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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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April 24, 2017
Getting More Mileage from State VW Settlement Funds
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice reached an unprecedented settlement in Volkswagen’s enforcement case, in which the automaker was found to have cheated on vehicle emissions tests. Under the $14.7 billion settlement, VW is required to: Create… View Summary +
April 19, 2017
Customizing Decoupling for Your State
Since its formation over a hundred years ago, the electric utility industry in the United States, and the regulatory framework that governs it, has traditionally operated under the core principle that if you sell more electrons, you earn more money. View Summary +
April 5, 2017
Retooling Regulation: Breaking the Trail Forward
- Christopher James ,
- Ken Colburn
In our prior Retooling Regulation posts, we illuminated the need to integrate energy and environmental regulatory planning processes, spotlighted recommended steps to do so via a process we’ve dubbed “E-Merge,” and considered the legality of such an… View Summary +
March 7, 2017
Preparing for Emergencies with Wind, Solar, Energy Storage, and Microgrids
- John Shenot
Resilience is a character trait that is universally admired and respected in people. In recent years, it has also gained attention as a new imperative for infrastructure planning and development. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy and other recent natural… View Summary +
February 9, 2017
Utilities Can Get a “LEG” Up with Beneficial Electrification—But Regulators Also Have to be Ready
- Ken Colburn ,
- Richard Sedano
In a series of blog posts over the last several weeks, RAP has spotlighted the opportunities associated with beneficial electrification—the practice of electrifying appliances and machines that are currently powered by fossil fuels. Embracing beneficial electrification provides a significant opportunity… View Summary +
February 1, 2017
Beneficial Electrification: A Growth Opportunity
- Ken Colburn
In the first blog post in this series, we observed that rapid power sector transformation presents challenges but also opportunities for utilities. As older, inflexible resources are retired, cleaner, more distributed resources are being deployed by companies and customers… View Summary +
January 24, 2017
Beneficial Electrification: A Key to Better Grid Management
- Ken Colburn
As highlighted in our earlier post, Beneficial Electrification: Opportunity Knocks for Utilities, the power sector is rapidly transforming. Today’s older, inflexible resources are being retired, the grid is becoming more flexible, resources are getting cleaner and more distributed, and… View Summary +
January 19, 2017
States will Decide Future of U.S. Energy
- Frederick Weston
With the coming change of administration in the U.S., speculation on the future of the Clean Power Plan (CPP) is running high. During the campaign, the president-elect made his views on climate change—it’s a hoax perpetrated by China—perfectly clear; and,… View Summary +
January 9, 2017
Beneficial Electrification: Opportunity Knocks for Utilities
- Ken Colburn
It is increasingly apparent that power sector transformation isn’t happening in the future; it’s occurring now. Already, resources are cleaner and more distributed, previously docile customers are actively seeking opportunities to save, consume, and even produce energy in new ways,… View Summary +
December 13, 2016
Retooling Regulation: Is Integrating Energy and Environmental Regulation Legal?
- Christopher James ,
- Ken Colburn
Broad state authority under the Clean Air Act means regulatory reforms would likely be permitted This is the third of RAP’s four-part series on the merits of greater integration of energy and environmental planning and regulation. The first piece… View Summary +