An Integrated Approach to Energy, Climate, and Air Quality

The generation of electricity produces nearly a quarter of global climate emissions. But regulations governing the power sector are too often not harmonized with laws designed to address climate change, minimize air pollution, and protect public health and the environment. By integrating energy system planning and air quality compliance, regulators, utilities, and public health agencies can maintain system reliability and affordability while dramatically reducing pollution—at a cost far lower than by taking a piecemeal approach to the problems.

The RAP team’s multi-disciplinary background helps bridge the gap between energy and environmental regulators, so they can work together to identify opportunities to align power sector regulation with environmental and climate policy.

We work in partnership with regulators and policymakers to develop flexible and adaptable policy solutions that meet climate and public health goals, such as:

E-Merge, which utilizes multi-pollutant analysis and cost optimization modeling to achieve efficient gains in air quality;
Cap-and-invest policies that invest carbon allowance revenues in clean energy resources and other programs to further reduce carbon emissions; and
Complementary policies, such as energy efficiency programs and renewable portfolio standards, that reduce multiple pollutants, often at a lower price than conventional control equipment.

Our Focus

RAP identifies policies and technologies that can address multiple pollutants at the same time—an approach that reduces costs and risks for all stakeholders. We help regulators craft solutions that are tailored to the particular local challenges they face, while ensuring proper harmonization with regional and national policies and objectives.