ScottMadden Releases Winter 2012–2013 Energy Industry Update

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ScottMadden, Inc., one of North America’s leading energy consulting firms, recently released The Energy Industry Update. This semi-annual publication features ScottMadden’s view of significant events and emerging trends in the industry and is received by thousands of industry leaders.

“Although energy policy has been overshadowed by other priorities in Washington and many uncertainties remain, the energy and utilities industry still must make important investment allocation decisions”

Themed “Decision Time,” this Update surveys the energy and utility business environment in the wake of U.S. elections in November 2012. The results provided some, but not complete, political and regulatory resolution.

“Although energy policy has been overshadowed by other priorities in Washington and many uncertainties remain, the energy and utilities industry still must make important investment allocation decisions,” said Greg Litra, partner and energy, clean tech, and sustainability research lead at ScottMadden. “These decisions are being made against the backdrop of modest to flat demand growth, a changing energy resource mix, and continued hope for improvements in new technologies.”

The Energy Industry Update also includes:

The latest coal plant retirement estimates, driven by both EPA regulation and persistent low natural gas prices, and the potential supply chain challenges for those plants planned for environmental retrofit
The increasing interdependence of the gas and power industries and its varied regional impacts
Recent developments in utility rates, in the wake of low to flat electric demand growth and some major storm events over the past couple of years
The outlook for renewables given the extension of federal incentives for at least a year and upcoming compliance dates for a number of state renewable portfolio standards

Additionally, ScottMadden and Energy Central will be hosting an interactive webinar on Friday, March 8, 2013 from 12:00–1:00 PM EST titled, “The State of the Energy Industry.” To learn more or to register, please click here.

For more than a decade, the ScottMadden Energy Industry Update has served as a catalyst for strategic discussion, debate, and decisions. Thousands of industry leaders rely on it for the most important trends and thought-provoking insights. To download the latest Energy Industry Update, please click here.

For 30 years, ScottMadden has been a leader in energy consulting, serving more than 200 energy organizations, including 20 of the top 20 energy utilities. ScottMadden has completed thousands of successful projects and provides practical expertise in nuclear, fossil, renewables, transmission, distribution, Smart Grid, gas, regulatory, and a host of other areas. ScottMadden: an exceptional consulting experience.

More information on ScottMadden's Energy practice can be found at www.scottmadden.com. Contact ScottMadden in Atlanta at 3495 Piedmont Road, NE, Building 10, Suite 805, Atlanta, GA 30305; call 404-814-0020; or e-mail info@scottmadden.com.

About ScottMadden, Inc.

ScottMadden is a management consulting firm delivering customized, practical solutions for clients in energy, clean tech & sustainability, corporate & shared services, and the federal government. Our collaborative, small-team approach, coupled with deep content knowledge, experience, and insight, delivers an exceptional consulting experience and superior results. To learn more, visit www.scottmadden.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn