Business Facilities
September 2007
60 Seconds…
with Christian M. Blattenberger, Manager of Procurement for Electric, Natural Gas, & Renewable Energy, Cadence Network, Inc.
Christian Blattenberger is a manager of procurement for electric, natural gas, and renewable energy for national clients of Cadence Network. He coordinated on of the top 10 largest renewable energy contracts of 2006.
BF: How can you save money in energy costs when relocation/expanding?
CB: Look at the rate your electric account is currently on. Often times, a rate code is assigned during the construction of a new property, and that rate may be chosen during the construction process by a site foreman who is ultimately not responsible for the operation of the site. The rate code that is needed once the property is operating may be different than what was needed during the construction phase. Even if the location is owned and billed by a landlord, it is a good idea to make sure you have the rate code evaluated before you sign your lease with the landlord. Seek a professional’s help on this. A utility company may not always have your best interest in mind when recommending a rate class for your account. The next step would be to evaluate your commodity procurement options by fixing your electric or gas price if prudent, and establishing budget certainty via procurement contracts. Taking these two steps may help you save a lot of money in the long run.
BF: What trends have you noticed in terms of renewable energy?
CB: Since “green” energy has been in the forefront of the news and politics, the demand for it has definitely increased dramatically. IF renewable energy should become federal or state mandated, I believe the availability of renewable energy will probably no be able to keep up with demand. Companies need to start evaluating their carbon footprint as a first step, and begin making procurement plans now for renewable energy while the pricing is still relatively inexpensive and the commodity itself is readily available. It may be worth it from a financial standpoint to make a long-term procurement purchase for future years, in order to protect your company from inflated pricing if or when the demand for renewable energy increases.