Pace Energy and Climate Center

11 Sep 2017

Voluntary and Corporate Renewable Energy in the Northeast United States: Barriers and Opportunities for Growth

Author: Prepared for Pace by CRS

Topics: Markets, Renewable Energy, RGGI,

States: Northeast,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2017

Abstract: The second of three policy briefs prepared with the Pace Energy and Climate Center focusing on voluntary renewable energy in the Northeast United States, this brief identifies interactions between the voluntary renewable energy market and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). It also provides recommendations for strengthening mechanisms that protect voluntary demand in RGGI states.

01 Mar 2017

Transition Support Mechanisms for Communities Facing Full or Partial Coal Power Plant Retirement in New York

Author: Lisa Anne Hamilton, Radina Valova, And Karl R. Rábago, with the support of The Center's Law Student Interns: Sarah Main, Kirsten Yerger, Matt Farnsworth, and Perri Hom

Topics: Climate, Low and Moderate Income, Markets,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2017

Abstract: The Transition Support Mechanisms report, prepared by Pace Energy and Climate Center with the support of Environmental Defense Fund, documents best practices for supporting the economic and environmental health of communities in New York facing the closure of a coal-fired power plant. The report examines several decades of just transition case studies from across the United States, and describes the challenges faced by New York communities bracing for the mothballing or retirement of coal generators. Every community is unique, so while there can be no one-size-fits-all approach, the report recommends a number of resources that these communities can use to develop a just transition plan after a plant’s closure.

01 Apr 2016

2015 Annual Report

Author: PECC Staff

Topics: CHP, Climate, DER, Markets,

States: National,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2015

Abstract: The Pace Energy and Climate Center had an amazing year in 2015. Our staff members and law student interns engaged in some of the most important clean energy policy and development issues in New York and in the Northeast region, as well as in selected venues across the United States and around the world. We have made important progress in empowering continued advancement toward a cleaner energy present and a more sustainable future for all of us. We are really proud of what we have done, and hope you will find our report interesting and informative. We are especially grateful for all the support from Pace University and the Pace Law School, and from our many donors and clients. We couldn’t do any of this without them! You will find our rep...

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.

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...

01 Jan 2015

Declaration of Karl R. Rabago in Support of the CPP

Author: Karl R. Rábago

Topics: Climate, DER, Markets,

States: National,

Resource Type: Misc

Adoption Year: 2015

Abstract: Declaration of Karl Rábago in State of West Virginia, et al. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, et al. in support of the Clean Power Plan.

30 May 2014

Pace Energy and Climate Center comments on the draft 2014 New York State Energy Plan

Author: Dave Gahl, Karl Rábago, Thomas Bourgeois, Andrea Cerbin

Topics: Markets,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Comments

Adoption Year: 2014

Abstract: Comments filed to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the State Energy Planning Board on the draft New York State Energy Plan. Filed May 30, 2014.

01 Jun 2012

Market Programs Primer

Author: Tim Banach

Topics: Markets,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2012

Abstract: Market-based environmental protection programs offer numerous economic, administrative, and performance advantages over traditional command-and-control approaches. This work highlights key design features of various state and regional market-based environmental programs currently operating in New York and evaluates their success.

01 Jan 2012

Market-based Environmental Programs in New York State: A Primer

Author: Tim Banach

Topics: Emissions, Markets,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Policy Brief

Adoption Year: 2012

Abstract: The broad goal of environmental regulation is to protect human health and the environment. To that end, regulation often seeks to prevent or control the release of pollutants into the air or water or onto the land. New York State regulators have approached the control of pollution in two ways: through command-and-control requirements and market-based mechanisms. This primer introduces market-based mechanisms currently employed in New York State environmental regulation.

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...

28 Jun 2006

Quantifying Residential PV Economics in the US: Payback vs Cashflow Determination of Fair Energy Value

Author: Richard Perez, Linda Anne Burtis, Tom Hoff, Sam Swanson, Christy Herig

Topics: Markets, Solar,

States: National,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2006

Abstract: Payback is often used as a measure of profitability by prospective PV owners. Contrasting this measure with another financial gauge -- life-cycle cash flow -- the paper discusses why payback may not be the most appropriate measure for residential PV applications and why it may hide sound financial opportunities for those deciding to invest in a PV system. In parallel, the paper addresses another aspect of economic feasibility: the value of energy produced. For residential applications, this value is currently set at residential net-metered retail rates. We present preliminary evidence that a higher value, reflective of the local effective capacity of PV ought to be claimed for residential PV applications.