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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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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 +
RGGI’s 2023 Program Review: An Opportunity for Frontline Communities (Part 2)
Part 1 of this blog highlighted the foresight of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative founders. These air and energy regulators acknowledged their uncertainty as to all the effects this new program might have on electricity ratepayers, and developed an… View Summary +
RGGI’s 2023 Program Review: An Opportunity for Frontline Communities (Part 1)
When the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s program review comes around, many of us at RAP think of it as a cause for celebration. Now, that may be because we are environmental protection and administrative law nerds. View Summary +
Getting the Job Done: Insights on Developing the Heat Pump Workforce
In the coming years, states will need to expand their skilled workforce in order to meet the increasing demand for heat pumps and other electrification measures, especially as new federal funds become available. To help state decision-makers determine which approaches… View Summary +
