Pace Energy and Climate Center

01 Apr 2017

2016 Annual Report

Author: PECC Staff

Topics: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Utility Reform,

States: National,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: 2016 Annual Report

15 Dec 2016

Solar Market Pathways

Author: PECC Staff

Topics: Solar,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Misc

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: The Pace Energy and Climate Center is participating in the US Department of Energy's Solar Market Pathways program through the creation of the Northeast Solar Energy Market Coalition (NESEMC). NESEMC brings together solar energy business associations and other stakeholders in the Northeast to harmonize regional solar energy policy and advance the solar energy market. Solar Market Pathways is an effort funded by the US Department of Energy to drive down the cost of solar energy and accelerate deployment in communities across the United States. The program is part of the larger SunShot Initiative, which seeks to make solar cost competitive by 2020. Over the next three years, 14 Solar Market Pathways Awardees will develop strategies that expa...

20 Oct 2016

The Utilities of Maryland's Future: An Agenda for Transformation

Author: Karl R. Rábago, Jordan Gerow, Radina Valova, Sheryl Musgrove

Topics: DER, LMI, Utility Reform,

States: Maryland,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: The electric utility industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Moving from large centralized, capital-intensive, and highly polluting utility to a distributed, efficient, clean paradigm. This paper sets out the many key questions that must be addressed in order to carry out a regulatory agenda of market transformation.

01 Sep 2016

UN Environment guide for Energy Efficiency and Reneable Energy law

Author: Richard Ottinger, John Bowie, Adrian J. Bradbrook, David Goldstein, Katherine Kennedy, Philip Musegaas, Ethan Rogers, Ibibia Worika, David R. Hodas, Teresa Malyshev, Alexandrea Warwyk, Cho Kunja, Tumai Murombo, Juan Opposa, Shakeel Kazmi, Victor Tafur, Nana Safo, and Eugene Opoku-Serebuoh

Topics: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy,

States: International,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: The guide is intended to advise government energy officials and project developers, implementers and funders, of the laws adapted throughout the world to facilitate initiation of sound and sustainable energy efficiency projects.

01 Sep 2016

UNEP Guide For Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Laws

Author: Richard Ottinger, Karl Rábago, Staff, Interns

Topics: Climate, International Energy, Renewable Energy,

States: International,

Resource Type: Policy Brief

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: The UN Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Laws is written to assist the many countries, communities, and companies responding with proposed sustainable energy initiatives to meet their commitments under the Paris Climate Change Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Published by the United Nations Environment Program, it is written in response to needs expressed by energy efficiency and renewable energy project initiators, government officials, energy managers, developers, funders, and particularly developing country energy legal draftsmen, asking for assistance in drafting needed legislation. The Guide uniquely describes the laws applicable to every kind of efficiency and renewable energy measure, and those to pre...

22 Aug 2016

Proposed Comprehensive Queue Reform Initiative

Author: Environmental Advocates, National Resources Defense Council, Pace Energy and Climate Center, and Riverkeeper

Topics: DER,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Comments

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: The key to an efficient interconnection process is timely commitment, reasonable study of costs and procedures and effective timelines. The Proposed Comprehensive Queue Reform Initiative is a proactive start in resolving inefficiencies, however in order to accomplish New York State’s 50% Renewable Energy Mandate, effective queue reform must be more robust and extensive.

22 Aug 2016

Comments of Environmental Advocates, Natural Resources Defense Council, Pace Energy and Climate Center, and Riverkeeper on August 1, 2016 “Proposed Comprehensive Queue Reform Initiative

Author: Roni F. Epstein

Topics: Climate,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Comments

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: none

05 Aug 2016

Comments on Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation

Author: PECC Staff

Topics: Emissions,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Comments

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: Comments submitted to Assistant Attorney General Cruden, pursuant to the Department of Justice Notice dated July 6, 2016, on Proposed Partial Consent Decree Under the Clean Air Act; In Re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, Case No: MDL No. 2672 CRB (JSC).

01 Apr 2016

Amicus Brief in Support of Clean Power Plan

Author: Patrick Parenteau

Topics: Energy Efficiency,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Policy Brief

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: none

01 Apr 2016

Clean Power Plan Amicus Brief

Author: Karl R. Rábago

Topics: Climate, DER,

States: National,

Resource Type: Policy Brief

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: Amicus brief filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by sixteen former high-level state environmental and energy officials in support of the Clean Power Plan.

16 Feb 2016

Primer on Solar Hot Water Technologies in New York State

Author: Karl R. Rábago, Daniel Leonhardt, Perri Hom

Topics: DER, Solar,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: This research report summarizes basic information on solar hot water (SHW) technologies and their use in the state of New York. This report relies upon published secondary sources and direct interviews with experts in the field. This report covers four major topics: specific SHW technologies deployed in New York, major technology configuration, and an analysis on how installations differ, barriers to widespread solar hot water adoption, research, and literature gaps. The Pace Energy and Climate Center thanks Environmental Defense Fund for its support on this report. Special thanks to Rory Christian, director New York Clean Energy and Abbey Brown, Clean energy project Manager.

13 Feb 2016

Unpacking and Rebutting the Utility Embedded Cost Fallacy

Author: Karl Rábago

Topics: Markets,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: This is a discussion of customer charges and how utilities recover the entire cost of the system.

12 Feb 2016

Unpacking and Rebutting the Utiltiy Embedded Cost Fallacy

Author: Karl Rábago

Topics: DER, Utility Reform,

States: New York,

Resource Type: New Article

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: Monopoly distribution utilities have proposed charges and other mechanisms to collect those system costs as they planned, and want to reduce any credits earned by customer generators in order to make it less economic for customers to become customer generators.

01 Jan 2016

The Net Metering Riddle

Author: Karl Rábago

Topics: DER, Net Metering, Value of Solar,

States: National,

Resource Type: New Article

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: Net metering opponents have done a masterful job in casting the debate around mistaken assumptions. As regulators conduct NEM 2.0 and Value of Solar proceedings, those errant assumptions should be exposed and the real questions addressed.

01 Jan 2016

Comments on Volkswagen

Author: PECC Staff

Topics: DER, Electric Vehicles,

States: National,

Resource Type: Comments

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: VW ZEV investment program should include support of competitive markets, extended benefits to all communities, protected driver choice, preserve customer choice, encourage innovation, promote EV awareness & outreach, benefit all drivers, and provide process transparency.

01 Jan 2016

Combined Heat and Power on Brownfield Sites

Author: Thomas Bourgeois, Linda Shaw, Colleen Cain, Evans Paul

Topics: CHP,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: Remediated brownfield sites offer an attractive and underutilized opportunity for siting clean distributed generation and CHP. Parties who remediate a contaminated site can be eligible for significant financial incentives from the existing NYS Brownfield Cleanup Program tax credits, coupled with NYS incentives through NYSERDA, and federal tax credits.

01 Jan 2016

Retail Rate Impacts of Distributed Solar: Focus on New England

Author: Nick Martin, Karl Rábago

Topics: Climate, Markets, Solar,

States: New England,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) recently issued a study entitled “Putting the Potential Rate Impacts of Distributed Solar into Context,” authored by Galen Barbose. The LBNL study estimates the potential rate impact of distributed solar on national average retail electricity prices, and importantly, compares that impact to the potential impact of other rate drivers such as natural gas prices, renewable portfolio standards, and utility capital expenditures. This brief applies a similar style analysis as used by LBNL to regional and state level data to estimate more granular impacts for New England. We estimate rate impacts for various penetration rates of net metered distributed solar and compare them to the potential rat...