Big Oil Companies No longer Pull the Plug on Electric Vehicles
Introduction
As gas prices continue to rise throughout the nation, rumors of oil conspired wars loom in the Middle East, and the lingering threat of human-induced harmful global warming becomes a reality; it is clear that an alternative form of energy must be implemented soon to replace the nation’s addiction to oil. While oil is used for many different forms of energy, vehicles used for transportation are responsible for a large portion of the oil consumption in the United States. Therefore, the need to convert our gas-guzzling autos to run off of alternative forms of energy is the first step to wining our nation off of oil usage.
Over the past decade, there have been several attempts to produce alternative forms of energy which can be converted to power by our every day drivers. These attempts have encompassed everything from solar to alcohol powered vehicles; however, due to lack of technology most of these non-greenhouse emitting vehicles have remained as nothing more than a dream. However, electric vehicles proves to be the exception as it has already been mass produced in 1996 by one of the Nations leading auto manufactures.
The first initial push that drove automobile producers to create an electric car came from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The CARB mandated that 2% of the cars sold in California by 1998 must be considered "Zero Emission Vehicles"(ZEVs). After the 1998 dead line, new requirements were made by the CARB, mandating that by 2003, 10% of all automobiles sold in California must be ZEVs (Motavalli, 1997).
General Motors was one of the first companies to meet the CARB’s new mandates for the first zero emission vehicle. They did this with the release of the first electric vehicle known as the EV1 (Electric Vehicle 1). Conversely, soon after General Motors started, they abandoned the popular project joining the Federal Government in successfully suing the State of California to remove the CARB zero emissions requirements.
Hence, despite the large need, want and availability of the mass production of electric vehicles—they are still not being produced due to the overwhelming influence of oil driven industries and the Federal Government’s lack of intervention.
The Need
Global warming has been the center of environmental debate since 1896 when Swedish chemist, Svante Arrhenius, hypnotized that the build up of carbon dioxide, produced by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, would increase the temperature on the planet (Clemmitt, 2006). Since the establishment of Arrhenisus’ theory on global warming over 100 years ago, scientific advancements, and new technologies have re-enforced his theory. However, the most convincing evidence of global warming is the actual changes that are occurring throughout the globe.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, the global temperature has increased by one degree Fahrenheit (Clemmitt, 2006). While one degree may not seem worthy of alarm, a change in one degree can cause a devastating domino effect that can lead to the demise of the entire planet. For example, the one-degree increase in the global temperature has caused many of the worlds glaciers to begin to melt. Glacier melting is currently affecting Montana’s Glacier National Park, where nearly 120 glaciers have melted since 1910. As glaciers, such as those in Montana’s Glacier National Park, melt they cause the sea levels throughout the world to rise in both temperature and depth. Although the negative effects of melting glaciers and rising sea levels may not seem detrimental, the increase temperatures from global warming are responsible for “… providing added fuel to growing storms and hurricanes, making them more intense” (Lener, 2006). The overwhelming deadly aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has been directly attributed to global warming. Rising global temperatures are also being blamed for the European heat wave of 2003 that was responsible for killing 25,000 people (Clemmitt 2006). The list of increasing powerful and frequent natural disasters continues to grow as the globe continues to heat up.
The director of Climate and Global Dynamics Division at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, James Hurrell, told the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee recently that, “The climate is changing, and the rate of change as projected exceeds anything seen in nature in the past 10,000 years” (Clemmitt, 2006). With the deadly effects of global warming already unfolding throughout the world, the solution must be implemented immediately.
Currently, green house gasses are the highest they have been in 75,000 years. In addition, human emitted carbon dioxide is at the highest levels it has ever been in the history of man (Clemmitt, 2006). Hence, it is hard to ignore the theory, of human induced-global warming, when green house gas concentrations are parallel to the large amount of human produced carbon dioxide. It is also hard to ignore a panel of nearly 25,000 scientists gathered together in 2001 to form the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The team of scientist reported “That most of the observed warming of the last 50 years is attributable to human activities” (Cooper 2001). They furthered their argument by predicting that the Earth’s overall temperature could climb up to eleven degrees Fahrenheit, under the worst-case conditions, if the amount of green house gases continue to rise (Cooper 2001). If this takes place scientists have projected that “such a rise could inundate many low-lying islands and eventually threaten such areas as the New York City borough of Manhattan and Miami Beach” (Griffin, 1992). The green house gases responsible for current and future disasters are made-up of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. The increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are the direct result of the burning of fossil fuels and the source of most of the danger.
As show in Figure 1, nearly 1/3 of the increased levels of carbon dioxide can be contributed to transportation ( Cooper 2001).
Figure 1
Carbon dioxide is one of the byproducts that are produced by the burning of gasoline within the combustible engine found in all cars and trucks on the road today.
In other words, one of the solutions to preventing further global warming is to either stop transportation all together or implement an alternative form of energy, which does not produce carbon dioxide, to power our vehicles. Obviously, the economy and the human way of life would cease to exist if we stopped transportation altogether. However, the obvious decision to use an alternative form of fuel to save the earth is rejected by major oil companies and other related industries to keep Americans addicted to oil in order not to loose their $300 billion dollar a year industry (Motavalli, 1997).
