Press Releases Archives - Page 12 of 16

Low RGGI Auction Prices Suggest Need for Greater Ambition

BOSTON — The results of today’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction indicate that participating states have ample room to strengthen the program. Low emissions prices reflect the continuing decline of regional emissions and a growing oversupply of allowances. Without measures to significantly strengthen RGGI, the oversupply of allowances is likely to increase following recent commitments to foster zero-carbon energy. As detailed in our recent report, new commitments to clean energy in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut will reduce emissions by 45 million tons from 2020 to 2030, and New York has signaled support for the continued operation of existing nuclear facilities.

In the latest auction all 14,911,315 available allowances were sold at a clearing price of $4.54, which is nearly identical to the the previous auction ($4.53) and 25% lower than the clearing price from one year ago. The RGGI states raised $67,697,370 dollars from Auction 33, and have now raised $2.58 billion for reinvestment since the program began, the majority of which has been used to fund energy efficiency and other consumer benefit programs. Auction 33 coincides with the final stretch of the 2016 Program Review. As the RGGI states work to reach consensus on program reforms, the results of this auction and recent market trends should help to inform the decision-making process.

“RGGI emissions through the first half of 2016 were the lowest they have been in the program’s history, and annual emissions have been below the RGGI cap level in each of the program’s seven years to date,” said Acadia Center President, Daniel Sosland. “This shows that emissions are falling quickly and even more cost-effectively than expected and provides the foundation on which RGGI states can feel confident going forward to set more ambitious emission targets.”

Given the low volume of trades that have taken place since the previous auction and the relatively modest change in prices, Auction 33 may be viewed as an inflection point, as many market participants are waiting to see what the RGGI states do next in the Program Review. If the RGGI states announce measures that will result in greater stringency, such as an annual 5% cap decline, adjustment for banked allowances and cost containment reserve (CCR) reform, the RGGI market will likely recover. On the other hand, failing to commit to a future allowance adjustment, leaving the CCR unchanged, and establishing a less ambitious post-2020 cap would signal a long-term oversupply.

“The RGGI states showed great foresight during the previous Program Review by dramatically reducing the cap and adjusting for banked allowances,” said Peter Shattuck, Director of Acadia Center’s Clean Energy Initiative. “Now, four years later, continued emissions declines necessitate similar measures. Establishing ambitious cap levels and committing to future allowance adjustment will help propel the region’s clean energy transition.”

“An oversupplied market and low RGGI prices limited the program’s impact in its early years,” said Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst with Acadia Center. “Failing to strengthen RGGI through the Program Review could result in similarly low prices, depriving the region of funding for clean energy programs and sending inadequate market signals to clean up the region’s power sector.”

Information on the 2016 RGGI Program Review, including meeting materials and stakeholder comments, can be found at: http://www.rggi.org/design/2016-program-review

Additional information on RGGI’s performance to date and needed reforms through the 2016 Program Review are described in Acadia Center’s recent RGGI Status Report:

Part I: Measuring Success
Part II: Achieving Climate Commitments

RGGI Overview:

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first mandatory, market-based effort in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nine northeastern and mid-Atlantic states reduce CO2 emissions by setting an overall limit on emissions “allowances,” which permit power plants to dispose of CO2 in the atmosphere. States sell allowances through auctions and invest proceeds in consumer benefit programs: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other programs.

The official RGGI web site is: www.rggi.org

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Acadia Center is a non-profit, research, and advocacy organization committed to advancing the clean energy future. Acadia Center is at the forefront of efforts to build clean, low-carbon, and consumer-friendly economies. Acadia Center provides accurate and reliable information and offers a real-world and comprehensive approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

Achieving Climate Commitments: Strengthening RGGI to Achieve State and Federal Requirements

BOSTON — Part II of Acadia Center’s status report on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), Achieving Climate Commitments, describes reforms that northeast and mid-Atlantic States need to implement during the 2016 Program Review to achieve state and federal greenhouse gas reduction requirements, including:

Aligning the emissions cap with states’ GHG reduction requirements and extending the cap to 2031.
Adjusting for banked allowances to preserve RGGI’s effectiveness.
Strengthening the Cost Containment Reserve to prevent inflation of the RGGI cap.

