All Results
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Project: San Diego Regional Climate Action Roadmap
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
December 2025
Regional Roadmap (Comprehensive Climate Action Plan)
EPIC supported the San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG)’s Regional Climate Action Roadmap (the Roadmap) as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Grant Program (CPRG). EPIC completed San Diego regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for the year 2022 and GHG projections through 2045 for major economic sectors in the Region. The GHG projections consider the effect of existing federal and California regulations and regional policies and programs to reduce GHG emissions. EPIC projected the GHG reduction potential for range of measures that were selected based on a robust stakeholder engagement process.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
December 2025
Regional Roadmap (Comprehensive Climate Action Plan)
EPIC supported the San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG)’s Regional Climate Action Roadmap (the Roadmap) as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Grant Program (CPRG). EPIC completed San Diego regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for the year 2022 and GHG projections through 2045 for major economic sectors in the Region. The GHG projections consider the effect of existing federal and California regulations and regional policies and programs to reduce GHG emissions. EPIC projected the GHG reduction potential for range of measures that were selected based on a robust stakeholder engagement process.
Project: City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Monitoring Support
Partner: City of San Diego
June 2025
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Monitoring Support (pdf)
EPIC supports monitoring, progress reporting, and implementation support for the City of San Diego 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the calendar year 2023. As part of this project, EPIC has collected data, completed GHG inventories, identified related activity data, and developed technical reports for eight annual progress reports. In 2025, EPIC provided data acquisition streamlining support for the City’s online Climate Dashboard that provides additional up-to-date CAP key metrics monitoring and CAP actions progress tracking.
Partner: City of San Diego
June 2025
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Monitoring Support (pdf)
EPIC supports monitoring, progress reporting, and implementation support for the City of San Diego 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the calendar year 2023. As part of this project, EPIC has collected data, completed GHG inventories, identified related activity data, and developed technical reports for eight annual progress reports. In 2025, EPIC provided data acquisition streamlining support for the City’s online Climate Dashboard that provides additional up-to-date CAP key metrics monitoring and CAP actions progress tracking.
Project: City of La Mesa Climate Action Plan Update
Partner: City of La Mesa
November 2024
City of La Mesa Climate Action Plan Update Development and Cost Analysis (pdf)
EPIC supported the development of La Mesa 2024 CAP Update (adopted in November 26, 2024). As part of this project, EPIC provided greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting support, including completing a GHG inventory, projecting GHG emissions, setting reduction targets, helping develop and quantify GHG reduction impacts of new and expanded CAP measures, policies, and programs, and completing a technical report. EPIC also completed an Implementation Cost Analysis for the CAP update, including working with staff to develop a data collection tool, collecting and analyzing data related to cost and level of effort, presenting and revising results, and completing a summary of findings.
Partner: City of La Mesa
November 2024
City of La Mesa Climate Action Plan Update Development and Cost Analysis (pdf)
EPIC supported the development of La Mesa 2024 CAP Update (adopted in November 26, 2024). As part of this project, EPIC provided greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting support, including completing a GHG inventory, projecting GHG emissions, setting reduction targets, helping develop and quantify GHG reduction impacts of new and expanded CAP measures, policies, and programs, and completing a technical report. EPIC also completed an Implementation Cost Analysis for the CAP update, including working with staff to develop a data collection tool, collecting and analyzing data related to cost and level of effort, presenting and revising results, and completing a summary of findings.
Project: City of Carlsbad Climate Action Plan Amendment #2
Partner: City of Carlsbad
November 2024
City of Carlsbad Climate Action Plan Development and Cost Analysis (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Carlsbad 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP) update (adopted in November 2024). As part of this project, EPIC provided greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting support, including completing a GHG inventory, supporting target selection, helping develop and quantify GHG reduction impacts of CAP measures and policies. EPIC also completed an Implementation Cost Analysis, including working with staff to develop a data collection tool, collecting and analyzing data related to cost and level of effort, presenting and revising results, and completing a summary report.
Partner: City of Carlsbad
November 2024
City of Carlsbad Climate Action Plan Development and Cost Analysis (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Carlsbad 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP) update (adopted in November 2024). As part of this project, EPIC provided greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting support, including completing a GHG inventory, supporting target selection, helping develop and quantify GHG reduction impacts of CAP measures and policies. EPIC also completed an Implementation Cost Analysis, including working with staff to develop a data collection tool, collecting and analyzing data related to cost and level of effort, presenting and revising results, and completing a summary report.
Project: City of Solana Beach Climate Action Plan Update
Partner: City of Solana Beach
October 2024
City of Solana Beach Climate Action Plan Development and Cost Analysis (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Solana Beach 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP) update (Adopted on October 9, 2024). As part of this project, EPIC provided greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting support, including completing a GHG inventory, supporting target selection, helping develop and quantify GHG reduction impacts of CAP measures and policies. For the first time in a local jurisdiction’s CAP, EPIC identified the CAP measures based on the “actor,” either the City or the community members, to align with the San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework (RDF) and its regional policy initiatives. EPIC also completed an Implementation Cost Analysis, including working with staff to develop a data collection tool, collecting and analyzing data related to cost and level of effort, presenting and revising results, and completing a summary report.
Partner: City of Solana Beach
October 2024
City of Solana Beach Climate Action Plan Development and Cost Analysis (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Solana Beach 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP) update (Adopted on October 9, 2024). As part of this project, EPIC provided greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting support, including completing a GHG inventory, supporting target selection, helping develop and quantify GHG reduction impacts of CAP measures and policies. For the first time in a local jurisdiction’s CAP, EPIC identified the CAP measures based on the “actor,” either the City or the community members, to align with the San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework (RDF) and its regional policy initiatives. EPIC also completed an Implementation Cost Analysis, including working with staff to develop a data collection tool, collecting and analyzing data related to cost and level of effort, presenting and revising results, and completing a summary report.
Project: City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Monitoring Support
Partner: City of San Diego
August 2024
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan 2023 Annual Report (pdf)
EPIC supports monitoring, progress reporting, and implementation support for the City of San Diego 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the calendar year 2023. As part of this project, EPIC has collected data, completed GHG inventories, identified related activity data, and developed technical reports for seven annual progress reports. In 2024, EPIC provided data acquisition streamlining support for the City’s newly launched online Climate Dashboard that provides additional up-to-date CAP key metrics monitoring and CAP actions progress tracking.
Partner: City of San Diego
August 2024
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan 2023 Annual Report (pdf)
EPIC supports monitoring, progress reporting, and implementation support for the City of San Diego 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the calendar year 2023. As part of this project, EPIC has collected data, completed GHG inventories, identified related activity data, and developed technical reports for seven annual progress reports. In 2024, EPIC provided data acquisition streamlining support for the City’s newly launched online Climate Dashboard that provides additional up-to-date CAP key metrics monitoring and CAP actions progress tracking.
Project: SANDAG Climate Resilience On-Call Task Order 1
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
March 2024
San Diego Regional Priority Climate Action Plan (pdf)
EPIC supported the San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG)’s regional climate action planning activities as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Grant Program. For this project, EPIC conducted quantitative GHG analysis for the Priority Climate Action Plan, which identified and quantified GHG reduction potential for range of measures and actions that could be implemented prior to 2030 in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The GHG reduction measures were based on a robust stakeholder engagement process and focused on the transportation, building energy, energy supply, and water sectors.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
March 2024
San Diego Regional Priority Climate Action Plan (pdf)
EPIC supported the San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG)’s regional climate action planning activities as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Grant Program. For this project, EPIC conducted quantitative GHG analysis for the Priority Climate Action Plan, which identified and quantified GHG reduction potential for range of measures and actions that could be implemented prior to 2030 in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The GHG reduction measures were based on a robust stakeholder engagement process and focused on the transportation, building energy, energy supply, and water sectors.
Project: Preserve Calavera GHG Reduction Project Evaluation
Partner: Preserve Calavera
January 2024
Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Cost Effectiveness Estimates to Inform Project Funding Decisions (pdf)
Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) evaluated a range of project types to determine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions impacts and cost effectiveness. Results will help identify potential projects for grant funding. EPIC estimated the following metrics to compare project types: metric tons carbon-dioxide equivalent (CO2e) reduced or removed, net present value (NPV), NPV per metric ton CO2e reduced or removed, benefit cost ratio (BCR), and discounted payback
Partner: Preserve Calavera
January 2024
Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Cost Effectiveness Estimates to Inform Project Funding Decisions (pdf)
Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) evaluated a range of project types to determine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions impacts and cost effectiveness. Results will help identify potential projects for grant funding. EPIC estimated the following metrics to compare project types: metric tons carbon-dioxide equivalent (CO2e) reduced or removed, net present value (NPV), NPV per metric ton CO2e reduced or removed, benefit cost ratio (BCR), and discounted payback
Project: City of Chula Vista Climate Equity Index
Partner: City of Chula Vista
November 2022
City of Chula Vista Climate Equity Index Report
EPIC worked with the Chula Vista to develop a Climate Equity Index. The Index, which was released in 2021 and developed after the COVID-19 pandemic was underway, focuses a more closely on health indicators based on the ongoing experience with the COVID-19 pandemic as lessons for dealing with climate change impacts. Therefore, access to health insurance, for example, became a new indicator as part of health factors affecting the ability to deal with climate impacts in the long term.
Partner: City of Chula Vista
November 2022
City of Chula Vista Climate Equity Index Report
EPIC worked with the Chula Vista to develop a Climate Equity Index. The Index, which was released in 2021 and developed after the COVID-19 pandemic was underway, focuses a more closely on health indicators based on the ongoing experience with the COVID-19 pandemic as lessons for dealing with climate change impacts. Therefore, access to health insurance, for example, became a new indicator as part of health factors affecting the ability to deal with climate impacts in the long term.
Project: San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework
Partner: County of San Diego
January 2022
San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework: Local Policy Opportunities Analysis
EPIC completed a detailed analysis to identify local policy opportunities for local jurisdictions in the San Diego region to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This project contributes to the Regional Decarbonization Framework, a technical and policy analysis of deep decarbonization in the San Diego region. Based on a review of the authority of local jurisdictions to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, a review of Climate Action Plans in the region, and a scenario analysis to estimate the total impact of all CAPs in the region, EPIC identified opportunities for further local action and regional collaboration.
Partner: County of San Diego
January 2022
San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework: Local Policy Opportunities Analysis
EPIC completed a detailed analysis to identify local policy opportunities for local jurisdictions in the San Diego region to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This project contributes to the Regional Decarbonization Framework, a technical and policy analysis of deep decarbonization in the San Diego region. Based on a review of the authority of local jurisdictions to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, a review of Climate Action Plans in the region, and a scenario analysis to estimate the total impact of all CAPs in the region, EPIC identified opportunities for further local action and regional collaboration.
Project: City of Encinitas Climate Action Plan Implementation
Partner: City of Encinitas
December 2021
City of Encinitas Green Building Ordinances
EPIC supported City of Encinitas staff to develop a Green Building Ordinance, including provisions related to residential and nonresidential energy efficiency in new buildings, solar photovoltaics on new nonresidential buildings, and the San Diego region's all-electric requirement for new buildings. For this project, EPIC developed ordinance language, diagrams to illustrate how the ordinances applied, and fact sheets.
Partner: City of Encinitas
December 2021
City of Encinitas Green Building Ordinances
EPIC supported City of Encinitas staff to develop a Green Building Ordinance, including provisions related to residential and nonresidential energy efficiency in new buildings, solar photovoltaics on new nonresidential buildings, and the San Diego region's all-electric requirement for new buildings. For this project, EPIC developed ordinance language, diagrams to illustrate how the ordinances applied, and fact sheets.
Project: City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Monitoring Support
Partner: City of San Diego
December 2021
City of San Diego Climate Equity Index Report
EPIC worked with the City of San Diego’s Sustainability Department to develop the first-of-its-kind Climate Equity Index in 2019 and to update it in 2021. The index evaluates environmental, socioeconomic, mobility, and health factors across the city to help understand how climate impacts, benefits of related policies, and access to services are distributed. It measures thirty-five indicators for each of the city’s 297 census tracts. The selection of indicators was based on a stakeholder-driven process to identify communities with current equity concerns and develop a baseline climate equity index for the City and sub-areas of the City. EPIC developed a report to summarize the methods and findings of the Index and supported development of an interactive GIS-based map.
Partner: City of San Diego
December 2021
City of San Diego Climate Equity Index Report
EPIC worked with the City of San Diego’s Sustainability Department to develop the first-of-its-kind Climate Equity Index in 2019 and to update it in 2021. The index evaluates environmental, socioeconomic, mobility, and health factors across the city to help understand how climate impacts, benefits of related policies, and access to services are distributed. It measures thirty-five indicators for each of the city’s 297 census tracts. The selection of indicators was based on a stakeholder-driven process to identify communities with current equity concerns and develop a baseline climate equity index for the City and sub-areas of the City. EPIC developed a report to summarize the methods and findings of the Index and supported development of an interactive GIS-based map.
Project: Balboa Park Climate Planning Support
Partner: Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
November 2021
Coming to Terms with Climate Commitments: How difficult is carbon neutrality to achieve?
It is important to understand what climate commitments mean but it is equally important to understand the magnitude of the challenge. California has a target to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible but no later than 2045, and then to achieve net negative emissions thereafter. So, once we have done everything we can to reduce or avoid GHGs, we need to remove a quantity of emissions from the atmosphere equal to the GHGs that still remain. This post provides estimates for remaining emissions at the state level and for the San Diego region.
Partner: Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
November 2021
Coming to Terms with Climate Commitments: How difficult is carbon neutrality to achieve?
