is appealing to the Trump administration for an unprecedented $8-billion, ratepayer-funded bailout, even pointing to a 1950s Korean War Act for relief. It’s FirstEnergy’s last-ditch appeal after losing previous efforts to prop up a fleet of failing coal and nuclear plants. The company’s Washington-based lobbyists have the ears of Energy Secretary Rick Perry, an avid coal champion, who could make a decision any day.
This cleantech hotspot is giving New York and California a run for their money
California and New York often steal the spotlight on cleantech innovation, but those in the know are keeping their eye on Illinois. The energy sector has been undergoing rapid change in the Land of Lincoln, thanks to a slew of innovative initiatives. More than ever before, Illinois’ buildings are more efficient, its electric grid is more modern, and its electricity use is smarter. And the state is just getting started.
Trump may greenlight an $8 billion attack on competitive energy markets
President Trump may soon grossly distort competitive markets for electricity. Last week, he announced his consideration of a request for “202(c),” by which he means an $8 billion proposal to bail out merchant coal and nuclear plants in a region that spans across 13 Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states. The request comes from FirstEnergy, the Ohio-based utility giant that has sought billions of bailout dollars over the last decade to cover its bad business decisions.
This cleantech hotspot is giving New York and California a run for their money
California and New York often steal the spotlight on cleantech innovation, but those in the know are keeping their eye on Illinois. The energy sector has been undergoing rapid change in the Land of Lincoln, thanks to a slew of innovative initiatives. More than ever before, Illinois’ buildings are more efficient, its electric grid is more modern, and its electricity use is smarter. And the state is just getting started.
Trump May Greenlight An $8 Billion Attack On Competitive Energy Markets
President Trump may soon grossly distort competitive markets for electricity. Last week, he announced his consideration of a request for “202(c),” by which he means an $8 billion proposal to bail out merchant coal and nuclear plants in a region that spans across 13 Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states. The request comes from FirstEnergy, the Ohio-based utility giant that has sought billions of bailout dollars over the last decade to cover its bad business decisions.
FirstEnergy shamelessly begs DOE to prop up uneconomic coal and nukes
March 29th, FirstEnergy submitted an outrageous request to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Ohio-based utility giant wants DOE to bail out not only its uneconomic coal and nuclear plants, but all ailing plants across the PJM Interconnection region – which includes 13 states and Washington D.C. FirstEnergy’s request, if granted, would fundamentally undermine important energy policy and represent a major step backwards for the American electric grid.
Taxpayers shouldn’t foot the $8 billion bill to bail out a failing energy company
Ohio-based FirstEnergy recently made an audacious plea to the federal government: Bail out more than 80 uneconomic coal and nuclear plants across 13 Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states at a cost of $8 billion a year. If accepted, this would be an unprecedented, illegal government handout that would be paid for by the American people through higher electricity bills.
FirstEnergy Shamelessly Begs DOE To Prop Up Uneconomic Coal And Nukes
This week, FirstEnergy submitted an outrageous request to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Ohio-based utility giant wants DOE to bail out not only its uneconomic coal and nuclear plants, but all ailing plants across the PJM Interconnection region – which includes 13 states and Washington D.C. FirstEnergy’s request, if granted, would fundamentally undermine important energy policy and represent a major step backwards for the American electric grid.
A Two-in-One Energy Solution: Capturing Waste Heat for Electricity
In Dublin, Ohio, the Community Recreation Center decided to reduce its energy waste. Rather than rely on an electric utility to burn more coal or natural gas to provide electricity, as well as its own boilers to burn more fuel to provide heat, the facility decided to install a combined heat and power (CHP) unit. The CHP or “cogeneration” project produces both electricity, allowing the Center to keep its lights on during power outages — and heat — keeping offices and swimming pools warm.
This Midwestern State Is The Surprising Standout On Cutting Carbon Pollution
One state surprisingly stands out for reducing carbon emissions from electricity. Ohio saw an impressive 37.7 percent drop in its power sector’s carbon emissions from 2005 to 2015. Despite not having a stellar track record on clean energy, the Buckeye State, in fact, has become the nation’s carbon-reducing powerhouse: In absolute terms, Ohio slashed its carbon pollution by 50 million metric tons (MMT) during that decade – far more than any other state.
This Midwestern state is the surprising standout on cutting carbon pollution.