“RGGI continues to prove itself as an effective means of reducing carbon emissions and supporting economic growth. Now, northeast and mid-Atlantic states have an opportunity to build on RGGI’s success and lead the country by taking the steps necessary to meet state and federal climate requirements,” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President.

Each of the RGGI states has committed to reducing emissions by approximately 40% across their economies by 2030, and eight of the nine participating states have established 2050 requirements for 80% reductions. By reducing emissions in the electric sector — and reducing emissions associated with electricity use in transportation and heating — RGGI will play a central role in achieving state requirements.

“RGGI is one of the most effective tools for states to reduce climate pollution,” said Peter Shattuck, Director of Acadia Center’s Clean Energy Initiative. “RGGI can and should play a central role in achieving commitments states have made to address climate change.”

Reforms to RGGI are also being considered in the context of the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan, the first-ever national limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants.

“As other states develop initial plans to meet the base requirements of the Clean Power Plan, RGGI states can be climate leaders and go above and beyond minimum federal requirements,” said Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst at Acadia Center and lead author of the report.

The report builds on Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Status Report, Part I: Measuring Success which describes RGGI’s accomplishments since RGGI’s launch, including: 37% emissions reductions and a 3.6% decline in region-wide electricity prices. 16% more emissions reductions and 3.6% more economic growth than other states.

For more information on Part I of the RGGI Status Report, Measuring Success see: acadiacenter.org/document/measuring-rggi-success

For more information on Part II of the RGGI Status Report, Achieving Climate Commitments see: acadiacenter.org/document/rggi-achieving-climate-commitments

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Acadia Center is a non-profit, research, and advocacy organization committed to advancing the clean energy future. Acadia Center is at the forefront of efforts to build clean, low-carbon, and consumer friendly economies. Acadia Center provides accurate and reliable information and offers a real-world and comprehensive approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

New Hampshire Approves Energy Efficiency Targets

CONCORD, N.H. — Yesterday, New Hampshire took an historic step towards reducing energy costs for its citizens. The Public Utilities Commission approved the Settlement Agreement between utilities and other stakeholders, including Acadia Center, outlining an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) for the state. For the first time, specific savings targets have been set at a state level, and a long-term goal of attaining all cost effective energy efficiency has been approved.

Until now, New Hampshire has been the only state in the region without statewide targets. While the state’s CORE efficiency programs, run by the utilities, have been successful in reducing energy use, the state has missed out on millions of dollars in energy savings, which more robust programs could have delivered. As the Commission itself states in the order, “The EERS is a significant step toward addressing the business community’s concerns about remaining competitive in today’s economy.”

For the first three-year period, the EERS sets targets of 0.8% for electric and 0.7% for gas in 2018; an additional 1% for electric and 0.75% for gas in 2019; and an additional 1.3% for electric and 0.8% for gas in 2020. The three years of efficiency will provide cumulative savings of 3.1% of electric sales and 2.25% of gas sales, relative to the baseline year of 2014, by the end of 2020.

It also expands the role of the state Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board, with additional funding and the support of outside experts, to serve in an advisory role in the design, implementation, and evaluation of efficiency programs. Such stakeholder boards have been effective in other states in establishing a more efficient and less adversarial process, improving program design and delivery, and increasing stakeholder buy-in.

“We applaud the Commission for recognizing the extensive analysis and collaboration undertaken by the diverse group of utilities, environmental groups, business groups, low-income advocates, and others over the past year to come up with a plan to steer New Hampshire toward a more efficient energy future” said Ellen Hawes, Senior Policy Analyst with Acadia Center. The establishment of an EERS reflects that energy efficiency has a wide range of benefits for customers, including lowering utility bills, improving public health and comfort, offering more customer control over energy use, creating new jobs, and reducing pollution.

Acadia Center congratulates the Commission for this important step.