The Kyoto Protocol
Recently, measures have been taken to curb the production of carbon dioxide, not only on a state level with the “Zero-Emissions Law” passed by the California State Legislature, but these efforts are also seen on a global level as well. In 1997, more than 150 countries met in Kyoto Japan to sign the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that required signing countries to reduce green house gasses to 5% below 1990 levels by 2005 through the implementation of taxes and laws. The United States, responsible for emitting the largest amount of green house gases, vowed to cut their share by 7% under the Clinton administration. As the deadline for the Protocol was set for February of 2005, the United States, under the Bush Administration, has since changed their stance stating that there is a lack of scientific evidence to support global warming (Cooper, 2001). Bush was also quoted by saying it [the Kyoto Protocol] shackled the U.S. economy(Cooper, 2005). In addition to the Bush administrations lack of support to the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. Senate and the House of representatives are also opposed to the treaty (Clemmitt, 2006). One can only speculate that the rejection of the Kyoto Protocol and California’s zero emissions laws are just two examples of a larger picture: the oil and auto industries massive influence on the United States Government.
The Oil Industries Influence in the Government
The WSPA (Western States Petroleum Association) is made up a coalition of oil companies that are located in the western United States including: Mobile, Shell, Chevron and Arco. The WSPA is also one of the top five lobbyist employers in California. Therefore, much of the lobbying done in California is influenced from the major oil companies. Two of the major activist seen in California State’s legislature is know as CAUCA (Californians Against Utility Company Abuse) and CHAT (Californians Against Hidden Taxes). Both of these lobbyists are funded in part by the WSPA (Motavalli, 1997). The executive director of the “Grass Roots” lobby CHAT, Linda Mangels, even said, “I believe most, if not all of our funding comes from WSPA --that's no secret,” (Motavalli, 1997). With such a powerful influence in the state legislature the WSPA has declined how much money it has invested in the campaign against the electric car mandates such as the Zero Emissions Mandate by the CARB and the CETC. (California Electric Transportation Coalition).
In addition to the massive influence of the WSPA, the coming fourth electric vehicle has also been hit hard by the AAMA (American Automobile Manufactures Association). The AAMA has done its own lobbying campaign against the electric vehicle. In six months, the auto industry spent around $500,000 to campaign against the electric car mandates (Motavalli, 1997). While that number may not seem that impressive, it represents nearly four times the amount of money the California Electric Transportation Coalition has available each year.
In a recent study named the Pollution Politics, done between the years 1991-1995, revealed that nearly $34 million dollars in public policy was spent by oil companies and automakers to influence public opinion against the electric car mandates. Of the $34 million spent, $29 million went towards lobbying and $3.97 million went towards donations to legislative candidates (Motavalli, 1997). The majority of the public relations campaigns done by both the auto and oil companies were aimed at the increase of taxes that it would take to promote the electric car. The public, however, was not informed of the larger amount of money they are currently spending to continue the use of gas-powered vehicles. As the numbers and facts are examined it is clear that the oil industry has used its power and influence, both monetarily and legally, to keep the electric car from being produced.
The Want
As gas prices rise and rumors of oil conspired wars are consistently looming in the Middle East, it comes as no surprise that the general public would prefer an electric powered vehicle over a gas powered vehicle. While a mass produced electric vehicle is not currently available on the market, the electric and gas hybrid is. The hybrid car takes electric technology and combines it with the traditional gas powered engine. The result is a low emissions vehicle that has a high mile per gallon rating, as the car relies on both electric and gas power.
In a resent study done by J.D. Power and Associates, 57% of the consumers in the U.S. who expected to purchase a new vehicle by 2009 are considering a hybrid vehicle (King Flounders, 2007). This attraction to hybrid vehicles offers the most realistic glimpse into the future of the motor vehicle industry. Hence, it seems only logical that if the hybrid vehicle is attracting consumers because of the electric qualities, that a completely electric vehicle would gain an even greater demand.
This demand for an electric car was recently experienced by General Motor Company with the release of the first production electric vehicle, the EV1. The first EV1 concept car was revealed in the Los Angles Auto Show, in 1990. General Motor executives were surprised by the large demand for the concept to become a reality. The demands were not only from the public but also from the California State Legislature as they continued to enforce the Zero-Emissions Law that required General Motors to produce the vehicle. The EV1 was released by General Motors to the general public in the fall of 1996. As the public discovered that the completely electric car was about to hit the market, it became obvious that the demand for the EV1 was still strong.
Even with the limited availability, there was a large waiting list to purchase the new electric cars. Perhaps the large demand for the EV1 spawned from its ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in nine seconds, the standard air bags, anti-lock breaks, cruise control, traction control, electric locks, keyless entry and ignition, liquid free batteries, aluminum frame, or the 90 mile highway range of the batteries (Cook 1996). The car had such a high demand that the Saturn dealerships, where the car was offered for lease, had to screen the potential owners and then select only the most qualified applicants from the list (Cook 1996). Those that qualified were only allowed to lease the EV1 with no option of purchase. Of course the EV1 had its share of critics; however, due to the popular demand, it was apparent that General Motors had taken a step in the right direction.
At the end of the leasing option in 2003, many of the satisfied owners offered to buy the EV1. Instead of taking the buyers offers General Motors had all the EV1 returned, taken to a junk yard in Arizona and crushed (More, 2006). This bizarre decision to suddenly crush the vehicles raised the eyebrows of many EV1 enthusiasts. The decision to crush the EV1 came the same month the State of California lifted the Zero-Emissions mandate to accept lower forms of carbon producing vehicles (Silberg, 2006).
