Business Utility

Lowering Commercial Utility Bills Through Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) 24/7 Contracts
Business Today

Lowering Commercial Utility Bills Through Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) 24/7 Contracts

- by Benny McAdams

In the sustainability landscape of 2026, the era of “carbon offsets” and annual renewable energy matching is coming to a close. For years, corporations achieved “100% renewable” status by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to match their total yearly consumption. However, this model ignores a fundamental physical reality: the sun does not always shine, and the wind does not always blow. If a company uses power at 2:00 AM but only buys solar credits from a mid-day peak, they are still relying on fossil-fuel peaking plants for their actual real-time needs.

24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) is the new institutional standard. It requires “Real-Time Matching”—the commitment to match every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed, in every hour of the day, on every grid where a company operates, from local carbon-free sources. As local governments implement stricter “Scope 2” reporting and carbon penalties, 24/7 CFE has transitioned from a visionary goal to a …

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Beginner’s Guide to Investing: Everything You Need to Know – Ali Ata
Business Today

Beginner’s Guide to Investing: Everything You Need to Know – Ali Ata

- by Benny McAdams

For many people, investing feels like a world reserved for finance professionals, market analysts, or those with large sums of money to spare. In reality, investing is simply the process of putting your money to work so it can grow over time. Whether your goal is building long-term wealth, preparing for retirement, funding education, or achieving financial independence, understanding the basics of investing ins one of the most valuable skills you can develop. In this article we will look at some advice from pros like Ali Ata.

At its core, investing differs from saving. Saving typically involves setting aside money in low-risk accounts such as savings accounts or cash deposits. While savings provide security and easy access, returns are often modest. Investing, on the other hand, involves purchasing assets that have the potential to increase in value or generate income. These assets may fluctuate in price, but over time …

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Managing Increased Business Utility Costs from Onsite EV Charging Station Installation
Business Today

Managing Increased Business Utility Costs from Onsite EV Charging Station Installation

- by Benny McAdams

In 2026, on-site EV charging has shifted from a “nice-to-have” amenity to a competitive requirement for retaining commercial tenants and attracting top-tier talent. However, this transition comes with a fiscal hazard: the EV Utility Shock. Without active management, high-speed EV chargers can inadvertently double a building’s peak demand, triggering utility “Demand Charges” that can cripple the financial viability of the entire installation. The challenge for modern facilities directors is not how to stop charging, but how to provide high-speed access without triggering a catastrophic utility bill.

The Hidden Costs of “Unmanaged” Charging

The primary enemy of an EV-ready property is the Coincident Peak. This occurs when the peak demand of the EV chargers aligns perfectly with the building’s existing peak—typically when employees plug in their vehicles at 9:00 AM, just as the HVAC system kicks into high gear to combat the morning heat. Because utilities charge based on …

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The ROI of IoT Smart Meters for Multi-Site Commercial Property Utility Management
Business Today

The ROI of IoT Smart Meters for Multi-Site Commercial Property Utility Management

- by Benny McAdams

In the 2026 commercial real estate landscape, the “Visibility Gap” has become a multi-million dollar liability. For REITs and portfolio managers overseeing diversified assets across multiple geographies, the lack of real-time utility data creates a profound operational blind spot. Traditionally, utility management has been a reactive process, reliant on lagging monthly statements and manual oversight.

IoT smart meters represent a fundamental shift from this passive model. No longer merely a collection of hardware, smart meters function as the Nervous System of a modern property portfolio. They provide the granular, real-time pulse of energy, water, and gas consumption across thousands of miles, transforming utility data into a strategic financial asset.

The Direct ROI: Recovery and Accuracy

The most immediate financial impact of smart metering is the optimization of the revenue recovery cycle.

Automated Tenant Billing and Trust

In many legacy commercial leases, utility costs are allocated based on a pro-rata share …

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Business Sales Tax Exemptions on Utility Bills: A Guide for Manufacturing and Non-Profits
Business Today

Business Sales Tax Exemptions on Utility Bills: A Guide for Manufacturing and Non-Profits

- by Benny McAdams

In the 2026 economic landscape, controlling operational expenditures is more critical than ever. While many organizations focus on labor or material costs, one of the most significant “invisible” expenses sits in the utility bill. Across the United States, billions of dollars in sales tax are paid annually on electricity, natural gas, and water by organizations that are legally eligible for exemptions.

For a mid-sized manufacturing plant or a high-capacity non-profit, these taxes can represent 5% to 10% of the total utility cost. Identifying and claiming these exemptions is not just a matter of “paperwork”—it is a strategic move that directly impacts the bottom line and funding availability.

The Manufacturing Exemption: Powering Production

Most states recognize that taxing the energy used to create a product leads to “tax pyramiding”—where the same item is taxed multiple times before reaching the consumer. To prevent this, dozens of states offer sales tax exemptions for …

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