Contact:
Ellen Hawes, Senior Analyst, Energy Systems and Carbon Markets
802-649-1140, ehawes@acadiacenter.org

Jamie Howland, Director, Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Initiative
860-246-7121, x201, jhowland@acadiacenter.org

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Acadia Center is a non-profit, research, and advocacy organization committed to advancing the clean energy future. Acadia Center is at the forefront of efforts to build clean, low-carbon, and consumer-friendly economies. Acadia Center provides accurate and reliable information and offers a comprehensive, real-world approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

Clean Energy Leaders Congratulate Massachusetts Legislature and Urge Governor to Sign Major Energy Bill

Environmental and Business Organizations Agree on Benefits

BOSTON — Leaders of the Alliance for Clean Energy Solutions (ACES), a coalition of business groups, clean energy companies, environmental organizations, health and consumer representatives dedicated to advancing clean energy for Massachusetts, applauded the Massachusetts Legislature for passing An Act to Promote Energy Diversity this weekend and call upon Governor Charlie Baker to sign the comprehensive energy legislation into law to ensure Massachusetts remains on its path towards a clean energy future.

“This bill is a huge step on the path to a clean energy future,” said Peter Shattuck, Massachusetts Director of Acadia Center and co-leader of ACES. “The legislation solidifies the Commonwealth’s leadership in reducing carbon pollution and will help reduce our growing over-reliance on natural gas.”

“The Massachusetts Legislature has passed a bill that will not only accelerate the deployment of clean energy, but will also serve to accelerate our economy by providing a stable policy framework for investors and developers of clean energy,” said NECEC Executive Vice President Janet Gail Besser, co-leader of ACES. “We commend the Legislature for including Class 1 eligible renewable energy resources, offshore wind, energy storage, fuel cells, commercial clean energy financing, and other key policies that will make Massachusetts’ energy more cost-competitive, reliable, and clean for future generations.”

Over the last year, Alliance members worked to promote policies to enable the Commonwealth to achieve its climate commitments while protecting consumers and the environment, and many of these priorities were reflected in the final bill:

Large-Scale Clean Energy Procurements — procurements of 9.45 terawatt hours of Renewable Portfolio (RPS)-eligible resources (such as onshore wind) and hydroelectricity, which will facilitate costeffective achievement of the RPS, replace retiring generation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and diversify our electricity supply.

Pairing of Wind and Hydroelectricity — support for bundled procurements of RPS-eligible resources (such as onshore wind) and hydropower in order to drive in-region development and maximize efficient use of transmission for clean energy.

Offshore Wind — phased procurement of 1600 megawatts of offshore wind in order to tap Massachusetts’ world-class offshore wind resource and develop a sustainable industry in Massachusetts.

Energy Procurement Standards and Criteria — provisions to ensure competitive procurement of cost-effective clean energy resources through a process that protects against self-dealing, ensures reliability, price stability, affordability for all income levels.

Energy Storage — authorization for the Department of Energy Resources to develop procurement targets and incentives for utilities, households, and businesses to deploy cost-effective energy storage technology that integrates renewable energy sources and improves the operation of the grid.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) — expansion of energy efficiency and clean energy financing options for commercial customers by leveraging private funds, while ensuring consumer protections and aligning with existing energy efficiency objectives.

Distributed Energy Resources — support for small hydropower and fuel cells will contribute to the diversity of the Commonwealth’s electricity supply and economic development.

ACES sought additional provisions which were not included in the final bill, including increasing the Renewable Portfolio Standard, provisions to avoid, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts of energy projects, prohibiting gas pipeline subsidies, creation of oil heat energy efficiency programs, measures to increase electric vehicle uptake, and Community Empowerment. However, the final bill represents a strong commitment to clean energy leadership, and ACES encourages Governor Charlie Baker to ensure Massachusetts’ place as a clean energy leader by signing the bill and implementing the sound provisions it includes.

