National environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and Clean Water Act (CWA), are dynamic and require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regularly update pollution standards. As a result, these regulations routinely change in ways that state public utility commissions (PUCs) must consider. Commissioners must find ways to ensure resource adeq... Read More

Energy efficiency is widely recognized as a low-cost, readily available resource that provides benefits to utility customers and to society as a whole. One of the most effective means of capturing energy efficiency resources is establishing an energy efficiency obligation (EEO). An energy efficiency obligation (EEO) is a regulatory mechanism that requires obligat... Read More

RAP, in partnership with the Beijing office of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), develops and presents trainings in China on demand-side management (DSM) and energy efficiency. Following the January 2011 implementation of China’s energy efficiency obligation, the need for training has greatly increased. China’s two large grid companies, whi... Read More

In November 2010, China joined many other countries around the world in placing an energy efficiency obligation on the two large grid companies that supply electricity to end-use customers. The obligation, known as the DSM Rule, defines energy efficiency as a resource and states that efficiency should be given priority over supply-side investments to meet electri... Read More

In comments, filed in August 2012, with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) in its Project 40000, Proceeding to Ensure Resource Adequacy in Texas, RAP recommends that the state consider adjusting its wholesale market rules to value flexible resources. With the state’s high concentration of variable resources, the adjustments will drive investments to... Read More

Innovative power, innovative regulation Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) supports the Polish regulator The Polish Energy Regulatory Office (URE) intends by 2015 to introduce changes to existing investment support mechanisms, including support for investments of considerable importance for the innovation of the power system. Quality-based regulation will ... Read More

Partnering with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Exeter Associates, RAP prepared a paper for the Western Governors’ Association that explores approaches for reducing costs to integrate wind and solar in the Western U.S., barriers to adopting these cost-saving measures, and possible state actions. Drawing from existing studies and experience to date,... Read More

  RAP Europe prepared this advisory note to help frame the issues to be addressed in developing European guidelines and codes on electricity balancing.  In particular, it highlights the need for these rules to enable and encourage: Balancing products and services with the necessary flexible, dynamic capabilities, Balancing actions across all time... Read More

Richard Cowart was invited by the European Union’s Danish Presidency, as the only outside speaker, to address a special meeting of the EU’s Energy Ministers at the end of April 2012 in Horsens (DK). He delivered a presentation on global experiences with Efficiency Obligations, and design options that could satisfy a range of Member State concerns with the EUâ... Read More

In partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA), RAP supported a new work programme focused on energy efficiency and energy providers. Formulated under the auspices of the International Partnership on Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC) and led by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Policies for Energy Provider Delivery of Energy E... Read More