Richards Energy Group

en∙er∙gin∙eer∙ing, noun.

1. The process of applying sound engineering principles and extensive industry knowledge to discover energy opportunities and resolve utility issues

2. Associated with using innovative concepts in a common-sense, cost-effective way.

Richards Energy Group (REG) is an independent “energineering” firm dedicated to cutting energy costs for industrial, commercial, and institutional users. We work for energy consumers, not suppliers, vendors, or utilities. Using our many years of utility-related experience, we are able to minimize the energy bills paid by our clients. REG offers a full spectrum of consulting services: a power purchasing consortium; energy, sales tax and billing audits; lighting retrofits; and real-time metering. Energineering….a unique word we created to describe the unique work we do.

Consortium puts focus on cost of electricity

January 24th, 2007

From Harrisburg Patriot News Wednesday, January 17th 2007

BY MATT MILLER

Of Our Carlisle Bureau

After 10 years, the Central Pennsylvania Energy Consortium is returning to its original purpose — reducing electricity costs for its members.

State-imposed caps on electric rates — a legacy of deregulation of the industry — begin to expire in two years. The eight-county consortium is developing ways to spare its 300-plus members from major increases in costs.

“We want to be in a position prior to the caps coming off so our members aren’t hit with outrageous rate increases,” said Paul Zeigler, consortium counsel.

Some experts have predicted 20 percent to 30 percent rate increases when the caps expire.

The energy consortium is open to governments, schools, churches, hospitals and other nonprofit organizations. It was founded in the mid-1990s to take advantage of electricity deregulation through bulk purchasing of power.

Electricity hasn’t been a focus of the alliance for several years, however, because competition dried up, Zeigler said. Instead, he said, the alliance has concentrated on saving its members millions of dollars on other forms of energy through bulk buying of natural gas, heating oil, gasoline and diesel fuel.

For example, consortium members last spring paid a locked-in price of $1.58 a gallon for gasoline, about 70 cents less than market prices at the time, Zeigler said.

The new electricity venture is about “avoiding sticker shock,” rather than cutting current costs, he said. The aim, he said, is to amass enough participants and buying power to secure rates that, while higher, won’t break the bank.

The consortium has hired Richards Energy Group of Lancaster as its electricity consultant. That engineering firm has other large clients, including Harley-Davidson, and should be able to make the consortium part of a massive buying pool, Zeigler said.

“We have to do something now. The pressure’s building,” he said. “I don’t see electricity costs dropping.”

The consortium plans to charge members $0.0008 per kilowatt-hour of electricity savings, Zeigler said.

He said its fees for other energy sources also are based on a proportion of the customer’s savings — 1 cent per gallon of savings on liquid fuels and 13.5 cents per metric cubic foot of natural gas. The consortium charges a one-time $100 membership fee.

The electricity initiative and other energy topics will be addressed during the consortium’s general membership meeting Monday at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit.

MATT MILLER: 249-2006 or mmiller@patriot-news.com

ENERGY AGENDA

WHAT: The Central Pennsylvania Energy Consortium will address energy-related topics. WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. ~~Monday~~ Friday January 26th 2007. WHERE: Capital Area Intermediate Unit offices in Summerdale. WHO: The consortium is open to governments, schools, churches, hospitals and other nonprofit organizations. The session is open to nonmembers. INFORMATION: Call Paul Zeigler at 717-920-8420.