RGGI’s Economic and Environmental Success Lays Blueprint for Benefits under Clean Power Plan

Boston – A new report from Acadia Center shows that the northeast and mid-Atlantic states’ Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) continues to drive down emissions while boosting economic growth, making the program a model for compliance with EPA’s forthcoming Clean Power Plan. Acadia Center’s report, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: A Model Program for the Power Sector, details emissions trends, investment benefits, and changes in regional electricity generation over RGGI’s six years of operation. The report explains why RGGI is a natural fit for compliance with the Clean Power Plan, what other states can learn from the RGGI experience, and the specific changes that the RGGI states will need to make as part of the 2016 Program Review.

Key findings:

  • Emissions in 2014 fell 5% below the regional cap largely due to increasing generation from renewables and efficiency improvements.
  • Electricity prices have declined by 2% across the region since RGGI’s launch.
  • Since the program’s launch RGGI states have seen 3 times the emissions reductions of other states and 3 percentage points of additional economic growth.

 

According to a recent Analysis Group report, all nine of the participating states’ economies have experienced net gains as a result of RGGI, with the region as a whole seeing $2.76 billion in value added and 28,500 new job years of employment.

“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.

“Thanks to the success of the RGGI program, states around the country have gained confidence in market-based mechanisms to reduce CO2 emissions,” said Peter Shattuck, Director of Acadia Center’s Clean Energy Initiative. “That confidence has translated into numerous multi-state groups discussing RGGI-like trading programs to comply with the Clean Power Plan.”

While the RGGI states are well positioned to meet the requirements of the Clean Power Plan, the upcoming 2016 Program Review offers an opportunity to implement necessary modifications to the strengthen the program. Keeping the states on track for deep emissions reductions and qualifying RGGI for compliance with the EPA rule will require:

  • Extending the RGGI cap to at least 2030 in order to provide additional clarity to the market and match EPA’s timeline for achievement of CPP targets;
  • Correcting the cap reduction trajectory to deliver necessary long term emissions reductions; and,
  • Revising or removing the Cost Containment Reserve to ensure achievement of emissions reduction targets.

 

Once EPA releases the finalized Clean Power Plan, the RGGI states can begin analyzing the targets and modeling the impacts of the program reforms outlined above. “The upcoming Program Review provides an opportunity for the RGGI states to meet EPA’s targets, and continue their role as national leaders on climate,” said Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst at Acadia Center. “Just as they did in the 2012 Program Review, we expect the RGGI states to prioritize a strengthened RGGI program as part of the 2016 review process.”

For more information see: http://acadiacenter.org/document/rggi-a-model-program-for-the-power-sector-2015-update

 

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

Emily Avery-Miller, Director, External Relations, Acadia Center
(617) 742-0054 x100, eavery-miller@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 real-world and comprehensive approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

New Study Shows Value of Solar in Rhode Island

Acadia Center today released a study that quantifies the grid and societal benefits of solar photovoltaic systems (solar PV) in Rhode Island. Establishing the value of distributed resources is increasingly important as states explore ways to meet energy needs and deploy clean energy resources. Acadia Center has also released Value of Solar studies for Massachusetts and Connecticut, and Maine’s Public Utilities Commission recently completed a similar type of analysis to inform decision making processes in that state.

Acadia Center assessed the grid and societal value of six solar PV systems to better understand the overall value that solar PV provides to the grid. By evaluating an array of configurations, this analysis determines that the value of solar to the grid—and ratepayers connected to the grid—ranges from 19-25 cents/kWh, with additional societal values of 7 cents/kWh.

“Solar generation is a valuable local energy resource that provides significant benefits to ratepayers,” said Abigail Anthony, Director of Acadia Center’s Grid Modernization Initiative and Rhode Island Office. Solar PV provides unique value to the electric grid by reducing energy demand, providing power during peak periods, and avoiding generation and related emissions charges from conventional power plants. The overall grid value of solar is the sum total of these different benefits.

In addition to the value that solar provides to the grid, Acadia Center’s study finds that solar PV provides broader societal benefits, including environmental gains from reduced or avoided greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. “Societal benefits should be included when assessing the overall costs and benefits of solar PV and determining additional incentives,” said Leslie Malone, Acadia Center Senior Analyst and an author of the report.