Contacts:
Krysia Wazny, Acadia Center
617-742-0054 x107, kwazny@acadiacenter.org

Kate Plourd Johnson, NECEC
617-500-9933, kjohnson@necec.org

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About ACES: The Alliance for Clean Energy Solutions (ACES) is a “coalition of coalitions” comprised of business groups, clean energy companies, environmental organizations, labor, health, and consumer advocates dedicated to advancing clean energy for Massachusetts. ACES is committed to ensuring that those charged with shaping Massachusetts’ energy policies have the most rigorous, current data on the benefits and costs of clean energy. Our goal is to ensure that the Commonwealth can attain a cost-effective, reliable and diverse energy supply to power its businesses, communities and households, which will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, create a stable and prosperous business environment and meet the Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas emissions requirements. For more information: acesma.org

Members Include: Acadia Center, Alliance for Business Leadership, Climate Action Business Association, Clean Water Action, E4theFuture, Energy Storage Association, Environment Massachusetts, Environmental Entrepreneurs, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Health Care Without Harm, Mass Audubon, Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, Northeast Clean Energy Council, Northeast Energy Efficiency Council, RENEW Northeast, Solar Energy Business Association of New England, Union of Concerned Scientists, US Green Building Council Massachusetts Chapter, Vote Solar.

RGGI’s Success Continues: Region Outpacing the Rest of the Country on Emissions and Economics

BOSTON — A new report from Acadia Center shows that the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States’ Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) continues to succeed in driving down emissions, which have declined in each of the last 5 years and are down 37% since the program launched. Over the same time period electricity prices have declined across the region, even as prices in other states have increased, and RGGI states have outpaced other states on both emissions reductions and economic growth. The analysis, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Status Report, Part I: Measuring Success describes key trends and drivers, including that:

Emissions of CO₂ fell 6.3% below the RGGI cap in 2015.
Electricity prices across the region have decreased by 3.4% on average since RGGI took effect, while electricity prices in other states have increased by 7.2%.
RGGI states have reduced emissions by 16% more than other states and seen 3.6% more economic growth since RGGI launched.
Electric sector trends responsible for low emissions — including increasing generation from renewables and natural gas and growing investments in energy efficiency — show no signs of reversing.
Reforms decided during the 2016 Program Review will determine whether RGGI continues to succeed.

“The experience of the RGGI states shows that we can reduce emissions while benefitting consumers and boosting economic growth,” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President.

“States within RGGI have done better since the program’s launch than states that have yet to act,” said Peter Shattuck, Director of Acadia Center’s Clean Energy Initiative. “As more states consider how to reduce climate pollution, RGGI’s precedent is an important example of how market-based programs deliver real benefits.”

Against this backdrop of success to-date, RGGI’s member states are currently working to determine the program’s future course through the 2016 Program Review. The reforms being considered will determine the extent to which states can use the RGGI model to continue to reduce emissions to meet state and federal requirements and address the threat of climate change. “These states have the opportunity to continue their role as national leaders on climate,” said Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst at Acadia Center. “RGGI is an effective and proven tool to address the increasingly apparent threats of climate change, and experience to date shows that more progress is achievable.”

Part II of RGGI Status Report will focus on key decisions states face in the 2016 Program Review, including RGGI’s level of ambition through 2030 and other changes needed to achieve state-level climate commitments and the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan.

For more information, see: acadiacenter.org/document/measuring-rggi-success

Contact:

Krysia Wazny, Communications Associate
617-742-0054 x107, kwazny@acadiacenter.org

Peter Shattuck, Director, Clean Energy Initiative
(617) 742-0054 x103, pshattuck@acadiacenter.org

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Acadia Center is a non-profit, research, and advocacy organization committed to advancing the clean energy future. Acadia Center is at the forefront of efforts to build clean, low-carbon, and consumer-friendly economies. Acadia Center provides accurate and reliable information and offers a comprehensive, real-world approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

Clean Energy Leaders Applaud Groundbreaking Energy Bill Passed by Senate

Lawmakers Should Think Bold and Finalize Forward Thinking Legislation this Session

BOSTON — Leaders of the Alliance for Clean Energy Solutions, a coalition of business groups, clean energy companies, environmental organizations, health and consumer representatives dedicated to advancing clean energy for Massachusetts, issued the following statements regarding the comprehensive energy bill (S2372) passed this week by the Massachusetts Senate.

“Massachusetts needs clean energy resources to address the threat of climate change and reduce our dangerous overreliance on natural gas,” said Peter Shattuck, Massachusetts Director of Acadia Center and co-leader of ACES. “This bill supports the scale and scope of clean energy options to responsibly meet our energy needs and build on Massachusetts’ climate leadership and capacity to develop innovative technologies.”

