Tradition Energy

Tradition Energy is the nation’s largest and most experienced independent energy risk management and procurement advisor. Governmental and C&I clients partner with us to manage their energy price risk exposure and to develop and implement procurement strategies to control and reduce their energy expenditures.

U.S. Communities and National IPA, both wholly-owned subsidiaries of OMNIA Partners, have come together as OMNIA Partners, Public Sector. All public sector participants already registered with National IPA or U.S. Communities continue to have access to all contracts, with certain exceptions, in the portfolio and do not need to re-register to use a legacy National IPA, legacy U.S. Communities, or new OMNIA Partners contract. U.S. Communities and National IPA remain separate legal entities and lead agency contracts completed under each brand are effective and available for use through the contract’s approved term. In the event we believe re-registration is necessary for any reason, OMNIA Partners will let you know.

Tradition Energy, through U.S. Communities, partners with state and local government agencies and educational institutions to save you time and money.

Market Research & Intelligence: Tradition’s unique wholesale energy market presence results in more timely responses to market conditions and price changes and leads to savings opportunities for members.

Strategic Risk Management: We work with you to identify the factors and risks that impact financial results and energy procurement decisions and recommend pricing options and implementation strategies specific to your organization’s objectives.

Energy Procurement & Supply Management: 84 electricity and natural gas suppliers currently compete on Tradition’s online pricing system. Tradition can process more transactions at a lower cost and more suppliers are seeking your business because of our scale. The result is more competition for your business.

Data Management & Reporting: All of Tradition’s market research, the energy market price data and your agreements will be available to you in our on-line database accessible through our secure TEAMView portal. Tradition offers a data management and reporting service that is invoice driven and tracks usage, cost, carbon and includes budgeting, forecasting and performance monitoring tools.

Tariff Rate & Tax Analysis: With any new utility account and even existing accounts, it makes sense periodically to review the tariff rate for correct billing, especially if usage has materially changed. Tradition will identify costly utility billing errors and recover overpayments from past invoices and from ongoing expenditures related to more appropriate delivery tariffs or tax exemptions.

Bill Processing & Payment: These services allow you to reduce overhead costs by outsourcing everything from mail handling, to bill auditing, expediting late notices and eliminating fees, to data feeds and compliance with client proprietary systems and finance standards.

Sustainability: In the sustainability area, we assist with renewable energy procurements through “renewable energy certificates”. We can also assist with the procurement of solar energy for on- or off-site platforms.

Demand Response (DR): If you have the ability to shed load on demand or have backup generation, we can assist with procuring a Demand Response program and either improve the current revenue stream from an existing DR program or create a new one.

Experience

• Advising clients in energy commodities markets since 1986
• Trusted advisor to more than 1,300 governmental, commercial and industrial clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to medium-sized businesses to local municipalities
• Over 70 billion kWh in energy usage and more than $16 billion in energy spend managed
• The best customized local solutions originating from our “best practices” developed working with national clients

Wholesale Market Knowledge & Expertise

• Industry-acclaimed as a market research expert and primary source for market intelligence
• Better informed procurement decisions and cost reductions through unsurpassed experience in the wholesale energy markets
• Tradition market research experts are contacted daily by global media outlets and quoted in the news more than 30 times a month

Strategic Analysis & Recommendations

• Our Strategic Procurement Analysis Report, a detailed summary and energy blueprint for the facility, gives an in-depth analysis of the various strategies and options for each market
• Tradition’s Strategic Advisory Committee, who review and provide procurement advice, is made up of our most senior energy executives
• 95% of our clients say that our “strategic recommendations are making a positive contribution to their enterprise” and 97% say they are “likely to use our service again”

Independent, Unbiased & Transparent

• Transparent business practices
• Independent. Not part of a company that markets electrical, metering, HVAC or related equipment, or supplies energy 
• Our recommendations result in a solution that is best for the client

How do I start working with Tradition Energy?
To utilize the contract between OMNIA Partners and Tradition Energy, you must have an OMNIA Partners specific account set up with Tradition Energy.

3 easy ways to get started:
1. By Phone: Contact our toll-free number at 877-832-7022.

2. By E-mail: e-mail us at OMNIAPartners@TraditionEnergy.com  and we will have someone call you back within 24 hours to handle your request.

3. Online: Log on the Tradition Energy website at http://www.traditionenergy.com/omniapartners using your OMNIA Partners account information. 

What is energy deregulation?
Legislatures and the public utility commissions (PUCs) of many states have created competition for electricity and natural gas supply. In the past, one utility provided all parts of energy service:  generation, transmission and distribution. With competition, generation is separated from transmission and distribution. This allows consumers to choose their energy supplier, while the delivery of the energy is still regulated and is the responsibility of the local utility company. Public agencies operating in deregulated energy markets can enjoy a number of benefits: multiple options for selecting an electricity and natural gas provider; flexibility in developing an energy strategy; freedom to choose from a variety of products, prices and terms; protection from rising costs; budget certainty; rebates and incentives; security—transmission and distribution are still regulated by the PUC and guaranteed. 