“The avoided costs and benefits add up and justify the compensation and incentives that solar PV receives through programs like the Renewable Energy Growth Program,” said Malone. Under the Renewable Energy Growth Program—which was launched in June 2015—National Grid will purchase electricity from eligible distributed generation projects in Rhode Island through a long-term contract at a guaranteed fixed price. Rhode Island also has retail rate net-metering for distributed generation, and the grid value alone supports this level of compensation.

In light of net-metering and in anticipation of the increasing amount of distributed generation in the electric system, the RI Public Utility Commission has opened a docket to assess distribution rate design and cost allocation. “We hope that having a better understanding of the value that solar provides to the grid and ratepayers will help inform this proceeding, which could be precedent-setting for other jurisdictions,” said Malone.

For more information and methodology see: http://acadiacenter.org/document/value-of-distributed-generation-solar-pv-in-ri

 

Contact:
Leslie Malone, Senior Analyst
(401) 276-0600, lmalone@acadiacenter.org

Emily Avery-Miller, External Relations Director
(617) 742-0054 x100, eavery-miller@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 real-world and comprehensive approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

Massachusetts Attorney General’s Evaluation of Gas Pipeline Alternatives Will Contribute Needed Consumer, Cost and Environmental Information

Boston, MA – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey yesterday announced that her office will lead a study of New England’s energy needs in order to evaluate options for cost-effectively meeting demand for electricity and natural gas while at the same time achieving necessary reductions in carbon pollution. The study will be completed by October, and the Attorney General’s office has called for restraint in certifying new pipeline capacity contracts until the results of the analysis are available.

“This important step by Attorney General Maura Healey reflects the changing nature of our energy system, where diverse clean energy resources can compete with fossil fuels.” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President. “Massachusetts consumers deserve this full and fair analysis before they are called upon to pay for expensive new energy projects whose need has not been determined yet. Acadia Center has been calling for this sort of analysis for over a year, and we are glad to see true leadership from the Attorney General’s Office.”

In an analysis series recently published in Commonwealth Magazine, Acadia Center described how proposals to spend up to $8 billion in ratepayers funds on new pipelines could:

  • Cause billions in stranded expenditures if natural gas prices shift
  • Lead to large-scale natural gas exports, forcing New England to compete with buyers in more expensive markets and potentially causing regional gas prices to increase by up to 45%
  • Cause the region to exceed legally required carbon pollution reductions by over 100%

Acadia Center’s analysis series also describes how the performance of the regional energy system through last winter’s record cold demonstrates the logic of prioritizing low-risk steps such as utilizing liquefied natural (LNG) gas, tweaking energy market rules, and investing in energy efficiency. Additionally, prices for LNG and oil – both of which can substitute for gas during periods of peak winter demand – have tumbled over the last year, making prior economic justifications of expanding pipeline capacity obsolete.

“With billions of dollars and billions of tons of carbon pollution on the line, we have to get the analysis right,” said Peter Shattuck, Massachusetts Director for Acadia Center. “As an advocate for ratepayers, Maura Healey is ensuring that investments benefits consumers and minimize risks of tying us to an overpriced and outdated energy system.”

Forty-Four Organizations Propose Next Generation Solar Policy Framework for Massachusetts and Call for Lifting of Net Metering Caps

Boston, MA – In advance of a hearing today on solar policy at the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee at the Massachusetts legislature, forty-four organizations, including sustainable energy and environmental advocates, solar developers, public health organizations, and community groups, are proposing the Next Generation Solar Policy Framework for Massachusetts. This framework would put us on a pathway to a self-sustaining solar industry that can help our state continue a record of success on jobs inside and outside the solar industry, meet its energy and environmental goals, and ensure all citizens and communities have access to solar resources. As a part of this framework, these organizations are also calling on the General Court and Governor Baker’s Administration to raise the net metering caps that are currently stopping community shared, low-income, municipal and other solar projects in 171 cities and towns across Massachusetts.

Today, the Massachusetts solar industry supports more than 12,000 jobs, according to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Many businesses and jobs are at risk due to net metering caps that have stalled many solar projects in National Grid’s service territory, and layoffs are already starting to take place. Legislative action is needed to lift these caps. But political leaders have made it clear that some changes to existing solar programs will need to be made at the same time.