It is important to understand what climate commitments mean but it is equally important to understand the magnitude of the challenge. California has a target to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible but no later than 2045, and then to achieve net negative emissions thereafter. So, once we have done everything we can to reduce or avoid GHGs, we need to remove a quantity of emissions from the atmosphere equal to the GHGs that still remain. This post provides estimates for remaining emissions at the state level and for the San Diego region.
Project: Balboa Park Climate Planning Support
Partner: Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
November 2021
Coming to Terms with Climate Commitments: How difficult is carbon neutrality to achieve?
It is important to understand what climate commitments mean but it is equally important to understand the magnitude of the challenge. California has a target to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible but no later than 2045, and then to achieve net negative emissions thereafter. So, once we have done everything we can to reduce or avoid GHGs, we need to remove a quantity of emissions from the atmosphere equal to the GHGs that still remain. This post provides estimates for remaining emissions at the state level and for the San Diego region.
Partner: Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
November 2021
Coming to Terms with Climate Commitments: How difficult is carbon neutrality to achieve?
It is important to understand what climate commitments mean but it is equally important to understand the magnitude of the challenge. California has a target to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible but no later than 2045, and then to achieve net negative emissions thereafter. So, once we have done everything we can to reduce or avoid GHGs, we need to remove a quantity of emissions from the atmosphere equal to the GHGs that still remain. This post provides estimates for remaining emissions at the state level and for the San Diego region.
Project: Balboa Park Climate Planning Support
Partner: Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
November 2021
Coming to Terms with Climate Commitments: How difficult is carbon neutrality to achieve?
It is important to understand what climate commitments mean but it is equally important to understand the magnitude of the challenge. California has a target to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible but no later than 2045, and then to achieve net negative emissions thereafter. So, once we have done everything we can to reduce or avoid GHGs, we need to remove a quantity of emissions from the atmosphere equal to the GHGs that still remain. This post provides estimates for remaining emissions at the state level and for the San Diego region.
Partner: Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
November 2021
Coming to Terms with Climate Commitments: How difficult is carbon neutrality to achieve?
It is important to understand what climate commitments mean but it is equally important to understand the magnitude of the challenge. California has a target to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible but no later than 2045, and then to achieve net negative emissions thereafter. So, once we have done everything we can to reduce or avoid GHGs, we need to remove a quantity of emissions from the atmosphere equal to the GHGs that still remain. This post provides estimates for remaining emissions at the state level and for the San Diego region.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
November 2021
Energy Resilience in a Changing Climate
The 13the Annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law focused on Energy Resilience in a Changing Climate. The event comprised two webinars dealing with aspects of this general theme. The first webinar focused on Energy Resilience and Extreme Weather Events and featured a keynote presentation by CPUC Commissioner Darcie Houck. The second webinar focused on Energy Resilience and Deep Decarbonization and featured a keynote presentation by CEC Commissioner Siva Gunda.
November 2021
Energy Resilience in a Changing Climate
The 13the Annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law focused on Energy Resilience in a Changing Climate. The event comprised two webinars dealing with aspects of this general theme. The first webinar focused on Energy Resilience and Extreme Weather Events and featured a keynote presentation by CPUC Commissioner Darcie Houck. The second webinar focused on Energy Resilience and Deep Decarbonization and featured a keynote presentation by CEC Commissioner Siva Gunda.
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Project: EPIC Energy Blog
October 2021
Coming to Terms with Climate Commitments: What Do They Mean?
From local governments to Fortune 500 companies, it seems everyone has a climate commitment these days. But it is not clear that we have come to terms with what these commitments mean – both the language and what it will take to get there. This post reviews key terms to help make sense of GHG emissions commitments. It will be helpful to anyone developing or interpreting climate commitments, or following the upcoming twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) taking place in November 2021 in Glasgow.
October 2021
Coming to Terms with Climate Commitments: What Do They Mean?
From local governments to Fortune 500 companies, it seems everyone has a climate commitment these days. But it is not clear that we have come to terms with what these commitments mean – both the language and what it will take to get there. This post reviews key terms to help make sense of GHG emissions commitments. It will be helpful to anyone developing or interpreting climate commitments, or following the upcoming twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) taking place in November 2021 in Glasgow.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
October 2021
Legislative Update: Chaptered and Vetoed Bills for the 2021 Session
This post summarizes bills that were enacted into law or vetoed by the Governor.
October 2021
Legislative Update: Chaptered and Vetoed Bills for the 2021 Session
This post summarizes bills that were enacted into law or vetoed by the Governor.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Vista
October 2021
City of Vista Climate Action Plan Update
EPIC supported the City of Vista to update their existing climate action plan, including completing a GHG emissions inventory, evaluating current GHG reduction measures, developing new GHG reduction measures as needed, and developing technical documents to describe methods used.
Partner: City of Vista
October 2021
City of Vista Climate Action Plan Update
EPIC supported the City of Vista to update their existing climate action plan, including completing a GHG emissions inventory, evaluating current GHG reduction measures, developing new GHG reduction measures as needed, and developing technical documents to describe methods used.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Vista
October 2021
City of Vista Climate Action Plan Update
EPIC supported the City of Vista to update their existing climate action plan, including completing a GHG emissions inventory, evaluating current GHG reduction measures, developing new GHG reduction measures as needed, and developing technical documents to describe methods used.
Partner: City of Vista
October 2021
City of Vista Climate Action Plan Update
EPIC supported the City of Vista to update their existing climate action plan, including completing a GHG emissions inventory, evaluating current GHG reduction measures, developing new GHG reduction measures as needed, and developing technical documents to describe methods used.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
September 2021
Legislative Update: Passed Bills Enrolled to the Governor for the 2021 Session
This post summarizes the bills that were passed by the legislature and sent to the Governor for consideration.
September 2021
Legislative Update: Passed Bills Enrolled to the Governor for the 2021 Session
This post summarizes the bills that were passed by the legislature and sent to the Governor for consideration.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Analysis
Partner: The San Diego Foundation
August 2021
The Rise of Reach Codes
In August of 2021 the California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted energy efficiency standards to be included in the 2022 state building standards (Title 24, Part 6). The new energy code will further increase building energy efficiency and reduce emissions from California buildings when they go into effect January 1, 2023. This post discusses what these new state standards mean for the many local governments across the state that have adopted or are in the process of adopting reach codes that go beyond what the state is currently requiring.
Partner: The San Diego Foundation
August 2021
The Rise of Reach Codes
In August of 2021 the California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted energy efficiency standards to be included in the 2022 state building standards (Title 24, Part 6). The new energy code will further increase building energy efficiency and reduce emissions from California buildings when they go into effect January 1, 2023. This post discusses what these new state standards mean for the many local governments across the state that have adopted or are in the process of adopting reach codes that go beyond what the state is currently requiring.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2021
Reduce, Preserve, Remove: A Framework for Climate Action
This post proposes and discusses each element of a three-pronged framework for climate action: reduce emissions, preserve existing carbon stocks, and remove carbon from the atmosphere.
July 2021
Reduce, Preserve, Remove: A Framework for Climate Action
This post proposes and discusses each element of a three-pronged framework for climate action: reduce emissions, preserve existing carbon stocks, and remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Project: EcoCart Carbon Offset Policy Analysis and Framework
Partner: EcoCart
July 2021
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC supportedEcoCart to develop a policy framework for purchasing carbon offset credits. In particular, EPIC conducted a literature review of best practices, researched trends and developments in global carbon offset credits markets, supported development of guiding principles, and developed a draft policy framework for purchasing carbon offset credits.
Partner: EcoCart
July 2021
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC supportedEcoCart to develop a policy framework for purchasing carbon offset credits. In particular, EPIC conducted a literature review of best practices, researched trends and developments in global carbon offset credits markets, supported development of guiding principles, and developed a draft policy framework for purchasing carbon offset credits.
Project: Local Carbon Offsets in the San Diego Region
Partner: The San Diego Foundation
July 2021
Local Carbon Offset Credits in the San Diego Region
EPIC completed a project to identify opportunities to develop carbon offset credit projects in the San Diego using existing protocols from carbon offset programs. The results of this study, which was funded by a grant from The San Diego Foundation, will help decision makers understand the role that carbon offset credits could play in achieving carbon neutrality in the region. EPIC screened 166 carbon offset credit protocols for those that were active, covered activities applicable to the San Diego region, and resulted in GHG emission reductions or removals that were additional to what is already required.
Partner: The San Diego Foundation
July 2021
Local Carbon Offset Credits in the San Diego Region
EPIC completed a project to identify opportunities to develop carbon offset credit projects in the San Diego using existing protocols from carbon offset programs. The results of this study, which was funded by a grant from The San Diego Foundation, will help decision makers understand the role that carbon offset credits could play in achieving carbon neutrality in the region. EPIC screened 166 carbon offset credit protocols for those that were active, covered activities applicable to the San Diego region, and resulted in GHG emission reductions or removals that were additional to what is already required.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2021
Final report not available to the public.
Students worked for both the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research on CEQA AB 743 issues.
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2021
Final report not available to the public.
Students worked for both the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research on CEQA AB 743 issues.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2021
Final report not available to the public.
Students work with the Chief Counsel’s Office of the California Energy Commission on a confidential project.
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2021
Final report not available to the public.
Students work with the Chief Counsel’s Office of the California Energy Commission on a confidential project.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
May 2021
San Diego Regional GHG Inventory
EPIC prepared a regional GHG emissions inventory for San Diego County for use in SANDAG's Regional Plan 2021.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
May 2021
San Diego Regional GHG Inventory
EPIC prepared a regional GHG emissions inventory for San Diego County for use in SANDAG's Regional Plan 2021.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2021
Shelter in Place, VMT and Flattening the GHG Curve in San Diego County
This post discusses how shelter in place orders have affected VMT and GHG emissions in San Diego County.
April 2021
Shelter in Place, VMT and Flattening the GHG Curve in San Diego County
This post discusses how shelter in place orders have affected VMT and GHG emissions in San Diego County.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2021
Spring Recess Legislative Update: April 2021
This post summarizes the legislation adopted and advancing in the legislative process as of April 2021.
April 2021
Spring Recess Legislative Update: April 2021
This post summarizes the legislation adopted and advancing in the legislative process as of April 2021.
Project: Port of San Diego Energy Benchmarking and Cost Analysis
December 2020
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC supported San Diego Unified Port District (Port) staff and consultants to develop electricity and natural gas energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions inventories for its 2017 and 2018 GHG inventories, for its CAP update, and for Utility Usage reporting as part of its Energy Benchmarking Ordinance reporting.
December 2020
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC supported San Diego Unified Port District (Port) staff and consultants to develop electricity and natural gas energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions inventories for its 2017 and 2018 GHG inventories, for its CAP update, and for Utility Usage reporting as part of its Energy Benchmarking Ordinance reporting.
Project: City of Chula Vista Climate Equity Index
Partner: City of Chula Vista
November 2020
City of Chula Vista Climate Equity Index Interactive Map
EPIC worked with the Chula Vista to develop a Climate Equity Index. The Index, which was released in 2021 and developed after the COVID-19 pandemic was underway, focuses a more closely on health indicators based on the ongoing experience with the COVID-19 pandemic as lessons for dealing with climate change impacts. In addition to a report to summarize findings and methods, EPIC developed an interactive, GIS-based map.
Partner: City of Chula Vista
November 2020
City of Chula Vista Climate Equity Index Interactive Map
EPIC worked with the Chula Vista to develop a Climate Equity Index. The Index, which was released in 2021 and developed after the COVID-19 pandemic was underway, focuses a more closely on health indicators based on the ongoing experience with the COVID-19 pandemic as lessons for dealing with climate change impacts. In addition to a report to summarize findings and methods, EPIC developed an interactive, GIS-based map.
Project: City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan
Partner: City of San Marcos
November 2020
City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost Analysis (Appendix E)
EPIC estimated the cost to implement the City of San Marcos Climate Actino Plan (CAP) for the first five years. This report summarizes findings of the analysis to estimate the budget impacts of implementing CAP activities, including staffing, capital, consultant, material and supply costs, and considered new versus existing programs and staff, and potential funding sources. EPIC developed a custom data collection tool, analyzed data provided, and supported development of CAP actions and supporting efforts.
Partner: City of San Marcos
November 2020
City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost Analysis (Appendix E)
EPIC estimated the cost to implement the City of San Marcos Climate Actino Plan (CAP) for the first five years. This report summarizes findings of the analysis to estimate the budget impacts of implementing CAP activities, including staffing, capital, consultant, material and supply costs, and considered new versus existing programs and staff, and potential funding sources. EPIC developed a custom data collection tool, analyzed data provided, and supported development of CAP actions and supporting efforts.
Project: City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan
Partner: City of San Marcos
November 2020
City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost Analysis (Appendix E)
EPIC estimated the cost to implement the City of San Marcos Climate Actino Plan (CAP) for the first five years. This report summarizes findings of the analysis to estimate the budget impacts of implementing CAP activities, including staffing, capital, consultant, material and supply costs, and considered new versus existing programs and staff, and potential funding sources. EPIC developed a custom data collection tool, analyzed data provided, and supported development of CAP actions and supporting efforts.
Partner: City of San Marcos
November 2020
City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost Analysis (Appendix E)
EPIC estimated the cost to implement the City of San Marcos Climate Actino Plan (CAP) for the first five years. This report summarizes findings of the analysis to estimate the budget impacts of implementing CAP activities, including staffing, capital, consultant, material and supply costs, and considered new versus existing programs and staff, and potential funding sources. EPIC developed a custom data collection tool, analyzed data provided, and supported development of CAP actions and supporting efforts.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
November 2020
Climate Risk and Resilience: Lessons from COVID-19
The Twelfth Annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 6th and 13th, 2020. Academic and policy experts discussed what lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic can be applied to climate risk and resilience. The first webinar focused on Climate Equity and featured a keynote presentation by Kate Gordon, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. The second webinar focuses on Regulation in Times of Emergency and Disruption and featured a keynote presentation by CPUC Commissioner Cliff Rechtschaffen.
