Growers Energy Solutions

Growers Energy Solutions (GES)

GES is an energy program run by growers for growers.

GES was started in 2006 in partnership with the Maumee Valley Growers Association (MVGA) and Palmer Energy Company, an unbiased independent energy consultant with expertise in procurement (buying, selling, and transporting) natural gas and electricity and contracting for interstate pipeline capacity and local utility delivery. We expanded our program and are currently sponsored by the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) and Metro Detroit Flower Growers Association (MDFGA).

GES is your designated team to take care of your specific energy needs. GES understands that you do not have time to be an energy expert. As a business owner, your focus needs to be on growing your bottom line. This is why you need GES to help manage your electric and natural gas costs. 

GES Ohio has a dedicated team of growers that work together to make program and hedging decisions to secure competitive gas rates for our members.

 

GES Natural Gas Program

Program Overview – Our program helps manage your natural gas costs by bringing local growers together. GES helps control your natural gas costs by applying its market knowledge and negotiation expertise to secure competitive natural gas rates. This strategy provides budget certainty and insurance against dramatic price increases in the natural gas market. Palmer customizes the program to each utility service area tariffs and regulations to provide maximum savings opportunities. Growers across the State are part of the GES Energy Advisory Board and are actively involved in all decisions for the program

Service Areas – The GES Gas Program currently provides supply to growers in CenterPoint, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Duke Energy, Enbridge East Ohio (formerly, Dominion). Michigan LDCs include Consumers Energy Company and Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. GES will evaluate participation for growers that meet usage and back-up fuel requirements in Ohio Gas Company, Ohio Valley Gas Company, Citizens Gas Fuel Company, Michigan Gas Utilities Company, and SEMCO.

GES Electricity Program

Program Overview –The GES Program helps to manage your electric supply costs by implementing our years of experience to secure the most competitive rates available. 

Services Areas – The GES Program currently works with growers in AEP Ohio, AES Ohio, Duke Energy and FirstEnergy Corporation service territories. The Michigan market is limited – only growers currently shopping for third party supply are eligible for the program. Palmer will inform Michigan growers of any changes and/or savings opportunities.

GES Program Partners

  • Ohio Nursery & Landscapers Association (ONLA)
  • Metro Detroit Flower Growers Association (MDFGA)

Program Management Team

  • GES President – Kirkland Mizerek, Palmer Energy, Executive Vice President
  • GES Program Manager – Anne Schenk, Palmer Energy, Vice President of Operations
  • GES Natural Gas Advisor – Josh Felix, Palmer Energy, Manager, Finance and Natural Gas Strategies
  • GES Program Advisor –  Zach Edwards, Black Diamond Garden Center

GES Energy Program Advisory Board:

  • Paul Barco – Barco & Sons
  • Fritz Muller & Gus Corso – Corso Greenhouse and Flower Garden
  • Jeff Creque – Jeff Creque Farms
  • David Cuthbert – Cuthbert Greenhouses
  • Elmer Grosser – Diefenbacher Greenhouses
  • Mark Hecklinger – Hecklinger Greenhouses
  • Doug Thorsen – Thorsen’s Greenhouse

CONSUMER ALERT

Be careful to evaluate the terms and conditions of all supply offers as many do not provide transparency on rate variability and savings potential.

All agreements managed by Palmer provide clear rate and term details so there is no uncertainty on your energy supply rate.  Be cautious when providing your energy bill to salespeople, as providing this information may lead to an unwanted change to your account supplier. Also, beware of robo-calls and phone solicitors claiming that “your utility account has been flagged for review.” Your utility will not call you with supply offers.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact Palmer Energy.

Testimonials

GES  Member since 2006

“GES Natural Gas program has been a blessing to our company.  It not only gives us competitive pricing but also peace of mind knowing what our gas will cost 6 months out or longer. This certainly helps with budgeting.  I have dealt directly with suppliers but this group is grower oriented.”

Gus Corso, Corso’s Flower & Garden – Sandusky, OH

GES Member since 2007

I strongly recommend joining the Grower Energy Solutions (GES) group managed by Palmer Energy.

Since joining GES, my company has benefited significantly from three key advantages:

Volume purchasing power. By combining purchases with other members, GES secures substantially better pricing than I could negotiate individually.

Strategic market timing. Rather than making one annual purchase gamble, GES buys gas in multiple layers throughout the year as favorable market opportunities arise. This diversified approach reduces the risk of buying at unfavorable prices and smooths out cost volatility.

Expert guidance. Palmer Energy provides invaluable market analysis and recommendations to our management group, enabling us to make informed decisions about timing and volume. Their expertise has significantly improved our purchasing strategy.

The result is that my business now has predictable, manageable gas costs that I can confidently budget for in the coming years—something that was much harder to achieve on my own.

David Cuthbert, Cuthbert Greenhouse Greenhouse – Groveport, OH

  GES Member since 2008

“We have been using the Growers Energy Solutions and Palmer Energy for almost 20 years to advice us on natural gas pricing and are very satisfied with them.

They have also helped us choose out electric providers in the past 5 years.”

Doug Thorsen, Thorsen’s Greenhouse – Delaware, OH