The Means
After the recall of the EV1, General Motors stated that the production costs for the all electric vehicles were too high and the technology did not allow for their production. While this excuse may have been effective over ten years ago, it has become more apparent that the technology is currently available and affordable. The technology to build an electric car has become so affordable that as Bill More, an author of the Mother Earth News, points out, “Anyone who has the time, talent and the resources can convert a conventional automobile to electric drive” (More, 2006). Of course most Americans do not have the ability to convert their daily driver into an electric vehicle, but it does show that the technology is currently available.
Often times many critics of the electric car debate that the car would need re-charging too often in order to allow the user to travel the distances needed throughout the day. Amazingly enough, one of the breakthroughs technologies of the EV1 was the ability to reuse kinetic energy displaced when breaking. This recycled energy could charge the battery up to 30%. Of course advanced breaking methods do not replace the need for recharging the batteries, but there are ways of incorporating charging batteries into our everyday life as seen in Europe.
Electric cars are one of the fastest growing forms of transportation in London; the number of electric cars jumping from 49 to 1,278 in two years. To make up for this increased form of electric transportation London has provided re-charge bays next to most parking meters (Britain: Charging around the city; Electric cars, 2007). It is only a matter of time before all of England is equipped to handle the electric car.
While the mass produced electric car is not currently on the market, smaller simpler electric vehicles are. The electric
scooter [http://www.mycityscooters.com] and electric bike are two forms of electric vehicles that are mass produced and can be bought at the local toy shop or even over the Internet. The electric scooter can be bought in two forms; the classic Vespa style, which appears resemble a motorcycle; or the children style electric scooter that represents a push style scooter. Both types of electric scooters are extremely popular amongst college students and inner-city commuters alike. The electric scooter is powered by batteries that can be re-charged using a conventional AC adaptor. Jerome Byrd, a web publisher, who lives in Philadelphia, has driven to work and throughout Philadelphia on his electric scooter and has gone nearly a total of 30,000 miles (Moore, 2007).
Even more popular is the electric
bike [http://www.mycityscooters.com]. Just like the electric scooter, the electric bike is powered by batteries and can come in two forms: the human assisted (comes with pedals) or the completely electric bike (does not need pedals). While there are many different forms of e-bikes they are all measured in watts and amps. The more watts and amps that you purchase the more powerful the electric bike (and scooter) are. These bikes can reach up to 24 mph and travel up to 15 miles on a single charge. Although, the electric scooter and electric bike are by no means an alternative to a car, their ability to be mass produced commercially is paving the way.
Conclusion
Each year, as the temperature rises and more human lives are lost to the intensified natural disasters due to global warming, we are reminded of the need for a solution to combat global warming. The solution comes in the form of a pollution free electric vehicle. While the mighty oil companies and their minions, the U.S. government and auto manufacturers, have done all they can to stop alternative forms of energy from emerging, the overwhelming need, the undeniable want and the available technologies cannot stop the electric car from once again quietly gliding down a street near you some day soon.
Are You Paying Too Much On Your Electric Bill?
Texas is leading the nation in Energy Deregulation. Because of the planning and implementation of a very efficient Energy Deregulation and Operating System by the Texas Legislature, Texans can now enjoy the benefits of competition. Texas created the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
The mission of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is to direct and ensure reliable and cost-effective operation of the electric grid and to enable fair and efficient market-driven solutions to meet customers' electric service needs.
The ERCOT grid covers approximately 75 percent of the land area in Texas.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to approximately 20 million Texas customers - representing 85 percent of the state's electric load and 75 percent of the Texas land area.
As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects 38,000 miles of transmission lines and more than 500 generation units.
ERCOT also manages financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers customer switching for 5.9 million Texans in competitive choice areas.
Balanced market rules are a basic element in Texas competition. Clear, predictable and well-designed rules help foster a stable electricity market. Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market rules are developed by participants from all aspects of the electricity industry. The rules and amendments are reviewed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to ensure that they satisfy the public interest.
WHY COMPETITION?
Texas lawmakers changed state law to allow customers to have more control over their purchase of electric service because they believe competition is good for Texas. Over time, competition for electric service is expected to lower rates and speed the development of new products and services.
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
In the past, one company provided all parts of your electric service (generation, transmission and distribution, and retail sales). With competition, these parts are separated into different companies. Generation, or production of electricity, was deregulated in 1995, resulting in an ample supply of new, cleaner and more efficient power plants throughout Texas.
The actual delivery of electricity across poles and wires to your home is called transmission and distribution. These services are provided to you by your local wires company, which is responsible for maintaining the poles and wires, and responding to emergencies and power outages as always. The Public Utility Commission continues to regulate transmission and distribution to ensure the safety and reliability of your electric service.
With electric competition, Retail Electric Providers sell electricity to you and provide functions such as customer service and billing. Retail Electric Providers compete for your business by offering lower prices, renewable energy options, added customer service benefits or other incentives.
No matter which Retail Electric Provider provides your service, the Public Utility Commission continues to enforce customer protections and regulate the delivery of electricity to ensure it is delivered safely and reliably by the local wires company .
Competition also is expected to create new jobs, stimulate economic development and help our environment.
CUSTOMER RIGHTS
All Retail Electric Providers must adhere to Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) rules and regulations designed to protect you against fraudulent, unfair, misleading, discriminatory or anti-competitive practices.
These protections include:
Non-Discrimination: In addition to standard discrimination prohibitions, a Retail Electric Provider may not deny service or discriminate in the marketing of electric service based on a customer's income level, location in an economically distressed area, or qualification for low-income or energy efficiency services.