“It is indisputable that solar power is now part of the Commonwealth’s economic and energy future.” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President. “This Framework will move us forward by providing for full and fair compensation for all parties, pivot towards a more modern and efficient rate structure, and allow continued expansion of solar as a resource for meeting local and regional energy needs.”

Key policy reforms described in the Next Generation Solar Policy Framework for Massachusetts:

  • Lift caps on solar development;
  • Preserve key aspects of Massachusetts’ net metering and virtual net metering programs;
  • Phase in new credits and charges for solar generators based on analysis of the long-run net costs and benefits of solar generation to the electric grid;
  • Establish a new “adjustable block” compensation mechanism that promotes more cost-effective solar development, provides more certainty for developers, and allows Massachusetts to pursue ambitious clean energy goals;
  • Avoid increased fixed charges and minimum bills, which penalize low-income customers and undermine efficiency incentives; and,
  • Appropriately grandfather existing projects under the policies under which they were built.

 

A range of solar organizations have united behind a set of broad principles for future solar policy in Massachusetts. The coalition behind the Next Generation Solar Policy Framework for Massachusetts builds on those shared principles by adding important details on how compensation mechanisms should be designed. The new framework preserves the best elements of the Commonwealth’s existing solar energy programs, while modifying the way that solar energy producers are compensated to more fully and fairly account for the benefits and costs that local solar resources offer to our energy grid. The framework includes a sustainable rate model for maintenance and modernization of the distribution grid.

“Critically, the Next Generation Solar Policy Framework preserves the existing virtual net metering mechanism, which gives everyone access to solar, including the 80% of households and businesses that don’t have their own sunny rooftop,” stated Emily Rochon, Director of Energy and Environmental Policy for Boston Community Capital. “Equal access to solar maximizes the potential to use solar to build healthier and more resilient communities and address the energy affordability challenges created by rising and volatile energy prices.”

Steven Strong, President of Solar Design Associates, argues: “With the International Monetary Fund recently publishing their findings that the fossil fuel industry is subsidized by over five trillion dollars a year, suggestions that solar is being unfairly subsidized are frankly absurd. We need a long-term solar policy framework that compensates the people who invest in solar fairly and fully for the value that their systems provide for all citizens of the Commonwealth and, with climate change accelerating faster than anyone thought possible, this is no time to slow down renewable energy development. While general policy goals that everyone agrees to are important, it’s also important for the legislature to get the details right in order to make sure that policy will be successful.”

“Distributed clean energy like solar is a critical component of Massachusetts’ commitment to fight climate change and reduce energy costs,” said Joel Wool, Energy Advocate with Clean Water Action. “By decentralizing power and capitalizing on free and abundant sunlight, we keep energy dollars local, stabilize prices, reduce health-threatening air pollution and distribute the economic benefits of renewable energy to communities from rural Berkshire towns to port cities on the South Coast.”

Mark LeBel, Staff Attorney at Acadia Center, who took the lead in drafting the framework said: “This proposal draws on a number of concepts shared between key stakeholders, but contributes important detail to achieve a balanced and equitable outcome, and avoids negative side effects on energy efficiency incentives and low-income customers. We look forward to continuing the discussion with all the other stakeholders. We hope the Legislature will act quickly to enact policies that will get the solar industry back to full capacity in Massachusetts and propel us into our clean energy future.”

For more information see: http://acadiacenter.org/document/next-generation-solar-policy-framework-for-ma/ 

Contact:

Mark LeBel, Staff Attorney, 617-742-0054 x104, mlebel@acadiacenter.org

Emily Avery-Miller, Director, External Relations, 617-742-0054 x100, eavery-miller@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 real-world and comprehensive approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

Acadia Center Welcomes Chuck Quintero as Clean Energy Community Engagement Director in Maine

Rockport, ME –Acadia Center is pleased to announce that Chuck Quintero is joining the organization as Director of Clean Energy Community Engagement (Maine), where his focus will be on raising awareness, network building and advancing Acadia Center’s clean energy program goals.