“The Massachusetts Senate has passed legislation that will enable the Commonwealth to take advantage of the benefits of clean energy and innovation by spurring the private sector investment needed to capture the cost reduction and economic development benefits of renewable energy sources in addition to their environmental benefits” said NECEC Executive Vice President Janet Gail Besser, co-leader of ACES. “We commend the Senate for including Class 1 eligible renewable energy resources, offshore wind, energy storage, fuel cells, and other key policies that will make Massachusetts’ energy more cost-competitive, reliable, and clean for future generations.”

“Clean energy, innovation, and economic growth are all intertwined here in Massachusetts, and the Senate’s energy bill allows the benefits we see from this connectivity to continue to expand,” said Jesse Mermell, President of The Alliance for Business Leadership. “By investing in clean energy – and the innovation around it – we reduce our impact on climate change, lower energy costs, and create jobs. The future of Massachusetts will be brighter because of this bill’s commitment to clean energy.”

ACES supports policies to bring diverse clean energy resources to Massachusetts. Alliance members share the view that such policies are critical for the Commonwealth to achieve its climate commitments and will also protect consumers and the environment. ACES promotes the following priorities for large-scale energy procurement:

Large-Scale Clean Energy Procurements – authorize procurement of Renewable Portfolio (RPS)-eligible resources (such as onshore wind) and hydroelectricity in order to facilitate cost-effective achievement of the RPS, replace retiring generation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diversify our electricity supply.

Pairing of Wind and Hydroelectricity – require bundled procurements of RPS-eligible resources (such as onshore wind) and hydropower in order to drive in-region development and maximize efficient use of transmission for clean energy.

Meaningful Offshore Wind Development – authorize phased procurement of offshore wind of sufficient scale over 15 years in order to tap Massachusetts’ world-class offshore wind resource and develop a sustainable industry in Massachusetts.

Energy Procurement Standards and Criteria – competitively procure cost-effective and environmentally preferable clean energy resources through a procurement process that protects against self dealing, and ensures reliability, price stability, affordability for all income levels, and ensures that environmental impacts of electricity generation and transmission are appropriately avoided, minimized, and mitigated.

ACES additionally supports complimentary energy policies including expansion of the renewable energy portfolio standard, incentives for energy storage, establishment of climate requirements for 2030 and 2040, and clean energy financing with appropriate consumer protections.

Contacts:
Krysia Wazny, Acadia Center
617-742-0054 x107, kwazny@acadiacenter.org

Kate Plourd Johnson, NECEC
617-500-9933, kjohnson@necec.org

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Massachusetts Energy Bill Lacks Provisions to Ensure Cost-Effective Clean Energy Transition

BOSTON — Leaders of the Alliance for Clean Energy Solutions, a coalition of business groups, clean energy companies, environmental organizations, health and consumer representatives dedicated to advancing clean energy for Massachusetts, issued the following statements regarding the energy bill (HB 4377) passed this week by the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

“The House of Representatives passed a bill that aims to grow the market for combinations of onshore wind, other class 1 renewables, hydro and the transmission to bring this competitive clean energy to the Commonwealth,” said NECEC Executive Vice President Janet Gail Besser, co-leader of ACES, “But the scale of the bill’s solicitation is insufficient to spur the private sector investment needed to capture the full cost reduction and economic development benefits of renewable energy sources, while the failure to include provisions that enable Class 1 RPS-eligible resources to compete on their own removes the most cost-effective source of renewable energy in today’s market from the equation.”

“The house bill takes steps toward clean energy but lacks the necessary scale and scope needed for a cost-effective clean energy transformation,” said Acadia Center Massachusetts Director Peter Shattuck. “The scale of procurement for offshore wind and other renewable energy sources is smaller than the need to replace retiring generation with clean energy sources and may limit the competitiveness of opportunity for new clean energy combinations.”