November 2020
Climate Risk and Resilience: Lessons from COVID-19
The Twelfth Annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 6th and 13th, 2020. Academic and policy experts discussed what lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic can be applied to climate risk and resilience. The first webinar focused on Climate Equity and featured a keynote presentation by Kate Gordon, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. The second webinar focuses on Regulation in Times of Emergency and Disruption and featured a keynote presentation by CPUC Commissioner Cliff Rechtschaffen.
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Project: CPUC Residential Energy Efficiency Financings Policy Research and Analysis
Partner: Market Logic
August 2020
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC conducted policy research to support Market Logics on a project to advise the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on how to expand the Residential Energy Efficiency Loan (REEL) Program, which provides financing to residential energy efficiency projects. EPIC reviewed existing financing offerings in California and other innovative programs in the U.S.; completed analysis of policy, legal, regulatory, social, and environmental factors related to financing programs; and summarized findings on key insights and recommendations for an expanded REEL program.
Partner: Market Logic
August 2020
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC conducted policy research to support Market Logics on a project to advise the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on how to expand the Residential Energy Efficiency Loan (REEL) Program, which provides financing to residential energy efficiency projects. EPIC reviewed existing financing offerings in California and other innovative programs in the U.S.; completed analysis of policy, legal, regulatory, social, and environmental factors related to financing programs; and summarized findings on key insights and recommendations for an expanded REEL program.
Project: County of San Diego Water Heater Reach Code Analysis
Partner: County of San Diego
August 2020
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC supported the County of San Diego staff to evaluate implementation options for a reach code for residential water heaters, included as CAP Measure E-1.2: Alternatively-Powered Water Heaters in the County'w 2018 Climate Action Plan (CAP). For this project EPIC evaluated the costeffectiveness of a range of water heater technologies and analyzed potential financial incentive structure. EPIC also provide legal analysis on potential pre-emption issues related to local requirements for water heaters.
Partner: County of San Diego
August 2020
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC supported the County of San Diego staff to evaluate implementation options for a reach code for residential water heaters, included as CAP Measure E-1.2: Alternatively-Powered Water Heaters in the County'w 2018 Climate Action Plan (CAP). For this project EPIC evaluated the costeffectiveness of a range of water heater technologies and analyzed potential financial incentive structure. EPIC also provide legal analysis on potential pre-emption issues related to local requirements for water heaters.
Project: City of Carlsbad CAP Amendment #1
Partner: City of Carlsbad
May 2020
City of Carlsbad CAP Amendment #1
EPIC supported City of Carlsbad staff to update its 2015 Climate Action Plan (CAP). As part of this project, EPIC updated GHG inventory estimates and GHG reductions from existing and new CAP measures.
Partner: City of Carlsbad
May 2020
City of Carlsbad CAP Amendment #1
EPIC supported City of Carlsbad staff to update its 2015 Climate Action Plan (CAP). As part of this project, EPIC updated GHG inventory estimates and GHG reductions from existing and new CAP measures.
Project: City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan
Partner: City of San Marcos
May 2020
Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in the San Marcos Climate Action Plan (Appendix B)
EPIC supported development of the City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods use to estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Partner: City of San Marcos
May 2020
Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in the San Marcos Climate Action Plan (Appendix B)
EPIC supported development of the City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods use to estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Project: City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan
Partner: City of San Marcos
May 2020
Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in the San Marcos Climate Action Plan (Appendix B)
EPIC supported development of the City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods use to estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Partner: City of San Marcos
May 2020
Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in the San Marcos Climate Action Plan (Appendix B)
EPIC supported development of the City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods use to estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2020
Final report not available to the public.
Students worked with the Chief Counsel’s Office of the California Energy Commission on privacy and data collection issues.
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2020
Final report not available to the public.
Students worked with the Chief Counsel’s Office of the California Energy Commission on privacy and data collection issues.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2020
How has Vehicle Miles Traveled Flattened Air Pollution in the San Diego Region after COVID-19 Shutdowns
The media has reported on how lock-downs have affected air pollution in many parts of the world and how clean and clear the air has become in metropolitan areas. People in the San Diego region have been asking the same question of how this reduction in VMT has affected our air quality. Due to this heightened interest in recent air monitoring data, the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (District) has provided a preliminary assessment of air quality measurements (even before the March 2020 data have been fully processed and validated). This post summarizes these preliminary findings.
April 2020
How has Vehicle Miles Traveled Flattened Air Pollution in the San Diego Region after COVID-19 Shutdowns
The media has reported on how lock-downs have affected air pollution in many parts of the world and how clean and clear the air has become in metropolitan areas. People in the San Diego region have been asking the same question of how this reduction in VMT has affected our air quality. Due to this heightened interest in recent air monitoring data, the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (District) has provided a preliminary assessment of air quality measurements (even before the March 2020 data have been fully processed and validated). This post summarizes these preliminary findings.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
November 2019
Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions from Lemon Grove Climate Action Plan (Appendix B)
EPIC supported development of the City of Lemon Grove Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods use to estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
November 2019
Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions from Lemon Grove Climate Action Plan (Appendix B)
EPIC supported development of the City of Lemon Grove Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods use to estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
November 2019
The Future of Energy in a Changing Climate
Recent wildfires and power shut-off events throughout California have highlighted the challenge of operating an electric utility in a changing climate. Regulators, utility executives, scholars, and other experts discussed: California’s Public Safety Power Shut-off policy, wildfire cost recovery, Utility fire prevention programs, research on future wildfire dangers, utility long-term planning, and social equity implications.
November 2019
The Future of Energy in a Changing Climate
Recent wildfires and power shut-off events throughout California have highlighted the challenge of operating an electric utility in a changing climate. Regulators, utility executives, scholars, and other experts discussed: California’s Public Safety Power Shut-off policy, wildfire cost recovery, Utility fire prevention programs, research on future wildfire dangers, utility long-term planning, and social equity implications.
230
Project: City of Vista Climate Action Plan
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
July 2019
Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in the Vista Climate Action Plan (Appendix B)
EPIC supported development of the City of Vista Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods use to estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
July 2019
Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in the Vista Climate Action Plan (Appendix B)
EPIC supported development of the City of Vista Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods use to estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
July 2019
City of El Cajon Sustainability Initiative: Policies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
On July 10, 2019, the El Cajon City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan (CAP). EPIC supported the City of El Cajon by helping City staff select appropriate emissions targets, completing a GHG emissions inventory, developing GHG reduction measures, and developing technical documents to describe methods used. The CIty of El Cajon rescinded their 2019 CAP and adopted a Sustainability Initiative document in 2020, which is substantially similar.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
July 2019
City of El Cajon Sustainability Initiative: Policies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
On July 10, 2019, the El Cajon City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan (CAP). EPIC supported the City of El Cajon by helping City staff select appropriate emissions targets, completing a GHG emissions inventory, developing GHG reduction measures, and developing technical documents to describe methods used. The CIty of El Cajon rescinded their 2019 CAP and adopted a Sustainability Initiative document in 2020, which is substantially similar.
Project: City of Vista Climate Action Plan
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2019
City of Vista Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost Analysis
EPIC estimated the cost to implement the City of Vista Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the first five years. This report summarizes findings of the analysis to estimate the budget impacts of implementing CAP activities, including staffing, capital, consultant, material and supply costs, and considered new versus existing programs and staff, and potential funding sources. EPIC developed a custom data collection tool, analyzed data provided, and supported development of CAP actions and supporting efforts.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2019
City of Vista Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost Analysis
EPIC estimated the cost to implement the City of Vista Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the first five years. This report summarizes findings of the analysis to estimate the budget impacts of implementing CAP activities, including staffing, capital, consultant, material and supply costs, and considered new versus existing programs and staff, and potential funding sources. EPIC developed a custom data collection tool, analyzed data provided, and supported development of CAP actions and supporting efforts.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2019
Paying for Carbon Performance
Historically in California, programs to encourage energy-efficient or renewable energy technologies provide upfront financial incentives. While the dollar amounts of these incentives are typically developed in part based on the lifecycle costs and performance of the technology in question, very few have provided incentives based on the ongoing performance of the project. And none of them have based payments on the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced – carbon performance. This post describes recent developments in pay-for-performance programs and a program recently approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that pays for carbon performance.
May 2019
Paying for Carbon Performance
Historically in California, programs to encourage energy-efficient or renewable energy technologies provide upfront financial incentives. While the dollar amounts of these incentives are typically developed in part based on the lifecycle costs and performance of the technology in question, very few have provided incentives based on the ongoing performance of the project. And none of them have based payments on the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced – carbon performance. This post describes recent developments in pay-for-performance programs and a program recently approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that pays for carbon performance.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
May 2019
City of El Cajon Benefit-Cost Analysis
EPIC completed a benefit-cost analysis for 24 of the 28 City actions included in the City of El Cajon’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). The goal of the analysis was to (1) estimate the benefit or cost of each CAP action to reduce a unit of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to compare the relative cost-effectiveness of CAP actions, and (2) identify the financial benefits received and costs incurred by those directly involved in CAP action activities to assess the impact of implementing CAP actions.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
May 2019
City of El Cajon Benefit-Cost Analysis
EPIC completed a benefit-cost analysis for 24 of the 28 City actions included in the City of El Cajon’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). The goal of the analysis was to (1) estimate the benefit or cost of each CAP action to reduce a unit of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to compare the relative cost-effectiveness of CAP actions, and (2) identify the financial benefits received and costs incurred by those directly involved in CAP action activities to assess the impact of implementing CAP actions.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2019
Final report not available to the public.
Students worked with the City of San Diego City Attorney's Office on topics related to community choice aggregation.
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2019
Final report not available to the public.
Students worked with the City of San Diego City Attorney's Office on topics related to community choice aggregation.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2019
Water and energy, rain and drought…
Although the 2018-2019 brought above average rainfall to the San Diego, filling reservoirs to the brim, the previous year we were concerned about the lack of rain, drought, and water conservation. The interplay between rainfall, water supply, and related energy use a complex, and how much energy is used for water may be quite different at the city level compared with the state-level, not least because definitions of water-energy components vary from state to water district to city-level depending on whether it is about water planning or about climate action planning. Previously we showed some general relationships on water-energy especially in the City of San Diego. This post continues and delves deeper into the relationships between water use and energy use at the state level contrasted with that at the city level in San Diego region.
April 2019
Water and energy, rain and drought…
Although the 2018-2019 brought above average rainfall to the San Diego, filling reservoirs to the brim, the previous year we were concerned about the lack of rain, drought, and water conservation. The interplay between rainfall, water supply, and related energy use a complex, and how much energy is used for water may be quite different at the city level compared with the state-level, not least because definitions of water-energy components vary from state to water district to city-level depending on whether it is about water planning or about climate action planning. Previously we showed some general relationships on water-energy especially in the City of San Diego. This post continues and delves deeper into the relationships between water use and energy use at the state level contrasted with that at the city level in San Diego region.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
February 2019
Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in the City of Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (Appendix B) (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods use to estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
February 2019
Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in the City of Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (Appendix B) (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods use to estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
November 2018
Looking Beyond Fossil Fuels in the Trump Era
The tenth annual Symposium, which took place on November 9, 2018, explored changes to climate and energy policy made under the Trump presidency. The discussion included Federal policy expanding fossil fuels under Trump, how these policies affect California's climate goals, and how these policies on fossil fuels affect pathways to long-term decarbonization. They Keynote Panel featured Representative Scott Peters and California Air Resources Chair Mary Nichols. In addition, agency representatives, practitioners, and legal scholars discussed these topics.
November 2018
Looking Beyond Fossil Fuels in the Trump Era
The tenth annual Symposium, which took place on November 9, 2018, explored changes to climate and energy policy made under the Trump presidency. The discussion included Federal policy expanding fossil fuels under Trump, how these policies affect California's climate goals, and how these policies on fossil fuels affect pathways to long-term decarbonization. They Keynote Panel featured Representative Scott Peters and California Air Resources Chair Mary Nichols. In addition, agency representatives, practitioners, and legal scholars discussed these topics.
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Project: Energy-for-Water Nexus in Cities in San Diego County
Partner: The San Diego Foundation
October 2018
Energy-for-Water Nexus in Cities in San Diego County (pdf)
The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) recently completed a first-of-a-kind assessment of the energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to water use at the city level in the San Diego region. The results of this study, which was funded by a grant from The San Diego Foundation, will help decision makers understand the GHG emissions effects of policies related to water use. EPIC assessed data and information from 24 water agencies, the San Diego County Water Authority and 10 of 19 jurisdictions in the region, comprising 65% of the population in the region.
Partner: The San Diego Foundation
October 2018
Energy-for-Water Nexus in Cities in San Diego County (pdf)
The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) recently completed a first-of-a-kind assessment of the energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to water use at the city level in the San Diego region. The results of this study, which was funded by a grant from The San Diego Foundation, will help decision makers understand the GHG emissions effects of policies related to water use. EPIC assessed data and information from 24 water agencies, the San Diego County Water Authority and 10 of 19 jurisdictions in the region, comprising 65% of the population in the region.
Project: City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Monitoring Support
Partner: City of San Diego
October 2018
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan 2018 Annual Report Appendix (pdf)
For the third straight year, EPIC supported the City of San Diego's Climate Action Plan (CAP) monitoring. The 2018 Annual Report appendix include the City of San Diego's 2017 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory, current status of the five CAP strategies, and the method differences and data refinement in the report updates.
Partner: City of San Diego
October 2018
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan 2018 Annual Report Appendix (pdf)
For the third straight year, EPIC supported the City of San Diego's Climate Action Plan (CAP) monitoring. The 2018 Annual Report appendix include the City of San Diego's 2017 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory, current status of the five CAP strategies, and the method differences and data refinement in the report updates.
