Vermont Mediated Modeling

The Vermont Mediated Modeling Project is a collaborative process in which a broad group of stakeholders are working together to build a system dynamics model of the Vermont electric industry. With that model, the various stakeholders hope to draw insights on the distinct choices for future electric resource investments to serve Vermont's needs. RAP is an advisor to the process. Hear more about it here.

RAP Supports EPA Partnership States

The Regulatory Assistance Project is working with the US Environmental Protection Agency to support New Jersey, New Mexico, Arkansas and Minnesota in looking at energy efficiency. Details about the Arkansas docket can be found here.

Integrated Resource Planning State Surveys

The Regulatory Assistance Project is in the process of conducting State surveys on Electric Resource Long-range Planning. As state surveys are completed, they will be posted on the IRP Survey Feature Page.

Mid-Atlantic Distributed Resources Initiative

The Mid-Atlantic Distributed Resources Initiative is a many-stakeholder collaborative process created to promote and accelerate cost-effective deployment of distributed resources in the Mid-Atlantic States. RAP is facilitating the project, and is providing technical assistance on several issues, including regulatory and environmental policy. MADRI meets roughly once every five to six weeks. Details on the MADRI process are on its website.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

RAP is participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), convened by the Governors of nine Northeast states, to create a regional cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas emissions from the region's power sector. RAP has been appointed to the Resources Panel advising the RGGI stakeholder process, and will be working on emissions allocations, regulatory and power market policies, and policy coordination with the region's utility regulators. .

Western Multi-State Entities Project

RAP assisted the Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB) in evaluating the form and scope of potential multi-state entities designed to coordinate and integrate planning and operation of the electric grid throughout the Western interconnection. This project was managed by RAP Associate Bob Anderson. This work was conducted under a contract with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories and funded by US DOE.

New England Demand Response Initiative

RAP recently completed work on the New England Demand Response Initiative (NEDRI). NEDRI addressed the need for integrating demand response programs into the ISO-New England operational and planning processes. Much of the work of NEDRI has been embraced by the FERC. More information is available on our feature page for New England Demand Response Iniative.

Transmission Siting Initiative

RAP is assisting the National Council on Electric Policy with an assessment of existing transmission siting processes and proposals to improve siting regulations. The Council is made up of state legislators, state utility regulators, and state energy office directors. Staff from U.S. DOE, U.S. EPA and FERC also participate.

The Transmission Siting Initiative is designed to determine more effective transmission siting processes for the U.S., and promote and facilitate their implementation. By effective, we mean increasing the likelihood that needed projects will be built. Areas of inquiry will include: state regulatory processes, utility planning and project development processes, the process of multiple states collaborating in siting matters, system planning and the development of alternative solutions to system needs.

RAP is particularly interested in this initiative because it provides the opportunity to make wholesale power markets work more effectively, as well as the opportunity to value all electric system resources more accurately, including demand side and distributed resources. There will be three regional workshops for transmission siting stakeholders during the second quarter of 2004, which will be attended by invitation. For more information, contact Richard Sedano or check the website of the National Council on Electric Policy.

Advising Rhode Island PUC on Energy Efficiency Incentives

Aligning the incentives of the utility with the public interest is an objective of many state regulators. Recently the Rhode Island PUC became interested in developing a system of incentives that would cause energy efficiency program outcomes to be more in line with the commission's priorities and expectations.

RAP was hired in the Fall of 2002 to advise the PUC and Narragansett Electric in a docket on this subject. RAP assisted the utility in developing new performance indicators that would measure energy efficiency performance in ways valuable to both the utility and the regulator. A new set of performance indicators and incentives is now in place. During 2004, the incentive system will be evaluated by the PUC, with the continued involvement of RAP. See the Rhode Island documents on our Performance Based Regulation page, or contact Richard Sedano for more information.

Canadian Association of Members of Public Utility Tribunals

RAP is working with Summit Blue Consulting on a project to provide insight to Canadian utility regulators on energy efficiency and demand response. RAP and Summit Blue are doing extensive interviews with US and Canadian experts in and out of government, and will provide insight into how to determine appropriate objectives for these resources.

RAP Assisting China's SERC

RAP is continuing its participation in The Energy Foundation's China Sustainable Energy Program in Beijing. With an expanded presence on the ground, we are working closely with Chinese officials assisting in the establishment of a new electric regulator. In September, we conducted a workshop for the State Electric Regulatory Commission (SERC) in Beijing. David Moskovitz of RAP is pictured here with Vice Premier Huang Ju who attended the workshop.