Benefits of Community Choice Energy for the City of Chelsea

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Client: GreenRoots

Authors: Bryndis Woods, PhD, and Sagal Alisalad

September 2020

This Applied Economics Clinic policy brief—prepared on behalf of GreenRoots, a Chelsea-based organization working to achieve environmental justice—presents ways in which Community Choice Energy (CCE) programs can provide important benefits for vulnerable communities, including better community control and participation in energy choices, protection from predatory suppliers, more renewable content, and lower costs than Eversource and National Grid’s basic electric service rates.

Paying for Clean Energy, 25 Cents at a Time

Author: Bryndis Woods

July 2020

Researcher Bryndis Woods prepared a policy brief that investigates a hypothetical scenario: What could a 25-cent per month electrification surcharge on Massachusetts consumers’ electric bills buy? This policy brief presents different investment options for the Commonwealth, including installing high-speed electric vehicle chargers, installing electric air source heat pumps, providing used-electric vehicle rebates, and providing zero-interest loans on used electric vehicle purchases. 

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Comments on AltaGas Climate Business Plan

Client: DC Office of the People’s Counsel 

Author: Liz Stanton, PhD

July 2020

On behalf of the DC Office of the People’s Counsel, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD prepared an affidavit, which reviews the policy and economic aspects of AltaGas’ Climate Business Plan and the Renewable Natural Gas Study prepared by ICF Resources. Dr. Stanton concluded that while AltaGas’ analysis does not provide sufficient information regarding assumptions, data, and methods for a comprehensive review, certain AltaGas and ICF assumptions and conclusions are inconsistent with other recent analyses. Dr. Stanton recommended that the Commission continue to gather more information.

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Link to OPC’s Comments

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Health and Cost Benefits of Energy Efficiency Policies

Client: Green Energy Consumers Alliance (GECA)

Authors: Bryndis Woods, Hannah Brown and Myisha Majumder

March 9, 2020

On behalf of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance (GECA), Researcher Bryndis Woods and Research Assistants Hannah Brown and Myisha Majumder prepared a policy brief that assesses the impact of various efficiency policies on energy savings. We find that, on average, the more fully policies account for the benefits of energy efficiency, the more energy they save; states that account for participant health benefits, societal health benefits or mandate the implementation of all cost-effective efficiency measures save more energy than states that do not. In states that do not consider participant and societal health benefits, fewer efficiency measures are implemented—leaving both energy savings and benefits on the table.

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