This year has been full of surprises. Broken pipes or high water bills from wasted water shouldn’t be one of them. In the 2020 E Source COVID-19 Residential Survey, we asked residential utility customers how their water usage has changed during COVID-19. More than a quarter of respondents told us that they’re using more water during the pandemic.

There’s no denying the benefits that trees, plants, and vegetation bring to a community. Their presence produces oxygen, scrubs the air, sequesters carbon, and improves the natural aesthetic of a region. But it’s not all sunshine and roses where this flora intersects with utility infrastructure, and managing vegetation and tree growth around power lines is an important responsibility that rests on the shoulders (and budgets) of utilities.

Cities and utilities across the US and Canada can benefit from investing in smart city infrastructure and applications.

According to business consultancy Zenith’s Global Intelligence: Automotive Adspend Forecasts (PDF), in 2019, carmakers spent around $18 billion on advertising for all their vehicles, including their electric models. It’s hard to tease out what percentage of advertising budgets manufacturers are spending to promote plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), but it’s safe to assume it’s not much based on the sales numbers.

’Twas the night before filming, when all through the air
Every employee was singing with holiday flair.
The backdrops were hung in the conference room with care
In hopes that the videographers soon would be there.

The E Sourcers were nestled all snug at their desks,
While proudly they donned their seasonal vests.
Then over the speakers, they heard the big news.
It was time to make their enthusiastic debuts.

In our recent webinar What the 2020 US election results mean for utilities and energy policy (recording is available to E Source customers), we spoke with Kara Saul Rinaldi, founder of the AnnDyl Policy Group and one of the leading energy and climate policy experts in the US. We wanted to get her thoughts on the energy impacts and opportunities following the November election. Here are a few of the top takeaways:

Have you heard the news? We’ve changed the name of the E Source Customer Care Service to reflect our cross-industry knowledge of contact center best practices and innovative solutions. You’ll now get the unique insights, actionable advice, and market research data you rely on from the E Source Contact Center Optimization Service.

Americans are sending 2020 out in a blaze of Christmas-light glory. Compared to last year, they’ve already spent between 10% and 20% more on holiday décor, including lights. They started installing outdoor lights, erecting inflatable snowmen, and building tracks for tiny trains in early November. By Thanksgiving, they&#8217d trimmed their Christmas trees and double-wrapped the branches with strings of white and multicolored bulbs.

Over the past two years, virtually every utility or government entity I’ve spoken with about electric vehicles (EVs) has mentioned their desire to promote equity in electric transportation. This is a fantastic goal. And while most organizations are still in the planning phase, it’s not surprising that many are having trouble developing solutions.

At the E Source Forum 2020, we had the honor of having DeAndrea Newman Salvador, founder and CEO of the Renewable Energy Transition Initiative, as our opening keynote speaker. She began with an important question for the utility attendees who tuned in virtually from their homes: What can you do in your roles to create a future that’s more just and equitable?