Slamming and Cramming: Slamming is switching your electric service provider without your permission. Cramming is adding charges to your electric bill for additional services without your permission. Both slamming and cramming are illegal.
Dispute Resolution: Retail Electric Providers must promptly investigate customer complaints and customers have the right to make complaints about a Retail Electric Provider to the PUC.
Privacy of Information: No Retail Electric Provider can release any customer-specific information to another Retail Electric Provider or any other companies without your permission.
Safety and Reliability: No matter which Retail Electric Provider you choose, the Public Utility Commission continues to enforce customer protections and regulate the delivery of electricity to ensure it is delivered safely and reliably by the local wires company.
DELIVERY OF ELECTRICITY
When you choose a new electric provider, you are choosing the company that provides or sells you electricity - a company called a Retail Electric Provider. These companies purchase electricity from competing power plants, and electricity is delivered to your home or business over the same poles and wires that are in your neighborhood today.
The actual delivery of the electricity ("transmission and distribution") is still provided by your local utility, now called a local wires company. In a competitive electric market, your local wires company will continue to be responsible for maintaining the poles and wires that deliver electricity to your home or business. You and your neighbors can all have different Retail Electric Providers, but you all have the same local wires company.
An important message from the Commissioners regarding Electric Choice and the reliability of your electric service. - 01/05
REPAIRS AND EMERGENCIES
If you experience an emergency or power outage, you may call:
Your Retail Electric Provider, who will work with the local wires company to repair the problem, or connect you to your local wires company.
The number for repairs and emergencies printed on your electric bill.
Your local wires company as you do today.
KHOU-TV CH-11 NEWS
HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 6, 2006 Transcript)
Families across our area can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars if they would only switch to an
energy provider that charges less. But you know what, most people just won't switch and we've wondered
why. 11 News reporter Jeremy Diesel shows us what he's uncovered. You have the power to choose.
Power that can literally save you hundreds of dollars a year on your bill. But in the four years since electricity deregulation began in Texas only a little more than 25% of people in the Houston area have left Reliant Energy, even though the price it's forced to charge is generally the highest.
Minnie Lee Coleman is like so many others. " If it gets unbearable here I will cut it off and just sacrifice
something else to pay my electric bill. Because paying half and part I don't do that." Last night she told
us she's willing to sacrifice. But not willing to leave Reliant for a cheaper price. "I don't trust them. And
that's it."
But why?
Houston Mayor Bill White is hoping to educate. "They should not question reliability as far as keeping
the lights on or what happens if there is a storm -- who is going to turn back on the power."
Here's the deal, when deregulation happened five years ago, Reliant Energy divided into two completely
separate companies. Reliant which sells power and Centerpoint which delivers it. CenterPoint
owns the lines which carry power, maintain them and reads the meter no matter who your power
provider is.
Come storm time, its CenterPoint which restores power to those who lose it. Not the power provider
you pay. All of the power companies Reliant, TXU, Green Mountain, Commerce and more than a dozen
others all put their power on the Texas grid. Its then used by everyone. Your meter read by CenterPoint
shows the amount you used. CenterPoint forwards that information to your provider who bills you.
"Who you buy your power from does not affect the reliability of that power. But it can affect your
bottom line.
Questions - General
Q: What has stayed the same in electric service?
A: Your current Transmission and Distribution Utility, or "local wires company," continues to deliver electricity to your home. Your local wires company still responds to service interruptions and continues to maintain the poles and wires. You will continue to receive the same reliable service you are used to with your local wires company, regardless of which Retail Electric Provider you receive service from.
Q: What has changed in electric service?
A: You can now choose to buy your electricity from a different electric provider than the original provider for your area. These companies are called Retail Electric Providers. Additionally, your bill now looks different than bills you have received in the past, but each Retail Electric Provider provides the same standard information.
Q: Do all Texans have the power to choose their electric provider?
A: No. City-owned utilities and member-owned electric cooperatives have the option of giving their customers a choice of providers, or keeping things the way they are today. To see if competition is active in your area call toll-free 1-866-PWR-4-TEX (1-866-797-4839).
Q: What are the benefits of Electric Choice?
A: Texas' electric rates are average, compared to the rest of the country, but our usage is among the highest in the nation due to demand for air conditioning during the long, hot summer season. Competition in other industries has often brought lower prices and innovative, new products and services. Having more control over your buying decision should make it easier to determine what matters most to you, whether it's prices, renewable energy, customer service, or simply a name you know.
Electric competition also should help the environment because Retail Electric Providers must offer some energy from renewable energy sources. Renewable energy - such as wind, solar, hydroelectric and biomass (gas released from landfills) - produce less air pollution than sources that rely on burning coal or natural gas.
The Texas power market is one of the most attractive in the country for new investment. Forty-seven new power plants have been built or are being built in Texas since 1995 (that's almost one-fourth of all power plants being built or planned in the nation). The properties represent a $10 billion investment in Texas. These plants provide jobs and sales and tax revenue into local Texas communities.
Q: How does Electric Choice affect electric rates?
A: The base rates for residential and small commercial customers of investor-owned utilities in Texas were frozen from September 1, 1999, to December 31, 2002. On January 1, 2002, rates for most of these customers were lowered, creating the "Price to Beat." The Affiliate Retail Electric Provider cannot charge above this rate until it loses 40 percent of its customers or five years pass, whichever comes first.