Below are amendments that ACES encourages the Senate to include in its version of the bill:

An amendment that increases the size of the clean energy procurement.
An amendment that enables Class 1 RPS-eligible resources (including on-shore wind) to compete in large scale clean energy procurement established by the bill, which will lead to greater competition, put downward pressure on prices, and allow a variety of renewable resources to bid.
An energy storage amendment that would direct the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to develop a plan to implement an energy storage program in the Commonwealth. Energy storage is viewed as a game-changer. Its flexibility could solve problems related to integrating wind and solar energy and help grid operators manage resources more efficiently.
An amendment to increase the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS), a statutory obligation that requires suppliers to obtain a percentage of the electricity they provide to customers from renewable resources. Since first being introduced, the RPS and similar laws in other New England states (and 29 states across the country) have helped to bring many renewable energy projects online, boosting the regional economy, diversifying our energy mix and mitigating the environmental impacts of electricity use and production. Massachusetts clean energy policy and adopting this amendment would make rising to the climate challenge that much more achievable.

“From where we sit, the complicated world of energy policy is actually very simple: we must continue to invest in clean energy in order to bolster our economy, mature a thriving industry and tackle climate change. We’re encouraged by the important progress made in the House yesterday and hope this issue, which is so vital to the future of our commonwealth, remains front and center in the State House as the end of the legislative session draws near.”

Media Contacts:

Krysia Wazny
Acadia Center
kwazny@acadiacenter.org
Phone: 617-742-0054 x107

Kate Plourd Johnson
NECEC
kjohnson@necec.org
Phone: 617-500-9933

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About ACES:

The Alliance for Clean Energy Solutions (ACES) is a “coalition of coalitions” comprised of business groups, clean energy companies, environmental organizations, labor, health, and consumer advocates dedicated to advancing clean energy for Massachusetts. ACES is committed to ensuring that those charged with shaping Massachusetts’ energy policies have the most rigorous, current data on the benefits and costs of clean energy. Our goal is to ensure that the Commonwealth can attain a cost-effective, reliable and diverse energy supply to power its businesses, communities and households, which will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, create a stable and prosperous business environment and meet the Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas emissions requirements. For more information: acesma.org

Declining Emissions and Allowance Oversupply Keep RGGI Prices Low

Boston – Low emissions and a growing surplus of allowances kept prices modest in the latest Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction. All 15,089,652 available allowances were sold at a clearing price of $4.53, which is 14% lower than the previous auction and 18% lower than the clearing price from one year ago. The RGGI states raised $68,356,124 dollars from Auction 32, and have now raised $2.52 billion for reinvestment since the program began, the majority of which has been used to fund energy efficiency and other consumer benefit programs. As energy ministers from around the globe gather to discuss means of implementing the Paris Agreement, RGGI provides a successful model for reducing power sector emissions. With forward-looking improvements through the 2016 Program Review, RGGI will help member states makes progress toward achieving their long-term emissions reduction commitments.

The Auction 32 results show a continuation of the decline of RGGI allowance prices that began following the Supreme Court’s stay of the Clean Power Plan in February. In the absence of a ruling on the Clean Power Plan’s merits or an indication from the RGGI states about the program’s future, the Auction 32 clearing price was primarily determined by market fundamentals. Emissions reductions have outpaced the trajectory of the RGGI cap, while surplus allowances purchased from the cost containment reserve have inflated supply. Considering the substantial allowance surplus that exists (130 million allowances through 2015), the modest price of $4.53/ton suggests an expectation of a sustained oversupply of allowances. Whether the RGGI states take further action to address this oversupply going forward will be determined in the coming months through the 2016 RGGI Program Review.

“The RGGI states used the previous program review to address the oversupplied market, and this time should be no different” said Acadia Center President, Daniel Sosland.

“Reducing the cap and adjusting for banked allowances were major improvements, but the market remains oversupplied due to a story that is beginning to sound repetitive” said Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst with Acadia Center. “Emissions continue to decline more quickly than expected, with emissions reductions occurring at lower costs than projected. Accurately accounting for these trends during the program review will result in a stronger program for the future.”

“Despite this relatively low clearing price, RGGI auctions continue to generate significant revenue for investment in energy efficiency and clean energy programs,” said Peter Shattuck, Director of Acadia Center’s Clean Energy Initiative. “By establishing ambitious cap levels through 2030 the RGGI states will encourage a meaningful price on carbon emissions, supporting auction revenue for local energy improvements.”

