Blog | Synapse Energy
America’s Midwest Is Missing Out on Major Energy Efficiency Benefits
In recent years, several Midwestern states have adopted or proposed policies with negative impacts on state energy efficiency programs. Through regulatory orders and legislative actions, some states are restricting energy efficiency programs by:
Next Steps and Opportunities for Justice40
This summer, on the heels of the upswell of state energy and environmental justice policies passed over the last two years, the Biden Administration launched the Justice40 Initiative, a promising program aimed to improve environmental justice. According to the White House press release, Justice40 promises “to deliver at least 40 percent of the overall benefits from Federal investments in climate and clean energy to disadvantaged communities.”
Micro Blog: Website Redesign
Synapse is completely rebuilding our website. We’re taking this opportunity to rethink how we can best provide useful information to you and other folks looking to improve energy and environmental decision-making.
Give us your thoughts! Take this quick 3 question survey.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions Tradeoffs: Forests or Solar Panels?
As more and more governments and corporations commit to a zero-carbon future, the need for large amounts of renewable energy installations over the coming decades increases. In densely populated New England, there is limited space for large-scale installations of solar panels.
This has sparked discussion and debate about the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions tradeoff between installing solar panels and maintaining current land-use practices. To investigate the issue further, Synapse set out to answer the following questions within New England:
An Awkward Fit for Jobs Impacts in Benefit-Cost Analysis
Synapse recently tackled an interesting challenge while analyzing a community solar program and its alternatives on behalf of the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers: Where do jobs and other macroeconomic impacts fit into a good benefit-cost analysis (BCA)?
Which Buildings are the Highest Carbon Emitters?
I recently had the opportunity to join a technical conference panel about electrification at FERC, where we primarily addressed the market and grid implications of building and transportation electrification.
In my pre-panel comments to FERC, I did not have a chance to address an important aspect of building decarbonization: the on-site carbon emissions vary a lot between buildings.
It’s Time for Gas Utility Decarbonization Planning
As local and state governments begin to make commitments toward a clean energy transition, it is vital that these entities establish detailed, data-driven plans to achieve their emissions reductions and other goals.
The Synapse Electricity Snapshot 2021 highlights several major trends in 2020 electric sector capacity, generation, CO2 emissions, and related statistics. Our key findings include the following: