RAP Library

West Policy Grid through 2010

Southeast Policy Grid through 2010

Mid-Atlantic Policy Grid through 2010

Midwest Policy Grid through 2010

Northeast Policy Grid through 2010

Clean Energy Standards: State and Federal Policy Options and Implications

This report introduces stakeholders to the concept of a Clean Energy Standard (CES), a type of electricity portfolio standard that would set aggregate targets for the level of clean energy that electric utilities would need to sell while giving electric utilities flexibility by: (1) defining clean energy more broadly than just renewables, and (2) allowing for market-based credit trading to facilitate lower-cost compliance. As a concept, a CES builds on the successful experience of the majority of states that have implemented renewable and alternative energy portfolio standards and draws on a history of federal policy deliberation regarding national electricity portfolio standards. The report explains how a CES works, describes the benefits that a CES can deliver, and explores federal and subnational options for CES policies. It also explores some of the nuances of CES policy design and the implications of different design choices. This discussion can help state and federal policymakers, utility regulators, and other stakeholders decide whether a CES is an appealing option and help state stakeholders understand the potential impacts of a federal CES on their states so that they might formulate and communicate federal CES policy design preferences.

Who Should Deliver Ratepayer Funded Energy Efficiency? A 2011 Update

This report describes policy options and approaches for administering ratepayer-funded electric energy efficiency programs in US states. It reviews how states have administered energy efficiency programs to learn what lessons their experience offers, and describes the most important factors states should consider with different administrative models. State legislators and utility regulators will find this report useful as they consider ways for energy efficiency administration to be more effective, both in states that are considering the question for the first time, and in more experienced states that are implementing significant increases in their savings goals. RAP’s first version of this report was written in 2003.

Climate-Friendly Air Quality Management: Strategies for Co-Control

Climate-friendly air quality management refers to techniques, policies, and regulations that promote concurrent reductions of criteria and toxic pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Recent studies have shown that significant benefits can be achieved through integrating climate change mitigation and air quality improvement efforts. Recognizing the linkages between controlling local air pollution and GHGs can help air regulators leverage the political momentum and financial resources that currently back the low-carbon agenda. An air quality action plan that is designed to simultaneously achieve significant reductions in GHGs can contribute to meeting climate change goals, can offer more benefit to the broader society, and can stand to garner greater support across government agencies and sectors. This paper explores the implications of the May 11, 2010 Regional Air Quality Management Rule (RAQM) and presents a range of information and policy options to help local, regional, and central-level air quality planners in China and around the world.