Project: City of Vista Climate Action Plan
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
August 2018
City of Vista Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories and Projections (Appendix A)
EPIC supported development of the City of Vista Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
August 2018
City of Vista Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories and Projections (Appendix A)
EPIC supported development of the City of Vista Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
August 2018
City of Imperial Beach CAP Measure Cost Overview (Appendix C) (pdf)
EPIC completed analysis to provide an overview of potential cost and benefit impacts associated with measures includedin the Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP).
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
August 2018
City of Imperial Beach CAP Measure Cost Overview (Appendix C) (pdf)
EPIC completed analysis to provide an overview of potential cost and benefit impacts associated with measures includedin the Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP).
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Imperial Beach
August 2018
City of Imperial Beach Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections (Appendix A) (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Partner: City of Imperial Beach
August 2018
City of Imperial Beach Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections (Appendix A) (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Imperial Beach
August 2018
City of Imperial Beach Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections (Appendix A) (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Partner: City of Imperial Beach
August 2018
City of Imperial Beach Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections (Appendix A) (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Imperial Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Lemon Grove
August 2018
City of Lemon Grove Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast (Appendix A)
EPIC supported development of the City of Lemon Grove Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Partner: City of Lemon Grove
August 2018
City of Lemon Grove Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast (Appendix A)
EPIC supported development of the City of Lemon Grove Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Lemon Grove
August 2018
City of Lemon Grove Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast (Appendix A)
EPIC supported development of the City of Lemon Grove Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Partner: City of Lemon Grove
August 2018
City of Lemon Grove Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast (Appendix A)
EPIC supported development of the City of Lemon Grove Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of San Marcos
August 2018
City of San Marcos Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections (Appendix A)
EPIC supported development of the City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Partner: City of San Marcos
August 2018
City of San Marcos Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections (Appendix A)
EPIC supported development of the City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Escondido
July 2018
City of Escondido Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projection (Appendix A) (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Escondido Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Partner: City of Escondido
July 2018
City of Escondido Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projection (Appendix A) (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Escondido Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Escondido
July 2018
City of Escondido Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projection (Appendix A) (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Escondido Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Partner: City of Escondido
July 2018
City of Escondido Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projection (Appendix A) (pdf)
EPIC supported development of the City of Escondido Climate Action Plan (CAP). This report summarizes methods used to estimated the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and to project emissions.
Project: Port of San Diego Benefit-Cost Analysis Workshop
Partner: Port of San Diego
July 2018
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and conducted a workshop for the Port of San Diego staff on energy project related benefit cost analysis. The workshop included an overview of different types of benefit-cost analyses (BCA), key concepts in BCA analyses, typical metrics to express results, example calculations for typical energy projects, and a discussion of the limitations of such analysis.
Partner: Port of San Diego
July 2018
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and conducted a workshop for the Port of San Diego staff on energy project related benefit cost analysis. The workshop included an overview of different types of benefit-cost analyses (BCA), key concepts in BCA analyses, typical metrics to express results, example calculations for typical energy projects, and a discussion of the limitations of such analysis.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Oceanside
June 2018
City of Oceanside Climate Action Plan Implementation Staff Impact Analysis
As part of the SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program, EPIC is estimating the staff effort in full-time equivalent (FTE) required for the City of Oceanside to implement climate action plan (CAP) measures for the first five years.
Partner: City of Oceanside
June 2018
City of Oceanside Climate Action Plan Implementation Staff Impact Analysis
As part of the SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program, EPIC is estimating the staff effort in full-time equivalent (FTE) required for the City of Oceanside to implement climate action plan (CAP) measures for the first five years.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Oceanside
June 2018
City of Oceanside Climate Action Plan Implementation Staff Impact Analysis
As part of the SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program, EPIC is estimating the staff effort in full-time equivalent (FTE) required for the City of Oceanside to implement climate action plan (CAP) measures for the first five years.
Partner: City of Oceanside
June 2018
City of Oceanside Climate Action Plan Implementation Staff Impact Analysis
As part of the SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program, EPIC is estimating the staff effort in full-time equivalent (FTE) required for the City of Oceanside to implement climate action plan (CAP) measures for the first five years.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2018
SANDAG Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning Technical Appendix 1 - GHG Inventory, Projection and Climate Action Plan Target Selection (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical appendix to the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework that includes the methodology to estimate GHG emissions from the main emission-generating activities, a discussion of updating and revising GHG inventories for San Diego local jurisdictions, and recommendations for selecting emissions targets.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2018
SANDAG Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning Technical Appendix 1 - GHG Inventory, Projection and Climate Action Plan Target Selection (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical appendix to the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework that includes the methodology to estimate GHG emissions from the main emission-generating activities, a discussion of updating and revising GHG inventories for San Diego local jurisdictions, and recommendations for selecting emissions targets.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2018
SANDAG Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning Technical Appendix 2 - GHG Reduction Calculation Methods for CAP Measures (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical appendix to the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework that summarize methods to estimate GHG reductions that would result from climate action plan measures.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2018
SANDAG Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning Technical Appendix 2 - GHG Reduction Calculation Methods for CAP Measures (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical appendix to the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework that summarize methods to estimate GHG reductions that would result from climate action plan measures.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2018
SANDAG Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning Technical Appendix 3 - Benefit-Cost Analyses for Climate Action Plan Measures (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical appendix to the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework that summarizes methods to conduct a cost effectiveness analysis to determine the net cost or benefit for each measure to reduce one ton of CO2e and a benefit-cost analysis to determine the financial impacts of CAP measure on homes and businesses located within a local jurisdiction.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2018
SANDAG Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning Technical Appendix 3 - Benefit-Cost Analyses for Climate Action Plan Measures (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical appendix to the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework that summarizes methods to conduct a cost effectiveness analysis to determine the net cost or benefit for each measure to reduce one ton of CO2e and a benefit-cost analysis to determine the financial impacts of CAP measure on homes and businesses located within a local jurisdiction.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2018
SANDAG Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning Technical Appendix 4 - Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost Analysis (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical appendix to the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework that summarize methods and process to estimate the cost to implement CAP measures for the first five years. The analysis will consider staffing, capital, consultant, material and supply costs.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2018
SANDAG Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning Technical Appendix 4 - Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost Analysis (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical appendix to the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework that summarize methods and process to estimate the cost to implement CAP measures for the first five years. The analysis will consider staffing, capital, consultant, material and supply costs.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2018
SANDAG Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning Technical Appendix 6 - Climate Action Plan Monitoring and Reporting (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical appendix to the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework that summarize approaches to monitoring and reporting progress on climate action plans.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
June 2018
SANDAG Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning Technical Appendix 6 - Climate Action Plan Monitoring and Reporting (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical appendix to the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework that summarize approaches to monitoring and reporting progress on climate action plans.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2018
Final report not available to the public.
Students worked with the Chief Counsel’s Office of the California Energy Commission on a confidential project.
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2018
Final report not available to the public.
Students worked with the Chief Counsel’s Office of the California Energy Commission on a confidential project.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2018
The Cost of a CAP Part 2: How Much is This Climate Action Plan Going to Cost Our City?
This post, the second in a series, focuses on the implementation costs analysis (ICA), which answers the question: What is the budgetary impact to a local jurisdiction to implement CAP measures? The post defines the ICA and then discusses the types of costs evaluated, summarizes when an ICA can occur in the climate planning process, and presents considerations for evaluating CAP implementation costs.
April 2018
The Cost of a CAP Part 2: How Much is This Climate Action Plan Going to Cost Our City?
This post, the second in a series, focuses on the implementation costs analysis (ICA), which answers the question: What is the budgetary impact to a local jurisdiction to implement CAP measures? The post defines the ICA and then discusses the types of costs evaluated, summarizes when an ICA can occur in the climate planning process, and presents considerations for evaluating CAP implementation costs.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2018
The Cost of a CAP Part 3: The Benefits and Costs of CAP Measures
This post, the third in a series on climate action plan (CAP) cost analysis, discusses an approach to CAP benefit-cost analyses (BCA) developed by EPIC, including the perspectives to consider, types of benefits and costs to include, and metrics to calculate.
April 2018
The Cost of a CAP Part 3: The Benefits and Costs of CAP Measures
This post, the third in a series on climate action plan (CAP) cost analysis, discusses an approach to CAP benefit-cost analyses (BCA) developed by EPIC, including the perspectives to consider, types of benefits and costs to include, and metrics to calculate.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2018
The Cost of a CAP Part 4: Emissions Bang for Your Buck
This post, the fourth in a series on climate action plan (CAP) cost analysis, will discuss the basics of cost-effectiveness analysis, including how to interpret the results in the context of a CAP and its target years, best-practices for viewing results, and challenges when comparing results between multiple CAPs.
April 2018
The Cost of a CAP Part 4: Emissions Bang for Your Buck
This post, the fourth in a series on climate action plan (CAP) cost analysis, will discuss the basics of cost-effectiveness analysis, including how to interpret the results in the context of a CAP and its target years, best-practices for viewing results, and challenges when comparing results between multiple CAPs.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2018
The Cost of a CAP Part 5: The Cost (or Benefit) to Participate
This post, the fifth in a series on climate action plan (CAP) cost analysis, will address the second of the two questions asked in a BCA: what are the financial impacts to those who participate in CAP measure activities? It will discuss who the participants are in CAP measures, how to identify them and their respective benefits and/or costs, and what results are best to show.
April 2018
The Cost of a CAP Part 5: The Cost (or Benefit) to Participate
This post, the fifth in a series on climate action plan (CAP) cost analysis, will address the second of the two questions asked in a BCA: what are the financial impacts to those who participate in CAP measure activities? It will discuss who the participants are in CAP measures, how to identify them and their respective benefits and/or costs, and what results are best to show.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2018
The Cost of a CAP Part 6: Limitations
This post, the sixth in a series on climate action plan (CAP) cost analysis, concludes our CAP cost analyses series by identifying key limitations as they relate to: data availability, benefit and cost ranges, scope of the analysis, timeframes considered, and GHG methodologies.
April 2018
The Cost of a CAP Part 6: Limitations
This post, the sixth in a series on climate action plan (CAP) cost analysis, concludes our CAP cost analyses series by identifying key limitations as they relate to: data availability, benefit and cost ranges, scope of the analysis, timeframes considered, and GHG methodologies.
Project: City of Lemon Grove Greenhouse Gas Inventory Support
Partner: City of Lemon Grove
March 2018
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed a GHG inventory for the City of Lemon Grove to support initial planning for a climate action plan.
Partner: City of Lemon Grove
March 2018
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed a GHG inventory for the City of Lemon Grove to support initial planning for a climate action plan.
Project: City of Solana Beach CAP Implementation Cost Analysis
Partner: City of Solana Beach
March 2018
Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost Analysis: A Preliminary Estimate of City of Solana Beach Staffing Costs (pdf)
This report summarizes the findings of the City of Solana Beach (Solana Beach) Climate Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Cost Analysis conducted by the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) at the University of San Diego. The analysis estimates staffing costs for the activities that would need to be conducted to achieve the GHG emission reduction targets included in the CAP. The goals of this analysis are to: estimate total staffing costs to Solana Beach to implement GHG reduction measures included in CAP over the first five fiscal years; and estimate the staffing impact to implement CAP measures.
Partner: City of Solana Beach
March 2018
Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost Analysis: A Preliminary Estimate of City of Solana Beach Staffing Costs (pdf)
This report summarizes the findings of the City of Solana Beach (Solana Beach) Climate Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Cost Analysis conducted by the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) at the University of San Diego. The analysis estimates staffing costs for the activities that would need to be conducted to achieve the GHG emission reduction targets included in the CAP. The goals of this analysis are to: estimate total staffing costs to Solana Beach to implement GHG reduction measures included in CAP over the first five fiscal years; and estimate the staffing impact to implement CAP measures.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
March 2018
Litigation Update: Latest Round of Litigation Filed over County of San Diego CAP and General Plan Update Amendment
This post provides a summary of the Writ of Mandate filed on March 16, 2018 by the Sierra Club and several other environmental and climate oriented organizations in San Diego Superior Court against the County of San Diego.
March 2018
Litigation Update: Latest Round of Litigation Filed over County of San Diego CAP and General Plan Update Amendment
This post provides a summary of the Writ of Mandate filed on March 16, 2018 by the Sierra Club and several other environmental and climate oriented organizations in San Diego Superior Court against the County of San Diego.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
March 2018
The Cost of a CAP: Monetary impacts of local GHG reduction measures
The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC), in partnership with the San Diego Association of Government's Energy Roadmap Program, has developed a method for evaluating the cost implications of Climate Action Plans (CAP). This post, the first in a series to describe these methods, summarizes the basics of CAP cost analyses and provides context for the material covered in future posts.
March 2018
The Cost of a CAP: Monetary impacts of local GHG reduction measures
The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC), in partnership with the San Diego Association of Government's Energy Roadmap Program, has developed a method for evaluating the cost implications of Climate Action Plans (CAP). This post, the first in a series to describe these methods, summarizes the basics of CAP cost analyses and provides context for the material covered in future posts.
Project: City of Carlsbad CAP Implementation Plan
Partner: City of Carlsbad
January 2018
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed a summary of 2012 and 2014 GHG emissions for the City of Carlsbad and a 2020, 2030 and 2035 business-as-usual emissions projection.
Partner: City of Carlsbad
January 2018
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed a summary of 2012 and 2014 GHG emissions for the City of Carlsbad and a 2020, 2030 and 2035 business-as-usual emissions projection.
Project: City of Carlsbad CAP Implementation Plan
Partner: City of Carlsbad
January 2018
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed a framework for developing an implementation plan for the City of Carlsbad Climate Action Plan.
