LPSC Residential Rate Comparison for Gas Distribution Systems-February 2012

Attached is the monthly report prepared by the staff of the Louisiana Public Service Commission comparing residential rates for gas distribution systems in Louisiana. As you will see, the lowest cost provider is Pierre Part Natural Gas Co, Inc. with a cost of $34.31 for 4 mcf of gas. Coming in second is Entergy Gulf States at $36.76. Atmos/TransLa had the highest rate at $49.98. It is also interesting to note that the purchase gas adjustment(what the utility companies pay for the gas commodity) is $3.73 per mcf for Pierre Part, $3.97 for Entergy, and as high as $6.98 for Centerpoint/Arkla,LPSC Copy of Residential Bill Comparison for Gas-February 2012

LPSC Residential Electricity Bill Comparisons for February 2012

Attached is the monthly report for the staff of the Louisiana Public Service Commission which shows residential electricity rates from the electrical co-ops and investor owned electric utilities in Louisiana. The winner this month for lowest residential electric rates is co-op Claiborne Electric. On an average consumption of 1500 KWH per month, Claiborne charges $121.96. Coming in last place for the highest rates on the list is Entergy New Orleans at $139.19 for 1500 KWH per month. Neck and neck with Entergy New Orleans is Jefferson Davis Co-op at $139.05.

On an average basis, residential electric customers in Louisiana pay about 8 cents a kilowatt hour, which is one of the best rates in the country.

LPSC Copy of Residential Bill Comparisons By Month for February 2012

Survey suggests moderate growth in smart grid technology and installation

The results of a recent survey show that a majority of executives in the utility, smart grid, and energy sectors believe that investments in smart grid technology will continue to grow through 2012. It is estimated that upwards of 52 million smart meters will be installed in the U.S. by the end of 2012. It is believed by some commentators that utility investments will increase because smart grid technoloy is the best way to manage the complex requirements of renewable integration, government regulation, emissions requirements, and stakeholder demands, all while maintaining the reliability and predictability that customers, employees, and investors expect.

Stimulus Grants Left Power Grid Vulnerable To Cyber Attacks

According to a report from the Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Energy’s rush to award stimulus grants for projects under the next generation of the power grid, i.d. Smart Grid, “resulted in some firms receiving funds without submitting complete plans for how to safeguard the grid from cyber attacks.” “Officials approved cyber security plans for Smart Grid projects even though some of the plans contained shortcomings that could result in poorly implemented controls,” states the report. “We also found that the Department was focused on quickly disbursig Recovery Act funds that it had not ensured personnel received adequate grants management training.” According to the report, which can be found at http://energy.gov/sites/prod/filed/OAS-RA-12-04.pfd, 36% of the grant applications submitted were lacking one or more elements in their cybersecurity plans. The Energy Department generally concurred with the report’s recommendations, but noted “that there are currently no federal or state standards or regulations that mandate cyber security processes or practices for electric distribution systems.”