Energy deregulation enables public agencies to shop for the best price of energy just as they do for their other products and services.  With these benefits comes the task of competitively procuring these energy commodities, which takes a thorough understanding of the markets and the suppliers. This is where Tradition Energy is here to help. 

What is an energy supplier?
A supplier is an independent company that provides electricity or natural gas to commercial and/or residential customers in a deregulated energy market. To operate in a service territory, suppliers must be accepted by that state's regulatory agency and must meet certain criteria, which varies across utilities and states.

Tradition Energy’s process ensures public agencies select the best energy supplier to meet their needs, through a competitive reverse-auction process.

Tradition Energy Contact
Bob Wooten | Director 
Office (713) 609-9929 | Mobile (713) 306-5949
Bob.Wooten@TraditionEnergy.com  

Do people have to choose a new electricity supplier?
No. However, it's in their best interest to at least compare prices and services offered by competitive suppliers. Then customers can make an informed decision based on what best suits their energy needs.

Will customers save money if they switch suppliers?
Savings will depend on several things, including how much is currently paid for electricity or natural gas, how much electricity or natural gas is used, and the current agreement with the supplier. Tradition Energy provides a complete analysis, so that you can see exactly what savings are involved with each procurement option.

If a customer does switch, will they have to worry about the reliability of their energy service?
No. Regardless of who supplies the energy, the utility will continue to deliver it uninterrupted, ensuring that sufficient electricity and natural gas are available. The customer will continue to have access to customer service representatives, and utility crews will still respond to emergencies and power outages.

The Definitive Guide to Hiring an Energy Advisor, Part 2: Covering Energy Supply Needs from Soup to Nuts
It is a good idea to take a step back and view energy as a whole, as it relates to the financial effect on your organization. In this article we will review the need for full-service solutions in your energy advisor.

The Definitive Guide to Hiring an Energy Advisor, Part 1
As a large user of energy, you know that one of the key factors in making smart decisions is engaging the services of an energy procurement advisory firm. We have discussed this importance multiple times in our regular articles. These same articles have touched upon various aspects of the relationship between the energy advisor and the energy user. However, we have never fully explored the process used to actually engage and evaluate the advisor.

Overcoming Misconceptions Regarding the Use of Cooperatives for Energy Procurement
Savvy energy procurement specialists often look for other options to augment their energy purchasing arrangements. One such option is the cooperative purchasing contract. But before launching a full-scale plan that revolves around a cooperative, you need to ask, “Can I use a cooperative purchasing contract to procure energy, such as electricity and natural gas?”

How to Map Out an Energy Risk Management Strategy That Makes the Most Sense for Your Organization
In this case, we're not talking about Rand McNally, but rather an aid in navigating the unpredictable energy market.

What Determines the Price You Pay for Power? (Knowing the answer can reduce your costs)
For the free market to work its magic in establishing prices through the force of supply and demand, you have to have several key ingredients ­— one of which is an informed buyer. As a buyer of energy, this means that to have the best chance of success in achieving the best pricing, you must be informed.

With Energy Prices This Low, How Do Keep From Missing the Boat?
How do you take advantage of low prices, if you are not sure how to do it? In order to take advantage of market movement, there are two key issues you need to understand when managing energy procurement. One is market timing, and the other is agreement structure.

The Future of Solar Looks Very Bright
For years, renewable energy options have existed under a stigma: It sure would be a nice thing to do, but the up-front setup cost is just too high. When looking at these “nice” solutions like solar power, companies often consider the notion of “grid parity,” too. Is the cost of renewable energy on par with the cost of regular conventional electricity?

10-Year Energy Agreements Are Growing In Popularity Among Large Energy Users. Are They Here To Stay? Because of the need to keep operational costs as low as possible, energy procurement presents a unique set of challenges to businesses that use a lot of energy.  

Two Innovative Ways to Reduce Energy Costs with Little Investment
When you think about ways to reduce your organization’s energy costs, two solutions typically come to mind - procure a lower rate for your electricity or natural gas supply or put together an energy efficiency program. 

Natural Gas, Energy Prices, and Procurement. What’s Really Driving the Price You Pay for Energy?
This constant cycle of up-and-down price changes makes energy commodities extremely difficult to purchase. What if prices drop after you’ve locked in your rate?  

Why Constant Measurement of Energy Program Performance is Vital to Reducing Costs
When was the last time you evaluated your energy risk management strategy to see if it was meeting your organization’s original expectations?  If it was more than a year ago, you could be making a costly mistake. 

Energy Aggregations: Lower Prices, Higher Cost?
Your organization’s electricity contract is set to expire, and you have to make a decision soon. Do you join a regional energy aggregation that already has a membership or look at other options?

Negotiating Energy Supply Agreements: A Tricky Balancing Act For Even The Most Seasoned Procurement Professional
Everything seems to come down to price.  After all the talk and all the negotiation, ultimately the decision comes down to one question: “What am I paying?"

Additional Blog Articles