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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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Keeping the Door Open to the Public Interest: What PUCs Can Do
“We should be creative, and we should accommodate the needs of every community to open up the process. We should make it easy and accessible for every citizen to participate.” As this quote from the late Rep. John Lewis emphasizes,… View Summary +
The Future of Heat: Cooperating to Promote Heat Pump Adoption in the Midwest
Can states team up to better understand the benefits and challenges that efficient electrification through heat pump adoption can produce for their citizens and economies? Earlier this fall in the first in a series of webinars, Federal Dollars, State… View Summary +
How Many EVs Participate in Utility-Managed Charging Programs: the Minnesota PUC’s Solution
Most utility regulators understand that managed charging for light-duty electric vehicles (EVs) is really important. Instead of EVs charging at high-use times when serving customers is more expensive, charging can readily be moved to other times of the day when… View Summary +
Getting Heat Pump Incentives Right: Another Look at the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act
In December 2023, RAP and CLASP published “Accelerating Heat Pump Adoption through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Complementary Policies.” Using a modified U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) model, the authors analyzed the impacts of incentives on heat… View Summary +
New Report Shows the Diversity of Clean Energy Siting Policies and Permitting Authorities Across the Country
Across the United States, support for renewable energy is growing. Public opinion surveys regularly show that most Americans see the development of lower-emission energy sources as a priority. The U.S. government is looking to keep up this momentum to… View Summary +
What’s the Buzz? Ground-Truthing Cold-Climate Heat Pump Performance
I live in Missoula, Montana, a small college town tucked into the Rocky Mountains. We’re known for our outdoor access, not for our burgeoning restaurant scene. So when a new spot opens, there’s usually a lot of buzz. It’s exciting… View Summary +
Cold-Climate Heat Pumps Pass the Ultimate Test: a Maine Winter
Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat, making them an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. In 2019, the state of Maine made residential heat pumps a core piece of its climate strategy and set a goal… View Summary +
Risky Reliability: Will Regulators Address the Price Risk of the Next Generation of Gas Power Plants?
Thanks to an increase in manufacturing development, electricity demand is rising faster than expected in the Southeast. As a result, Duke, Georgia Power and TVA are asking their regulators to approve a series of new gas-fired generators using reliability and… View Summary +
The History of Heat Pumps: Technology Advances to Meet the Cold-Climate Challenge
Heat pumps — all-electric, super-efficient temperature control appliances that can both heat and cool indoor spaces — are a key to decarbonizing heating, especially as the grid is served increasingly by carbon-free resources. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the… View Summary +
Addressing the Problem: Controlling Your Water Heater for Consumer Savings and Load Flexibility
In early January, I sat in my apartment as the winter’s first true cold snap ripped through Montana. It was negative 10 degrees out, with wind chills pushing temperatures even lower. I shivered at the idea of getting my next… View Summary +
