Version 1 – 01/21/2019

Understanding Energy Policy and Climate Change: A Federal, State and Local Government PerspectiveCourse Number: PAD 475/PAD 575--Spring 2019

Class time: Monday 5:45-9:25 PM – Class Location: Husted Hall- RM-204

Professor: Bill Saxonis

Office Hours: by appointment E-mail: wsaxonis@albany.edu

Course Overview

Energy and environmental issues, including climate change, represent among the more intensely debated and controversial topics in today’s political world. Climate change, energy policy and sustainability are all inextricably linked. In New York State, over 80% of greenhouse gas emissions are related to fossil fuel combustion.

To more completely comprehend these issues, it is essential to understand the fundamentals of energy markets and the energy policy impacts of federal, state and local government initiatives. For example, the energy crisis of the seventies ushered in a more aggressive era of Federal energy policy and, in 2014, energy regulators in New York State promised a “regulatory overhaul” to address an “unsustainable” twentieth century power system and lead the transition to a cleaner energy environment.

The study of energy policy and climate change reflects an intricate interplay of political (domestic and international), economic, legal, regulatory, technological, environmental, and ethical dimensions.

This course will explore these dimensions encouraging class discussion of critical energy policy issues and the analysis of approaches to a clean, secure and equitable energy future. We plan to include several prominent guest lecturers. The Spring 2017 class included a Nobel Laureate discussing climate change, a New York Public Service Commission Chairman, former Governor Paterson’s Energy Secretary, a nationally recognized law professor and the City of Albany’s Energy Manager.

Course ObjectivesUpon successful completion of the course, students will be better able to:

Identify key energy and climate change issues Identify key sources of relevant and reliable energy and climate change data Recognize the factors (e.g., political, economic) that drive energy policy Understand how Federal, state and local government actions impact climate change and energy

policy Prepare accurate and concise issue briefs that critically investigate key energy/climate change

issues and effectively present the results verbally to the class.

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Course Requirements

The Syllabus

The purpose of this syllabus is to provide a general course outline. Due to the dynamic nature of the course subject matter, it is likely that modifications will be made to the syllabus to accommodate the needs of the class, the guest speaker schedule, evolving events and the availability of superior and more relevant reading assignments.

Weekly Readings

A series of readings will be assigned to coincide with each class and the related subject matter. These readings were selected from a wide range of public documents and are available at no charge on the internet. They vary in length from 1-2-page fact sheets to major research reports.

One book is assigned, “Panic at the Pump: The Energy Crisis and the Transformation of American Politics in the 1970s,” by Meg Jacobs (2016). The book is easily obtained, reasonably priced and available in multiple formats (Kindle, hardcover, paperback). Used copies are available on Amazon for about $7.00. The paperback version of the book is available at the University bookstore.

To facilitate class discussion, students are expected to complete the readings prior to the class they are assigned.

Issue Briefs

A major requirement of this course is for students to prepare issue briefs.

The development of Issue briefs will provide students with an opportunity to probe the topics covered in class in more detail and sharpen their writing, analytical and oral presentation skills.

Students may select their topic areas, but it is recommended that for each issue brief, the topic and research approach be outlined and discussed with the instructor in advance of the assignment due date. In addition to relevancy, the topic should expand upon issues covered in class, not simply rehash the class lectures or the assigned readings. The issues briefs should be written at a level where you assume the audience has a basic knowledge of the subject area, but is not an expert. You are the expert with a mission to inform! This is the type of assignment that you may be given as an employee of a government agency, the legislature, or a policy interest group. Sample topics include:

Proportionality low-income households devote up to three times as much of their income to energy costs as do higher-income households. How would you address this issue, especially if efforts to reduce climate change increase energy costs?

The role of renewable energy in Pakistan Is genetically modified food a possible remedy to the negative impacts of climate change on

agricultural sector?

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Each issue brief will be 6-10 pages in length. The use of charts, graphs and tables does not count against the page count. Please use Microsoft Word (not PDF), 12 font, Times New Roman and double space. All references should be cited in Modern Language Association (MLA) Style.

Helpful writing resources, including information about the using the MLA Style, are available from the University. Please see: http://www.albany.edu/wci/resources.php

In addition, students will present the key findings from their issue briefs during class. Approximately 10 minutes will be allocated for each presentation, but could run longer depending on the amount of class discussion. The presentation should include PowerPoint slides. The use of PowerPoint has become an increasing common tool in both the public and private sectors. It is, however, important to use Power Point effectively as poorly executed slides can distract from your work. There are many useful PowerPoint guides available. Here is an example:

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=http%3A%2F%2Fmanoa.hawaii.edu%2Fctahr%2Faheed%2FCarl%2F13-Using_Powerpoint.ppt

Issues briefs will be judged on several factors including:

Responsiveness to the question(s)the brief is designed to address Accuracy Clarity Overall writing quality (e.g., grammar, conciseness) Persuasiveness Critical thinking Research quality Quality of the class presentation

Exams

There will be a “take home” midterm and final exams covering material from the readings, course lectures and class discussions. The format will involve responding to each exam question with a brief type written essay.

Class Participation

Class participation is an important component of the learning experience. The syllabus lists numerous discussion topics, but these will likely be modified to respond to the evolving nature of climate change and energy policy. Several factors will be considered in assessing class participation including:

Class attendance Overall quality of the participation (e.g., thoughtful comments, focused questions) Sharing insights uncovered from monitoring climate change/energy policy news. As a class

project, students will regularly monitor key sources of news relevant to this course. (See Appendix A-Additional Sources.)

