Annual Report 2014
Eversource CT Residential Fixed Charge Public Materials and Rate Case Testimony
Acadia Center analysis of actual impacts of fixed charge scenarios using evidence and testimony submitted by Eversource in its 2014 rate case
Letter: Capturing the Economic, Environmental, and Public Health Benefits of Electric Vehicles
Even at current gas prices, driving an EV instead of a conventional car can save a consumer thousands of dollars in fuel costs over the life of the vehicle. These savings on fuel purchases give consumers more money to spend in local economies and decrease our dependence on oil. Air pollution from cars, trucks, and buses is linked to asthma attacks, heart attacks, other health complications, and premature deaths. Since EVs have little or no conventional tailpipe emissions, they can be a key component to improving health outcomes and reducing costs to treat illnesses caused or worsened by this pollution. EVs also have significant climate benefits.
MA Electric Vehicles Docket Comments
Acadia Center recommends the following:
- There is a wide range of information about EV charging that could aid distribution company planning. At a minimum, disclosure of vehicle registry information with appropriate privacy protections should take place either informally or put into statute. Disclosure of significant EV charging installations could be addressed in electric tariffs but may be more desirable to put into statute.
- NSTAR Electric’s EV pilot program should not be offered to all customers at this time. The Department should order the creation of a simultaneous pilot on residential EV-specifictime-of-use rates and direct each distribution company to lay out options for a whole-house time-of-use rate offering. If the pilots are conducted expeditiously, the Department should be able to decide what combination of programs should be made available to all customers in late 2015 or early 2016. This more general offering should serve both as an incentive for EV adoption and as an incentive for EV owners to charge at times when impact on the grid will be low.
- The Department should adopt a rate pilot to reform demand charges for DC fast chargers similar to the Connecticut Light and Power pilot approved in June 2014, with consideration of alterations to prevent unreasonable cross-subsidization. This will make investment in the critical network of public DC fast charging economically feasible in the short term, and allow for the collection of data to consider broader reforms, such as a designated rate class for DC fast chargers.
- The Department should conduct a study on vehicle-grid integration and lay out a roadmap on long-term policy choices, either independently or in conjunction with the Department of Energy Resources.
Energy Efficiency Engine of Economic Growth in Canada
Other assessments of energy efficiency programs show large direct savings to consumers and growth in energy service jobs. By looking at the broader, macroeconomic impacts of those savings, Acadia Center’s modeling study shows that the energy savings generated by efficiency programs frees up money for new spending (in the residential sector) and promotes increased competitiveness and output among businesses and industry. This translates into significant economic growth and job creation potential.
Maine Distributed Solar Valuation Methodology -Comments on Draft
Acadia Center respectfully submits its comments in response to the draft Maine Distributed Solar Valuation Methodology of October 23, 2014. As a non-profit, research and advocacy organization committed to advancing the clean energy future, Acadia Center supports the Commission’s investigation in the value of distributed solar energy generation in Maine, and appreciates the opportunity to engage in this proceeding. In general, Acadia Center supports the approach outlined by the Commission’s consultants, and offers the following comments to help further refine the draft methodology. Acadia Center looks forward to the opportunity to review and comment on the final draft methodology as well as the Commission’s recommendations for increasing the deployment of distributed solar generation in Maine.
MA Low Demand Analysis Comments
The organizations welcome the opportunity to submit initial comments on the design of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Low Demand Analysis. We look forward to continuing engagement as Massachusetts evaluates benefits and costs associated with energy resources and policies capable of meeting our energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing consumer risk.
NY REV Joint Reply Comments on DPS Staff Straw Proposal on Track One
Reply comments regarding the Track One Staff Straw Proposal (“Straw Proposal”) issued on August 22, 2014 in the Public Service Commission’s Reforming the Energy Vision (“REV”) proceeding. Comments highlight consumer concerns, energy efficiency recommendations, and energy storage recommendations.
RGGI A Successful Carbon Pricing Program
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cap-and-trade system in North America. The program has been in place since 2009 and regulates fossil fuel-powered electric generating plants in nine Northeast and mid-Atlantic states.1 The RGGI region had a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approximately $2.6 trillion in 2012—four times that of Ontario and almost 50% more than the entire Canadian economy in the same year
New Jersey and RGGI Potential Benefits of Renewed Participation
In late 2011 the Christie Administration announced New Jersey’s withdrawal from the program after three years of participation. As a result, New Jersey’s power plants are no longer governed by a limit on the amount of carbon pollution they can produce. At the same time, the state no longer receives any revenue resulting from the sale of pollution allowances required in participating states – limiting the state’s ability to invest in clean energy initiatives. As a result, the state is missing out on an opportunity to reduce energy bills and create jobs.