Information on the 2016 RGGI Program Review, including meeting materials and stakeholder comments, can be found at: http://www.rggi.org/design/2016-program-review

Additional information on RGGI’s performance to date, and role in EPA’s regulatory process are described in Acadia Center’s July, 2015 report: RGGI: A Model Program for the Power Sector.

RGGI Overview:

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first mandatory, market-based effort in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nine Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states reduce CO2 emissions by setting an overall limit on emissions “allowances” which permit power plants to dispose of CO2 in the atmosphere. States sell allowances through auctions and invest proceeds in consumer benefit programs: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other programs.

The official RGGI web site is: www.rggi.org

Contact:
Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst, Clean Energy Initiative
617-742-0054 x105, jstutt@acadiacenter.org

Peter Shattuck, Director, Clean Energy Initiative
617-742-0054 x103, pshattuck@acadiacenter.org

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Acadia Center is a non-profit, data-driven research and advocacy organization committed to advancing the clean energy future. Acadia Center is at the forefront of efforts to build clean, low-carbon and consumer-friendly economies. Acadia Center provides accurate and reliable information, and offers a real-world and comprehensive approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

New Analysis Shows Connecticut’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Have Increased Since 2012; No Longer on Track to Meet State’s 2020 Target

Hartford, CT – Acadia Center today released new analysis showing that Connecticut’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have reversed course and increased by 4.4% since 2012. Using the most recent data available on actual GHG emissions, Acadia Center found that total GHG emissions increased from 39.6 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e) in 2012 to 41.3 MMTCO2e in 2014 – a net increase of 1.7 MMTCO2e. This is the first two-year increase in GHG emissions for Connecticut since 2003-2004.

Acadia Center’s analysis also found that the GHG emissions level in 2014 was more than the state’s mandatory 2020 GHG emissions cap, exceeding it by nearly 1.5 MMTCO2e, or 3.7%. Connecticut’s Global Warming Solutions Act, passed in 2008, set a binding target of reducing GHG emissions to at least 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. The new emissions data indicates that Connecticut is not on track to satisfy this legal requirement. In fact, preliminary data for 2015 suggests that emissions for this past year will be even higher than the level for 2014.

“This new, sustained upward trend in Connecticut’s greenhouse gas emissions is a cause for concern,” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President. “We need stronger and faster reductions in GHG emissions through policies that we know are effective, such as eliminating costly energy waste, reforming our energy rules so that investments in exciting, community oriented clean energy technologies can flourish, and increasing our clean energy supply. It is crucial that the state’s upcoming Comprehensive Energy Strategy establish a clear policy path that will bring the state into compliance with its 2020 GHG emissions limit. We cannot afford to backslide any further.”

The rise in Connecticut’s GHG emissions from 2012 to 2014 comes after eight years of generally declining emissions from an historic peak in 2004. Acadia Center examined Connecticut’s GHG emissions at the sector level and found that the largest contributor to the state’s emissions was the transportation sector.

“We need to move quickly and aggressively if we are to have any real chance of complying with the state’s 2020 GHG emissions limit,” said Jamie Howland, Director of Acadia Center’s Climate and Energy Analysis Center. “Based on this latest data, Connecticut will need to wipe out the recent increase in a little over three years to meet the 2020 mandate. We face a major challenge, but it’s achievable if we immediately expand policies we already have in place, such as ramping up our energy efficiency investments and renewables goals to those of leading states, strengthening the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s emissions cap, and avoid locking into long-term emissions increases with new fossil fuel infrastructure projects.”

Acadia Center’s latest analysis of Connecticut’s GHG emissions updates its previous inventory of the state’s emissions released in 2013 through its ClimateVision 2020 report. The original ClimateVision 2020 report is available online: http://climatevision.acadiacenter.org/sites/default/files/ENE_ClimateVision2020_v1.1_0.pdf.

Acadia Center analyzed new GHG emissions data for 2013 and 2014 recently released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s State Inventory Tool.