One state surprisingly stands out for reducing carbon emissions from electricity. Ohio saw an impressive 37.7 percent drop in its power sector’s carbon emissions from 2005 to 2015. Despite not having a stellar track record on clean energy, the Buckeye State, in fact, has become the nation’s carbon-reducing powerhouse: In absolute terms, Ohio slashed its carbon pollution by 50 million metric tons (MMT) during that decade – far more than any other state.
This Midwestern state is the surprising standout on cutting carbon pollution.
One state surprisingly stands out for reducing carbon emissions from electricity. Ohio saw an impressive 37.7 percent drop in its power sector’s carbon emissions from 2005 to 2015. Despite not having a stellar track record on clean energy, the Buckeye State, in fact, has become the nation’s carbon-reducing powerhouse: In absolute terms, Ohio slashed its carbon pollution by 50 million metric tons (MMT) during that decade – far more than any other state.
Data reveals real-time electricity pricing would help nearly all ComEd customers save money
Over the past few years, Illinois has taken great strides to not only modernize its electric grid, but also to provide people and businesses with access to energy data. In February, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved the release of anonymous, aggregate energy-use data on a large scale, broken out in half-hour increments, 24 hours a day.
Ohio needs a clean energy future, not a no-strings-attached bailout
It’s understandable that FirstEnergy’s hometown newspaper, the Akron Beacon Journal, supports its own utility monopoly. Yet justifying that support and advocating for FirstEnergy’s proposed nuclear bailout on environmental grounds is a surprise…and misdirected. FirstEnergy’s proposal merely is yet another attempt to force customers to prop up its uneconomic power plants.
Innovative measurement tool will help Illinois calculate the benefits of smart-grid investments
Even as the Trump administration moved this week to repeal the Clean Power Plan, some of the biggest American utilities indicated they’ll continue investing in clean energyand strategizing around climate change. And as they continue investing in smart meters and other grid modernization efforts, utilities will want to know how well they do. Are grid programs fulfilling environmental promises and cutting pollution?
The power of energy data in Illinois and beyond
The U.S. electricity industry is experiencing unprecedented innovation and change. The grid is getting smarter and customers can play a more active role in how their electricity is made, moved, and used. Between all the initiatives that utilities, cities, and states are pursuing and the new services and products that entrepreneurs are creating, it can be difficult to keep up.
Facebook and voters see the benefit of clean energy in Ohio
Last month, Facebook announced its new $750 million data center will be located in New Albany, Ohio, just north of Columbus. Why did the social media giant choose this particular spot? Apparently, Facebook likes clean energy, stating, “The availability of renewable energy sources, including wind, solar and hydro, was critical to the decision.” And Facebook isn’t clean energy’s only fan in Ohio.
FirstEnergy : New Utility Settlement Will Unlock Millions In Clean Energy Funding For Ohio | 4-Traders
AEP, one of Ohio’s largest utilities, just reached an exciting new milestone that takes the state further down the path to a clean energy economy. The utility has reached a settlement that will unlock millions in funding, lower pollution, avoid unnecessary electricity bill increases, and provide customers with more clean energy options.
New Utility Settlement In Ohio Will Unlock Millions In Clean Energy Funding
AEP, one of Ohio’s largest utilities, just reached an exciting new milestone that takes the state further down the path to a clean energy economy. The utility has reached a settlement that will unlock millions in funding, lower pollution, avoid unnecessary electricity bill increases, and provide customers with more clean energy options.
New utility settlement will unlock millions in clean energy funding for Ohio
AEP, one of Ohio’s largest utilities, just reached an exciting new milestone that takes the state further down the path to a clean energy economy. The utility has reached a settlement that will unlock millions in funding, lower pollution, avoid unnecessary electricity bill increases, and provide customers with more clean energy options.
New utility settlement will unlock millions in clean energy funding for Ohio
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio today approved AEP's electric security plan, described below. AEP, one of Ohio’s largest utilities, just reached an exciting new milestone that takes the state further down the path to a clean energy economy. The utility has reached a settlement that will unlock millions in funding, lower pollution, avoid unnecessary electricity bill increases, and provide customers with more clean energy options.
UPDATE: A Tale of Two Utilities: One Illinois Power Provider Looks Ahead, while the Other Won’t Budge
As a utility executive, it is the best of times, it is the worst of times. It is the age of innovation, it is the age of stagnant tradition. With a nod to Charles Dickens, it is the epoch of environmental improvement, it is the epoch of continued pollution.
