Iberdrola makes a bid to soothe N.Y. regulators

A Spanish newspaper is reporting that Iberdrola has made a bid to satisfy some of the concerns expressed by New York regulators about the pending merger with Energy East.

Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper said Iberdrola has proposed the following:

*Sell Energy East's non-wind assets.

* Sell regulated assets worth $200 million.

Read a summary of the story here.

Many express interest in Energy East merger

Seventy parties are listed on the "Active Party" list assembled by the New York State Public Service Commission's hearing into the Iberdrola/Energy East merger.

See the list here.

Attempts to iron out differences between the merger partners and regulators failed earlier this month. The PSC claims the merger agreement fails to adequate consumer protections, among other findings.

See the entire PSC file on the merger here

Interestingly, while the City of Lockport and the City of Rochester are listed as active parties on the list, no other municipalities appear to be listed, and are cut off from taking part in the testimony.

Rebirth of nuclear power

NPR has an interesting piece this morning about the prospect of more nuclear plants being built around the country, with the customers footing the bill.

See the story here.

With demand on new non-polluting electric generation sources, nuclear is increasingly become a viable option.

Where did all the contributions go?

The NYSEG Foundation folded in 2004, and with it went hudreds of thousands of dollars in contributions to Southern Tier charities.

According to tax records, the foundation distributed the following amounts;
1999: $486,005
2000: $760,125
2001: $775,720
2002: $721,017
2003: $238, 923
2004: $8,700

Some of the region's charities lost significant contributions when the foundation folded.

Here's a very partial list of some of the recipients of NYSEG Foundation money:
BU Foundation: $4,240
Broome Council of Churches: $10,000
Broome Community Charities: $10,000
First Night Binghamton: $15,000
Phelps Mansion: $5,000
Roberson Memorial: $5,000
United Way of Broome County: $35,400
United Way of Buffalo/Erie County: $23,400

Energy East spends $340,000 on lobbying Congress

Read the news story here.

The company spent $140,000 lobbying lawmakers in Congress in the second half of 2007, according to a form disclosed Feb. 13 by the Senate's office of public records, the Associated Press said.

Energy East lobbied on bills to establish industry standards for green house gas emissions and to increase funding for sustainable fuel research. The New Gloucester, Maine-based company also lobbied on legislation aimed at lowering taxes for middle and low-income families.

Energy East annual report

The company just posted it's glossy annual report.

Read it by clicking on the above link.

Anything pop out at you?

March bill preview

Through most of March, NYSEG's variable price has remained below the fixed-price of 12.55, according figures published on the NYSEG Web site.

As we near the close of the month and as of today, electricity is priced at 11.3513/kwh vs. 12.55 for the fixed-price plan. Mid-month, the variable price peaked at 11.9565/kwh, but has been on the decline since.

Keep tuned as we run down the monthly cost comparison at the end of the month.