Partner: City of Carlsbad
January 2018
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed a framework for developing an implementation plan for the City of Carlsbad Climate Action Plan.
Project: County of San Diego Benefit-Cost Analysis
Partner: County of San Diego
January 2018
County of San Diego Climate Action Plan Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (pdf)
EPIC conducted a cost effectiveness analysis to determine the net cost or benefit for each measure to reduce one ton of CO2e and a benefit-cost analysis to determine the financial impacts of CAP measures on homes and businesses located within the County of San Diego.
Partner: County of San Diego
January 2018
County of San Diego Climate Action Plan Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (pdf)
EPIC conducted a cost effectiveness analysis to determine the net cost or benefit for each measure to reduce one ton of CO2e and a benefit-cost analysis to determine the financial impacts of CAP measures on homes and businesses located within the County of San Diego.
Project: County of San Diego Benefit-Cost Analysis
Partner: County of San Diego
January 2018
County of San Diego Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost (pdf)
EPIC estimated the cost to the County of San Diego to implement CAP measures for the first five years. The analysis included staffing, capital, consultant, material and supply costs, and considered new versus existing programs and staff, anf funding sources.
Partner: County of San Diego
January 2018
County of San Diego Climate Action Plan Implementation Cost (pdf)
EPIC estimated the cost to the County of San Diego to implement CAP measures for the first five years. The analysis included staffing, capital, consultant, material and supply costs, and considered new versus existing programs and staff, anf funding sources.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of La Mesa
January 2018
La Mesa Climate Action Plan Cost-Effectiveness and Benefit-Cost Analysis
EPIC conducted a cost effectiveness analysis to determine the net cost or benefit for each measure to reduce one ton of CO2e and a benefit-cost analysis to determine the financial impacts of CAP measures on homes and businesses located within the City of La Mesa. The project also estimated the staffing cost to the City of La Mesa to implement CAP measures for the first five years.
Partner: City of La Mesa
January 2018
La Mesa Climate Action Plan Cost-Effectiveness and Benefit-Cost Analysis
EPIC conducted a cost effectiveness analysis to determine the net cost or benefit for each measure to reduce one ton of CO2e and a benefit-cost analysis to determine the financial impacts of CAP measures on homes and businesses located within the City of La Mesa. The project also estimated the staffing cost to the City of La Mesa to implement CAP measures for the first five years.
Project: San Diego Regional Energy Innovation Network
Partner: Cleantech San Diego
January 2018
Regulatory and Policy Support for Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN)
EPIC is a partner of the Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN), led by Cleantech San Diego. EPIC provides regulatory and policy support to start-up energy companies.
Partner: Cleantech San Diego
January 2018
Regulatory and Policy Support for Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN)
EPIC is a partner of the Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN), led by Cleantech San Diego. EPIC provides regulatory and policy support to start-up energy companies.
Project: Balboa Park Climate Planning Support
Partner: Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
December 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC assisted The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership (BPCP) with the following climate-related actions: a greenhouse gas inventory for the year 2015 for 21 buildings and/or institutions; GHG projections for 2020 and 2035 based on typical growth rates for museums; eleven GHG reduction scenarios, including energy efficiency retrofits, increased used of photovoltaics, increased solid waste diversion, low-carbon transportation options for employees and volunteers, and electrification of natural gas. In a separate report, EPIC evaluated additional policy options for achieving 25% renewable electricity, including through Net Energy Metering, through Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Third Party, direct access, offsite virtual PPA, purchase of unbundled RECs, microgrid development with inclusion of energy storage, and a fuel cell run on biogas.
Partner: Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
December 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC assisted The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership (BPCP) with the following climate-related actions: a greenhouse gas inventory for the year 2015 for 21 buildings and/or institutions; GHG projections for 2020 and 2035 based on typical growth rates for museums; eleven GHG reduction scenarios, including energy efficiency retrofits, increased used of photovoltaics, increased solid waste diversion, low-carbon transportation options for employees and volunteers, and electrification of natural gas. In a separate report, EPIC evaluated additional policy options for achieving 25% renewable electricity, including through Net Energy Metering, through Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Third Party, direct access, offsite virtual PPA, purchase of unbundled RECs, microgrid development with inclusion of energy storage, and a fuel cell run on biogas.
Project: County of San Diego GHG Inventory
Partner: Ascent Environmental, Inc.
December 2017
County of San Diego GHG Inventory (pdf)
EPIC developed an inventory for the County of San Diego to support development of their Climate Action Plan
Partner: Ascent Environmental, Inc.
December 2017
County of San Diego GHG Inventory (pdf)
EPIC developed an inventory for the County of San Diego to support development of their Climate Action Plan
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
November 2017
Energy and Climate Policy Under the Current Presidential Administration, Congress, and Courts
The ninth annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 3, 2017. The discussion included the transition from the Obama presidency to the Trump presidency marking a significant change in approaches to climate and energy policy. The current Administration has stated its intent to reverse much of the Obama era climate and energy policy and regulation. At the University of San Diego's Ninth Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium, state leaders, practitioners, and legal scholars analyzed and assessed a range of related topics on three panels.
November 2017
Energy and Climate Policy Under the Current Presidential Administration, Congress, and Courts
The ninth annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 3, 2017. The discussion included the transition from the Obama presidency to the Trump presidency marking a significant change in approaches to climate and energy policy. The current Administration has stated its intent to reverse much of the Obama era climate and energy policy and regulation. At the University of San Diego's Ninth Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium, state leaders, practitioners, and legal scholars analyzed and assessed a range of related topics on three panels.
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Project: La Jolla Band of Indians - BIA Climate Workshops
Partner: La Jolla Band
November 2017
2017 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit
EPIC was lead partner with the La Jolla Tribe of Luiseno Indians, the Northern Arizona University's Tribal Environmental Professionals, and the local Climate Science Alliance in all aspects of planning and implementing this capacity-building conference held at USD for Southwest Indian tribes. About 120 participants attended the 3-day conference, which included breakout sessions, a field trip to the Chula Vista Living Coast Center, and side tours on campus to the Kumeyaay Garden led by the USD tribal liaison faculty and students. As requested by the tribes, this conference was to have minimal carbon impact.
Partner: La Jolla Band
November 2017
2017 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit
EPIC was lead partner with the La Jolla Tribe of Luiseno Indians, the Northern Arizona University's Tribal Environmental Professionals, and the local Climate Science Alliance in all aspects of planning and implementing this capacity-building conference held at USD for Southwest Indian tribes. About 120 participants attended the 3-day conference, which included breakout sessions, a field trip to the Chula Vista Living Coast Center, and side tours on campus to the Kumeyaay Garden led by the USD tribal liaison faculty and students. As requested by the tribes, this conference was to have minimal carbon impact.
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Project: EPIC Energy Blog
October 2017
2017 Final Chaptered and Vetoed Legislative Update for 2017 Session
This post provides a summary of energy- and climate-related bills that were signed into law or vetoed at the end of the 2017 California legislative session.
October 2017
2017 Final Chaptered and Vetoed Legislative Update for 2017 Session
This post provides a summary of energy- and climate-related bills that were signed into law or vetoed at the end of the 2017 California legislative session.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
October 2017
2017 Chaptered and Vetoed Legislative Update as of 10/10/17
This post provides a summary of energy- and climate-related bills that were signed into law or vetoed at the end of the 2017 California legislative session.
October 2017
2017 Chaptered and Vetoed Legislative Update as of 10/10/17
This post provides a summary of energy- and climate-related bills that were signed into law or vetoed at the end of the 2017 California legislative session.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
October 2017
2017 Chaptered and Vetoed Bill Update as of 10/3/17
This post provides a summary of energy- and climate-related bills that were signed into law or vetoed at the end of the 2017 California legislative session.
October 2017
2017 Chaptered and Vetoed Bill Update as of 10/3/17
This post provides a summary of energy- and climate-related bills that were signed into law or vetoed at the end of the 2017 California legislative session.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
September 2017
Legislative Update: Enrolled Bills 2017
This post provides a summary of energy- and climate-related bills that were voted out of the legislature and sent to the Governor for action in the 2017 California legislative session.
September 2017
Legislative Update: Enrolled Bills 2017
This post provides a summary of energy- and climate-related bills that were voted out of the legislature and sent to the Governor for action in the 2017 California legislative session.
Project: SD Unified School District Climate Action Plan Support
Partner: Climate Action Campaign
September 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC estimated the San Diego Unified School District's (SDUSD) greenhouse gas inventory by Scope and developed greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction scenarios. EPIC also conducted an extensive survey of employees (staff and teachers) and students (students and/or parents) by school type to estimate GHG emissions from students and employee commute.
Partner: Climate Action Campaign
September 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC estimated the San Diego Unified School District's (SDUSD) greenhouse gas inventory by Scope and developed greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction scenarios. EPIC also conducted an extensive survey of employees (staff and teachers) and students (students and/or parents) by school type to estimate GHG emissions from students and employee commute.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2017
Legislature Extends Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program: AB 398 and AB 617
This post summarizes legislation adopted in 2017 to extend California's Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program.
July 2017
Legislature Extends Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program: AB 398 and AB 617
This post summarizes legislation adopted in 2017 to extend California's Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2017
Exercising Discretion in CEQA EIR GHG Analysis: Cleveland National Forest v. SANDAG
This post summarizes the California Supreme Court opinion on the appeal by the San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG) of the appellate decision in Cleveland National Forest Foundation et al., v. San Diego Association of Government.
July 2017
Exercising Discretion in CEQA EIR GHG Analysis: Cleveland National Forest v. SANDAG
This post summarizes the California Supreme Court opinion on the appeal by the San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG) of the appellate decision in Cleveland National Forest Foundation et al., v. San Diego Association of Government.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2017
Are All RPS Compliance and RECs Created Equal?
This post discusses topics related to California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) compliance methods, including Portfolio Balancing Requirements, Portfolio Content Categories, and renewable energy credits (REC). It also covers Portfolio Content Category 0 and its implications on GHG reductions and other California policy goals.
July 2017
Are All RPS Compliance and RECs Created Equal?
This post discusses topics related to California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) compliance methods, including Portfolio Balancing Requirements, Portfolio Content Categories, and renewable energy credits (REC). It also covers Portfolio Content Category 0 and its implications on GHG reductions and other California policy goals.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
June 2017
Supreme Court Denial of Petition Upholds Appellate Decision on Cap-and-Trade
This post describes how the Supreme Court denied a petition to review the Third Appellate District court decision on the California Chamber of Commerce, et al. v. California Air Resources Board, et al consolidated cases.
June 2017
Supreme Court Denial of Petition Upholds Appellate Decision on Cap-and-Trade
This post describes how the Supreme Court denied a petition to review the Third Appellate District court decision on the California Chamber of Commerce, et al. v. California Air Resources Board, et al consolidated cases.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
June 2017
Legislative Update June 2017
This post summarizes the bills that have passed out of their house of origin in the 2017 California legislative session.
June 2017
Legislative Update June 2017
This post summarizes the bills that have passed out of their house of origin in the 2017 California legislative session.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2017
Final report not available to the public.
Students worked with the Chief Counsel’s Office of the California Energy Commission on issues related to implementing SB 350.
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2017
Final report not available to the public.
Students worked with the Chief Counsel’s Office of the California Energy Commission on issues related to implementing SB 350.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2017
Third Appellate District Upholds CARB's Cap-and-Trade Auction Authority under AB 32
This post describes how the Third Appellate District affirmed the Sacramento Superior Court judgment from 2013 that dismissed two consolidated lawsuits filed by the California Chamber of Commerce and Morning Star Packing Co against the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
April 2017
Third Appellate District Upholds CARB's Cap-and-Trade Auction Authority under AB 32
This post describes how the Third Appellate District affirmed the Sacramento Superior Court judgment from 2013 that dismissed two consolidated lawsuits filed by the California Chamber of Commerce and Morning Star Packing Co against the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2017
2017 Legislative Session: Two Bills Seek to Amend the Solar Rights Act relating to HOAs
This post summarizes two bills considered in the 2017 California legislative session to amend the Solar Rights Act.
April 2017
2017 Legislative Session: Two Bills Seek to Amend the Solar Rights Act relating to HOAs
This post summarizes two bills considered in the 2017 California legislative session to amend the Solar Rights Act.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
March 2017
AB 79: Quantifying Hourly GHG Emissions from Unspecified Electric Generation Sources
This post summarizes a bill being considered in the 2017 California legislative session to quantify hourly greenhouse gas emissions from unspecified electricity sources.
March 2017
AB 79: Quantifying Hourly GHG Emissions from Unspecified Electric Generation Sources
This post summarizes a bill being considered in the 2017 California legislative session to quantify hourly greenhouse gas emissions from unspecified electricity sources.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
March 2017
Preparing for A Generation of Electric Vehicles: Incentives and Infrastructure Development
This post summarizes bills considered in the 2017 California legislative session to increase the amount of such vehicles in the State through purchase incentive and tax deduction programs, as well as widespread installation of electric charging infrastructures.
March 2017
Preparing for A Generation of Electric Vehicles: Incentives and Infrastructure Development
This post summarizes bills considered in the 2017 California legislative session to increase the amount of such vehicles in the State through purchase incentive and tax deduction programs, as well as widespread installation of electric charging infrastructures.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
February 2017
2017 Legislative Session Take-Away: Major Focus on Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities
This post analyzes the focus in the 2017 legislative session on energy and climate policy for low-income and disadvantaged communities.
February 2017
2017 Legislative Session Take-Away: Major Focus on Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities
This post analyzes the focus in the 2017 legislative session on energy and climate policy for low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
January 2017
Emerging Issues Between the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act and the Solar Rights Act
This post discusses the relationship between California's Davis Stirling Act and the Solar Right Act.