Knowledge of the assigned readings

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Undergraduate and Master Students-Requirements and Grading

PAD 475 is an undergraduate course; PAD 575 is a master’s level course. There are additional requirements for PAD 575 students and a slightly different grading formula.

PAD 475 PAD 575 Requirements2 Issue Briefs Midterm Exam (take home)Final Exam (take home)

Grading WeightsIssues Briefs- 50%Take Home Exams- 40%Class Participation-10%

Requirements3 Issue BriefsMidterm Exam (take home) Final Exam (take home)

The graduate student exams will be similar to the undergraduate exams, except for additional questions and a higher level of difficulty.

Grading WeightsIssues Briefs- 60%Take Home Exams- 30%Class Participation-10%

Issues briefs and exams that are not submitted on time will be penalized one-third of a letter grade for each day the assignment is late (e.g., an assignment three days late would drop one full grade). Assignments more than 3 days late will only be accepted under special circumstances.

Optional Assignment

Students will have the option to conduct a research project with the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)-- www.neep.org . NEEP is a non-profit with a mission to advance energy efficiency in support of energy and environmental goals, including carbon reduction in the Northeastern United States. NEEP is making available opportunities for mutually beneficial student research projects. While the research projects are unpaid, the assignments offer the potential to serve as an excellent learning opportunity. NEEP also offers students scholarships to attend NEEP sponsored events, such as conferences featuring industry leaders and policy makers.

The availability of the research projects is limited and will be awarded by NEEP on a competitive basis.

With the instructor’s approval, it is possible for students accepted to participate in the NEEP program to substitute acceptable performance on a NEEP research project for a portion of the requirements of this course. The details will be negotiated on a case by case basis.

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University Accommodation Policy

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic, medical, cognitive, learning and mental health (psychiatric) disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this class, please notify the Disability Resource Center (518- 442-5490; drc@albany.edu). Upon verification and after the registration process is complete, the DRC will provide you with a letter that informs the course instructor that you are a student with a disability registered with the DRC and list the recommended reasonable accommodations. This statement appears on the University website as part of the Statement of Reasonable Accommodation Policy. For more information, see

https://www.albany.edu/eltl/accommodating_disabilities.php

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Section One: The Big Picture -- the Linkage Between Energy Policy and Climate Change

Week 1 (1/28) -- Setting the Stage

Lecture Topics: A key topic will be the world’s energy profile and how energy policy interacts with a wide range of issues, some obvious and some not so obvious. We will also “kickoff” the course (e.g., introductions, review course scope, requirements, and expectations).

Course “kickoff” Why energy policy matters? Overview of how energy policy interplays with a multitude of critical, and often controversial, issues

(e.g., climate change, environmental quality, economic growth, conflict between free market/small government solutions and “dynamic” government intervention)

Energy Trends - Global, National, New York State o Overview of what fuels the world (e.g., oil, hydro, geothermal)o Energy consumption (gross, percent of GDP, geographic)o How is the energy mix evolving (consumption by sector and fuel type)?o The future energy mix (e.g., use of coal in 2025)o Energy price trendso Supply sources

Discussion Topics

Why did you select this course? What are your expectations? What issues do you think are the most important and why? What do the patterns and trends in energy consumption, energy mix and energy prices tell us?

Globally? Nationally? In New York State?

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Assignments

A treasure trove of energy related statistics and analysis can be found at the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) web page-- https://www.eia.gov/ Become familiar with the resources available from EIA such as the State Energy Profiles, Annual Energy Outlook, Profiles for Countries and the Electric System Operating Data Tool.

A rich source of New York State specific energy data is the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). The site also offers a wealth of information on what is going on in New York energy wise. Explore the NYSERDA web page:

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/

Review NYSERDA’s publication, “Patterns and Trends 2001-2015” (October 2017) This report consists primarily of tables, charts and graphs. Skim the entire document, but focus on “Fast Facts” (page 2) and the “Key Observations” that precede each major topic area.

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/About/Publications/EA-Reports-and-Studies/Patterns-and-Trends

Review the 2018 edition of the “Sustainable Energy in America Factbook.” Skim the complete 134 page report and read pages 1-32 (Executive Summary and the “Bird’s eye” view of the US energy sector.

https://www.bcse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-Sustainable-Energy-in-America-Factbook.pdf

Explore the “BP Statistical Review of World Energy” web page – It is a well laid out source of data with a global focus.

http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html

Read the Statistical Review of World Energy, pages 1-56. The document is primarily tables and charts.

https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/en/corporate/pdf/energy-economics/statistical-review/bp-stats-review-2018-full-report.pdf

Optional Reading

International Energy Agency (IEA) – Excellent resource with a focus on international data. Explore the web page.

http://www.iea.org/

The “Renewable Energy Data Book” (Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory). This document consists primarily of tables, charts and graphs. Skim the entire document, with a focus on

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the data summary pages (usually 1-2 pages) which precede each topic. As of January 21, 2019, I have not seen any news of an updated report. The general NREL web page is also worth examining. Here are the links:

https://www.energy.gov/eere/analysis/downloads/renewable-energy-data-book

https://www.nrel.gov/

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) offers data on renewable energy capacity and use worldwide. The Renewable Energy Statistics 2018 yearbook shows data sets on renewable power-generation capacity for 2008-2017, renewable power generation for 2008-2016 and renewable energy production/consumption for about 120 countries and areas for 2015 and 2016.

https://www.irena.org/publications/2018/Jul/Renewable-Energy-Statistics-2018

Week 2 (2/04) - Climate Change and Energy Policy

Climate change has proven to be one of the more controversial issues in recent years. Senator Bernie Sanders considers climate change the single greatest threat facing our planet. President Trump declared climate change a “hoax.”

