Investing Topics: Renewable energy
Building Wealth from Wind and Sun: Costs are Key
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 15, 2023
Last weekend, a Wall Street Journal editorial pointed out the cost of “balancing the grid” added GBP150 to UK household electricity bills in 2022. The authors’ attempt to blame the entire cost on adoption of renewable energy is quite a stretch, as it ignores the larger role of erratic weather and availability of other power plants.
Their broader point that wind and solar are still challenged by intermittency, however, is spot on.
Southern Company’s Dream Deferred: Does Nuclear Have A Future?
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Feb. 22, 2023
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) has deflated investor hopes yet again, announcing it would postpone the startup of the first of two nuclear reactors under construction at the Vogtle site in Georgia.
US Offshore Wind: Still Affordable?
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 24, 2023
Later this year, the 800-megawatt capacity Vineyard Wind 1 project will begin delivering electricity to the Massachusetts grid. After that, however, the way ahead for US offshore wind is considerably less clear.
California’s All-In on EVs: Buy Edison, Not Tesla
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 27, 2022
The California Air Resources Board voted to ban sales of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, and targets minimum electric vehicle market share of 35 percent by 2026 and 68 percent by 2030. And 17 other states will likely follow suit.
Carbon Capture and Storage: Will it Work This Time?
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 23, 2022
Is Inflation Reduction Act enough to get carbon capture off the ground? Historically, it’s been foolish to bet against innovation when there’s enough money behind it. And in this case, the US government’s largesse is very much leaning into a major investment trend in the private sector
NextEra Energy’s Results: For Utilities, Green Still the Color of Money
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 23, 2022
In the previous decade, NextEra Energy’s (NYSE: NEE) ability to convert renewable energy deployment into earnings depended squarely on regulatory support and subsidy. Now, the combination of falling production costs and soaring natural gas prices has made wind, solar and storage increasingly attractive from a cost-cutting standpoint as well.
The Supremes’ EPA Decision: What’s Important
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 1, 2022
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court essentially rejected the Biden Administration’s attempt to resurrect the “Clean Power Plan,” drawing swift and fiery condemnation from America’s political left, and generally praise from the right. But, ironically, the decision actually increases private sector and individual state flexibility to meet energy transition goals.
Your Guide to ESG Investing
By
Roger S. Conrad on
May. 20, 2022
The S&P 500 ESG Index has kicked out Tesla Inc (NSDQ: TSLA), the company that made electric vehicles cool: That’s the latest nonsense in the world of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, which according to Bloomberg Intelligence projections will govern nearly $38 trillion of assets by the end of 2022.
Uncle Sam Up-ends US Solar: Here’s How to Navigate the Fallout
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Apr. 26, 2022
The Obama Administration called its energy policy for America “all of the above,” promoting breakthrough research on cleaner sources while sanctioning unprecedented construction of needed infrastructure including pipelines. Trump clearly favored “drill baby drill” over new wind and solar.
Under Biden, however, what we’ve seen for policy is often “none of the above.”
Talking China: There’s a Big Opportunity in Energy
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 3, 2022
The eyes of the world are on fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But energy investors would do well to instead check out my key takeaways from this week’s “U.S.-China Regional Dialogue Series: Forum on Innovation in Energy, the Environment and Sustainability.”
MODEL PORTFOLIOS & RATINGS
Aggressive Income Portfolio
Roger's favorite utilities for investors seeking superior price appreciation by taking calculated risks.
Conservative Income Portfolio
Harness the tried and true wealth-building power of rising dividends.
Top 10 DRIPs
Nothing compounds wealth like reinvesting a rising stream of dividends.
Endangered Dividends List
Warning: Falling Dividends.
Utility Report Card
Roger's current take and vital statistics on more than 200 essential-services stocks.
Conrad's Utility Investor
BACK TO TOP