Q: If electric rates are frozen, why does my electric bill rise?
A: Texas law allows the Affiliate Retail Electric Provider (the electric provider that was part of the original electric company that generated and sold electricity in your area, that now only sells electricity) to ask the PUC to adjust the "fuel factor" portion of its rate when there are significant changes in the market price of natural gas and purchased energy. These requests, which may be made twice a year, are subject to PUC review and approval. The cost of natural gas has increased significantly over the last year, and fuel factors have been increased to reflect the higher cost of natural gas. For more information on how natural gas prices change please review Questions and Answers Regarding Natural Gas Prices.
The Affiliate Retail Electric Provider is prohibited from making a profit on fuel costs. Competitive (or new to the area) Retail Electric Providers set their own electric service rates.
Q: With competition, will the reliability of my electric service change?
A: No. No matter which Retail Electric Provider you choose, your electricity will continue to be delivered safely and reliably by the local wires company, a company still regulated by the PUC.
Q: How does the new competition law protect the environment?
A: The law requires "grandfathered" power plants (those that predate the 1971 Texas Clean Air Act) to reduce nitrogen-oxide emissions by at least 50 percent and sulfur dioxide by 25 percent before May 1, 2003.
Encourages upgrade or retirement of older power plants to meet emissions standards by allowing utilities to recoup the costs of retrofitting or retiring certain older power plants.
Provides incentives for energy efficiency programs that will result in less demand for the production of electricity.
Requires retail electric providers to buy an additional combined 2,000 megawatts of Texas renewable electric generation capacity statewide by January 2009, from sources that include wind, solar, hydroelectric, biomass or geothermal.
Q: Do I have to switch from my current electric utility?
A: No. If you decide not to choose a new Retail Electric Provider, your service will be provided by the Affiliate Retail Electric Provider. The Affiliate Retail Electric Provider is the electric provider that was part of the original electric company that generated and sold electricity in your area, that now only sells electricity and provides customer service.
Questions - Changing Providers
Q: Is there a penalty for changing providers?
A: There is no switching fee unless you request a special meter reading at a time other than your regularly scheduled meter reading. There may also be penalties if you break an existing contract with your current Retail Electric Provider. Review your Terms of Service agreement for details.
Q: If I sign up with a new Retail Electric Provider, when will the switch to that company happen?
A: Customers can choose a Retail Electric Provider at any time; however, you will not begin to receive power from your new Retail Electric Provider until after your next regularly scheduled meter reading. Before you are switched, you will receive written confirmation in the mail. You will receive your first electric bill from your new Retail Electric Provider on the following billing cycle.
Q: Do I have a right to cancel?
A: Yes. You may cancel within three days from when you receive your Terms of Service agreement by contacting the Retail Electric Provider. If you are hand-delivered a terms of service agreement or you sign up for service using the Internet, there is a three-day cancellation period. The confirmation that will be mailed to you will also provide a way to cancel your switch.
Q: What happens if my Retail Electric Provider stops serving customers?
A: You will not be without electricity. Your Retail Electric Provider must give you 30 days' advance notice to give you time to select a new provider. However, if you do not choose a new provider, your service will automatically be switched to the Provider of Last Resort for your area.
Q: If I do not choose an electric provider, who will supply my electricity?
A: If you decided not to choose a new Retail Electric Provider, your service is being provided by the Affiliate Retail Electric Provider. The Affiliate Retail Electric Provider is the electric provider that was part of the original electric company that generated and sold electricity in your area, that now only sells electricity and provides customer service.
Questions - Why is Texas different from California
Although Texas and California have similarly sized electric grids and similar growth in power demand, Texas put more than eight times the capacity online between 1996 and 1999 than California added.
The Texas power plant permitting process has a lead-time of two to three years to construct new power plants, while California's lead-time is approximately seven years. Since 1995, 47 new power plants have been built or are being built in Texas, representing one-fourth of all power plants being built in the nation. California has built only two power plants since 1995.
New plant construction will allow power generators to easily meet the needs of residential and non-residential power users in our state.
Texas imports less than 1 percent of its power during peak power demand, compared to California, which imports at least 25 percent of its load during peak demand.
Long-term wholesale market contracts in Texas shield customers from price volatility. In Texas, power generators and Retail Electric Providers can negotiate wholesale power purchases for the lowest price, which benefits customers.
Texas enacted strong measures to protect customers during the transition to a fully competitive retail electric market. These measures have kept a lid on electric rates so Texas electric customers won't see their electric bill double or triple.
You have a choice and now is the time to take control of your New Energy Options.
For more information contact:
Steve Thompson 512-892-3529
Syrian children tortured, used as human shields
The Syrian regime has used children as human shields and torturing young, whose parents are suspected dissidents, according to a UN report.
The report on children and armed conflict account details conflict of children allegedly abused by pro-government forces and came as a senior UN official has said the conflict in Syria exploded into civil war.
"Yes, I think we can say that," said the head of peacekeeping United Nations, Herve Ladsous when asked if Syria is in a civil war. "Clearly what is happening is that the Syrian government has lost some large chunks of territory, several cities in opposition, and wants to regain control."
Ladsous, who spoke to two news agencies, was unavailable for comment Tuesday because he was traveling. His spokesman Kieran Dwyer, they confirmed to CNN, but said it is called is not important.