Regardless of the “true” threat level of climate change, it is often cited as a key driver behind current energy policy. Greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO2, are considered by most as the primary contributor to climate change

In week 2, we will define climate change, explore its history and examine key statistics and data.

Lecture Topics

Climate Change - an overview o The basics for the non-scientisto A brief history of climate change dating back to circa 1850o A review of key data and reports

Discussion Topics

Did you find the readings this week, and from week one, informative? Convincing? Useful?Any surprises?

Assignments

Read the climate change Q&A (Source: New York Times). It is very basic, but a good place to start.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/28/science/what-is-climate-change.html?_r=0

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Review the climate change timeline from BBC News. It covers key climate change milestones from 1712 to 2013 in just a few pages. Unfortunately, the timeline has not been updated, but still has value because it goes so far back in history.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-15874560

Become familiar with the resources available at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) web site. First review the archived EPA web page (pre-Trump) https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/ and then review the current EPA web page. https://www.epa.gov/ Note the differences!

Read the Fact Sheet covering EPA’s assessment of climate change impacts on New York State (pages 1-2):

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/climate-change-ny.pdf

Read “National Security Implications of Climate-Related Risks and A Changing Climate,” a report by the US Department of Defense (May 2015), Pages 1-14

http://archive.defense.gov/pubs/150724-congressional-report-on-national-implications-of-climate-change.pdf?source=govdelivery

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an international organization established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for assessing the science related to climate. In October IPCC released a widely publicized special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. The report is over 500 pages long, not including the supplemental data, but IPCC has made available a “Summary for Policymakers.” Please read pages 6-26. See: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/

The IPCC web page is worth a look: https://www.ipcc.ch/

Review the highlights of the fourth “National Climate Assessment,” a congressionally mandated climate study required to be conducted at least every four years. Volume I was released in November 2017 and Volume II in November 2018. The assessment is the product of 13 Federal agencies and hundreds of government and non-government experts. It is a lengthy report with Volume II clocking in at over 1,500 pages.

Read “About This Report” (pages 1-9), “Summary Findings” (pages 25-32), Chapter 1 Overview (pages 34-71. You will find the results and conclusions often contradict the views of the Trump administration. https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/downloads/NCA4_2018_FullReport.pdf

Explore the “National Climate Assessment,” web page: https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/

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Optional Reading

Continue reading the “National Climate Assessment,” For example, Chapter 18 dealing with the Northeast (pages 669-716 and Chapter 16, “International” (pages-605-625) are especially relevant

Review the EPA’s “Climate Change Indicators in the United States 2016.” This is a well-organized document featuring excellent graphics. Read pages 1-24 and then skim the remainder of the report.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-08/documents/climate_indicators_2016.pdf

The American Metrological Association “State of the Climate in 2017” report. The report is 330 pages long and technical. Skim the full document and read the Executive Summary (13 pages). Here are the links:

https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/2018BAMSStateoftheClimate.1

Executive Summary: https://www.ametsoc.net/sotc2017/SoC2017_ExecSumm.pdf

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provides a great source of climate change research and so does the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For example, the NASA web page offers an up to date “Vital Signs of the Planet.” Interestingly the NOAA web page is down (1/21/2019) due to the partial Federal government shutdown. See:

http://climate.nasa.gov/

https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/indicators/

The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)

The Center is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization promoting policies and actions to address climate and energy challenges. It is an excellent information source.

See: https://www.c2es.org/

The Center for Climate Strategies (CCS)

CCS offers a good source of information. The following is the description from the Center’s web page— “CCS is a nonpartisan, non-advocacy, nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization. CCS’s mission is to help governments and stakeholders tackle issues of climate, economic, energy and environmental security through development and implementation of consensus-based, innovative, policies, plans, and actions.”

http://www.climatestrategies.us/

Carbon Footprint--Try calculating your own carbon footprint. We may try this as an in-class exercise.

https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/household-carbon-footprint-calculator

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Week 3 (2/11) - Climate Change and Energy Policy (Continued)

In week 2, we focused on understanding the basics of climate change from 1712 up to and including reports released in late 2018. In week 3 we will explore the politics of climate change, including the perspective of the climate change skeptics, and examine two major initiatives designed to combat climate change (the Paris Agreement and the Clean Power Plan). Both initiatives were aggressively supported by President Obama and are strongly opposed by the Trump administration. The EPA is considering significant rollbacks to the Clean Power Plan and President Trump pledged to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement. (Technically, the US cannot formally withdraw from the Paris Agreement until 2020.)

Lecture Topics

The politics of climate change Climate change and energy policy under President Trump The Paris Agreement-overview and status The Clean Power Plan-overview and status

Discussion Topics

Is the climate change debate more about politics than science? Is the Paris Agreement too little, too late? What is the future of the Paris Agreement? What is the impact of Trump’s pledge to withdraw? The Clean Power Plan is praised by some as an effective component of the Unites States effort to

fight climate change and improve the environment. On the other hand, some see it as a job killer, decimating coal towns and contributing to higher electricity to costs to those who can least afford it. The Agreement has raised several legal issues and the wrath of the Trump administration.