January 2017
Emerging Issues Between the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act and the Solar Rights Act
This post discusses the relationship between California's Davis Stirling Act and the Solar Right Act.
Project: City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Monitoring Support
Partner: City of San Diego
January 2017
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan 2017 Annual Report Appendix (pdf)
EPIC developed a summary of 2016 GHG emissions from City of San Diego, current status of the five strategies identified in the San Diego CAP, and method differences and data refinements of the GHG inventory updates.
Partner: City of San Diego
January 2017
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan 2017 Annual Report Appendix (pdf)
EPIC developed a summary of 2016 GHG emissions from City of San Diego, current status of the five strategies identified in the San Diego CAP, and method differences and data refinements of the GHG inventory updates.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Encinitas
January 2017
Encinitas Climate Action Plan 2012 Baseline GHG Inventory and Projection (pdf)
EPIC developed a document summarizing the 2012 and 2013 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the City of Encinitas and a 2020, 2030 and 2050 business-as-usual emissions projection.
Partner: City of Encinitas
January 2017
Encinitas Climate Action Plan 2012 Baseline GHG Inventory and Projection (pdf)
EPIC developed a document summarizing the 2012 and 2013 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the City of Encinitas and a 2020, 2030 and 2050 business-as-usual emissions projection.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Solana Beach
January 2017
Methods for Estimating GHG Emissions Reduction for Solana Beach Climate Action Plan
EPIC developed a document summarizing the method and data sources used to estimate 2035 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction from each measure in the Solana Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP).
Partner: City of Solana Beach
January 2017
Methods for Estimating GHG Emissions Reduction for Solana Beach Climate Action Plan
EPIC developed a document summarizing the method and data sources used to estimate 2035 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction from each measure in the Solana Beach Climate Action Plan (CAP).
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Encinitas
January 2017
Methods for Estimating GHG Emissions Reduction from Encinitas Climate Action Plan
EPIC developed a document summarizing the method and data sources used to estimate 2020 and 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction from each action in the Encinitas Climate Action Plan (CAP).
Partner: City of Encinitas
January 2017
Methods for Estimating GHG Emissions Reduction from Encinitas Climate Action Plan
EPIC developed a document summarizing the method and data sources used to estimate 2020 and 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction from each action in the Encinitas Climate Action Plan (CAP).
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
January 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and conducted a workshop as part of the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework process that summarized methods to conduct a cost effectiveness analysis to determine the net cost or benefit for each measure to reduce one ton of CO2e and a benefit-cost analysis to determine the financial impacts of CAP measure on homes and businesses located within a local jurisdiction. The workshop also summarized methods and processes to estimate the cost to a local jurisdiction to implement CAP measures.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
January 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and conducted a workshop as part of the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework process that summarized methods to conduct a cost effectiveness analysis to determine the net cost or benefit for each measure to reduce one ton of CO2e and a benefit-cost analysis to determine the financial impacts of CAP measure on homes and businesses located within a local jurisdiction. The workshop also summarized methods and processes to estimate the cost to a local jurisdiction to implement CAP measures.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
January 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and conducted a workshop as part of the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework process that summarized approaches to monitoring and reporting progress on climate action plans.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
January 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and conducted a workshop as part of the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework process that summarized approaches to monitoring and reporting progress on climate action plans.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
January 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and conducted a workshop as part of the San Diego Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning that summarized the methodology to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from main emission-generating activities, a discussion of updating and revising GHG inventories for San Diego local jurisdictions and recommendations for selecting emissions targets.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
January 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and conducted a workshop as part of the San Diego Regional Framework for Climate Action Planning that summarized the methodology to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from main emission-generating activities, a discussion of updating and revising GHG inventories for San Diego local jurisdictions and recommendations for selecting emissions targets.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
January 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and conducted a workshop as part of the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework process that summarized methods to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions that would result from climate action plan measures.
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
January 2017
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and conducted a workshop as part of the San Diego Regional Climate Action Planning (ReCAP) Framework process that summarized methods to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions that would result from climate action plan measures.
Project: California Regulatory Research Guide
December 2016
California Energy Regulatory Research and Legislative Guide: Navigating the CPUC, CEC, CAISO, CARB, FERC, and California Assembly and Senate Websites (pdf)
This document is intended to provide background on the energy- and climate-related regulatory agencies and organizations in California and guidance on how to conduct research and find documents on their respective websites.
December 2016
California Energy Regulatory Research and Legislative Guide: Navigating the CPUC, CEC, CAISO, CARB, FERC, and California Assembly and Senate Websites (pdf)
This document is intended to provide background on the energy- and climate-related regulatory agencies and organizations in California and guidance on how to conduct research and find documents on their respective websites.
Project: San Diego Regional Energy Innovation Network
Partner: Cleantech San Diego
December 2016
Task 2 Report: Regional Energy Technology Priorities and Needs (pdf)
As part of the San Diego Regional Energy Innovation Network (SD-REIN), led by Cleantech San Diego, and in partnership with Center for Sustainable Energy, EPIC developed a framework for evaluating and determining energy technology priorities for the SD-REIN project region (San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties).
Partner: Cleantech San Diego
December 2016
Task 2 Report: Regional Energy Technology Priorities and Needs (pdf)
As part of the San Diego Regional Energy Innovation Network (SD-REIN), led by Cleantech San Diego, and in partnership with Center for Sustainable Energy, EPIC developed a framework for evaluating and determining energy technology priorities for the SD-REIN project region (San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
November 2016
GHG Emissions Reporting in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Energy Imbalance Market (EIM)
This post will discuss the CAISO's Draft Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Tracking Report and methodology paper to frame the value and limits of GHG reporting by the CAISO.
November 2016
GHG Emissions Reporting in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Energy Imbalance Market (EIM)
This post will discuss the CAISO's Draft Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Tracking Report and methodology paper to frame the value and limits of GHG reporting by the CAISO.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
November 2016
The Changing Landscape of Energy and Climate Policy in the West
The eighth annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 4, 2016. The discussion focused on trends in the Western U.S., including regional expansion of the California's Independent Operator (CAISO), regional climate and energy policy approaches, and state approaches to climate and energy policy in the West.
November 2016
The Changing Landscape of Energy and Climate Policy in the West
The eighth annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 4, 2016. The discussion focused on trends in the Western U.S., including regional expansion of the California's Independent Operator (CAISO), regional climate and energy policy approaches, and state approaches to climate and energy policy in the West.
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Project: USD Climate Action Plan
Partner: USD Office of Sustainability
November 2016
University of San Diego Climate Action Plan Technical Documentation (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical document to summarize the methods used to estimate campus-wide 2010-2015 GHG emissions from University of San Diego, develop a 2020 and 2035 business-as-usual emissions projection, and method and data sources used to estimate 2020 and 2035 GHG emissions reduction from strategies and actions in the USD CAP.
Partner: USD Office of Sustainability
November 2016
University of San Diego Climate Action Plan Technical Documentation (pdf)
EPIC developed a technical document to summarize the methods used to estimate campus-wide 2010-2015 GHG emissions from University of San Diego, develop a 2020 and 2035 business-as-usual emissions projection, and method and data sources used to estimate 2020 and 2035 GHG emissions reduction from strategies and actions in the USD CAP.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
October 2016
AB 1110: GHG Emission Intensity Reporting for Electricity, Causation, and the Problem of Electricity from Unspecified Power
This post will discuss the issues around accurately attributing GHG emissions using a locally-relevant emission factor and California's recently passed GHG emission intensity reporting requirement under AB 1110 (Statutes 2016, Chapter 656).
October 2016
AB 1110: GHG Emission Intensity Reporting for Electricity, Causation, and the Problem of Electricity from Unspecified Power
This post will discuss the issues around accurately attributing GHG emissions using a locally-relevant emission factor and California's recently passed GHG emission intensity reporting requirement under AB 1110 (Statutes 2016, Chapter 656).
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
September 2016
The Role of Unspecified Power in Developing Locally Relevant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Factors in California's Electric Sector
This article discusses unspecified power and its implications for greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis in the energy sector, describes unspecified power in California, identifies why unspecified power exists in California's electric sector, demonstrates its effect on estimating annual average GHG emissions factors, describes how California energy- and climate-related agencies currently track GHG emissions in the electricity sector, and possible solutions to the challenges that unspecified power poses in GHG analysis.
September 2016
The Role of Unspecified Power in Developing Locally Relevant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Factors in California's Electric Sector
This article discusses unspecified power and its implications for greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis in the energy sector, describes unspecified power in California, identifies why unspecified power exists in California's electric sector, demonstrates its effect on estimating annual average GHG emissions factors, describes how California energy- and climate-related agencies currently track GHG emissions in the electricity sector, and possible solutions to the challenges that unspecified power poses in GHG analysis.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
August 2016
SB 32 and AB 197: Future GHG Reduction Targets and Oversight
This post provides an overview of SB 32 and AB 197, which create both the future target that will govern GHG emission reduction programs and a higher level of legislative oversight over the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
August 2016
SB 32 and AB 197: Future GHG Reduction Targets and Oversight
This post provides an overview of SB 32 and AB 197, which create both the future target that will govern GHG emission reduction programs and a higher level of legislative oversight over the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
August 2016
Tracking GHG Emissions in a Regional ISO: California Stands Alone in the West
This post discusses issues related to tracking greenhouse gas emissions in an expanded regional ISO in the West.
August 2016
Tracking GHG Emissions in a Regional ISO: California Stands Alone in the West
This post discusses issues related to tracking greenhouse gas emissions in an expanded regional ISO in the West.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
August 2016
Does Your Rooftop Solar System Reduce Your Carbon Footprint? It Depends
This post describes how the method of purchase can affect whether and how much a rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
August 2016
Does Your Rooftop Solar System Reduce Your Carbon Footprint? It Depends
This post describes how the method of purchase can affect whether and how much a rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2016
Federal Housing Administration Issues Guidance on Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing
This post summarizes guidance by the Federal Housing Administration on Property-Assesses Clean Energy (PACE) Financing.
July 2016
Federal Housing Administration Issues Guidance on Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing
This post summarizes guidance by the Federal Housing Administration on Property-Assesses Clean Energy (PACE) Financing.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2016
AB 2188 Implementation Report: A Review of Ordinances Adopted by Local Jurisdictions in California
This post summarizes the first statewide assessment of AB 2188. It provides a snap shot of AB 2188 implementation across the state of California based on an assessment of confirmed ordinance and process adoption.
July 2016
AB 2188 Implementation Report: A Review of Ordinances Adopted by Local Jurisdictions in California
This post summarizes the first statewide assessment of AB 2188. It provides a snap shot of AB 2188 implementation across the state of California based on an assessment of confirmed ordinance and process adoption.
Project: Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
July 2016
AB 2188 Implementation Report: A Review of Ordinances Adopted by Local Jurisdictions in California (pdf)
EPIC developed a report that surveys how cities in California complied with AB 2188. It reviews ordinance adoption, compliance with minimum statutory requirements under the Solar Rights Act (SRA), and adopted permit application processes This document was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
July 2016
AB 2188 Implementation Report: A Review of Ordinances Adopted by Local Jurisdictions in California (pdf)
EPIC developed a report that surveys how cities in California complied with AB 2188. It reviews ordinance adoption, compliance with minimum statutory requirements under the Solar Rights Act (SRA), and adopted permit application processes This document was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
June 2016
Threading the Needle: Regional ISO Governance Principles
This post examines the California Independent System Operator's (CAISO) June 9th, 2016 Proposed Principles for Governance of a Regional ISO.
June 2016
Threading the Needle: Regional ISO Governance Principles
This post examines the California Independent System Operator's (CAISO) June 9th, 2016 Proposed Principles for Governance of a Regional ISO.
Project: City of Del Mar Climate Action Plan Support
Partner: City of Del Mar
June 2016
City of Del Mar Climate Action Plan
EPIC supported the City of Del Mar Climate Action Plan development. In particular, EPIC estimated the City's GHG inventory, projected emissions, calculated targets, and estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Partner: City of Del Mar
June 2016
City of Del Mar Climate Action Plan
EPIC supported the City of Del Mar Climate Action Plan development. In particular, EPIC estimated the City's GHG inventory, projected emissions, calculated targets, and estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Project: GHG Analysis Technical Working Paper
June 2016
Estimating Annual Average Greenhouse Gas Emission Factors for the Electric Sector: A Method for Inventories (pdf)
This document provides a detailed description of the methodology used by the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) to estimate an annual average greenhouse gas emissions factor for electricity supplied o the San Diego region and individual cities in the San Diego region for GHG inventory purposes.
June 2016
Estimating Annual Average Greenhouse Gas Emission Factors for the Electric Sector: A Method for Inventories (pdf)
This document provides a detailed description of the methodology used by the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) to estimate an annual average greenhouse gas emissions factor for electricity supplied o the San Diego region and individual cities in the San Diego region for GHG inventory purposes.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2016
Causation as the Basis for Attributing Greenhouse Emissions from Electricity
This post discusses the issue of attributing greenhouse gas emissions from electricity production to the customers who use it.
May 2016
Causation as the Basis for Attributing Greenhouse Emissions from Electricity
This post discusses the issue of attributing greenhouse gas emissions from electricity production to the customers who use it.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2016
GHG Emission Targets v. Limits: The Constitutionality of Executive Orders S-3-05 and B-30-15
This post summarizes an opinion by Legislative Counsel Dian F. Boyer that answers questions from State Senator Jean Fuller of California's 16th Senate District regarding California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (commonly known as AB 32) and Executive Branch Authority.
May 2016
GHG Emission Targets v. Limits: The Constitutionality of Executive Orders S-3-05 and B-30-15
This post summarizes an opinion by Legislative Counsel Dian F. Boyer that answers questions from State Senator Jean Fuller of California's 16th Senate District regarding California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (commonly known as AB 32) and Executive Branch Authority.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Air Resources Board
May 2016
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students worked with the California Air Resources Board on a confidential project.
