Client: Louisiana Bucket Brigade
Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD, Eliandro Tavares, Tanya Stasio, and Myisha Majumder
May 2019 - Present
Applied Economics Clinic staff are supporting Louisiana Bucket Brigade in their researching into petrochemical company ownership and decision making.
Client: Green Energy Consumers Alliance
Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD and AEC Staff
November 2018 - Present
Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD and AEC Staff are preparing a paper which will update the marginal abatement cost curve for Global Warming Solutions Act Compliance in Massachusetts looking at both potential emission reductions from specific abatement measures and the per ton costs of those measures.
Client: Clean Energy Group (CEG)
Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD and AEC Staff
June 2019 - Present
Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD and AEC staff are evaluating the benefits of winter peak electric reliability for New England.
Client: Earthjustice
Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD and AEC Staff
June 2019 - Present
Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD and AEC staff are analyzing the impacts of New York’s proposed gas power plants on the state’s ability to comply with its aggressive clean energy standard.
Client: Union of Concerned Scientists
Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD, and Eliandro Tavares
May 2019 - Present
Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, and Assistant Researcher Eliandro Tavares are preparing a report that estimates the cost of fire management per tonne of CO2 in Alaska using data on fire incidents in Alaska from 2007 to 2015. The report uses econometric analysis to estimate the effects of fire management on the number of acres burned and calculates the cost to avoid burning an acre. The report also presents costs of fire damages for a number of categories including property losses and timber lost.
Client: Energy Foundation
Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD, and Eliandro Tavares
April 2019 - Present
Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, and Assistant Researcher Eliandro Tavares are preparing an analysis of the economic need for the Hampton Roads spur of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. This analysis will include a comparison of peak supply and demand and an analysis and comparison of alternative solutions to peak demand shortages during extreme weather events.
Client: Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
Authors: Bryndis Woods and Liz Stanton, PhD
June 2019 - Present
Researcher Bryndis Woods and Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD are assisting the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana with its analysis of and comments on Indiana’s 21st Century Energy Task Force.
Client: Green Energy Consumers Alliance (GECA)
Authors: Ricardo Lopez, PhD, Tyler Comings, Liz Stanton, PhD, and Eliandro Tavares
November 2018 - May 2019
Senior Researchers Ricardo Lopez, PhD and Tyler Comings, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD and Assistant Researcher Eliandro Tavares prepared a report that assessed the cost to replace residential heating and cooling systems with: 1) a gas furnace and electric central air conditioning (AC), or 2) an electric heat pump that provides both heating and cooling. The report finds that the cost-effectiveness of heat pumps depends on home-specific differences—with current Massachusetts rebates, owners of aging oil heating systems save $158 per year by choosing to replace with a heat pump instead of a gas furnace and central AC. For owners of gas heating systems, however, rebates for heat pumps are smaller than rebates for new gas furnaces, raising the relative cost of choosing heat pumps from $36 per year with no rebates to $73 per year with rebates. Even without rebates, the lifetime costs of heat pumps are only marginally more expensive than a gas furnace and central AC (see Figure above).
Client: Gas Leak Allies
Authors: Bryndis Woods, Liz Stanton, PhD, and Eliandro Tavares
November 2018 - May 2019
Researcher Bryndis Woods, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, and Assistant Researcher Eliandro Tavares prepared a policy brief discussing natural gas leaks in Massachusetts and assessing the return on investment for gas leak repairs in the Commonwealth.
The policy brief estimates the payback period for repairing two volume-based categories of non-explosion-hazard gas leaks (called “Grade 3” leaks):
Leaks of Significant Environmental Impact (“Grade 3 SEI”): The top 10 percent of Grade 3 leaks, which is responsible for approximately 53 percent of lost gas.
Other Grade 3 leaks: The bottom 90 percent of Grade 3 leaks, which is responsible for 47 percent of lost gas.