Assignments

Reminder- The first briefing paper is due next week (week 4, 2/18) no later than Noon,2/18).

The Paris Agreement

Review the Paris Agreement... it is packed with legalese, but aim to get the flavor of the document (27 pages).

http://unfccc.int/files/essential_background/convention/application/pdf/english_paris_agreement.pdf

Read: “Elaborating the Paris Agreement: Implementation and Compliance” authored by Lavanya Rajaman (6 pages). Here is the link:

https://www.c2es.org/site/assets/uploads/2017/11/elaborating-the-paris-agreement-implementation-and-compliance-11-17.pdf

As noted in the optional reading for Week 2, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions is an excellent source for climate change information. ( http://www.c2es.org/ )

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Read arguments against the Paris Agreement from the Washington Times, May 15, 2017

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/15/paris-climate-agreement-needs-to-go/?utm_source=GOOGLE&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=chacka&utm_campaign=TWT+-+DSA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5diHquTt3wIV0LjACh3VzA8rEAMYASAAEgI0NPD_BwE

The 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 24) ran from December 2–15, 2018 in Katowice, Poland. Read what happened.

https://www.c2es.org/content/cop-24-katowice/

A good source for background and updates on international energy/climate change events is the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change. The web page includes extensive information on COP 24. Explore: http://unfccc.int/2860.php

The Clean Power Plan (CPP)

Read the “Clean Power Plan Opportunity” from the Union of Concerned Scientists (9 pages):

https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/03/national-clean-power-plan-analysis.pdf

Also check out the Union of Concerned Scientists (USC) web page for additional updates and as a good source of climate change information.

https://www.ucsusa.org/

Read about EPA’s proposal to replace the CPP. https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/electric-utility-generating-units-repealing-clean-power-plan-0

Read “The Climate-Change Gang,” by Scott Pruitt & Luther Strange, May 17, 2016 in the National Review. Pages 1-4. Pruitt was nominated by President Trump to head the US EPA. Luther Strange was Alabama’s Attorney General when he authored the article, but was appointed to the US Senate when Jeff Sessions became US Attorney General.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/435470/climate-change-attorneys-general

Read these news articles about replacing the CPP--

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/15/trump-replacement-obama-climate-plan

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/21082018/coal-clean-power-plan-trump-climate-change-replacement-pollution-smog-health-states

There are several “think tanks” that view concerns over climate change as greatly exaggerated. Two leading groups in this space are the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation.

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Explore the Cato Institute’s opinions on climate change/energy policy by skimming their web page—

https://www.cato.org/research/global-warming

Read the Cato Institute’s climate change views on global warming and climate change from their handbook for policy makers.

https://www.cato.org/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policy-makers-8th-edition-2017/global-warming-climate

Review the Heritage Foundation’s views on climate change/energy policy. Read a sample of their blog posts. Here are the relevant links:

http://www.heritage.org/issues/energy-and-environment/climate-change

https://www.heritage.org/renewable-energy

https://www.heritage.org/energy-economics

https://www.heritage.org/coal-oil-natural-gas

Listen to Stephen Moore, along with the other co-author of "Fueling Freedom: Exposing the Mad War on Energy,” Kathleen Hartnett White discuss energy policy at a Texas Public Policy Foundation forum. They argue the need for continued dependence on fossil fuel and the limitations of renewables. The recording is about 45 minutes long. Ms. White was nominated by President Trump to be head the EPA’s Council on Environmental Quality. Very controversial!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iqlLNhI_Bo

Read the news account of Ms. White’s failure to be approved as the head of EPA’s Council on Environmental Quality

https://www.texasobserver.org/texan-kathleen-hartnett-white-too-extreme-for-trump-administration/

Optional Readings

The book, “Coal Wars,” by Richard Martin (Palgrave, 2015), offers insight into the coal industry from Wyoming to China’s Shanxi Province.

The book, “Merchants of Doubt” by Naomi Oreskes (Bloomsburg Publishing, 2010) offers a provocative argument that the doubts about the negative impacts of climate change were created by the same people that claimed that cigarette smoking was not a health threat. A documentary inspired by the book was released in 2014 to generally positive reviews. It is also titled “Merchants of Doubt.”

The book, “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate” by Naomi Klein (Simon and Shuster, 2014) provides the provocative view that climate change is a monumental challenge requiring a major restructuring of the global economy.

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The Heartland Institute is another organization skeptical of much of the consensus views on climate change. Check out their web page: https://www.heartland.org/topics/climate-change/

Section Two: Making the Sausage: The Mechanics of Energy Policy (State, Federal, Local)

Week 4 (2/18) - Energy Policy-The Role of the States

We lead this session with state policy because states often play a prominent role in energy/environmental policy. This is especially true in certain states, both small (e.g., Rhode Island, Vermont), and large (e.g., New York, California). Some states, however, have traditionally played a less aggressive role (e.g., states in the Deep South). In week four we explore the role of the states in energy policy with a New York State focus.

Lecture Topics

Overview of the role of the states in energy policy Major players in New York State Energy Policy

o New York Power Authority (NYPA)-model for public power, established by Franklin D. Roosevelt as NY governor

o The Governor’s Office o New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)o New York Public Service Commission (arguably the most powerful in the nation)o Other State agencies (e.g., Department of Environmental Conservation, Department

of State)

Discussion Topics

Should New York play a less activist role because energy issues are often national and international in scope? A more activist role?

