Public Benefit Funds (PBF), also frequently referred to as system benefits charge, are state-level programs developed through the electric industry restructuring process. PBFs allocate most of their money to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and low-income assistance programs. PBF-supported programs include …
Local governments use Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs to help property owners finance renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements on residential and commercial properties. Commercial properties may include multi-family residential, industrial and agricultural properties. The PACE concept began as …
Net Metering is a billing method or a financial incentive provided by utilities to customers (commercial and residential) who have installed any form of small-scale distributed generation. This includes rooftop solar, small wind, biogas, micro-combined heat and power, micro turbines, …
Under the present rate structures in U.S. energy markets, utilities’ revenues depend on the amount of energy they produce and deliver to consumers. This system discourages utilities from enacting conservation and efficiency measures because they would decrease sales, and therefore …
Energy efficiency can be a cost-effective strategy to reduce emissions associated with electricity and natural gas generation and consumption. An Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) or energy efficiency target is a mechanism to encourage more efficient generation, transmission, and use …
In 2016, the electricity sector was the second-largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity-related emissions are primarily the result of combusting fossil fuels in power plants. Coal-fired power plants accounted for nearly 70 percent of greenhouse gas emission from …
The transportation sector became the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2016. While transportation sector emissions have fallen by 6.1 percent from their 2005 peak, transportation sector emissions grew about 21.5 percent from 1990 to 2016, largely driven …
The transportation sector is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. While transportation sector emissions have fallen by 6.1% from their 2005 peak, transportation sector emissions grew about 21.5% from 1990 to 2016, largely driven by increased demand for …
Many small businesses are not aware of the risks they face from changing climate conditions, and may not have plans in place to respond and recover from weather events. This issue is especially important in Maryland, where small businesses—defined as …