“We’re very excited that Chuck is joining our team. Chuck’s deep knowledge of Maine and extensive experience in state government and community outreach will contribute greatly to our work to advance a consumer-friendly, more local and clean energy system that will strengthen our communities and position Maine for a stronger economic future,” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President. “Chuck’s background makes him an informed and effective leader in Maine’s energy and policy landscape.”

Chuck comes to Acadia Center with two decades of experience in government and politics. He has extensive experience in Maine public affairs, managing multiple statewide campaigns for the Maine Democratic Party and serving in both the state’s legislative and executive branches, as chief of staff to the Senate president, a former Senate majority leader, and as a legislative liaison for former Governor John Baldacci. Chuck has coordinated event planning for the Office of the President and served in a series of positions on outreach, advance team services and communications with the New Jersey Governor’s Office and on national campaigns.

Chuck holds a B.A. in Biology from Manhattanville College and resides in Richmond, Maine with his wife and two young children.

Contact:

Daniel L. Sosland, President, Acadia Center, 207-236-6470, dsosland@acadiacenter.org

Emily Avery-Miller, Director External Relations, Acadia Center, 207-576-6550, eavery-miller@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 real-world and comprehensive approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

 

New Analysis Shows that Capping the Fixed Electric Charge at $10 Will Lower the Majority of Monthly Bills for Eversource Energy’s Residential Customers

Hartford, CT – Rebutting inaccurate information publicly provided by Eversource Energy in response to efforts to place a ceiling on fixed minimum customer charges, new analysis released today by Acadia Center shows that significantly more than half of residential customers’ monthly bills would decrease if the General Assembly enacts a $10 fixed charge cap, as proposed in pending Senate Bill 570.
Using information provided by Eversource in its 2014 rate case before the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA), Acadia Center found that:

  • All residential customers that use less electricity than the average in a given month would pay less if the fixed charge  decreases from $19.25, the existing amount, to $10, the maximum allowed under S.B. 570’s proposed cap;
  • 61% of monthly bills in Eversource’s primary residential rate class fall below the average of 730 kilowatt hours per month; and,
  • Increasing the residential fixed charge to $25.50 per month—the amount sought by Eversource in its rate case—would increase monthly bills for all customers that use less electricity than the average.

 

“Policymakers deserve to have sound facts and transparent analysis put before them on the critical issue of high fixed charges,” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President.  “An overwhelming majority of Eversource’s approximately 1 million residential customers will pay higher bills and have their incentive to use energy efficiently thwarted under Eversource’s high fixed charge rate approach.  Claims by Eversource that consumers do not stand to benefit from lower fixed monthly charges conflict with reality.”

In an email sent to state legislators on May 12, 2015, an Eversource lobbyist claimed that, “more than half of our customers would see an increase in their overall bill if the fixed charge is lowered,” and that, “a $10 fixed charge is actually more regressive than a $19.25 fixed charge.”  Eversource did not disclose the data or analysis supporting these billing impact claims, instead only releasing selective information on four residential customers with monthly energy consumption ranging from slightly above average to extremely high.
The residential billing information that Eversource submitted in its 2014 rate case does not support these claims.  Acadia Center analyzed billing frequency data submitted as an exhibit by an Eversource rate design expert and determined that a majority of residential monthly bills in the Rate 001 class—the primary residential customer class—fall below the average level of consumption.
AcadiaCenter_Chart_DistofEversource2013ResRate001MonthlyBills
The results are similar for the other two Eversource residential rate classes: 58% of monthly bills in Rate 005, a closed electric heating class, fall below the 1103 kWh average and 64% of monthly bills in Rate 007, a very small time-of-use class, fall below the 1060 kWh average.

Acadia Center then analyzed three fixed charge scenarios to reveal the monthly billing impact on Eversource’s residential customers.  The three scenarios were:  (1) leaving the fixed charge at its current amount of $19.25 per month; (2) reducing it to $10 per month, which would be the maximum allowed under S.B. 570; and (3) increasing it to $25.50 per month, the amount sought by Eversource in its 2014 rate case.  The results prove that high fixed charges are more regressive than low fixed charges, as the billing impact on low-use customers increases as the fixed charge increases.
AcadiaCenter_Chart_CTResFixedChargeScenarios
“The math is undeniable,” said William E. Dornbos, Acadia Center CT Director and Senior Attorney. “More residential bills will go down if the General Assembly acts to cap these excessive and ever-increasing fixed charges.  We need to end our overreliance on this regressive way to price electricity, and so we urge the General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 570 this session.”

