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Incisive commentary from RAP experts
RAP experts keep their finger on the pulse of the energy sector and provide timely analysis of topics impacting stakeholders TODAY.
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November 14, 2023
Introducing RAP’s new look and improved website
At the Regulatory Assistance Project, we have always been guided by a vision where clean, sustainable energy is a reality in our world. In many ways, this is a vision of a changing world. As RAP helps governments improve and… View Summary +
August 16, 2023
The IRA Includes a Big Push for Heat Pumps, But States Can Do Even More
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) became law one year ago, on August 16, 2022. Its billions in investment for the clean energy transition includes considerable resources to spur heat pump adoption across the country. But how much of an… View Summary +
June 30, 2023
Business as usual? Heating and cooling in the EU’s updated Renewable Energy Directive
On 28 June, a committee made up of members of European Parliament finally signed off on a new EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), the landmark law that aims to speed up the deployment of renewable energy across the EU. View Summary +
June 23, 2023
From the Ground Up: Rural Electric Co-ops Can Lead on Decarbonization
- Megan Anderson ,
- Ken Colburn ,
- Camille Kadoch
With the Biden-Harris administration’s recent announcement of $11 billion for rural energy providers to electrify and decarbonize, rural electric cooperatives now have the boost they need to apply their nimble capabilities and lead the energy transition. Although energy… View Summary +
May 1, 2023
To Save Energy, Cities Turn to Building Performance Standards
- Kim Cheslak ,
- Erin Beddingfield ,
- Camille Kadoch
When homes and buildings are first constructed, they must meet the building code in place at the time of construction. The median age of U.S. homes is 39 years, which means that most homes are decades out… View Summary +
March 15, 2023
Building for the future: How can cities prepare for transportation electrification?
- Julia Hildermeier ,
- Marion Pignel ,
- Thomas Lymes
For cities, the fast growth of electric vehicles (EVs) is a challenge and an opportunity. In the process of becoming cleaner and smarter, cities face a two-fold challenge: First, they are promoting a shift towards more sustainable modes of transport… View Summary +
February 27, 2023
To Serve Everyone, IRA’s Climate Grants Need Inclusive Participation
As expansive and even overwhelming as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) seems to be, it is important to remember that the IRA authorizes a number of different programs that will benefit states — programs, for example, that may… View Summary +
February 9, 2023
让热泵“热”起来
- Pengfei Xie
热泵作为节能、高效的可再生能源利用技术设备,正逐渐为决策者和民众所认知。在“双碳”目标及能源危机的背景下,热泵的作用进一步凸显。但要激发其巨大的市场潜力,仍需更多配套政策支持。 2022年9月,睿博能源智库(RAP)专家与合作伙伴在《自然》杂志能源子刊发表“全球热泵市场升温”(“Heating up… View Summary +
November 29, 2022
Hybrid Heat: the Cool Path to Home Heating
The opportunity: If the over 50 million US homes that have central air conditioning and a separate heating system just replaced their AC with a look-alike and more efficient “two-way” heat pump unit, those households could not only cool over… View Summary +
October 27, 2022
Making the last mile electric
- Julia Hildermeier ,
- Hussein Basma
E-commerce has grown significantly during the COVID crisis, recording a 15% increase in activity and delivery traffic in urban areas between 2019 and 2021. Replacing diesel delivery trucks with battery-electric trucks can help cut harmful emissions and local… View Summary +