Contact:

Jamie Howland, Director, Climate and Energy Analysis Center
860-246-7121 x201, jhowland@acadiacenter.org

Bill Dornbos, Senior Attorney & Director, Connecticut Office
860-246-7121 x202, wdornbos@acadiacenter.org

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New Coalition of Nonprofit, Business and Consumer Groups Launch Alliance for Clean Energy Solutions (ACES)

Leading Regional Organizations Combine Forces to Support Long-Term Policies that Will Create Clean, Affordable and Reliable Energy

Boston, MA – April 26, 2016. Nearly 20 environmental, clean energy industry, business, consumer, and health groups announced the creation of a coalition named the Alliance for Clean Energy Solutions (ACES acesma.org). The alliance consists of a wide variety of organizations seeking to ensure that Massachusetts enacts long-term policies that will drive clean, affordable & reliable energy.

“The Alliance shows the diverse support for new clean energy policies from the environmental, clean energy and business communities,” said Acadia Center’s Massachusetts Director Peter Shattuck, one of the co-chairs of the Alliance. Northeast Clean Energy Council’s Executive Vice President Janet Gail Besser, also co-chair of the Alliance, noted, “This Alliance is a testament to the fact that Massachusetts residents and businesses see clean energy as the centerpiece of a strategy to create a stable price environment for energy customers, mitigating the volatility of electricity prices driven by fossil fuels and driving the Commonwealth’s economy for the future. ”

ACES supports policies to bring diverse clean energy resources to Massachusetts. Alliance members share the view that such policies are critical for the Commonwealth to achieve its climate commitments, and will also protect consumers and the environment. ACES supports a diversified energy policy that includes:

Large-Scale Clean Energy Procurements – authorize procurement of Renewable Portfolio (RPS)-eligible resources (such as onshore wind) and hydroelectricity in order to facilitate cost-effective achievement of the RPS, replace retiring generation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diversify our electricity supply.
Pairing of Wind and Hydroelectricity – require bundled procurements of RPS-eligible resources (such as onshore wind) and hydropower in order to drive in-region development and maximize efficient use of transmission for clean energy.
Meaningful Offshore Wind Development – authorize phased procurement of offshore wind of sufficient scale over 15 years in order to tap Massachusetts’ world-class offshore wind resource and develop a sustainable industry in Massachusetts.
Energy Procurement Standards and Criteria – competitively procure cost-effective and environmentally preferable clean energy resources through a procurement process that protects against self dealing, and ensures reliability, price stability, affordability for all income levels, and ensures that environmental impacts of electricity generation and transmission are appropriately avoided, minimized, and mitigated.

“Clean energy procurements can play an important role in achieving Massachusetts‘ greenhouse gas reduction requirements,“ said Josh Craft, Program Director from Environmental League of Massachusetts. “But new hydropower resources alone are insufficient to meet our state’s energy needs. The ACES platform will allow our state to develop a truly diversified energy resource portfolio while ensuring that Massachusetts ratepayers will only pay for responsibly developed and competitively priced clean energy.“

The Alliance advocates that further action is needed to meet the State’s 2020 mandatory greenhouse gas requirements and believes that Massachusetts has an opportunity to create a diversified energy mix that will allow energy consumers to avoid being at the mercy of extremely volatile natural gas prices. Additional priorities supported by ACES include advancing energy storage and clean energy financing, establishing ambitious yet achievable targets for renewable energy and GHG reductions, and promoting distributed clean energy.

Businesses and other large energy consumers like hospitals and universities also recognize that a long term vision will help to provide a stable pricing environment that will make it easier for companies to budget and plan, turning Massachusetts’ energy markets into a positive for businesses. “It’s no secret that businesses use lots of energy. That’s why a stable pricing environment will be good news for the Massachusetts business community, making it easier for companies to budget and plan for their energy costs,” said Jesse Mermell of the Alliance for Business Leadership. “Businesses also benefit from the fact that renewable energy prices are declining, and are on their way to becoming the most affordable energy option.”

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Media Contacts:

Kate Plourd Johnson

NECEC

kjohnson@necec.org

Phone: 617-500-9933
Kiernan Dunlop

Acadia Center

kdunlop@acadiacenter.org

Phone: 617.742.0054 x107

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