“Blue” states tend to have considerably more aggressive energy/environmental policies compared to “Red” states. What are the implications of these trends?

Presentation of student papers. Approximately 10 minutes will be allocated for each student to share their results with the class.

Assignments

Read “NYPA at 75: Fulfilling the Promises of Public Power,” comments of Alan H. Richardson President & CEO American Public Power Association, 4/28/2006, pages 1-12. Here is the link:

http://appanet.cms-plus.com/files/PDFs/richardsonnypa75.pdf

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Read a brief history of NYSERDA (about 2 pages)

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/About/History-of-NYSERDA

Read FDR’s campaign address in Portland, Oregon on public utilities and the development of hydro-electric power, September 21, 1932

http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/_resources/images/msf/msf00530

Week 5 (2/25) - New York State Energy Policy

In week four, we explored the role of states and some of the key players in New York’s government’s energy framework. This week we explore some of the specific actions planned or undertaken by New York State.

Lecture Topics Recent New York State energy policy actions include:

o New York State Energy Plano Fracking bano Governor Cuomo’s “Green New Deal” (2019)o State Energy Conservation Construction Code (updated in 2016)o Executive Order 88 (sets energy reduction targets for state buildings including

SUNY-Albany- 20% reduction by 2020)o The University at Albany’s commitment to reach climate neutrality by the

late 21st century

Discussion Topics

Is the New York Energy Plan headed in the right direction? Are the governor’s 2019 proposals realistic? Are you involved with sustainability on campus?

Assignments

New York State’s Energy Plan --- https://energyplan.ny.gov/ Read pages 1-45 of volume one (“printer friendly version”). Please note that pages 46-54 provide a useful glossary of abbreviations and acronyms.

Read about Governor Cuomo’s “Green New Deal:”

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-green-new-deal-included-2019-executive-budget

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Read Executive Order #88 “Directing State Agencies and Authorities to Improve the energy efficiency of State Buildings” (2 pages)

http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-88-directing-state-agencies-and-authorities-improve-energy-efficiency-state-buildings

Check out what is happening at SUNY-Albany regarding energy/environmental policy.

http://www.albany.edu/gogreen/

http://www.albany.edu/gogreen/sustainability_at_ualbany.shtml

Read about what other colleges and universities are doing regarding renewables, see Ben Goldfarb’s article on Yale’s “Environment 360.” Here is the link:

http://e360.yale.edu/feature/on_college_campuses_progress_on_renewable_energy/3048/

and the National Resources Defense Council blog:

https://www.nrdc.org/experts/lara-ettenson/how-college-campuses-can-lead-fighting-climate-change

Review “The Top 20 Coolest Schools 2018” from the Sierra Club. The goal of this assignment is to get a better sense of what is going on at various colleges. (SUNY-Albany ranked 63 out of 269 schools.)

https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/cool-schools-2018/top-20-coolest-schools-2018

Optional Readings

For more detail on Executive Order #88, read “Executive Order Guidelines” from the New York Power Authority.

https://www.nypa.gov/-/media/nypa/documents/document-library/operations/buildsmart-ny-eo88-guidelines.pdf

Fracking was a highly controversial issue in New York. Here is New York Health Department’s report on the safety of fracking:

Press release -- http://www.health.ny.gov/press/releases/2014/2014-12-17_fracking_report.htm

Complete report-- http://www.health.ny.gov/press/reports/docs/high_volume_hydraulic_fracturing.pdf

“The Boom: How Fracking Ignited the American Energy Revolution and Changed the World” by Russell Gold, Simon & Schuster, 2015

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Week 6 (3/04) - Regulation of Electric and Gas Utilities

America’s electric power plants are a large source of carbon emissions, responsible for approximately 30 percent of emissions nationwide. For the most part, utilities are regulated at the State level. In the late 1800s, early 1900’s, regulation of electricity was primarily a local government responsibility. The development of the transformer, circa 1900, allowed power to travel long distances leading to the rise of state regulation.

Lecture Topics

Why are utilities heavily regulated? The primary objectives of utility regulation How state regulatory commissions play a key role in energy policy and climate change. New York’s Public Service Commission (PSC) - established in 1907- a brief history The PSC moved from primarily a body to secure reliable service at just rates to a policy making

body, arguably the most powerful utility Commission in the country. Examples of PSC actions:o Promotion of “effective competition and increased customer choice” (Order-96-12)o Divesture of power plants by mainline utilitieso Implementation of a non bypassable System Benefits Chargeo Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS)o REV (Reforming the Energy Vision)

Discussion Topics

How do you see the role of regulation? Do we over regulate or under regulate? Should the Legislature play a more prominent role?

Assignments

Midterm questions distributed, will be due prior to the next class, no later than Noon, 3/11).

Read Electricity Regulation in the United States: A Guide (Second Edition) from the Regulatory

Assistance Program, pages 1-39 and pages 130- 140. Here is the link: http://www.raponline.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/rap-lazar-electricity-regulation-US-june-2016.pdf

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing the State public service commissions that regulate the utilities that provide essential services such as energy, telecommunications, power, water, and transportation. The organization was founded in 1889. Check out the NARUC web page: http://naruc.org/

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Read a brief history of New York’s Systems Benefit Charge program at the Department of Public Service (DPS) Web page. http://www3.dps.ny.gov/W/PSCWeb.nsf/All/58290EDB9AE5A89085257687006F38D1?OpenDocument

Read “Electric Utility Regulation Reform in New York: Economic Competitiveness at the Expense of the Environment?” by Janes D Elliot in the Pace Environmental Law Review. September 1995. Pages 1-37. The article is old, but provides a useful historical perspective. Here is the link: http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1399&context=pelr

If you haven’t already begun reading, “Panic at the Pump the Energy Crisis and the Transformation of American Politics in the 1970s” by Meg Jacobs, I suggest starting now. We plan to discuss the book in weeks 11 + 12.