Partner: California Air Resources Board
May 2016
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students worked with the California Air Resources Board on a confidential project.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Air Resources Board
May 2016
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students conducted research on a confidential research topic related to energy efficiency regulation for the California Energy Commission.
Partner: California Air Resources Board
May 2016
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students conducted research on a confidential research topic related to energy efficiency regulation for the California Energy Commission.
Project: Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
May 2016
Energy Storage and Solar Energy (pdf)
EPIC developed a report to assess the effect of bundling energy storage with residential and commercial photovoltaics systems. It summarizes energy storage systems in terms of their use and some of the technologies involved; state statutory and regulatory framework driving applications of energy storage and PV behind-the-meter and at the distribution grid level; procurement, distribution planning, incentives, interconnection, and rate structures shaping energy storage; permitting, inspection, and safety before concluding with information on the wholesale bulk energy market; and, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) orders as well as existing or pending California Independent System Operator (CAISO) actions. This document was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
May 2016
Energy Storage and Solar Energy (pdf)
EPIC developed a report to assess the effect of bundling energy storage with residential and commercial photovoltaics systems. It summarizes energy storage systems in terms of their use and some of the technologies involved; state statutory and regulatory framework driving applications of energy storage and PV behind-the-meter and at the distribution grid level; procurement, distribution planning, incentives, interconnection, and rate structures shaping energy storage; permitting, inspection, and safety before concluding with information on the wholesale bulk energy market; and, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) orders as well as existing or pending California Independent System Operator (CAISO) actions. This document was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2016
The Role and Prices of RECs and Offsets in Climate and Energy Plans
This post reviews how cities, counties, and other jurisdictional entities plan to use or do use Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and carbon offset credits may be useful to those who wish to have a better understanding of the role that these credits can play for these groups in California. This post serves as an initial inquiry of a handful of plans in California.
April 2016
The Role and Prices of RECs and Offsets in Climate and Energy Plans
This post reviews how cities, counties, and other jurisdictional entities plan to use or do use Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and carbon offset credits may be useful to those who wish to have a better understanding of the role that these credits can play for these groups in California. This post serves as an initial inquiry of a handful of plans in California.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
April 2016
Supreme Court Issues Hughes v. Talen Marketing Decision With Limited Effect on California and the West
This post summarizes the U.S. Supreme Court's 8-0 decision in Hughes v. Talen Marketing finding that Maryland Public Service Commission's program for in-state long-term capacity procurement set an interstate wholesale rate that interfered with the Federal Power Act's (FPA) division of authority between state and federal regulators.
April 2016
Supreme Court Issues Hughes v. Talen Marketing Decision With Limited Effect on California and the West
This post summarizes the U.S. Supreme Court's 8-0 decision in Hughes v. Talen Marketing finding that Maryland Public Service Commission's program for in-state long-term capacity procurement set an interstate wholesale rate that interfered with the Federal Power Act's (FPA) division of authority between state and federal regulators.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
March 2016
Water Reliability and Renewable Energy Overgeneration
This post explores the connection between overgeneration of renewable energy and California's water supply.
March 2016
Water Reliability and Renewable Energy Overgeneration
This post explores the connection between overgeneration of renewable energy and California's water supply.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
March 2016
Constitutional Reform of the California Public Utilities Commission
This post explores the implications of a bipartisan State Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 11 proposed by Assembly Members Gatto, Levine, and Wilk to reform the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
March 2016
Constitutional Reform of the California Public Utilities Commission
This post explores the implications of a bipartisan State Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 11 proposed by Assembly Members Gatto, Levine, and Wilk to reform the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
March 2016
Achieving Mandatory GHG Reduction under a Regional Independent Systems Operator
This post discusses how California, other states, and the federal government address or will address greenhouse gas reductions from electric generation. In particular, it is clear that GHG reductions requirements are separate and apart from wholesale electric markets and that wholesale ISOs/RTOs respond to state policy but are not platforms to drive state policy in light of their federal nature. The discussion includes California, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative(RGGI) in the New England and Mid-Atlantic, and the Clean Power Plan.
March 2016
Achieving Mandatory GHG Reduction under a Regional Independent Systems Operator
This post discusses how California, other states, and the federal government address or will address greenhouse gas reductions from electric generation. In particular, it is clear that GHG reductions requirements are separate and apart from wholesale electric markets and that wholesale ISOs/RTOs respond to state policy but are not platforms to drive state policy in light of their federal nature. The discussion includes California, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative(RGGI) in the New England and Mid-Atlantic, and the Clean Power Plan.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
March 2016
Role of Renewable Energy Credits and Carbon Offsets
The second in a series on renewable energy credits and carbon offsets, this post this discusses their role in city climate action plans (CAP).
March 2016
Role of Renewable Energy Credits and Carbon Offsets
The second in a series on renewable energy credits and carbon offsets, this post this discusses their role in city climate action plans (CAP).
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Analysis
March 2016
Slowing the Demand for Electricity: California an Example for Saudi Arabia (pdf)
This paper presents a high-level view of the overall policy and regulatory framework established by California in the 1970's to, in particular, slow electricity growth. Components of Saudi Arabia's current energy policy are presented and compared with policies of the Warren Alaquist Act (WAA) of 1972. Considering the vast changes to the energy policy landscape of the last two decades worldwide, especially in terms of renewable energy, it appears that now would be a good time for Saudi Arabia to leapfrog from a WAA-like 1972 policy to a WAA 2014-and-beyond policy.
March 2016
Slowing the Demand for Electricity: California an Example for Saudi Arabia (pdf)
This paper presents a high-level view of the overall policy and regulatory framework established by California in the 1970's to, in particular, slow electricity growth. Components of Saudi Arabia's current energy policy are presented and compared with policies of the Warren Alaquist Act (WAA) of 1972. Considering the vast changes to the energy policy landscape of the last two decades worldwide, especially in terms of renewable energy, it appears that now would be a good time for Saudi Arabia to leapfrog from a WAA-like 1972 policy to a WAA 2014-and-beyond policy.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
February 2016
Renewable Energy Credits and Carbon Offset Credits
This post, the first in a series of posts on this topic, defines renewable energy credits (RECs) and carbon offset credits, discusses their role in California.
February 2016
Renewable Energy Credits and Carbon Offset Credits
This post, the first in a series of posts on this topic, defines renewable energy credits (RECs) and carbon offset credits, discusses their role in California.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
February 2016
Stay of EPA's Clean Power Plan, SB 350, and CAISO Regional Expansion
This post summarizes the U.S. Supreme Court's orders granting five petitions to stay the EPA's ÒCarbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating UnitsÓ 80 Fed. Reg. 65,662 (October 23, 2015), or Clean Power Plan (CPP).
February 2016
Stay of EPA's Clean Power Plan, SB 350, and CAISO Regional Expansion
This post summarizes the U.S. Supreme Court's orders granting five petitions to stay the EPA's ÒCarbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating UnitsÓ 80 Fed. Reg. 65,662 (October 23, 2015), or Clean Power Plan (CPP).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
January 2016
Center for Biological Diversity et al., v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Newhall Land and Farming Company: the Burden of CEQA Land Use GHG Emission Reduction Analysis at the Local Level
The Center for Biological Diversity et al., v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and The Newhall Land and Farming Company, 62 Cal.4th 204 (2015)(Newhall Land case) addresses several issues related to greenhouse gas emissions in new development. This post will discuss whether the project level environmental impact report (EIR) validly determined that the development would not significantly impact the environment by its discharge of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
January 2016
Center for Biological Diversity et al., v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Newhall Land and Farming Company: the Burden of CEQA Land Use GHG Emission Reduction Analysis at the Local Level
The Center for Biological Diversity et al., v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and The Newhall Land and Farming Company, 62 Cal.4th 204 (2015)(Newhall Land case) addresses several issues related to greenhouse gas emissions in new development. This post will discuss whether the project level environmental impact report (EIR) validly determined that the development would not significantly impact the environment by its discharge of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
January 2016
Estimating the GHG Emissions Impacts of Reducing or Displacing Electricity: Is it time for a standard method in California?
This post examines different types of emissions factors, focusing on those needed to estimate the greenhouse gas impacts of reducing or displacing a unit of electricity, their policy importance, and the possible need for standard approaches and methods in California.
January 2016
Estimating the GHG Emissions Impacts of Reducing or Displacing Electricity: Is it time for a standard method in California?
This post examines different types of emissions factors, focusing on those needed to estimate the greenhouse gas impacts of reducing or displacing a unit of electricity, their policy importance, and the possible need for standard approaches and methods in California.
Project: City of Carlsbad CAP Implementation Plan
Partner: City of Carlsbad
January 2016
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed a preliminary climate action plan (CAP) implementation cost report for the City of Carlsbad. The analysis estimates the staffing, consultant, and supply costs associated with implementing CAP measures and action over the first five years of the CAP implementation process.
Partner: City of Carlsbad
January 2016
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed a preliminary climate action plan (CAP) implementation cost report for the City of Carlsbad. The analysis estimates the staffing, consultant, and supply costs associated with implementing CAP measures and action over the first five years of the CAP implementation process.
Project: City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Monitoring Support
Partner: City of San Diego
January 2016
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan 2016 Annual Report Appendix (pdf)
EPIC developed a document summarizing the 2015 GHG emissions from City of San Diego, current status of the five strategies identified in the San Diego CAP, and method differences and data refinements of the 2015 GHG inventory and 2010 baseline inventory.
Partner: City of San Diego
January 2016
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan 2016 Annual Report Appendix (pdf)
EPIC developed a document summarizing the 2015 GHG emissions from City of San Diego, current status of the five strategies identified in the San Diego CAP, and method differences and data refinements of the 2015 GHG inventory and 2010 baseline inventory.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Solana Beach
January 2016
Solana Beach Climate Action Plan 2010-2013 GHG Inventory and Projection (pdf)
EPIC developed a document summarizing the 2010-2013 GHG emissions from City of Solana Beach and a 2020 and 2035 business-as-usual emissions projection, and a discussion of the major methodological differences with the previous 2005 inventory.
Partner: City of Solana Beach
January 2016
Solana Beach Climate Action Plan 2010-2013 GHG Inventory and Projection (pdf)
EPIC developed a document summarizing the 2010-2013 GHG emissions from City of Solana Beach and a 2020 and 2035 business-as-usual emissions projection, and a discussion of the major methodological differences with the previous 2005 inventory.
Project: SANDAG Energy Roadmap Program
Partner: City of Solana Beach
January 2016
Solana Beach Climate Action Plan 2010-2013 GHG Inventory and Projection (pdf)
EPIC developed a document summarizing the 2010-2013 GHG emissions from City of Solana Beach and a 2020 and 2035 business-as-usual emissions projection, and a discussion of the major methodological differences with the previous 2005 inventory.
Partner: City of Solana Beach
January 2016
Solana Beach Climate Action Plan 2010-2013 GHG Inventory and Projection (pdf)
EPIC developed a document summarizing the 2010-2013 GHG emissions from City of Solana Beach and a 2020 and 2035 business-as-usual emissions projection, and a discussion of the major methodological differences with the previous 2005 inventory.
Project: USD Climate Action Plan
Partner: USD Office of Sustainability
January 2016
University of San Diego Climate Action Plan
EPIC provided technical services to the University of San Diego's Office of Sustainability to support development of a Climate Action Plan. This work included developing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, projecting emissions, selecting reduction targets, and quantifying GHG reduction measures.
Partner: USD Office of Sustainability
January 2016
University of San Diego Climate Action Plan
EPIC provided technical services to the University of San Diego's Office of Sustainability to support development of a Climate Action Plan. This work included developing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, projecting emissions, selecting reduction targets, and quantifying GHG reduction measures.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
December 2015
The Season for Climate Action: Paris Agreement and City of San Diego Climate Action Plan
This post discusses the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and some of the main provisions relating to GHG reductions only.
December 2015
The Season for Climate Action: Paris Agreement and City of San Diego Climate Action Plan
This post discusses the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and some of the main provisions relating to GHG reductions only.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
December 2015
Addressing the Role of Electric Vehicles in Greenhouse Gas Reduction: California Independent System Operator Action
This is the third post in a series looking at legislative and regulatory action addressing Electric Vehicle (EV) greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. This post focuses on efforts by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).
December 2015
Addressing the Role of Electric Vehicles in Greenhouse Gas Reduction: California Independent System Operator Action
This is the third post in a series looking at legislative and regulatory action addressing Electric Vehicle (EV) greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. This post focuses on efforts by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
December 2015
COPs and CAPs: Goals for stabilization of carbon emissions
This post looks at the provisions of the negotiation text relating to goals of the UNFCCC's 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP 21), as available in the Advance Unedited Version of the negotiation text of November 19-23, 2015 and the type of goals and measures that cities are using in city climate action plans (CAPs).
December 2015
COPs and CAPs: Goals for stabilization of carbon emissions
This post looks at the provisions of the negotiation text relating to goals of the UNFCCC's 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP 21), as available in the Advance Unedited Version of the negotiation text of November 19-23, 2015 and the type of goals and measures that cities are using in city climate action plans (CAPs).
Project: City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Support
Partner: City of San Diego
December 2015
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan (pdf)
EPIC supported the City of San Diego Climate Action Plan (CAP) development. In particular, EPIC conducted a comparison of best practices in climate planning from a sample of cities similar to San Diego, including Denver, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, and Melbourne Australia. To support the CAP, EPIC estimated the City's GHG inventory, projected emissions, calculated targets, and estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Partner: City of San Diego
December 2015
City of San Diego Climate Action Plan (pdf)
EPIC supported the City of San Diego Climate Action Plan (CAP) development. In particular, EPIC conducted a comparison of best practices in climate planning from a sample of cities similar to San Diego, including Denver, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, and Melbourne Australia. To support the CAP, EPIC estimated the City's GHG inventory, projected emissions, calculated targets, and estimated GHG reductions from CAP measures.
