/r/EnergyPolitics
Energy politics, business, and policy: the key to understanding global affairs in the 21st century.
A discursive community for Energy Politics. The key to understanding global affairs in the 21st century.
/r/EP has:
» Strict moderation.
» A narrower focus than other subreddits.
» Regular weekly content.
Interested in helping out? PM /u/callumgg
» Discussion - ask the community
» News Review - a summary of opinion/analysis in energy, usually behind a paywall.
» PDF Report - a report on the energy industry (gov't factsheets, company reports, consultancy analysis)
» Primer - a useful intro to a topic
» Opinion/Analysis - an opinion piece on energy (e.g. the Guardian's 'Comment is Free' or analysis from an energy expert)
» The general /r/energy & in-depth /r/europeans
» The political /r/geopolitics, /r/foreignpolicyanalysis
» The soft path of /r/environment, /r/solar, /r/green, /r/biomass, /r/wind
» The hard path of /r/oil, /r/hardenergy, /r/coal, /r/nuclear, /r/NuclearPower
/r/EnergyPolitics
I’m the editor of Energy News Bulletin, the Asia Pacific region's most comprehensive source of daily energy news, providing unparalleled insight into the Energy sector through expert commentary and researched features.
I’m always on the look out for a juicy tale or two.
Feel free to message me.
Texas oil companies are not paying their fair share of taxes and are underpaying mineral owners by BILLIONS. Think it’s an exaggeration? You can verify it yourself.
Submit an open records request to the Texas Comptroller (who collects taxes from oil companies) and the Texas Railroad Commission (which handles production reporting). Ask for the raw production database files and the raw production reporting for taxation files. When you compare the two, you’ll uncover a staggering level of organized fraud.
What’s worse is that both the Texas Comptroller and the Railroad Commission are fully aware of this and choose to look the other way.
This needs to be exposed. Spread the word and demand accountability. I’m sharing this anonymously because I don’t want to end up in a bad situation, but it’s time for Texas to stop letting oil companies steal from the state and its people.
To address growing concerns about hidden fees and unfair practices by energy brokers and suppliers Ofgem is introducing new measures designed to enhance the transparency and fairness of energy contracts for non-domestic customers. These regulations, set to take effect in phases starting from October 2024, aim to provide greater protection for businesses, ensuring they receive clear information about broker fees and have access to effective complaints processes.
Ofgem is launching new rules to more closely regulate energy brokers after suppliers raised ‘serious concerns’ about the limited protections in place following an influx of complaints across the industry.
The energy regulator confirmed back in April 2024 that they would phase the introduction of new measures to guarantee greater transparency between brokers, suppliers, and businesses.
What are these changes?
Ofgem will soon begin phasing in new rules aimed at increasing transparency and fairness in energy contracts for non-domestic customers. These changes come in response to concerns raised by businesses over hidden fees and unfair practices by energy brokers.
Disclosure of Broker Fees: From October 1, 2024, all energy contracts for non-domestic customers must clearly display any broker fees and provide this information upon request.
Standards of Conduct: Ofgem will have an expanded remit to challenge suppliers that treat non-domestic customers unfairly.
Complaints Processes: By December 2024, suppliers must implement appropriate complaints processes and collaborate only with brokers who are members of a recognised redress scheme, such as the Energy Ombudsman or the Utilities Intermediaries Association.
Protections for Small Businesses: These new measures will extend protections, previously only available to micro businesses, to any small business with fewer than 50 employees.
Energy brokers determine their commission through various methods, which can include:
Fixed Fee: A predetermined amount agreed upon by the broker and the client.
Percentage of Savings: A portion of the savings achieved by securing a lower energy rate compared to the client's previous contract.
Embedded Commission: A commission included within the energy contract rate, where the supplier pays the broker directly.
Hourly Rate: Charging based on the time spent negotiating and managing the energy contract.
The specific method often depends on the agreement between the broker and the client, the complexity of the contract, and market practices.
Tim Jarvis, the regulator’s director of markets, observed:
“Businesses are no different from any energy customer and should be able to expect excellent service and fair prices. However, we have heard from too many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized ones, that this isn’t always the case.
“Our proposals will ensure better deals, better protection and more clarity for businesses – so they have the best chance of thriving at this difficult time,” Jarvis added
“The consultation kick starts the process to bring in a new set of rules for suppliers to make sure they improve customer service and clearly set out costs for customers, including costs customers pay for third party services, like energy brokers.
All customers should expect fair treatment from their suppliers and these proposals would tighten the rules to make sure that happens”.