Multi-State Zero-Emission Vehicles Action Plan

On October 24, 2013, the governors of California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) committing to coordinated action to ensure the successful implementation of their state zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) programs. The signatory governors created a multi-state ZEV Program Implementation Task Force and called for the development of this action plan.

Recommendations for Analysis in Natural Gas Expansion Study

We would like to thank the Department of Energy Resources and Sussex Economic Advisors for conducting stakeholder outreach as a part of the Natural Gas Expansion Study. While we understand the Department’s interest in moving forward expeditiously, the currently contemplated pace risks sacrificing the accuracy and validity of the study results. We urge the Department to provide Sussex with additional time to gather the necessary data and resources to complete the study. In addition, we offer the following recommendations:

Letter on 2015-2017 Energy Efficiency Savings Targets

Letter from the Rhode Island Energy Efficiency Resource Management Council (EERMC) to the Department of Public Utilities. High-level savings targets for natural gas and electric energy efficiency for 2015-2017.

Forecasting Distributed Generation Resources in New England

The key findings of this study include the following:

  • The ISO forecasts that approximately 800 MW of solar PV will be installed in New England by 2021. It has not yet presented any estimates of other types of DG.
  • Research shows that significantly more DG resources—mostly solar PV—are likely to be installed by 2021. Several states have already installed more DG than the ISO estimates will be installed by 2021, and the remaining states are planning to install significantly more DG than the ISO is predicting by 2021.

Prepared by Synapse for the E4 Group: ENE [now Acadia Center], Conservation Law  Foundation, GridSolar LLC, Industrial Energy Consumer Group, Maine Public Advocate, Natural Resources Council of Maine

Maine Omnibus Energy Bill Summary

On June 7, 2013 the Maine House and Senate voted by overwhelming margins to enact “An Act to Reduce Energy Costs, Increase Energy Efficiency, Promote Electric System Reliability and Protect the Environment,” (“Omnibus Energy Bill,” L.D. 1559).

Economic Benefits of RGGI

Greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in the region have dropped significantly since RGGI was formed. Meanwhile, revenue from auctions of allowances (permits to emit CO2) has been invested in energy efficiency and other consumer programs that reduce energy costs while increasing economic output and employment. RGGI-funded energy efficiency programs reduce expenditures for fossil fuels imported to generate power, thus making states more competitive while reducing carbon emissions.

RGGI Auction Tracker

The first part of this document provides background on RGGI through the latest allowance auction, including descriptions of common allowance allocations.
The second part of the document (beginning on page 3) provides detailed analysis of allocations and auction proceeds distribution plans for each state

Ontario Carbon Pricing Letter

The undersigned organizations and individuals – representing a broad cross section of Ontario-based investors, industry, academics, and civil society – recognize the significant risks that climate change poses to our province and urge the Government of Ontario to work with stakeholders to establish meaningful policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors of the economy.

New England Reliability and Transmission Planning

ClimateVision 2020

ClimateVision 2020 is an online resource: http://climatevision.acadiacenter.org/