Personal view: Ohio electricity battles abound
Ohio long has been a bellwether state. Politically, no state during the past 120 years has picked more winners of presidential elections. Ohio also reflects the nation's diverse and evolving set of energy resources. In particular, this past year Ohio became ground zero in the electricity wars. Its utilities are seeking subsidies for uneconomic power plants, setting up a lively federalism debate about when states can encourage specific energy technologies.
New plan could double $2.5 billion energy efficiency success in Illinois
Just how valuable is energy efficiency? To the customers of ComEd, Illinois’ largest electric utility, efficiency’s value is in the billions – $2.5 billion, to be exact. That’s how much ComEd customers have saved to date through the utility’s energy efficiency program, and thanks to a new plan under the Future Energy Jobs Act, more savings – and less pollution – are on the way.
Ohio explores perspectives, opportunities for modernizing the electric grid
Just think about the number of interactions we have with electricity each day – from our alarm clocks to our toasters to our smart phones and the lights in our homes and offices. Electricity is undeniably important to our lives and our economy. And unprecedented energy innovation has created the opportunity to build a smarter, cleaner, and more modern electric grid. But modernizing the grid won’t happen on its own.
New clean energy law gives Illinois a chance to show national leadership
As the calendar has turned to June, and contentious debates over the state budget dominate the news out of Springfield, it is easy to overlook some exceptionally good news for Illinois that begins this month. On June 1, provisions of the historic Future Energy Jobs Act took effect. The bipartisan act, passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law by Gov.
FirstEnergy : Don’t Buy Perry’s Reliability Ruse, His Fake Study Is Pro-Coal Propaganda | 4-Traders
Energy Secretary so-called grid reliability study will be nothing more than thinly-veiled propaganda for the coal industry and a tool to justify expensive government handouts to outdated power plants. How do we know? The tactic is ripped straight from FirstEnergy’s well-worn subsidy playbook. The -based utility has relentlessly sought a massive, customer-funded bailout to prop up its unprofitable power plants.
The more electricity regulators delay, the more customers pay
Remember the old “money booths,” in which game show participants got to grab as many dollars as they could before the timer went off? Well, FirstEnergy’s the lucky contestant; everyday Ohioans are supplying the cash, and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is refusing to call time. The PUCO is still deciding whether to give final approval to the bailout for the Ohio-based utility giant’s old, inefficient coal plants.
Don’t buy Perry’s reliability ruse. His fake study is pro-coal propaganda.
Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s so-called grid reliability study will be nothing more than thinly-veiled propaganda for the coal industry and a tool to justify expensive government handouts to outdated power plants. How do we know? The tactic is ripped straight from FirstEnergy’s well-worn subsidy playbook. The Ohio-based utility has relentlessly sought a massive, customer-funded bailout to prop up its unprofitable power plants.
How blockchain could upend power markets
Blockchain, in short, is a secure, decentralized, and highly efficient way to manage and keep track of infinite transactions. Rather than being stored on a central server, peer-to-peer transactions are replicated across a number of computers, creating a data store that records exchanges in almost real time. To ensure the transactions are secure, authenticity and identity are maintained through cryptography and digital signatures.
Proving the negative: The challenge of calculating energy efficiency
“Efficiency is good.” That’s the mantra, a known truth, shared by both business executives and environmentalists, who eliminate waste to increase profits and reduce pollution. When it comes to electricity, efficiency also has proven effective.
How Electricity Data Can Clean Up the Economy
The U.S. electric grid is old and frayed, yet innovative technologies – modern sensors, smart meters, and advanced telecommunications – offer hope to update it to become more modern, efficient, and clean. What all these smart-grid tools have in common is data. How we utilize the enormous quantities of information about how we move and use electricity will have major impacts on markets, customers, the environment, and our future electricity system.
3 Republican Governors Embrace Clean Energy’s Economic Promise
Last week, the U.S. inaugurated a new president who has vowed to abandon the landmark Paris climate agreement and roll back bedrock American environmental protections. But turn to the states and you’ll find a different story, even in the red states that elected President Trump. In fact, Republican governors in the Midwest are prioritizing economic growth and job creation by accelerating investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Baseload Power is So Yesterday. A Cleaner, Modern Electric Grid Deserves Flexibility.
Coal-heavy utilities in the Midwest have mustered a new argument to secure subsidies for their uneconomic power plants. They used to suggest the plants were needed to maintain reliability, until regional grid operators declared there was plenty of generation to ensure the lights stayed on. They then attempted to argue the plants provided jobs and taxes to the local communities, until conservative economists highlighted the inefficiency of subsidies.
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