Comments on Eversource’s proposed transmission lines and East Boston substation

Client: GreenRoots

Author: Bryndis Woods, PhD

December 2020

On behalf of GreenRoots, Senior Researcher Bryndis Woods provided written comments in response to a February 28, 2020 EFSB Tentative Decision that recommends approval of the proposed location of the substation in East Boston and the two underground transmission lines in Everett, Chelsea, and East Boston.

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, EFSB held the first of two public online forums to listen to comments and vote on whether to approve, approve with conditions or amendments, or reject a Tentative Decision issued by the Siting Board. At a second forum on February 8, 2021, Dr. Woods presented her written comments on the matter, which recommend that EFSB vote to reject the Tentative Decision issued by the Siting Board given that Eversource has failed to provide sufficient information to allow third-party review of its needs and reliability assessment of the proposed East Eagle Street Substation.

Link to Written Comments

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Comment on National Grid's Proposed Off-Peak Charging Rebate

Client: Green Energy Consumers Alliance (GECA)

Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD, and Ricardo Lopez, PhD

March 2019

Applied Economics Clinic (AEC) replicated the calculations described in National Grid’s proposed off-peak charging rebate. AEC’s estimates of summer and winter off-peak charging rebates — using the methodology and data described in detail by National Grid — resulted in values similar but not identical to those presented by the Company. AEC concludes that the rebate levels proposed by National Grid represent a reflection of the reduced cost of service for off-peak charging and not a cross-subsidy. In addition, this comment raises several categories of potential additional peak to off-peak cost differentials and sources of charging revenue omitted in National Grid’s charging rebate methodology, including avoided transmission and distribution costs, avoided emissions costs, and funding for energy efficiency programs.

Link to Comment

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Review of Proposed CAFE and CO2 Standards

Client: California Attorney General Office and California Air Resources Board

Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD, Ricardo Lopez, PhD and Bryndis Woods

October 2018

AEC-2018-09-WP-01

On behalf of the state of California Attorney General's office and the California Air Resources Board, this Applied Economics Clinic white paper assessed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) August 2018 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding “The Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks”. If approved, the Proposed Rulemaking would revise CAFE and CO2 standards, making them less stringent. Clinic Director and Senior Economist, Liz Stanton, PhD, Senior Researcher Ricardo Lopez, PhD, and Researcher Bryndis Woods found that several of NHTSA/EPA's assumptions and conclusions are unfounded.

Link to White Paper

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