Optional Readings

Read NARUC’s research paper— “Critical Infrastructure Protection: An Introduction for State Utility Regulators,” Keogh and Thomas, 09/2016, Pages 1 -23. This paper gives you an idea of the tradeoffs that confront regulators and how they might meet these challenges. This issue will become more urgent assuming the trend toward more severe and destructive weather continues.

https://pubs.naruc.org/pub/D10AF40A-AD04-3983-7421-9FBE970D87F3

Read about Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS). The program was in operation from 2008-2015. Key documents can be found on the New York State PSC web page:

http://www3.dps.ny.gov/W/PSCWeb.nsf/All/06F2FEE55575BD8A852576E4006F9AF7?OpenDocument

Week 7 (3/11) - Energy Efficiency as a Resource

Energy Efficiency equals energy savings and less need to produce energy. In recent years, most energy-consuming devices from light bulbs to jet engines have experienced significant improvements in energy efficiency. For example, today’s refrigerators are as much as 75 percent more efficient than those manufactured in the seventies and eighties. According to the EIA, from 1950 to 2011, energy intensity in the United States decreased by 58% per real dollar of gross domestic product and is expected to drop further in the years ahead.

Lecture Topics

History of New York State’s leadership role in energy efficiency How are energy efficiency programs funded? How are they administered? Are the programs cost effective? Benefits beyond energy savings (e.g., “economic justice,” economic growth, health and safety) How are energy efficiency programs evaluated? What are the long-term impacts?

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Discussion Topics

Is energy efficiency an adequate substitute for building a power plant? Can we trust the estimates of energy savings? Do the energy savings persist?

Assignments

Completed midterm exams are due prior to this class (no later than Noon, 3/11).

Become familiar with the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) web page: http://aceee.org/ Read ACEEE’s “The Greatest Energy Story You Haven't Heard: How Investing in Energy Efficiency Changed the US Power Sector and Gave Us a Tool to Tackle Climate Change,” August 19, 2016, Research Report U1604, (updated October 2016) Authors -- Maggie Molina, Patrick Kiker, and Seth Nowak. Pages 1-20. http://aceee.org/research-report/u1604

Read ACEEE’s 2018 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, October 2018 Report U1808, Authors - Weston Berg, Seth Nowak, Grace Relf, Shruti Vaidyanathan, Eric Junga, Marianne DiMascio, and Emma Cooper. Read the Executive Summary, pages vi-xiv and skim the full report.

https://aceee.org/sites/default/files/publications/researchreports/u1808.pdf

Read “Coming of Age in New York: The Maturation of Energy Efficiency as a Resource by Paul DeCotis, The Bridge, Energy Efficiency, Summer 2009, V-39-2. National Academies of Sciences, pages 37-43.

https://www.nae.edu/Publications/Bridge/EnergyEfficiency14874/ComingofAgeinNewYorkTheMaturationofEnergyEfficiencyasaResource.aspx

Read “Quality is Job #1” – Bill Saxonis, International Energy Program Evaluation Conference, (IEPEC), 2015, pages 1-12. Paper-- http://www.iepec.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/papers/010.pdf

Slides-- https://www.iepec.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/saxonis_presentation.pdf

Week 8- 3/18-Spring Break - Enjoy!

Week 9 (3/25) – Recent NY Public Service Commission (PSC) Actions and Goals

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New York’s Public Service Commission has been responsible for more groundbreaking activity in the last 20 years or so than in previous 90. It is one of the most powerful Commissions in the country. This week we focus on PSC actions over about the last four years.

Lecture Topics

REV (Reforming the Energy Vision)—goal is to establish New York as a leader in the transition to a clean energy economy (ongoing effort began in 2014).

o REV proposes a comprehensive “regulatory overhaul” that will reinvent how we produce, deliver and consume energy

o Increased emphasis on reducing electricity demand at peak timeso Demand response/real time pricingo Micro grids

Modernization of electricity grid (e.g., transmission lines, transformers) Distributed Energy Resources Technological innovation (e.g., smart meters, cost effective energy storage) New York’s Clean Energy Standard (2016) - 50 percent of the state’s power to come from

renewable sources by 2030.

Discussion Topics

Does New York need a “regulatory overhaul” as prospered through REV? Is the PSC on the right track?

Are there unintended consequences of innovative regulatory solutions (e.g., what does increased use of “off grid” power means to the cost to ratepayers of maintaining the existing infrastructure?)

Can we depend on renewables, even on a cloudy day with no wind?

Assignments

Second issue brief due, week 10 (4/01)- no later than Noon, 4/01.

Undergraduate students will do this assignment, but the third issue brief in only required for graduate students.