In a handout distributed to legislators earlier this month, Eversource also claimed that low-income hardship customers had average electricity usage between 750 and 1100 kilowatt hours per month, implying that any decrease in the fixed charge would burden them disproportionately.

“In reviewing the transcripts from Eversource’s rate case, we noticed that their testimony on this point is in direct conflict with the handout’s claim,” said Jamie Howland, Acadia Center’s Director of Climate and Energy Analysis.  “An Eversource rate design witness testified that average hardship customers actually used less than the overall average for each residential class.”
AcadiaCenter_Chart_AvgMonthlyElectricUsageEversourceHardshipandAllCustomers
Acadia Center also researched publicly-available data on the relationship between income level and electricity use and found that there is a strong correlation between the two factors, as shown in the following chart.
AcadiaCenter_Chart_NEResidentialElectricConsumption
“What this correlation means is that low-income households in Connecticut will, on the whole, benefit from any reduction in the fixed charge,” said Howland.  “It’s always possible to pick outlier examples when analyzing rate design scenarios, but the best way to evaluate billing impacts is by customer class, not through selective customer anecdotes.”
“We believe that the facts demonstrate that capping the fixed charge in Connecticut at $10 will benefit a majority of customers and support public policy goals,” said Sosland. “It is important that policy decisions be made based on accurate information.  Our goal with this analysis is to contribute to an open and honest debate about this issue.”

[Above referenced Eversource 2014 rate case testimony can be found here]
Background on the Fixed Charge in Connecticut
A fixed charge is a monthly flat minimum charge on a customer’s electricity account, sometimes called a customer service charge. The fixed charge should be an accurate calculation of the minimum, short-term fixed cost of connecting a customer to the grid. These costs should be limited to the cost of the customer’s meter, service drop, and metering and billing.
Most major utilities in New England (outside of Connecticut) have residential fixed charges in the $5-10 range.  Notably, the three Massachusetts operating units of NSTAR Electric (now part of Eversource) have residential fixed charges of $6.43, $6.87, and $3.73 per month.  Western Massachusetts Electric Co., also part of Eversource, charges $6 per month.  The region’s other major multi-state utility, National Grid, has residential fixed charges of $4 and $5 in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, respectively.
The residential fixed charges of Eversource Energy (formerly Northeast Utilities and its local subsidiary, Connecticut Light & Power) and United Illuminating are, respectively, the highest and the second highest in New England for any major electric utility.  Eversource’s is now $19.25 per month, a twenty percent increase over the previous amount.  UI’s is now $17.25 per month. Eversource’s residential fixed charge was last in the reasonable range in 2007, when it was $9.99 per month.   Since 2004, both utilities have increased their residential fixed charges at a pace more than four times faster than the cumulative rate of inflation for that same time period.
Both utilities can be expected to seek additional increases in their next rate cases (possibly 2016 or 2017).  In its 2014 rate case, Eversource proposed a residential fixed charge of $25.50, while asserting that its analysis showed it was actually entitled to a $34.96 charge.

Contact

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

Emily Avery-Miller, Director External Relations, Acadia Center, 617-742-0054 x100, eavery-miller@acadiacenter.org

 

Download here:

052015_AcadiaCenter_PressRelease_CTFixedChargeScenarios_Final

Groups Call for Key RGGI Program Updates

Environmental organizations and clean energy businesses today released a document calling on member states of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI, pronounced “Reggie”) to pursue reforms to make the program stronger and meet the requirements of EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP).

The document outlines principles to guide RGGI states’ upcoming 2016 Program Review, where potential modifications to current program rules will be considered.

Before describing reforms, the groups cite successes of RGGI to-date, including a 45% reduction in GHG emissions, $630 million in energy efficiency funding, and $2.3 billion in consumer savings.

“Modifications to RGGI will build on the many successes that the program has already had, and ensure that we continue to see CO2 emissions decline and investments in clean energy increase,” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President.

