Pace Energy and Climate Center

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...

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 Oct 2015

Microgrids & District Energy: Pathways to Sustainable Urban Development

Author: Dan Leonhardt, Thomas Bourgeois, Brad Bradford, Jordan Gerow, Nick Martin, Laxmi Rao. Support of: Justin Fung, Pearl Gray, Seth Hoedl, Dr. Jonathan Raab, Travis Sheehan

Topics: Microgrids,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2015

Abstract: Case Studies

01 Oct 2015

Microgrids & District Energy: Pathways to Sustainable Urban Development

Author: Dan Leonhardt, Thomas Bourgeois, Brad Bradford, Jordan Gerow, Nick Martin, Laxmi Rao. Support of: Justin Fung, Pearl Gray, Seth Hoedl, Dr. Jonathan Raab, Travis Sheehan

Topics: Microgrids,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2015

Abstract: This report introduces microgrid concepts, identifies the benefits and most common road blocks to implementation, and discusses proactive steps municipalities can take to advance economically viable and environmentally superior microgrids. It also offers advocacy suggestions for municipal leaders and officials to pursue at the state and regional level. The contents are targeted to municipal government staff but anyone looking for introductory material on microgrids should find it useful.This project was funded by the Urban Sustainability Director's Network (USDN).

01 Oct 2015

The Clean Power Plan Puzzle: The Future of Efforts to Control Climate Pollution in the Northeast

Author: David Gahl, Pearl Gray, Nick Martin

Topics: Emissions, RGGI,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2015

Abstract: In October 2015 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the first national plan to cut climate pollution from power plants. Called the Clean Power Plan (CPP), the effort requires a 32% nation-wide reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the power sector. The CPP also gives states multiple pathways to comply. Now states are on the clock: they must submit their individual compliance plans or signal their intent to submit multi-state plans by September 2016.The nine states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the first market-based trading platform established to cut climate pollution from power plants in the Northeast, must now decide the future of the effort. This paper explores a few of t...

01 Jul 2010

Using Existing Federal Authorities and State Action

Author: Nicholas Bianco, Franz Litz, Madeline Gottlieb, Thomas Damassa

Topics: DER, Energy Efficiency, Renewables,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2010

Abstract: Greenhouse gas emissions reductions by federal and state governments suggests a range of potential outcomes is possible. On the federal level, whether reductions are achieved at the lower end of upper end of the range depends on the extent to which the Obama Administration and subsequent administrations use existing regulatory authority to go after reductions shown to be technically possible in the literature. On the state level, whether reductions are realized at the lower or upper end of the rand projected depend similarly on the continued resolve by governors and legislative leaders in the 25 states counted as having taken actions. The findings set out here represent an assessment of what is possible given available inputs for some key s...

01 Jul 2010

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States

Author: Nicholas M. Bianco, Franz Litz, Madeline Gottlieb, Thomas Damassa

Topics: Emissions,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2010

Abstract: None

01 Jan 2010

Realizing Real-Time Pricing's Promise: What CHP Offers MHP

Author: Thomas Bourgeois, William Pentland

Topics: Markets,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2010

Abstract: Real-time pricing (RTP) programs provide economic incentives for customers to reduce energy consumption during peak hours. Several states have created RTP rate structures – voluntary and mandatory – on various categories of customers, usually industrial, larger commercial and institutional customers. In 2006, New York State imposed mandatory hourly pricing (MHP) for all distribution utilities on a select group of customers initially ranging in size from 1,000 kW maximum peak demand to 1,500 kW maximum peak demand, depending upon the utility. The maximum peak demand level triggering mandatory hourly pricing was scheduled to drop over time, so that by Spring 2011 all customers with maximum peak demand levels in the range of 300 kW to 500...

01 Sep 2008

Federalism in the Green House: Defining a Role for States in a Federal Cap-and-Trade Program

Author: Franz Litz and Kathryn Zyla

Topics: Cap and Trade, Carbon Tax,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Policy Brief

Adoption Year: 2008

Abstract: Defining a role for states within a federal cap-and-trade program will require balancing the benefits of preserving states’ ability to innovate and spur emissions reductions with the challenges that state-by-state regulation may create for some businesses. Finding the approach that draws on the unique strengths of each level of government will help ensure a more effective nationwide cap-and-trade program and a more cost-effective means for reducing emissions. However, it requires expressly providing a mechanism for state action in the federal law. This policy brief presents the competing arguments for state-led and federal-led climate legislation, and argues for a third—“hybrid”—approach that maximizes the strengths of each level...

01 Jun 2008

Toward a Constructive Dialogue on Federal and State Roles in US Climate Change Policy

Author: Franz Litz

Topics: Climate,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2008

Abstract: A number of arguments exist to support state-level action on climate change. States have historically played a role as effective first-movers on important environmental issues, functioning as policy innovators, testing policies that have later been adopted at the federal level. States also bring an understanding of the unique circumstances within their boundaries and a familiarity with their stakeholders. States drive federal action, sometimes insisting that policies be strengthened even after the federal government has acted.