Read the overview of REV found at the Department of Public Service web page:

http://www3.dps.ny.gov/W/PSCWeb.nsf/All/CC4F2EFA3A23551585257DEA007DCFE2?OpenDocument

Read the “Rev Order,” 14-M-0101 – “Proceeding on Motion of the Commission in Regard to Reforming the Energy Vision” Read pages 1- 29.

http://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Common/ViewDoc.aspx?DocRefId=%7b0B599D87-445B-4197-9815-24C27623A6A0%7d

Read about the Clean Energy Fund. Here is the order authorizing the “framework”-CASE 14-M-0094, January 21, 2016. Read pages 1-14. Here is the link:

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http://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Common/ViewDoc.aspx?DocRefId=%7BB23BE6D8-412E-4C82-BC58-9888D496D216%7D

Read “Distributed Energy Resources,” by Paul DeCotis (West Monroe Energy Partners, in Public Utility Fortnightly, March 2016, pages 49-51.

http://www.westmonroepartners.com/News/WMP-In-The-News/2016/02/Distributed-Energy-Resources-Alt-Energy-Mag

Read “Competitive Markets and Clean Energy Goals: Theory vs. Practice,” by Paul DeCotis in Natural Gas & Electricity, December 2016, pages 30-32.

http://www.westmonroepartners.com/en/News/WMP-In-The-News/2016/12/Competitive-Markets-and-Clean-Energy-Standards

Optional Readings

“The Grid the Fraying Wires Between Americans and our Energy Future” by Gretchen Bakke, Bloomsbury, 2016

“Living on the Grid, The Fundamentals of North American Electric Grids in Simple Language” by William L. Thompson, “iUniverse,” 2016

Week 10 (4/01) - The Role of the New York Independent System Operator

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) operates competitive wholesale markets to manage the flow of electricity across New York State—from the power producers who generate it to the local utilities that deliver it to residents and businesses.

Lecture Topics

The NYISO Missiono Operating open, fair and competitive wholesale electricity marketso Planning, forecasting, researcho Maintaining and enhancing regional reliability

NYISO’s view on New York’s energy future

Discussion Topics

After reviewing the NYISO reports, how do you see New York’s energy future? Is the NYISO striking the right balance to maintain the reliability of New York’s electric system? Presentation of student papers. Approximately 10 minutes will be allocated for each student to

share their results with the class.

Assignments

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Become familiar with the NYISO web page…it is a rich data source- https://www.nyiso.com/

Read the NYISO Strategic Plan, pages 1-18. https://www.nyiso.com/documents/20142/2225883/2018+NYISO+Strategic+Plan.pdf/89d8a887-1b70-b163-99d0-0a91cfa6d497

Read 2018 Power Trends, pages 1-57https://www.nyiso.com/documents/20142/2223020/2018-Power-Trends.pdf/4cd3a2a6-838a-bb54-f631-8982a7bdfa7a

Optional Reading

NYISO makes available many high-quality New York State focused reports. For example, NYISO’s report on distributed energy resources is worth a look.

https://www.nyiso.com/documents/20142/2261851/2017-Distributed-Energy-Resources-Roadmap.pdf/9afac12f-6d55-7855-2689-c377b0577304

Weeks 11+12 (4/08, 4/15) - The Increasing Role of the Federal government in Energy Policy

The Federal government role in energy policy dates back to the early 1900s with a significant acceleration resulting from New Deal initiatives designed to mitigate the impacts of the Great Depression (approximately 1929-1941). The next major jump in Federal activity resulted from the “Energy Crisis” of the seventies and early eighties. The role of the Federal government will be covered over two weeks to allow time for a discussion of the book “Panic at the Pump.” The assignment list covers both weeks.

The early history-FDR to Nixono Federal Water Power Act of 1920o The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935o The Federal Power Act of 1935o Clean Air Act (1970)- created the EPA

The Energy Crisis results in a more significant Federal roleo Energy and Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (also 1992,2005 updates)o Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007o Appliance Standards (e.g., Energy Star)o “CAFE” Standards o Federal Energy Regulatory Commission(FERC)- select rulings

Discussion Topics

A case can be made that government initiative has proven a cost effective method of moving energy efficiency faster and more completely than leaving progress to the whims of the marketplace. On the other hand, some have argued that government involvement in energy markets is too heavy handed.

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For example, do you think that the government was correct in mandating vehicle mileage standards to the auto industry and limiting consumer choices in light bulb technologies?

Assignments

Read, “Panic at the Pump the Energy Crisis and the Transformation of American Politics in the 1970s.” Meg Jacobs, (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) 2016.

Read about CAFE Standards (pages 1-3): https://www.transportation.gov/mission/sustainability/corporate-average-fuel-economy-cafe-standards

Read “Trump is freezing Obama’s fuel economy standards. Here’s what that could do.” From VOX:

https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/5/3/17314000/trump-epa-cars-trucks-fuel-economy-cafe-standards

Supportive of the Administration view on CAFÉ standards from the US DOT:

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/cafe

Two different views on CAFÉ from Forbes Magazine:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/waynewinegarden/2018/09/17/cafe-standards-versus-public-opinion/#5966609f7904

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielsperling/2018/08/02/trying-to-make-sense-of-trumps-rollback-of-vehicle-standards/#34d7e459e71a

Read an overview of Appliance Standards: http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/appliance-and-equipment-standards-program

Read “Jobs Created by Appliance Standards,” Brian Stickles, Joanna Mauer, Jim Barrett, and Andrew DeLaski, July 2018, Report A1802, pages 1-12

https://appliance-standards.org/sites/default/files/Jobs_Report.pdf

Read DOE’s press release (9/16/2015) – “Common Definition for Zero Energy Buildings, Campuses, and Communities”—http://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/doe-releases-common-definition-zero-energy-buildings-campuses-and

