Pace Energy and Climate Center

01 Apr 2019

Estimating the Air Emissions of Stationary Engine Generators under Two Megawatts

Author: Thomas Bourgeois, Joseph O’Brien Applegate, Dr. Sreekanth Venkataraman, Dr. Praveen Amar

States: New York,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2019

Abstract: The provision of electric power to homes, businesses and industry via distributed generation (“DG”)2 technologies has increased at a rapid pace over the last 10 to 15 years. New York has made the development of a distributed energy future a centerpiece of the Governor’s path breaking “Reforming the Energy Vision” initiative. The environmental consequences of dramatic increases in distributed generation, however, have not been empirically examined. Because certain forms of DG have previously only run to a very limited extent, their emissions were not regulated closely. However, evolving markets and new rate structures could create incentives that encourage an increase in the operating hours of fossil-fired DG. In this study we have...

28 Oct 2018

Revisiting Bonbright’s Principles of Public Utility Rates in a DER World

Author: Karl R. Rábago, Radina Valova

Topics: Energy, Utility, Utility Reform,

States: National,

Resource Type: New Article

Adoption Year: 2018

Abstract: This article originally appeared in The Electricity Journal, Volume 1, Issue 8, pp. 9-13 (October 2018), available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1040619018302276. Reprinted with permission from The Electricity Journal and Elsevier under a Creative Commons license: Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. Full license terms: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode. Abstract: Professor James Bonbright’s Principles of Public Utility Rates, first published in 1961, was built around a model of vertically integrated electricity monopolies and approached ratemaking largely as an exercise in balancing the interests of capital attraction with those of...

05 Oct 2018

Virginia's Proposed Regulations for Linking with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Complexity, Innovation, and a Few Cautions

Author: Karl Rabago

Topics: Cap and Trade, Energy, RGGI,

States: Virginia,

Resource Type: Policy Brief

Adoption Year: 2018

Abstract: Virginia, and its governors in particular, deserve credit for taking on the complex issue of beginning to regulate carbon emissions from the power sector and other parts of the state economy. They have adopted an innovative approach based on a consignment method to accomplish these objectives. The approach has the consequence of added administrative complexity as compared to simpler models used in other states. Discussed here is the consignment method, its complexities, and an offering of a few cautions.

27 Nov 2017

Energy Commission Investigation Regarding the State of Puerto Rico's Electric System after Hurricane Maria

Author: Radina Valova

Topics: Energy, Utility Reform,

States: National,

Resource Type: Comments

Adoption Year: 2017

Abstract: The tragic weather events that destroyed so much of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s electricity infrastructure have sent a strong message about the brittle nature of central stationdominated electricity systems. The most important challenge facing the Commission is whether it will honor the grim lessons of recent hurricanes with actions to reduce the consequences of future severe weather events that are certain to follow.