Qualitative Framework for Assessing the Benefits of Heat Pump Rate Design in Rhode Island

Client: Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)

Author: Joshua R. Castigliego and Elizabeth A Stanton, PhD

August 2026

On behalf of Conservation Law Foundation, Senior Researcher Joshua R. Castigliego and Principal Economist Dr. Elizabeth A. Stanton prepared a white paper that provides an analytical framework for evaluating heat pump rate design using the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission’s (RI PUC) Rhode Island Benefit Cost Test (RI Test). The framework establishes methodological guidance to support regulators, utilities, and stakeholders in consistently applying the RI Test, including recommended analytical practices, data sources, and assumptions that facilitate transparent, comparable, reproducible, and auditable benefit-cost analyses.

The analytical framework described in this paper builds upon AEC’s prior application of the RI Test, as documented in its April 2026 Rhode Island Heat Pump Rate “RI Test” Report and accompanying testimony in RI PUC Docket No. 25-45-GE, to evaluate a proposed heat pump rate design.

Link to White Paper

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Comments on Rhode Island's Draft Least Cost Procurement Standards

Client: Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)

Authors: Elizabeth A. Stanton, PhD and Joshua R. Castigliego

June 2026

On behalf of Conservation Law Foundation, Principal Economist Dr. Elizabeth A. Stanton and Senior Researcher Joshua R. Castigliego provided expert comments in Docket No. 26-15-EE on the proposed amendments to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission's Least Cost Procurement (LCP) Standards. In their comments, Dr. Stanton and Mr. Castigliego discuss several issues pertaining to the proposed amendments, including: (i) concerns regarding changes to the definitions of Cost of Supply and Cost of Energy Efficiency or Conservation; (ii) provisions related to the Demand Side Management Investment Proposal; and (iii) additional issues raised by other stakeholders in their comments on the proposed amendments. Dr. Stanton and Mr. Castigliego recommend revisions to ensure consistency with the Rhode Island Benefit Cost Test (RI Test) framework, improve clarity and comprehensiveness of the LCP Standards, and strengthen the evaluation of demand-side management investments and their associated costs and benefits.

Link to Comments

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