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Incisive commentary from RAP experts
RAP experts keep their finger on the pulse of the energy sector and provide timely analysis of topics impacting stakeholders TODAY.
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November 6, 2015
Smart Rate Design
Rate design is the regulatory term used to describe the pricing structure reflected in customer bills and used by electric utilities in the United States. Rate design is not only the itemized prices set forth in tariffs; it is also… View Summary +
October 30, 2015
Emissions Trading in RGGI: What Does it Mean for China?
China launched seven pilot emissions trading systems (ETS) in 2013, as testing grounds for a national ETS. With the Joint Presidential Statement on Climate Change, China confirmed its plan to launch a national ETS in 2017, and… View Summary +
October 30, 2015
美国区域温室减排行动的碳交易制度:对中国有何意义?
中国于2013年开始了7个碳排放交易试点工作,作为建立全国碳交易体系的试验田。最近在中美首脑气候变化联合声明中,中方肯定了于2017年启动全国碳排放交易体系的计划,并在立法层面取得了一些… View Summary +
October 22, 2015
New Renewable Energy Integration Pilots Explore Options to Reduce Curtailment of Clean Energy
In a statement dated October 8 (that first appeared online on October 19), China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) launched pilots for renewable energy policy reform in Gansu province and Inner Mongolia. These provinces have substantial… View Summary +
October 5, 2015
Finding the Sweet Spot for Natural Gas Investment
Natural gas is an important part of our low-carbon future, but finding the “sweet spot” for gas investment is not easy. Too much investment in gas pipeline infrastructure and gas generation is risky. Gas pipeline and generation investments are long… View Summary +
October 1, 2015
Skate Where the Puck Is Going to Be
- John Shenot
Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky once said, “A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” Strangely enough, when I think about what lies ahead for electric… View Summary +
September 25, 2015
Obama-Xi Joint Presidential Statement on Climate Change Promises Much-Needed Reform of Generator Dispatch in China
In China, generator dispatch—which largely determines how the vast fleet of power plants are used on an hour-by-hour basis—has long been inefficient and a major obstacle to meeting China’s air quality and clean energy goals. In addition to the curtailment… View Summary +
September 2, 2015
New Chinese Air Law Integrates Energy and Environmental Policy
- Christopher James
The National People’s Congress (NPC) adopted revisions to China’s air law on August 29th that will go into effect on January 1, 2016. Last revised in 2000, the new law is intended to respond to and reduce… View Summary +
August 6, 2015
Deepening Power Sector Reform in China: The Essential Role of Power Sector Planning
The Power Sector Reform guidance issued in March recognizes the need for a major revamp of power sector planning, and official announcements indicate that the 13th Five-Year Plan is taking up the task. This will be… View Summary +
August 3, 2015
Hit the Ground Running on EPA’s Clean Power Plan: 12 Steps for Effective, Least-Cost Compliance
- John Shenot ,
- Ken Colburn
EPA is expected to finalize its Clean Power Plan (also known as its “111(d) rule”) today. Once published in the Federal Register, states may have only one year (or in some cases, two years) to develop initial… View Summary +