TRSA News
industry’ s call for transparency around the long-awaited report.
TRSA will continue working with lawmakers and industry leaders to encourage the study’ s release and highlight the critical role that reusable healthcare textiles play in strengthening healthcare supply chains, improving sustainability, and supporting patient and provider safety. TS
Webinar Looks at Managing Volatile Energy Markets
With a renewed focus on energy markets and rising volatility across key regions, operators are closely examining how shifting conditions could affect their bottom lines. This was the focus of a recent TRSA webinar, titled“ Navigating the Energy Storm.” Environ Energy sponsored the online session, featuring a presentation led by Paul Lavallee, director of energy solutions, and Nick Stanziola, director of energy strategy.
The session noted that this spring, energy costs remain one of the most unpredictable variables on the balance sheet. Speakers walked members through the market forces shaping natural gas and electricity prices, as well as practical ways operators can better manage risk.
What’ s Driving Energy Costs
A major topic was the impact of extreme weather. Stanziola noted that the January Winter Storm Fern, which affected more than 40 states, spurred price spikes earlier this year due to both its severity and timing.“ It really was the perfect storm, for lack of a better term,” he said, noting that the event coincided with lost trading days and the monthly period in February when utilities are setting gas prices. This led to a short-term jump in natural gas prices that many businesses felt on their invoices.
The March 31 webinar also highlighted a longer-term concern: rapidly growing electricity demand from data centers, particularly in regions such as Northern Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic and Texas. Speakers noted that data center development is outpacing the construction of new transmission and generation infrastructure. This imbalance could place added pressure on the grid and hike costs over time.
Operators in the Mid-Atlantic and surrounding states— served by the PJM Interconnection, the regional grid that coordinates electricity across 13 states and Washington, DC— face an added concern. Capacity costs in that market have already increased sharply. What’ s more, with no price cap currently set for 2028 –’ 29, total market costs could approach $ 30 billion, a sharp increase from recent years. Those costs are ultimately passed through to end users. The setting of a cap is likely, though details remain uncertain, Stanziola said.
Steps Operators Can Take
For operators, one of the clearest takeaways from the webinar was the growing value of efficiency strategies, such as load shedding, demand response and on-site generation. As capacity costs rise, these options could become more financially attractive than before.
Lavallee noted that while these strategies haven’ t always made financial sense, conditions are shifting.“ As capacity costs continue to increase, the economics may change,” he said.“ Adjustments that didn’ t make sense before may be worth another look.”
At the same time, Stanziola said that U. S. energy fundamentals remain stronger than many observers are suggesting. Even with a conflict in the Middle East and volatility in global LNG markets, the U. S. is relatively insulated, due to its strong domestic natural gas supply and export constraints, he said. For TRSA members, that means international disruption may not translate into the same level of price shock at home.
Rather than trying to time the energy market, the speakers encouraged operators to focus on reducing exposure and managing risk through smarter energy usage, well-structured supply contracts and planning.
Click bit. ly / EnergyWebinar1 to obtain a recording of the webinar from TRSA’ s On-Demand Learning Center. TS
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Webinar Explores M & A Trends in Textile Services
KPMG’ s recent webinar titled Mergers & Acquisitions and Value Drivers in Textile Rental Transactions highlighted current deal trends and valuation drivers shaping North America’ s linen, uniform and facility services market.
The hour-long online presentation took place earlier this year. The second installment in a three-part series, the webinar was led by Leo Wilson, the managing director for KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. Wilson highlighted the following market trends:
4 Textile Services • May 2026