Past Newsletter Articles

Climate Change Policy.  Cost and Risk Impacts.  June 2008

Climate change policy has been a hot subject in the news lately. As Federal and Provincial governments each weigh in with their own policies, it can become a challenge to keep track of how these policies impact our businesses. In this article, we discuss the various policies and the potential impact on consumers. Read more »

The Role of LNG in North American Markets.  June 2008

Liquefied Natural Gas can benefit consumers and suppliers as it allows for natural gas to reach destinations that would be unreachable with conventional pipelines.

In an environment of rising natural gas prices, can LNG provide the additional supply needed to reduce prices in North America? Read more »

Key Considerations for CESOP and CHP.  June 2008

If your organization is considering participation in the Ontario Power Authority's Combined Heat and Power (CHPII) request for proposal or the Clean Energy Standard Offer Program (CESOP), you need to give careful consideration to key elements of your gas supply strategy before you submit your proposal.

Careful planning before submitting your proposal can ensure that you have taken full advantage of the OPA programs to manage your risks.Read more »

Bid/Ask Spreads:  Why is the Price Higher When We Buy Versus When We Sell?

We've seen it happen on vacation. You pay one price when you buy a foreign currency then you get a lower price when you sell it back. But as experienced travellers, we've learned that there are better places and times to exchange your currency to avoid paying too much. What drives buy/sell spreads in the gas market? Read more »

Oil & Natural Gas:  Are the Prices Linked?  May 2008

There has been an ongoing debate surrounding the relationship between the price of natural gas and the price of oil. What's behind this theory and how does it stand up to historical pricing data? Read more »

Coal Replacement - Implied Carbon Cost.  April 2008

The Ontario government has introduced legislation that all coal generation must be out of service by 2014. The shortfall in generation needed to serve Ontarians will be made up through conservation efforts and gas-fired, nuclear and renewable energy generation.

With British Columbia's introduction of a carbon tax recently making headlines, how does Ontario's coal replacement initiative compare in its impact on consumers? Read more »

Knowledge Monopolies: What You Don't Know Can Cost You. March 2008

Why is it that many of us distrust the mechanic when our car is getting serviced? Often we fear that we are being overcharged, or duped into paying more for unnecessary work. At the root of the problem is the fact that the mechanic knows more about the situation than we do.

"Knowledge monopolies" exist in many fields, including the energy industry. Generally, those selling energy have more information about the situation than energy buyers. Read more »

Explaining the Global Adjustment  Part 1.  March 2008

The Global Adjustment is not well understood by many consumers, yet this mechanism has a large and growing impact on the true cost of electricity that you use. Read more »

Explaining the Global Adjustment, Part 2.  April 2008

In a continuation of our article explaining the Global Adjustment and the role it plays in electricity prices, this month's article discusses the impact of conservation and demand management (CDM) on the Global Adjustment and ultimately, your electricity bill. Read more »

Planning Your Energy Budget.  February 2008

For many organizations, developing an annual energy budget can be perplexing. However, with the proper approach an effective energy budget can be developed. Read more »

Are you ready to leave the Regulated Rate Plan? February 2008

Some municipalities, school boards and hospitals who have been in the Regulated Rate Plan feel that their organization will be hurt if they leave the RRP. However, the protection offered by the RRP to large consumers is a myth. Read more »