Explainer: How Do Public Policies Reinforce Building Electrification Financing (Part Two)?

Tyler Clevenger
Each building owner, with a team of investors, needs to work out a particular electrification schedule. Broad public policies, though, can advance new technologies or marketing strategies that can help more buildings go electric sooner. This sequel to our earlier explainer sets out some scalable policies from across the United...
A car loads up on electricity, generating...value

(Courtesy Fairfax County, VA.) EV charging looks one way to flatlanders...

Policy Memo: Making Utilities Constructive in Maine's Electric Vehicle Buildout

Nikolaas (Niko) Dietsch
Utilities whose businesses span rural and urban terrain can gain when they support the rollout of electric vehicle charging networks. This memo sets a framework for Maine's utility to meet policy objectives and secure market position.
Don't let the sun go down on price reliability, our author urges

(Photo by Don and Suzan Weller, via Flickr Creative Commons.) As the sun sets over Waterford, CT, an expert proposes a price floor in wholesale electricity markets. 

Policy Memo: How We Pay For Free Electricity

Mike Novello
As New England states progress towards decarbonization goals, the electricity spot market will see offers from solar and wind generators that incur no marginal cost. That can harm reliability and put some operators hastily out of business. To retain existing resources and the stability they bring, we need to set...
What's the Maine idea?

Policy Memo: Bring Batteries for a Virtual Power Plant and a Virtuous Cycle

Brian Ambrette
Battery storage systems and virtual power plants offer an opportunity for individual ratepayers to improve energy reliability and contribute to Maine’s clean energy goals. Maine has several options for protecting and incentivizing ratepayers, especially low-income ratepayers, to own battery storage systems and join virtual power plant programs.
thumbnail screenshot of source article

Did a Transmission Breakthrough Just Slip on a Banana?

Source: Boston.com
This November 2 forecast of a referendum in Maine spells out the decarbonization case for and political case against a hydropower project. (Voters spurned the project on Election Day.)
An electron electoral map

This map, courtesy of marketer Solstice and adapted by Kevin Cellucci, shows how far community solar can grow.

Community Solar's Bend Toward Energy Justice, Episode Two: Utilities Push Back

Kevin Cellucci
Community solar developers have a compelling idea for how to extend renewable energy to people who can't install panels on their rooftops. They also face a series of questions. These include: how to coexist with utilities, and how to tie in to utilities' grids, and how to buy land, and...
Can these Louisiana workers find prosperity making offshore wind equipment?

Workers, investors and policymakers peer into the Gulf Coast's future. (Courtesy the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.)

Big, But Not Easy: Can Offshore Wind Spark Economic Transformation in the Gulf Coast?

Tyler Clevenger
Some have tried and none have managed to sync America’s clean energy ambitions with its fossil-based heritage through federal policy. The current administration is trying in many industries, including offshore wind manufacturing. That warrants a look at the Gulf Coast. Known as a longtime oil and gas cluster, the Gulf...
The community-solar business model

This image from a community-solar vendor documents how individuals who normally can't access the solar market can build a revenue stream. 

How Strongly Can Community Solar Bend the Energy Market Toward Justice?

Kevin Cellucci
Community solar can provide more energy to more people - especially people currently shut out of the market for residential rooftop panels. Energy developers and marketplace makers have taken note of the potential for community solar programs to drive revenue- and the White House's promise to steer energy infrastructure toward...