The policy brief concludes that, while the average cost to fix a Grade 3 leak is approximately the same ($3,740) regardless of the leak volume, the cost of lost gas is not. Grade 3 SEI leaks cost $3,850 a year in lost gas, on average, while Other Grade 3 leaks cost $380. This ten-to-one difference in the cost of leaked gas means that SEI leaks pay for their own repairs ten times faster than other Grade 3 leaks; in 1 year versus 10 years, respectively (see Figure above).
This policy brief is the second of two AEC publications on behalf of Gas Leak Allies. Our April 2019 policy brief analyzed performance-based incentives that can align Massachusetts natural gas utilities' business interests with their responsibility to reduce emissions.
Client: Green Ribbon Commission
Authors: Bryndis Woods, Liz Stanton, PhD, and Applied Economics Clinic Staff
December 2018 - May 2019
In May 2019, Applied Economics Clinic worked together with All Aces and the Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE) at Boston University to produce Carbon Free Boston: Social Equity Report 2019 on behalf of the Boston Green Ribbon Commission (GRC). The report details how actions taken toward carbon neutrality, which will fundamentally transform the city’s buildings, transportation, waste and energy systems, will also affect socially vulnerable populations and provides a roadmap to equitably engage the City’s communities in climate action. The report finds that the path to carbon neutrality presents a unique opportunity to address historic inequities while creating a cleaner, healthier and more prosperous City for all those who live and work in Boston. Three themes defined the framework for the social equity analysis: 1) careful planning to avoid unintended consequences, 2) intentional design with a clear focus on equity outcomes, and 3) inclusive practices from start to finish in all decision making.
For more information, see Carbon Free Boston on The City of Boston’s website.
Client: Gas Leak Allies
Authors: Bryndis Woods, Liz Stanton, PhD, and Ricardo Lopez, PhD
November 2018 - April 2019
Researcher Bryndis Woods, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, and Senior Researcher Ricardo Lopez, PhD, prepared a policy brief discussing how Massachusetts' natural gas utilities currently receive compensation, the inconsistencies between utilities' incentives and the Commonwealth's legally mandated emission reductions, and the performance-based incentives that can align gas utilities' business interests with their responsibility to reduce emissions.
This policy brief is the first of two AEC publications on behalf of Gas Leak Allies. A forthcoming policy brief will analyze the return on investment for gas leak repairs in the Commonwealth.
Client: Clean Energy Group
Authors: Bryndis Woods and Liz Stanton, PhD
March 2019
AEC-2019-03-WP-01
On behalf of the Clean Energy Group, Researcher Bryndis Woods and Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, prepared an Applied Economics Clinic white paper that presents the results of a preliminary assessment of seven non-energy benefits of battery storage. Currently, non-energy benefits of storage are not included in cost-benefit calculations for storage in Massachusetts—which has the same effect as assuming they have no value. We provide preliminary estimates of the value of seven non-energy benefits as a starting point for a discussion of how best to fully measure the advantages to Massachusetts of battery storage: avoided power outages, higher property values, avoided fines, avoided collections and terminations, avoided safety-related emergency calls, job creation, and less land used for power plants.
This white paper is part of a series of AEC publications on behalf of Clean Energy Group analyzing costs and benefits of battery storage in Massachusetts.
Client: Clean Energy Group
Author: Liz Stanton, PhD
March 2019 Update
AEC-2019-03-WP-02
On behalf of the Clean Energy Group, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, prepared an update to the Applied Economics Clinic’s July 2018 white paper on the same topic. Dr. Stanton assessed the cost-effectiveness of battery storage in Massachusetts, using the Massachusetts' efficiency program administrators' benefit-cost ratio methodology and found that both single- and multi-family batteries are found to be cost effective.
This white paper is part of a series of AEC publications on behalf of Clean Energy Group analyzing costs and benefits of battery storage in Massachusetts.
Client: Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
Author: Liz Stanton, PhD
March 2019
On behalf of Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD provided written testimony in Cause No. 45159 to respond to specific critiques of North Indiana Public Service Company's 2018 Integrated Resource Plan, offered by Indiana Coal Council Emily Medine, Indiana Coalition for Affordable and Reliable Electricity witness Charles S. Griffey, and Peabody COALSALES LLC witness Michael J. Nasi.
