Q&A: CPS Energy Chair Nora Chavez on San Antonio's "New Energy Economy"

The secret is out: San Antonio is quickly becoming the capital of renewable energy in the Lone Star State and that is due mostly to CPS Energy. The municipally owned utility has a stated goal of generating 20 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2020.

Using its large customer base and geographic location as bargaining power, CPS Energy has convinced at least seven companies to relocate to San Antonio and bring more than 1,000 jobs to town.

CPS Energy Board of Trustees Chair Nora Chavez…

Why women need to get their financial house in order

Women should get their financial house in order before there is a calamity instead of scrambling during the chaos.

That’s the core message certified financial planner Karen Tovey, senior director at Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, told me she will deliver this week at “readiness” panels in Vienna and the District.

“Prepare now when there is no crisis,” she said.

A few statistical realities drive home the reasons why, she said. For example:

About 90 percent of women survive their male spouse…

Environmental groups sue port to block Shell Oil project at Terminal 5

Five environmental groups filed suit against the Port of Seattle Monday, in an attempt to block the lease of West Seattle’s Terminal 5 for oil-drilling vessels operated by Shell Oil.

The lawsuit seeks to force cancellation of the contract between the port and Seattle-based Foss Maritime, which would operate the site as a base for Shell vessels exploring for oil off Alaska’s North Slope.

“By circumventing SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) and acting in violation of its shoreline permit, the…

Solar installer RGS Energy to cut 30% of staff, reorganize

RGS Energy, a rooftop solar-power installation company based in Louisville, said Monday it has “begun a process of reorganization and realignment” that includes reducing its employee head count by 100 positions, or 30 percent of its current staff, over the next few months.

The greatest cuts for the company (Nasdaq: RGSE), formally known as Real Goods Solar, will be in California.

RGS Energy said it plans to “replace its offices, warehouses, field sales and construction teams in California with…

WPX Energy plans layoffs; Colorado operations hit hard

WPX Energy Inc. said Monday it will lay off about 83 employees companywide, shrinking its workforce by 8 percent, and slash its Denver employee count 90 percent as low commodity prices continue to hammer energy companies nationwide.

WPX (NYSE: WPX), based in Tulsa, had about 1,050 employees prior to Monday, the layoffs will take the count down to about 900.

WPX CEO Rick Muncrief said in a statement that “These are tough decisions that impact good people – people who have worked hard and done…