Energy industry companies are making news all the time as the planet looks for optional sources of energy. You have to keep up with the events of emerging environmental companies to remain competitive and make sure you’re getting the most up to date information. If you work in the industry, you have to follow competitors as well as new technologies.

Read publications that report on energy companies, consumer reports and government papers about the advances made in energy supply and which ones are receiving tax credits and grants. Look for energy and environment news and trends from a number of sources so that you can view the news from various perspectives to make your marketing and buying decisions.

1. Get energy business news in headlines affecting the industry.

2. Read publications that provide energy industry companies with detailed information to discover trends.

3. Participate in associations for power companies that give members additional information.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find daily news updates about environment companies to stay current

Get electric company headline news, RSS feeds and industry newsletters that will send you news as it happens to keep up with the extensive environmental news that fills the industry publications.

I recommend: Subscribe to one or all of the publications of E&E to get the latest news and follow the trends affecting the industry today or try The Energy Daily or Environment Reporter.

Read about the latest trends at companies in the energy industry

Look for detailed reports and energy and environment sites that cover the industry further than the headlines. Look for books and trend pieces by experienced scientists and energy consultants who can use the current news to forecast emerging trends.

I recommend: Keep up with news around the country that drives the industry movements and activities through the Environmental News Network. ScienceDaily provides readers with feature stories and coverage of various industries involved in energy and the environment.

Join industry groups that publish news and reports for members

Join an energy or environment trade association to take advantage of the networking opportunities and news sources they provide.

I recommend: The Association of Energy Services Professionals provides members with in-depth reports, a number of white papers, the Strategies newsletter and other industry reports. Get involved with other professionals in the industry while reading up on industry trend pieces and articles that cover recent innovations at utility companies through the American Wind Energy Association.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Encourage your staff to read publications and websites that can bring even more news about power companies to make sure that you don't miss any important developments.

With so much talk about sustainability practices and waste reduction, renewable energy and environment preservation products and services seem to go hand-in-hand. Businesses of all sizes are making leaps to conserve energy and protect the environment. While conserving energy and reducing waste does make business owners feel warm and fuzzy--employing conservation practices is also a great way to save money and boost your company’s bottom line.

Every business owner needs several basic utilities to keep operations running smoothly; such as lighting, heating, cooling, electricity and several other services from power companies. There are an endless number of companies in the energy industry from which to purchase utility services. Consider the following tips to help you choose energy and environment products and services best suited for your company:

1. Outline your expectations from utility companies.

2. Compare various types of energy industry companies.

3. Look for renewable energy and environment preservation products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Evaluate services offered by energy and environment companies

While some of the services may overlap, energy and environment companies provide distinct products. Companies in the energy industry address commercial power and utility needs, while environment companies help businesses conserve energy and power as well as operate in compliance with various U.S. environmental laws.

I recommend: Green Ideas is an environmental consulting firm that provides advice on sustainability practices for architects, engineers and construction professionals. Reliant Energy is an energy business offering various energy programs to fit your unique energy budget.

Explore costs and conservation practices of energy industry companies

Today, many energy companies are encouraging business owners to implement more energy-efficient practices. If energy conservation is important to you, be sure to seek services from energy companies that not only encourage their customers to reduce waste, but also employ internal sustainable practices.

I recommend: FirstChoice Power provides businesses with low-cost business energy solutions as well as tips on how to save energy. NYSEG is one of several environmental energy companies specializing in natural gas and more efficient energy products.

Conserve energy with renewable energy industry companies

Solar energy can be converted to thermal energy and is primarily used to heat buildings and water. Businesses have recently started using thermal energy storage systems, which stores cold water or ice during the night and uses it to cool office spaces and buildings throughout the day. While somewhat more expensive upfront with equipment costs, using solar and thermal energy can greatly decrease your energy costs.

I recommend: The Solar Energy Company installs commercial solar systems. Check out Thermal Energy International for a range of commercial energy and emission reduction products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to look into any tax deductions, credits or various cash rebates for which you may qualify because of using services from renewable energy industry companies.

With today’s awareness of protecting the environment, it’s important that all your employees practice good stewardship. Many corporations are actively working to provide greener, self-sustainable products to their consumers. With a good understanding of ways to preserve our energy resources and environment, your employees can pass these good practices on to your customers.

Local power companies often offer training programs to introduce your employees to best practices. It is also possible to find a wide range of training activities that you can easily tailor to fit your needs, regardless of the size or nature of your business. Other good sources of energy and environment education and training are state, national and international agencies. Schools and universities also provide a wealth of information. You can often find training from the following organizations as well:

1. Utility companies.

2. Thermal energy companies.

3. Solar energy companies.

4. Water energy companies.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find general information about the energy and environment for staff training

You can take this data and customize it for your employees. While some programs target school-age students, many of the activities are also suitable for adult training. General information is also a good place to build on the need for your employees to do their part to protect the environment.

I recommend: The Center for Energy & Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa offers a number of courses and workshops for energy and environment education and training. The United Nations Environment Programme offers a number of workshops and downloadable documents to help environmental energy companies, as well as the general public, understand the importance of energy and environment on the global economy.

Use energy and environment information from governmental agencies

The federal government and states are taking an active role in promoting energy and environment education. Check your state's website to find specific training available locally.

I recommend: The United States Bureau of Land Management offers a number of training presentations concerning best management practices for environment companies and energy industry companies to use. The Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet offers a number of educational options aimed at the general public.

Enroll in energy and environment college classes

A number of colleges offer coursework toward a degree in Environmental Science. Even if you don't want a degree in energy and environmental studies, you can sign up for classes at a nearby college or university. It's also possible to find courses in this field at a community college.

I recommend: The University of Oregon offers a number of classes designed to help educate individuals and companies in the energy industry on the importance of using energy resources wisely. The Brown University Center for Environment Studies can give you the training you need for a career with an energy and environment company, an electric company or other utility services as the environmental specialist.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Create a file to store all your training information on energy and environment. This makes it easier to bring new hires up to speed on the same training the rest of your employees have already received.