Growth of Behind-the-Meter Electricity Generation: Impacts to State Budget Revenue
Paul Jacobs, February 2021
This report investigates how behind-the-meter electricity generation affects the revenue from state electricity consumption charges—including by erosion and cost shifting—and presents options for legislative consideration.
State Investments in Clean Energy and Transportation Technology
Paul Jacobs and John Thompson, March 2019
This report describes the state’s investments in clean energy and transportation technology development through 40 existing financial incentive programs and presents what we believe are important considerations for the Legislature.
Optimizing Public Benefits from State-Funded Research
Julianne McCall and Paul Jacobs with contributions from Teresa Feo, March 2018
Prepared at the request of Senator Bob Wieckowski, this report presents key principles and discusses structural components necessary to optimize public benefits from state-funded research programs.
Social Cost of Carbon:Federal and California Activity
Paul Jacobs, February 2018
The Trump administration recently disbanded an interagency working group tasked with estimating the social cost of carbon (SCC), with implications at the federal and state levels. This report provides an overview of the SCC and related activities at the federal level and by California state agencies.
Pricing Strategies Can Be Effective in Reducing Residential Electricity Demand
Tim Scott and Paul Jacobs, August 2017
After a review of the research literature, we describe the numerous confounding issues and present our findings about the potential price responsiveness of electricity consumers. We also highlight the policy implications and considerations.
Delivering on the Promise of California's Demand Response Programs: An Opportunity for the State to Maximize the Flexibility and Efficiency of Its Electrical Grid
Michael W. Jarred, June 2014
As California faces increasingly serious energy challenges, policymakers should assess whether the framework is in place to ensure the effectiveness of the state's demand response programs. These programs—if implemented properly could provide a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to use California's energy resources.
Liquefied Natural Gas: What Is LNG? And What Is Proposed for California?
Kip Wiley, September 2008
The United States, including California, uses natural gas to heat homes and offices, cook food, and, most of all, fuel power plants generating electricity.
Energy-Related Litigation in California
August 2001
U.S. Supreme Court Cases, Federal Cases, and State Cases.
Exploring the Arguments for Real-Time Pricing
Nick Vucinich, August 2001
Economists and energy experts agree that real-time pricing is an essential long-term solution to balancing the hourly supply and demand for power in California.
Encouraging Use of Renewable Resources in the Production and Purchase of Electricity
Anna Ferrera, July 2001
Long-term contracts negotiated by the state Department of Water Resources to supply electric power to California consumers over the next decade have had a somewhat stabilizing effect upon the wholesale market.
Low-Income Households vs. the Energy Crisis
Max Vanzi, June 2001
The poor, the chronically unemployed, and California’s elderly who live at the margins are at ground zero in the struggle to cope with the high prices for gas and electricity brought on by California’s energy crisis.
Blackout Procedures in California
Kip Wiley and Rebecca LaVally, May 2001
A step-by-step review of the procedures used to order and implement rolling blackouts in California this year.
Natural Gas Issues in California
Kip Wiley, April 2001
Limits in pipeline and storage capacity threaten to impose an effective ceiling on the amount of natural gas that can get into California, which relies heavily on imported supplies of this energy source to fuel the creation of electricity.
Comparing Transmission Systems: Nebraska and Texas
Anna Ferrera, January 2001
A brief look at electrical transmission systems in two states: Nebraska and Texas.
How We Got Here: A Historical Look at California's Restructuring of Electricity Regulation
2000
The first tentative steps toward altering the way electric power keeps the lights on in California occurred in 1978.