Fight to save the children injured in Syria
Syria, which allow for "crimes against humanity"
"Small portion of horror" in Syria
"Small portion of horror" in Syria
"Whether we call it a civil war, civil war, if we call it partial, civil war in some places, the bottom line is that it is enormous escalation, which is in almost all regions the country and the civilians Syria ordinary people, are suffering, "said Dwyer.
The UN report on children, as of late April, was published Monday by the United Nations.
"Most victims of torture of children described being beaten, blindfolded, subjected to stress positions, whipped with electric cables heavy, scarred by cigarette burns and, in one reported case, subject to electric shocks in the genitals, "the report said, citing dozens of eyewitness accounts." Children have been detained and tortured by their brothers or their father is assumed that members of the opposition or the FSA, or they were themselves suspected of being associated with the FSA, "referring to the Syrian armed rebellion free.
Dozens of children between the ages of 8 and 13 reported using human shields by pro-regime forces during a raid in the village of Ain the Arouz in March, according to the report.
This includes allegations that the rebel forces and the Syrian army recruited and used children free, despite the declared policy of the FSA not to hire a person under 17 years.
Songs of Syrian army officers could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mark Lyall Grant, British ambassador to the United Nations, said that the conclusions of the UN report "very disturbing" and examine "carefully by all members of the Security Council. But it's just a Another chapter of barbarism is imposed by the Syrian regime in its own civilian population.
"So to be honest, we are not surprised by the report, but still an aberrant example of how far outside the boundaries of humanity the Syrian regime is gone."
The regime of President Bashar al-Assad has long blamed the violence in the country "armed terrorist groups".
The country on Tuesday criticized the United States. A report by the state news agency SANA quoted an "official source" in the Syrian Foreign Ministry, saying "that the U.S. administration continues its blatant interference in the internal affairs of Syria, his open support of terrorist covering the crimes of the terrorists, to distort the facts about Syria to the UN and the countries of extortion and the international community to besiege Syria. "
A group of human rights implored the Security Council to impose an arms embargo on Syria. Human Rights Watch said that the Council should impose targeted sanctions such as asset freeze and travel ban to the Syrian leadership.
Citing violations Syria Documentation Centre, a network of Syrian activists, the group said at least 1,176 children have been killed since February 2011.
After 15 months of bloodshed, the conflict shows no signs of slowing down, while the regime's forces continue to bomb cities, opposition activists say.
At least 60 people died Tuesday, including many children and women, local coordinating committees of the opposition in Syria, he said. Sixteen deaths occurred in Deir ez-Zor, 23 of them in Homs and Aleppo were 12, the group said.
Dead as opposition leader in Syria collects 96
Dead as opposition leader in Syria collects 96
This is the regime of Syria in Damascus lose?
Fight to save the children injured in Syria
A family of six people including a baby, was killed in add, in the province of Aleppo, when a shell hit his house, CVC said.
Residents of the city in favor of the government of al-Pura, near al-Haffa, the UN observers prevented from reaching al-Haffa on Tuesday on the road, although the city, the Observatory opposition Syrian Human Rights said.
The monitoring mission of the United Nations in Syria, said in a statement that observers try to reach al-Haffa in Lattakia province, "clashed with angry crowds that surrounded their vehicle, which prevented from moving forward. The crowd seemed to be residents of the area, then threw rocks and metal bars in UN vehicles. "
"The UN observers turned. After leaving the area, three vehicles were heading Idlib learned. The source of the fire is not yet clear."
The observers returned to their bases ", and are safe," the UN statement. The mission was to try to reach al-Haffa since Thursday, but was hampered by the violence in the region, the statement said.
UN officials and the U.S. have expressed concern about reports that the government was using mortars, helicopters and tanks against the opposition to al-Haffa. They also expressed concern that residents could be trapped.
A banner on state television said some residents of the province Latakia "tried to explain to members of the mission of observers of their suffering by terrorist groups, but observers did not hear them. Instead, one of their cars hit three citizens "of which two were in critical condition.
Dwyer spokesman Ladsous called firing on vehicles peacekeeping "deliberate and direct" and said that UN officials are to assess whether the 300 peacekeepers disarmed in Syria are safe enough to continue their activities. "We think of every situation," he said.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed concern Tuesday about reports that Russia might be of attack helicopters to Syria. Speakinng at an event in Washington, Clinton said the United States faced Russia to stop arms shipments to the Assad regime.
State Department spokesman, Victoria Nuland, said the U.S. was "pushing the Russians for months to break military ties with the Syrian regime and do not possess. And instead kept reassuring us all that they are Syria sent military can not be used against civilians. And now what do we see? We find that the Syrian government using helicopters to film their own people from the air. "
Undersecretary of State William Burns to speak with a Russian officer to discuss Syria's economic at a meeting Thursday in Kabul, the State Department.
Photos: Photos of slaughter in Syria: Syria slaughter
Who is Abdul Basit Sieda?
Clinton said there seems no easy solution to end the bloodshed in Syria. "We are regularly approached by representatives of different groups inside Syria who are terrified of what comes next," he told an audience at the Brookings Institution. "So how can we achieve a political transition - assuming you can manage a political transition - how quiet and offers some protection to Christians, Druze, Alawites, Kurds, Sunnis, business leaders and others, how can we avoid a massive influx of refugees across the borders of Jordan and Turkey, how can we protect Lebanon from being trapped in the sectarian divisions that afflict and Syria, if these issues were evident and update the answers, I would like to share with you "..
Meanwhile, Syria said that an "armed terrorist group" attacked the state-owned al-Ikhbaria television channel al-Haffa in "an attempt to stop the national media conveying the truth."
