The Energy Authority

Today, we’ve got another “Hot Take” for you, straight from the Natural Gas expert himself. At the 2025 TEA Energy Symposium, Michael Gehring, CFA, Director of Portfolio Management at TEA, discussed deals that seem almost too good to be true. Energy professionals like Mike are trained to be cautious—after all, in efficient markets, there’s often no such thing as a “free lunch.” But what if Power Prepays are the exception to that rule? Given Federal support for industries like renewables, it might be worth considering whether Public Power could take advantage of somewhat similar avenues of Federal support. Mike shared his perspective during the #TMI “Hot Takes” panel, emphasizing the potential of Power Prepay structures. He suggested that “every MWH of public power expected to be purchased (through PPAs, the grid, or other means) should be considered for inclusion in a Power Prepay structure.” What do you think? Free lunches in the future? #TEA #EnergySymposium #PowerPrepay #HotTake #EnergyIndustry

Welcome to the TEAm, Jack Oliva! Jack joins us as a Systems Support Specialist in our Jacksonville office. Jack is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Networking from Florida State College at Jacksonville. A couple of fun facts about Jack are that he enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures as well as spending time with his fiancé and their two cats, Javi and Haku. Ready to pursue a new career? Check out our open positions here: https://lnkd.in/ehZaRUT9 #TEA #Opportunities #GPTW #GreatPlaceToWork #Hiring

Are you ready for another Hot Take? As the world continues to focus on transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources, one technology that often comes into the spotlight is Small Modular Reactors (SMR). SMRs have the potential to revolutionize the energy sector, helping meet projected load growth and ambitious emission reduction goals. However, despite the growing interest and potential benefits, there’s a critical challenge that cannot be overlooked: cost. Greg Labbe, our Director of Corporate Analytics, shared a bold take at the 2025 Energy Symposium during the #TMI “Hot Takes” Panel Discussion when he said: “SMR technology looks to play a pivot role in meeting projected load growth and emission goals, but the costs remain prohibitive at the utility level. No amount of publicity, market hype, or change in public opinion can directly impact the significant cost to build these resources at this time.” Where do you stand on #nuclear energy? What do you think needs to happen to make SMRs more affordable for utilities? #CapacityForChange #TEA #EnergySymposium

Welcome to the TEAm, Bob Wiltfong! Bob joins us as a Communication Manager in our Jacksonville office. Bob earned his bachelor’s degree in Broadcast News Journalism from The University of Kansas before traveling all over the country as a true-life newscaster. Fun Fact(s): Bob won four Emmys while working as a TV news reporter and anchor in New York. He also spent a year on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” appeared in several sketches on “Chappelle’s Show,” and plays a recurring character named Chet Wallum on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Breaking News! A new career opportunity is waiting for you at TEA. Check out our open positions here:?https://lnkd.in/ehZaRUT9 #TEA #Hiring #Opportunities #EnergyIndustry

Today, straight from the hot seat, is Christopher Weber, Portfolio Manager at TEA. During the TEA Market Insights (TMI) “Hot Takes” Panel Discussion at the 2025 TEA Energy Symposium, Chris shared his thoughts on how power markets should adapt their pricing structures to better reflect the realities of high renewable energy penetration. “The current Peak/Off-Peak power block timeframes do not make sense in a high renewable penetration environment. Markets should instead institute a revised paradigm reflecting a seven-day-a-week schedule of an eight-hour midday “solar hours” block and a sixteen-hour “wraparound” block. This would help restore liquidity to forward markets with levels of renewable penetration and better align markets with actual unit economics.” Do you agree that #renewable penetration is eroding the usefulness of the standard peak/off-peak pricing? Should the industry shift to a solar hours + all other hours pricing structure? #TEA #CapacityForChange #EnergySymposium

Michael Gehring, CFA, TEA's Director of Portfolio Management, made his podcast debut on PetroNoia, where he discussed natural gas volatility, the critical role of storage, and the anticipated surge in LNG exports. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eSW_dfHV

Welcome to the TEAm,?Joyce Rivera González! Joyce joins us as an Accountant in our Jacksonville office. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon and is pursing her master's in Business Communication from the University of West Florida. Fun Fact(s): I love going on hikes with my dog, exploring new restaurants, and diving into psychological thrillers. I’m also proficient in sign language. Looking to make a career move? Consider this your sign. Check out our open positions here: https://lnkd.in/ehZaRUT9

Michael Gehring, CFA, TEA’s Director of Portfolio Management, is speaking today at NMPP Energy’s 2025 Annual Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mike will be sharing a Natural Gas Market update with attendees, providing them a balance of information and entertainment. Look for Mike to share his thoughts on the current state of the Natural Gas market while also offering bold predictions for the rest of 2025. Let us know if you catch Mike in action today at this exciting industry event. #TEA #speaker #naturalgas #energyindustry

Welcome to the TEAm, Alejandro Fiallo! Alex joins us as a Systems Support Specialist in our Jacksonville office. Alex is currently pursuing his associate’s degree in Finance from Florida State College at Jacksonville. Fun Fact: Alex loves sharks! So much, in fact, that he hopes to go cave diving with them someday. Ready for the thrill of a new career? Check out our "fin"tastic opportunities here: https://lnkd.in/ehZaRUT9

CMUA Executive Director Danielle Blacet-Hyden's travels this week in Florida continue! She visited the Jacksonville headquarters of The Energy Authority, a longtime CMUA Associate Partner, and took a tour of its trading floor. Thank you for the warm welcome and hospitality, TEA.