Client: Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD
March 2019
On behalf of Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, provided written testimony in Cause No. 45195 on the consistency of Northern Indiana Public Service Company's (NIPSCO) 2018 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with acquiring a renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA) with Jordan Creek Wind Farm. Dr. Stanton testified that the Jordan Creek PPA is consistent with NIPSCO's 2018 IRP, and that it is also consistent with the timing for procuring wind resources in the IRP's preferred portfolio.
This testimony is one of three AEC testimonies on three Indiana utility commission dockets (two filed and one upcoming) on behalf of Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, pertaining to Northern Indiana Public Service Company's (NIPSCO) proposed acquisition of wind energy through power purchase agreement (PPA) and/or joint ownership.
Client: Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD
March 2019
On behalf of Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, provided written testimony in Cause No. 45196 on the consistency of Northern Indiana Public Service Company's (NIPSCO) 2018 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with acquiring a renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA) with Roaming Bison. Dr. Stanton testified that the Roaming Bison PPA is consistent with NIPSCO's 2018 IRP, and that it is also consistent with the timing for procuring wind resources in the IRP's preferred portfolio.
This testimony is one of three AEC testimonies on three Indiana utility commission dockets (two filed and one upcoming) on behalf of Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, pertaining to Northern Indiana Public Service Company's (NIPSCO) proposed acquisition of wind energy through power purchase agreement (PPA) and/or joint ownership.
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.
Photo of Mankato Energy Center from POWER Engineering news article
Client: Sierra Club
Authors: Sierra Club with assistance from AEC (Tyler Comings, Liz Stanton, PhD, and Eliandro Tavares)
March 2019
On behalf of Sierra Club, Senior Researcher Tyler Comings, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD and Assistant Researcher Eliandro Tavares assisted with comments on Xcel Minnesota's proposal to acquire the Mankato natural gas plant. The Sierra Club concluded that the proposal should be denied because it was not economically justified and ran counter to the utility's greenhouse gas emission goals.
Client: Southern Environmental Law Center
Authors: Tyler Comings, Bryndis Woods, Liz Stanton, PhD, and Eliandro Tavares
March 2019
Senior Researcher Tyler Comings, Researcher Bryndis Woods, Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD and Assistant Researcher Eliandro Tavares prepared a report on Duke Energy's 2018 Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) in North Carolina on behalf of Southern Environmental Law Center and its clients, Natural Resources Defense Council, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and the Sierra Club. AEC concluded that Duke has failed to evaluate the economics of its coal units, even though many are operating infrequently, and has not encouraged competition from other resources. As a result, AEC found Duke's plans to be flawed and incomplete.
Client: Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD, Bryndis Woods, Anna Sommer, and Chelsea Hotaling
March 2019
On behalf of Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, Researcher Bryndis Woods, and Anna Sommer and Chelsea Hotaling with Sommer Energy, LLC, published an evaluation of Northern Indiana Public Service Company's (NIPSCO) 2018 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). IRP's are filed with the Utility Commission to demonstrate that utilities’ decisions to retire and/or add electric generation resources are in the public interest. While technical, these evaluations provide an important benefit to utility customers and the Indiana public more widely. Third-party review of these and other utilities filings is critical to vet for errors, uncover questionable or self-serving assumptions, and make hidden value-judgments transparent. We commend NIPSCO's IRP proposal to retire its remaining coal-fired generating units by 2028 and replace all its coal capacity with renewable capacity, and acknowledge the substantial leadership demonstrated by NIPSCO in its current IRP analysis including: conducting an all-source Request for Proposals for new generation capacity, transparently discussing its model input forecasts, outputs and assumptions, and good-faith engagement with stakeholders.
This testimony is part of a joint AEC and Anna Sommers LLC series of comments on Indiana utility Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) on behalf of Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana and Earthjustice.