Signatory groups focus on three key principles to be addressed during the 2016 Program Review:

  • Extending the RGGI cap to at least 2030 in order to provide additional clarity to the market and match EPA’s timeline for achievement of CPP targets;
  • Correcting the cap reduction trajectory to deliver necessary long term emissions reductions; and,
  • Revising or removing the Cost Containment Reserve to ensure achievement of emissions reduction targets.

 

Additional topics addressed include accounting for renewables, the role of offsets, and pathways for other states to participate in RGGI.

“With final EPA targets set to be released this summer, these changes will allow the RGGI states to demonstrate that the program can meet federal requirements, while providing a clear blueprint for other states wishing to adopt emissions trading programs,” said Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst at Acadia Center.

For more information see: http://acadiacenter.org/document/RGGI-2016-program-review-principles

 
Contact:
Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst, Acadia Center
(617) 742-0054 x105, jstutt@acadiacenter.org

Emily Avery-Miller, Dir. External Relations, Acadia Center
(617) 742-0054 x100, eavery-miller@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 real-world and comprehensive approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

New Study Shows Value of Solar for Massachusetts

Acadia Center today released a study that quantifies the grid and societal benefits of solar photovoltaic systems (solar PV) in Massachusetts. Establishing the value of distributed resources is increasingly important as states explore ways to meet energy needs and deploy clean energy resources. Acadia Center has also released a Value of Solar study for Connecticut, and Maine ‘s Public Utilities Commission recently completed a similar type of analysis.

Acadia Center assessed the value of six hypothetical solar PV system configurations to better understand the overall value that solar PV provides to the grid. By evaluating an array of configurations, this analysis determines that the value of solar to the grid—and ratepayers connected to the grid—ranges from 22-28 cents/kWh, with additional societal values of 6.7 cents/kWh.

“Solar generation is a valuable local energy resource that provides significant benefits to ratepayers,” said Jamie Howland, Director of Acadia Climate and Energy Analysis (CLEAN) Center. Solar PV provides unique value to the electric grid by producing clean energy and avoiding generation and related emissions from conventional power plants. The overall grid value of solar is the sum total of these different benefits.

The benefits vary based on the time and location of output from solar panels. Acadia Center examined these variations in the study, including the impacts of orientation (i.e. west- or south-facing arrays) on the value of solar PV. One key finding is that under traditional net metering, west-facing arrays—which maximize output during periods of peak demand—would receive approximately 20% less credit than a comparable south-facing system, despite the fact that they produce approximately the same overall value to the grid.

In addition to value to the grid, Acadia Center’s study finds that solar PV provides broader societal advantages, such as environmental benefits from avoided greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. “Societal benefits should be used when assessing the overall costs and benefits of solar PV and determining additional incentives,” said Leslie Malone, Acadia Center Senior Analyst and an author of the report.

The report provides information that is relevant for the Net Metering and Solar Task Force in Massachusetts, which will conclude its work at the end of April. “Having a better understanding of the value of solar PV and its components will help the task force and policy makers recommend and advance policies that help to encourage deployment of this clean energy resource,” said Mark LeBel, Staff Attorney with Acadia Center and the organization’s Massachusetts lead on solar policy.

For more information see: www.acadiacenter.org/document/value-of-solar-massachusetts

 

Contact:
Leslie Malone, Senior Analyst, Acadia Center,
(401) 276-0600, lmalone@acadiacenter.org

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

Emily Avery-Miller, Dir. External Relations, Acadia Center
(617) 742-0054 x001, eavery-miller@acadiacenter.org

RGGI Would Boost VA Economy and Meet Future Climate Goals

Participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) would bring significant benefits to Virginia, according to analysis released today by Acadia Center. Acadia Center has been tracking RGGI since the program’s launch in 2009, and drew on this expertise to arrive at the following key findings:

  • RGGI provides a flexible, straightforward mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  • Participating in RGGI would enable Virginia to meet Environmental Protection Agency requirements to reduce GHG emissions from power plants.
  • RGGI would raise $2.8 billion by 2030 for Virginia to reinvest in complimentary consumer and climate programs

“RGGI has been successful in the states that currently participate.  It is helping to reduce carbon emissions, while offering a demonstrated record of advancing economic development, and saving consumers money on energy,” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President.