The group opened fire on a car, and "al-Ikhbaria corresponding Mazen Mohammad was beaten in his hand while the cameraman Fadi Yacoub was beaten in the chest," the state news agency SANA.
SANA reported that 36 "martyrs of the army and the forces of public order" were buried Tuesday.
The latest reports of violence came a day after government forces fired indiscriminately from a helicopter over a town outside of Jabal Al-Zawiya, causing dozens of civilian casualties and rebel forces, an activist told CNN.
Swed Ibrahim, speaking of the city Idlib province, said the fighting between the army and the Syrian government forces free persisted for six hours and resulted in 32 deaths.
Family Traditions Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the past year, meet with the family and, of course, eat a big 'ole turkey stuffing until you feel yourself. In fact, according to the National Turkey Federation, over 90% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Many of us have traditions, ranging from Thanksgiving dinner fried turkey green bean casserole with sweet potato pie, but there are often over Thanksgiving a handsome bird. Many families have adopted other traditions that are passed from one generation to another. Here are some fun ideas for Thanksgiving tradition that will surely delight your family.
1) Have each person create a "What I am grateful for the list. "You could go to the table before the big dinner is served so that each person can say out loud what he / she is grateful that you could have each person write down their list of sheets of paper so they can be punched and stored in a 3-ring binder. Add some pictures of everyone in the celebration of Thanksgiving and the binder can be your Thanksgiving family memories book.
2) see football games of the NFL on television with beer and snacks, of course. Watching the Detroit Lions and / or the Dallas Cowboys, is considered by many as an important part of Thanksgiving Day as the turkey. Better yet, the family in the backyard or local basketball court for a Thanksgiving game on their own.
3) See "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. "Launched in 1973, this poignant film shows the misadventures of Charlie Brown in his attempt to throw together a traditional dinner of Thanksgiving for all your friends. Snoopy and Woodstock intervene to save the day. A fun idea would be to make and eat all the Snoopy served food like toast and jelly.
4) Go to the tree farm and select the Christmas tree in the family the day after Thanksgiving. You could mark the delivery of one or two weeks later to make sure it does not dry out before Christmas.
5) Make a wish in the fork of the turkey. Allow two members of the family to hold on to each end of the fork and pull at the same time a wish. Whoever gets the largest piece (the one with the head on it) will have his / her wish come true. Make sure your desire not to share with others or will not come true!
6) View Macy's parade on Thanksgiving Day on TV with his family. For nearly 80 years, Macy has held deserved Thanksgiving and Christmas with his big parade in New York. The parade has huge balloons, bands, beautiful floats, of course, Santa Claus.
7) Volunteer at a local shelter or serve Meals On Wheels to deliver food from Thanksgiving Day to the less fortunate Americans.
8) Make a Thanksgiving craft or hostess gift for the cook (s). This is a great project to do with children.
9) Get up early the day after Thanksgiving shopping. This is especially fun for women in the family. Known as "Black Friday" the day after Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the trading days of the year, with sales and Early Bird Specials in retail stores.
10) Develop the names of the Christmas gifts. Many big names to attract families the annual exchange of Christmas and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to discover who is buying a gift for whom.
Thanksgiving Party Ideas
If you want to make a feast of thanksgiving for all the good things in life, your friends, family, colleagues, teachers, neighbors and loved, here there are plenty of party ideas for Thanksgiving Action Party Thanks to come. Make your party a success super-hit with all the warmth and love of decoration stuffed menu. Organize a media party planning invitations, decorations, food and favors and definitely party games. So begins with planning the Thanksgiving holiday. Here are some ideas:
Thanksgiving Theme parties:
You can have a Thanksgiving party with a theme, helping to organize a better party. Thanksgiving theme you choose should be reflective of the spirit of the holiday or the fall season. So the themes could be autumn harvest, autumn leaves, fall colors or nothing according to the season that everyone who makes his living room a vibrant potpourri of colors.
Party Invitations:
Invitations will be sent to your guests should also be consistent with the reason for Thanksgiving. So choose carefully and send invitations early enough so as not to lose any friend or relative to another part of Thanksgiving warm and welcoming. Thanksgiving Invitations shaped cornucopia, pumpkin leaves or fall are very popular and are among the finest ideas for Thanksgiving party.
Party Decoration:
Decorating your Thanksgiving feast should be such that customers have an idea of the occasion. The brown, rust, gold of autumn to be part of your décor as nothing spells more beauty than the colors of autumn. You can use a cornucopia or a pumpkin-vase or a fake turkey as your centerpiece. You can use a table outside on the occasion of the autumn leaves and decorate your buffet table with clusters of scented candles, with a handful of berries or some apples carelessly kept at its base. Is not this elegant party ideas for Thanksgiving?
Food Group:
The food at a Thanksgiving feast can certainly be the center of attention. Nothing says fall like pumpkin pie or a delicious roast turkey brown on the table sizzling spreading an irresistible aroma! You can encourage your party menu Thanksgiving with other popular Thanksgiving larvae as bread stuffing, Dutch potato filling, fruit salad, Turkey etc. Remember to keep some on hand refrigerated juices in your party Thanksgiving in case your guests need some icy cold emotion. And it would be wonderful ideas to serve in paper cups decorated with fresh fall colors or ribbons in shades of autumn.