Read “Zero Net Energy Myths and Modes of Thought” by Rajkovich, Diamond, and Bill Burke, pages 1-13. http://aceee.org/files/proceedings/2010/data/papers/2125.pdf

Week 13 (4/22) - The Role of Local Government

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In recent years, we have seen a dramatic rise in local government involvement in energy policy. Initiatives include carbon taxes, building codes, and sustainability programs. We will cover the recent rise of local governments in energy policy from Albany NY to San Diego Examples of local initiatives:

o “Five Cities” program (energy plans for New York’s largest cities excluding NYC)o The City of Albany’s Sustainability Advisory Committee o Seattle WA goal of carbon neutrality by 2050o Boulder CO Climate Action Plan Tax o OneNYC- 80X50 – NYC commits to be a global leader in the fight against climate change

with a goal of being the “most sustainable big city in the world.”o San Diego CA - Renewable Energy and Efficiency Program

Discussion Topics

Is this a proper role for local government or should they stick to basic services such as police, fire and road maintenance?

Are the program goals realistic? Does your community have a sustainability program?

Assignments

Review the City of Albany’s Sustainability Plan activities http://www.albanysustainability.org/

and read Albany’s Energy Plan as part of the Five Cities program, pages 1-62:

https://www.nypa.gov/innovation/programs/five-cities-energy-program

Learn about New York City’s “80X 50” initiative, read pages 5-20:https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/sustainability/downloads/pdf/publications/New%20York%20City%27s%20Roadmap%20to%2080%20x%2050_20160926_FOR%20WEB.pdf

Read about New York City’s “80X 50” initiative achievements in the One NYC Progress Report 2018, pages 60-63:https://onenyc.cityofnewyork.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OneNYC_Progress_2018.pdf

Read about the Boulder Climate Action Plan. See “City-Level Climate Leadership in Boulder the Climate Action Plan Tax” Pages 1-3 at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions web page: https://www.c2es.org/document/city-level-climate-leadership-in-boulder-the-climate-action-plan-tax/

Also see the City of Boulder web page for additional information including current data on the Climate Action Tax : https://bouldercolorado.gov/climate/climate-action-plan-cap-tax

Read about San Diego’s “Climate Action Plan” (pages 1-16)https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/final_july_2016_cap.pdfAlso check out San Diego’s sustainability web page:

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https://www.sandiego.gov/public-utilities/sustainability

Read about Seattle ‘s “Climate Action Plan,” pages 1-22. Here is the link:

http://durkan.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/SeaClimateAction_April2018.pdf

Third issue brief due, week 14 (4/29), no later than Noon, 4/29).

Undergraduate students are only required to complete two briefing papers.

Section Three-Bringing it all Together-

Week 14 (4/29)-Loose ends

Weeks 14 and 15 are somewhat open-ended to allow flexibility to cover the likely event that we need more time to complete all the class topics and to allow adequate time for student presentations.

Presentation of student papers. Approximately 10 minutes will be allocated for each student to share their results with the class.

Final exam questions will be distributed. They will be due prior to the next class (Week 15- 5/07)- no later than Noon, 5/07).

Week 15 (5/06) - Wrap Up

Tie up loose ends Class summary/lessons learned Feedback for future classes Final exams due Class survey of course/professor

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Appendix A: Additional Sources

Energy Policy - Historical Background

For exploring the history of energy and energy issues, there are numerous sources. Two classic books in this area are by Daniel Yergin — “The Prize” (offers a comprehensive history of oil) and “The Quest” (focuses on energy and security issues- Part Four is devoted to climate change).

Energy Policy/ Climate Change News

Compared to the Obama administration, the Trump administration is offering dramatically different views on energy policy and climate change ushering in a period of turbulence and change. It is important

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for the class to keep track of these events. Below are a few examples of reliable sources of energy and climate change news:

An excellent source of energy and environmental news is the weekly radio program “Living on Earth” heard locally on WAMC- 90.3 FM (Albany). For more information about the program, including the stream of the current program and archives dating back to 1991. See: http://www.loe.org/index.html

Also check out another product from Public Radio offering environmental news-Earthwise Radio.https://earthwiseradio.org/

The Washington Post and The New York Times offer detailed and reliable coverage of energy and climate change issues.

Subscriptions to The Washington Post are available to students at a special low rate. The newspaper also offers a regular e-mail update called “The Energy 202.” See:

https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acqlite/edu-offer/

The New York Times also offers a heavily discounted student subscription rate. See:

https://www.nytimes.com/subscription/edu/lp8LQFS.html?campaignId=69KUJ

The Guardian newspaper is also a great source of energy and climate change news. Access is free, but donations are encouraged. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-change

Also, consider Yale University’s Environment 360, an online magazine offering opinion, analysis, reporting and debate on global environmental issues. Subscriptions are free. http://e360.yale.edu/

CSPAN - offers a variety of presentations by leading experts in climate change, energy and environmental policy. The speakers range from climate change deniers to Al Gore.

https://www.c-span.org/search/?searchtype=All&query=climate+change

The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law (Columbia University) offers a rich source of information on climate change with a focus on legal issues. http://columbiaclimatelaw.com/

A good source for background and updates on international energy/climate change events is the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change. Explore http://unfccc.int/2860.php

Politico offers a digest of the day’s top energy news with a focus on New York State.

https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/newsletters/politico-new-york-energy

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