“RGGI has received significant attention and growing support as a means of reducing climate pollution and helping to protect the state from sea level rise and other damaging effects of climate change,” said Dawone Robinson of Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “This analysis helps show why RGGI is the right solution for Virginia.”

Virginia needs a plan for cutting greenhouse gas pollution from major generators to meet the federal requirements of EPA’s Clean Power Plan.  A recent study by the regional grid operator PJM showed that a multi-state program—like RGGI—was the most cost-effective way for Virginia and other PJM states to meet the regulations.

“The RGGI program is well-established and has a track record of results: driving down emissions and bringing in revenue and other economic benefits. The numbers clearly show how much Virginia and other states could gain by joining,” said Stutt.

The current RGGI states have used the majority of revenue raised through the program to invest in energy efficiency and clean energy programs, which have generated $3.40-$3.70 in economic growth for every $1 invested. Revenue can also be used to meet local needs such as adaptation planning or investment in diversifying Southwest Virginia’s economy and retraining its workforce.

For more information see: http://acadiacenter.org/document/va-and-rggi-compliance-with-clean-power-plan/

Contact:

Emily Avery-Miller, Director External Relations, Acadia Center, 617-742-0054 x100, eavery-miller@acadiacenter.org
Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst, Acadia Center, 617-742-0054 x105, jstutt@acadiacenter.org
Dawone Robinson, Virginia Policy Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, 804-767-0372, dawone@chesapeakeclimate.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.

 

Connecticut Energy Efficiency Programs Empowering and Benefiting Consumers

Connecticut’s 2014 energy efficiency programs for natural gas and electricity will save consumers nearly $1 billion. The official savings were released recently, and the benefits will be accumulated over the lifetime of the 2014 investments.

“Energy efficiency programs are empowering Connecticut consumers to control their energy use and costs,” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President. “The 2014 results show the potential for efficiency as a first resource to meet the state’s energy needs.”

“One of the best benefits of these programs is that they help consumers with the challenge of high winter energy costs,” said William E. Dornbos, Senior Attorney at Acadia Center and Chair of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board, a stakeholder body which advises the utilities on the state’s energy efficiency plan. Throughout 2014, the Energy Efficiency Board worked with the utilities to mitigate the anticipated consumer impact of the current winter season by accelerating LED lighting options, helping big facilities cut energy loads, and getting the word out to continue to increase participation in the programs.

“Bringing demand down through efficiency programs helps everyone on the grid,” said Dornbos, “and consumers are already enjoying the benefits of that this winter.”

Connecticut invested over $220 million in cost-effective electric and natural gas efficiency in 2014—an investment that, if not made, would have required the state’s energy consumers to purchase more expensive energy supply, much of it imported from out-of-state. This is year two in a three-year efficiency plan. Other benefits of the current 2013-2015 plan include:

  • lifetime dollar savings for consumers of $978.3 million (from 2014 investments) and $630 million (from 2013 investments);
  • three-year demand savings equivalent to building a 143 MW power plant;
  • electric energy savings of 4.2 billion kilowatt hours over the lifetime of the 2014 investment; ;
  • increased market penetration of highly efficient LED lighting by 175% in 2014;
  • energy system benefits of $2.40 for every $1 invested in electric, natural gas, propane, and oil heat efficiency measures—a return on investment of 140% across all fuels; and
  • lifetime avoided greenhouse gas emissions of over 3.2 million tons from the 2014 investments alone (about the same as removing 466,259 cars from the road for a year)

For more details on the energy efficiency programs and results, see the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board 2014 Program and Operations Report

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Energy Efficiency Board, utilities and state leaders to move toward capturing all cost-effective efficiency, and keep Connecticut on this path of strong investments with big consumer rewards,” said Sosland.

Contact:

William Dornbos, Senior Attorney, Acadia Center, 860-246-7121 x202, wdornbos@acadiacenter.org

Emily Avery-Miller, Director External Relations, Acadia Center, 617-742-0054 x100, eavery-miller@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 real-world and comprehensive approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.

Boston, MA / Hartford, CT / New York, NY / Providence, RI / Rockport, ME / Ottawa, ON, Canada

admin@acadiacenter.org / www.acadiacenter.org / Daniel L. Sosland, President