Board games:
And we all know that games are a must for any party? Just try some of these games on your Thanksgiving feast this year! You can ask your friends and neighbors as well with Thanksgiving costumes, as pilgrims, Native Americans or turkeys to add to the spirit of the party, as also in the Thanksgiving game where each guest has to enact a scene from Dinner the first pilgrims ate. At game's end you can ask each guest to write on a piece of paper on their ancestors or what are the most grateful of their lives. Guests can read these to the rest or simply take home as souvenirs of your Thanksgiving feast. Get Thanksgiving desktop themes for the party if you're planning to play this game. Apart from these there are also many other games in the Thanksgiving feast you can find in the section of the Thanksgiving game.
Party Favors:
Favors are a way to thank your guests for taking the time to attend the Thanksgiving holiday and make your Thanksgiving a memorable affair. Candy, gum, wrapped in orange paper, tied in small pumpkin shaped party favors good Thanksgiving. Switches jaw and leaf-shaped gourd of milk chocolate colored autumn leaves, or small wicker cornucopias can be given to close friends and friends. Coloring books and play dough are great ideas and can also be administered as part of Thanksgiving favors boys over candy.
Thanksgiving celebrates the fall harvest. With God's blessings in abundance, our hearts are full of gratitude. Thanksgiving, November 24th to share this joy with your friends, family or loved one for food, fun and games. So here's hoping that his party Thanksgiving is a joyous affair, with plenty of love and warmth.
Thanksgiving Gift Ideas
Being surrounded by loved ones and the good things is a gift in itself, without which no time would make sense for the world. However, in thanksgiving, people celebrate these gifts bestowed on them more meaningful and heat. Thanksgiving is a time to recognize the blessings God has bestowed on us with grace every passing day. Traditionally, Thanksgiving was a harvest festival and the people gathered to express their gratitude to the Almighty for the abundant fall harvest. But now, the spirit of gratitude is extended to all aspects of our lives that make it richer and more prosperous. We say "thanks" for the most precious gifts in our lives - our family, friends and loved ones. So this Thanksgiving Day, you can express your appreciation for these wonderful people with a Thanksgiving gift. Take a sheet of some of the ideas of gifts after Thanksgiving listed for you.
Thanksgiving gift baskets:
A gift basket of Thanksgiving can be an ideal gift for a close relative, a dear friend or your girlfriend. For a friend can get a gift basket with goodies like cookies flavored ice cream, pumpkin-shaped leaves with milk chocolates wrapped in aluminum autumn color, mini bars, tea cakes and brownies. To his brothers' houses or their parents, you can get a wicker basket filled cornucopia of favorites. Cookies, cakes, scented candles, spa kits and the list goes on. The colors and aromas of autumn and taste of Thanksgiving gift baskets this Thanksgiving take, be sure to convey the appreciation we feel for the receivers.
Thanksgiving flowers:
One of the sweetest gift ideas, Thanksgiving is a gift of flowers! The flowers reflect the colors of autumn are ideal as gifts for Thanksgiving. A flower arrangement cornucopia can be a beautiful Thanksgiving gift for any home, since it is a traditional symbol of the occasion. Seasonal burnt orange, fire red flowers, yellow and green create an atmosphere of warmth and soft flowers of Asiatic lilies, chrysanthemums Red Rover, daisies, spray roses and carnations to the view of the provision in the cornucopia of coupling. A wicker basket of fresh daisies simple bronze fall or an assortment of fall flowers gifts may be suitable for Thanksgiving frie neighbors, or coworkers. Flores will lead to prayer of Thanksgiving for them too I wish you a happy thanksgiving. Thanksgiving flowers to work wonders if you're away from your loved ones and want to let them know how much I miss you.
Inflatable Toys:
Gift Ideas for Thanksgiving in abundance, but how to make your gift stand out this year? Thanksgiving will not feel like Thanksgiving without turkey roast on the table bigger, right? The turkey in recent years has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Thanksgiving and the Thanksgiving turkey you can get an inflatable or inflatable scarecrow (another symbol of Thanksgiving) for a neighbor or friend them open to innovative fun Thanksgiving gift. This makes a good outdoor decor, according to the party atmosphere, and will surely be fun toys for very young children in any home!
Thanksgiving crafts:
A striking seasonal wreath of dried poppy pods and shells, accented with red oak and lime green leaves and grass and much more could be a beautiful Thanksgiving gift for the office of a colleague, a neighbor or teacher. A box of scented candles in the form of miniature pumpkin autumn is also an idea of Thanksgiving very good gift for anyone who stays close. A cornucopia of blown glass with faux fruit and pumpkins stacked may be a nice gift for your boss. These cleverly designed Thanksgiving gift will be the joy of anyone and will keep the receptors for the coming years.
Accessories for the home:
A central feature of Thanksgiving is the Thanksgiving dinner. It is the harvest festival willing to honor God for the food offered. Some exquisite porcelain and lace around the dining table can be great gift ideas and ideals Thanksgiving this opportunity to wish a happy Thanksgiving. You can buy you or your parents a kit preparation of Turkey for the occasion and make preparing Thanksgiving dinner this an easy matter. A serious home accessory can be the ideal gift for this Thanksgiving festival of the family.
There are plenty of Thanksgiving books, movies, Thanksgiving and music collections, besides these, they do a good Thanksgiving gift too. So every Thanksgiving, has a wide large gifts to choose from Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Gifts to thank someone. So send someone a gift and feel special in the spirit of November 24, the Day of Thanksgiving. All you need do is make sure your gifts or cards to friends and family how you feel blessed and grateful that they have in your life.