Project: Climate Education Partners - San Diego Region
Partner: National Science Foundation
December 2015
Public Health In San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how climate change could affect our public health and what the implications could be for the San Diego region.
Partner: National Science Foundation
December 2015
Public Health In San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how climate change could affect our public health and what the implications could be for the San Diego region.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
December 2015
Splitting the Emissions Baby: Allocating GHG Reductions in the Electricity Sector Part II
The post, one of a series on methods to estimate greenhouse gas reductions, summarizes a potential solution to the problem of allocating greenhouse gas emissions between measures that reduce emitting activities (e.g., efficiency) and those that change the rate of emissions (e.g., renewable electricity supply).
December 2015
Splitting the Emissions Baby: Allocating GHG Reductions in the Electricity Sector Part II
The post, one of a series on methods to estimate greenhouse gas reductions, summarizes a potential solution to the problem of allocating greenhouse gas emissions between measures that reduce emitting activities (e.g., efficiency) and those that change the rate of emissions (e.g., renewable electricity supply).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
November 2015
INDCs and Why Cities are Important for Global Climate Action
This post discusses the role of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) to reduce emissions to meet the goals of the UNFCCC's 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP 21). It will also discuss the role that cities could play in reducing emission.
November 2015
INDCs and Why Cities are Important for Global Climate Action
This post discusses the role of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) to reduce emissions to meet the goals of the UNFCCC's 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP 21). It will also discuss the role that cities could play in reducing emission.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
November 2015
Unpacking SB 350: CAISO Regional Expansion
This post will focus on the statutory changes that seek to expand the California Independent Systems Operator (CAISO) from the existing system to a regional independent transmission operator.
November 2015
Unpacking SB 350: CAISO Regional Expansion
This post will focus on the statutory changes that seek to expand the California Independent Systems Operator (CAISO) from the existing system to a regional independent transmission operator.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
November 2015
California to Paris: Linking Energy and Climate Policy at the Subnational, National, and International Levels
The seventh annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 7, 2015. Speakers discussed the legal challenges and state responses to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan, the role of subnational entities, including state, provinces, and cities in international climate agreements, and expectations for the Paris Climate talks.
November 2015
California to Paris: Linking Energy and Climate Policy at the Subnational, National, and International Levels
The seventh annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 7, 2015. Speakers discussed the legal challenges and state responses to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan, the role of subnational entities, including state, provinces, and cities in international climate agreements, and expectations for the Paris Climate talks.
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Project: EPIC Energy Blog
November 2015
Splitting the Emissions Baby: Allocating GHG Reductions in the Electricity Sector Part I
The post, one of a series on methods to estimate greenhouse gas reductions, describes the problem of allocating greenhouse gas emissions between measures that reduce emitting activities (e.g., efficiency) and those that change the rate of emissions (e.g., renewable electricity supply).
November 2015
Splitting the Emissions Baby: Allocating GHG Reductions in the Electricity Sector Part I
The post, one of a series on methods to estimate greenhouse gas reductions, describes the problem of allocating greenhouse gas emissions between measures that reduce emitting activities (e.g., efficiency) and those that change the rate of emissions (e.g., renewable electricity supply).
Project: Climate Education Partners - San Diego Region
Partner: National Science Foundation
November 2015
Nature's Benefits in San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how climate change could affect our public landscape and what the implications could be for the San Diego region.
Partner: National Science Foundation
November 2015
Nature's Benefits in San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how climate change could affect our public landscape and what the implications could be for the San Diego region.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
October 2015
Addressing the Role of Electric Vehicles in Greenhouse Gas Reduction: California Public Utilities Commission
This post, the second in a series, focuses on efforts by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions from Electric Vehicle (EV).
October 2015
Addressing the Role of Electric Vehicles in Greenhouse Gas Reduction: California Public Utilities Commission
This post, the second in a series, focuses on efforts by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions from Electric Vehicle (EV).
Project: Climate Education Partners - San Diego Region
Partner: National Science Foundation
October 2015
Coastal Flooding in San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how warming waters affect our climate and what the implications could be for the San Diego region.
Partner: National Science Foundation
October 2015
Coastal Flooding in San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how warming waters affect our climate and what the implications could be for the San Diego region.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
October 2015
Splitting the Electric Emissions Baby: Allocating Greenhouse Gas Reductions between Efficiency and Renewable Energy Policies
This article describes a challenge in greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis that arises when calculating the GHG impacts of policies in the electricity sector: how to allocate greenhouse gas emissions impacts between policies that lower consumption through efficiency and those that increase the supply of renewable electricity. This article demonstrates the challenge and proposes a solution to allocate emissions between the two policy types.
October 2015
Splitting the Electric Emissions Baby: Allocating Greenhouse Gas Reductions between Efficiency and Renewable Energy Policies
This article describes a challenge in greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis that arises when calculating the GHG impacts of policies in the electricity sector: how to allocate greenhouse gas emissions impacts between policies that lower consumption through efficiency and those that increase the supply of renewable electricity. This article demonstrates the challenge and proposes a solution to allocate emissions between the two policy types.
Project: Climate Education Partners - San Diego Region
October 2015
Using in-home displays to provide smart meter feedback about household electricity consumption: A randomized control trial comparing kilowatts, cost, and social norms.
EPIC contributed to an article developed as part of University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners (CEP) that summarizes the results of a randomized control field experiment using in-home displays to reduce household electricity consumption. The results suggest that in-home displays offer promise for encouraging energy conservation, but careful consideration should be given to the way that the feedback is framed.
October 2015
Using in-home displays to provide smart meter feedback about household electricity consumption: A randomized control trial comparing kilowatts, cost, and social norms.
EPIC contributed to an article developed as part of University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners (CEP) that summarizes the results of a randomized control field experiment using in-home displays to reduce household electricity consumption. The results suggest that in-home displays offer promise for encouraging energy conservation, but careful consideration should be given to the way that the feedback is framed.
Project: SANDAG Greenhouse Gas Analysis Support
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
August 2015
San Diego Regional 2012 GHG Inventory (pdf)
EPIC developed a 2012 regional greenhouse gas inventory for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to support development of the San Diego Forward Regional Plan and the associated environmental impact report (EIR).
Partner: San Diego Association of Governments
August 2015
San Diego Regional 2012 GHG Inventory (pdf)
EPIC developed a 2012 regional greenhouse gas inventory for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to support development of the San Diego Forward Regional Plan and the associated environmental impact report (EIR).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2015
What is Business-As-Usual? Projecting Greenhouse Gas Emissions at the Regional Level
This post describes some of the factors to be considered when developing greenhouse gas emissions projections.
July 2015
What is Business-As-Usual? Projecting Greenhouse Gas Emissions at the Regional Level
This post describes some of the factors to be considered when developing greenhouse gas emissions projections.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2015
Half-Empty Planes: Utilization Rates for California's Electric Grid Part II
This post, the second in a series discussing load factor of electricity grids, explores the factors that affect load factor, whether there is an optimal load factor, and how California's greenhouse gas policies may affect load factor.
July 2015
Half-Empty Planes: Utilization Rates for California's Electric Grid Part II
This post, the second in a series discussing load factor of electricity grids, explores the factors that affect load factor, whether there is an optimal load factor, and how California's greenhouse gas policies may affect load factor.
Project: Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
July 2015
AB 2188 Model Ordinance (pdf)
EPIC analyzed AB 2188 to develop a model ordinance and guide to implement the ordinance for use by local governments around the state. This model ordinance is intended to comply with the requirements of the Solar Rights Act, as amended. This document was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
July 2015
AB 2188 Model Ordinance (pdf)
EPIC analyzed AB 2188 to develop a model ordinance and guide to implement the ordinance for use by local governments around the state. This model ordinance is intended to comply with the requirements of the Solar Rights Act, as amended. This document was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Project: Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
July 2015
AB 2188 Model Ordinance and Implementation Guide (pdf)
EPIC analyzed AB 2188 to develop a model ordinance and guide to implement the ordinance for use by local governments around the state. This document is intended to provide guidance for implementing AB 2188 in substantial conformance with the California Solar Permitting Guidebook. It also includes a stand-alone model ordinance that complies with the requirements of the Solar Rights Act, as amended. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
July 2015
AB 2188 Model Ordinance and Implementation Guide (pdf)
EPIC analyzed AB 2188 to develop a model ordinance and guide to implement the ordinance for use by local governments around the state. This document is intended to provide guidance for implementing AB 2188 in substantial conformance with the California Solar Permitting Guidebook. It also includes a stand-alone model ordinance that complies with the requirements of the Solar Rights Act, as amended. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
June 2015
Half-Empty Planes: Utilization Rates for California's Electric Grid Part I
The first in a series about asset utilization of electric grids, this post defines load factor and provides examples of asset utilization rates among California's investor-owned utilities.
June 2015
Half-Empty Planes: Utilization Rates for California's Electric Grid Part I
The first in a series about asset utilization of electric grids, this post defines load factor and provides examples of asset utilization rates among California's investor-owned utilities.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
June 2015
June 2015 Legislative Update: Energy Procurement, Net Energy Metering, Electric Vehicle Chargers, and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulation.
This post summarizes the bills that have passed out of their house of origin in the 2015 California legislative session.
June 2015
June 2015 Legislative Update: Energy Procurement, Net Energy Metering, Electric Vehicle Chargers, and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulation.
This post summarizes the bills that have passed out of their house of origin in the 2015 California legislative session.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
June 2015
June 2015 Legislative Update: CPUC, CEC, and Utility Reform
This post summarize proposed California bills that have passed their house of origin in June 2015 with an emphasis on CPUC, CEC, and Utility reform measures.
June 2015
June 2015 Legislative Update: CPUC, CEC, and Utility Reform
This post summarize proposed California bills that have passed their house of origin in June 2015 with an emphasis on CPUC, CEC, and Utility reform measures.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
June 2015
The Canary in the Sunshine: San Diego Continues to Reach Net Energy Metering Caps First
This post describes how San Diego has been the first region in California to meet statutory limits for net energy metering (NEM). It also argues that California will be the first to transition into the NEM Successor Tariff.
June 2015
The Canary in the Sunshine: San Diego Continues to Reach Net Energy Metering Caps First
This post describes how San Diego has been the first region in California to meet statutory limits for net energy metering (NEM). It also argues that California will be the first to transition into the NEM Successor Tariff.
Project: Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
June 2015
Community Solar in California (pdf)
EPIC produced report that provides an overview of community solar policies and programs in California. It discusses the shared solar programs developed as a result of Senate Bill (SB) 43, including a detailed discussion of the requirements for both the ECR and Green Tariff programs; summarizes California's virtual net metering programs, including the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) and Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes Programs (SASH); addresses California's aggregate net metering program, the Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit transfer (RES-BCT) as authorized by Assembly Bill 2466.5; and, discusses Community Shared Solar models in other states. This document was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
June 2015
Community Solar in California (pdf)
EPIC produced report that provides an overview of community solar policies and programs in California. It discusses the shared solar programs developed as a result of Senate Bill (SB) 43, including a detailed discussion of the requirements for both the ECR and Green Tariff programs; summarizes California's virtual net metering programs, including the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) and Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes Programs (SASH); addresses California's aggregate net metering program, the Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit transfer (RES-BCT) as authorized by Assembly Bill 2466.5; and, discusses Community Shared Solar models in other states. This document was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Energy Commission
May 2015
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students researched topics related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan proposed rule. This work is for the California Energy Commission but also was conducted in partnership with the California Air Resources Board and the California Public Utilities Commission.
Partner: California Energy Commission
May 2015
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students researched topics related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan proposed rule. This work is for the California Energy Commission but also was conducted in partnership with the California Air Resources Board and the California Public Utilities Commission.
Project: Climate Education Partners - San Diego Region
Partner: National Science Foundation
May 2015
Wildfires and Drought in San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how climate change affect wildfire risk and what the implications could be for the San Diego region.
Partner: National Science Foundation
May 2015
Wildfires and Drought in San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how climate change affect wildfire risk and what the implications could be for the San Diego region.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
January 2015
How can Demand Response (DR) resources be compensated at the retail level in light of the D.C. Circuit Ruling on FERC Order No. 745?
This post discusses the implications of the D.C. Circuit's ruling on FERC authority with regards to demand response (DR) under Order 745 (Electric Power Supply Association v. FERC, 753 F.3d 216 (D.C Cir. May 23, 2014)). It highlights comments by former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff and his proposal for a distribution system operator (DSO).
January 2015
How can Demand Response (DR) resources be compensated at the retail level in light of the D.C. Circuit Ruling on FERC Order No. 745?
This post discusses the implications of the D.C. Circuit's ruling on FERC authority with regards to demand response (DR) under Order 745 (Electric Power Supply Association v. FERC, 753 F.3d 216 (D.C Cir. May 23, 2014)). It highlights comments by former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff and his proposal for a distribution system operator (DSO).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
January 2015
How to Allocate GHG Emissions Reductions Among Mitigation Measures
This post summarizes an EPIC research paper on how to allocate greenhouse gas emissions between measures that reduce emitting activities (e.g., efficiency) and those that change the rate of emissions (e.g., renewable electricity supply).
January 2015
How to Allocate GHG Emissions Reductions Among Mitigation Measures
This post summarizes an EPIC research paper on how to allocate greenhouse gas emissions between measures that reduce emitting activities (e.g., efficiency) and those that change the rate of emissions (e.g., renewable electricity supply).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
January 2015
Addressing the Role of Electric Vehicles in Greenhouse Gas Reduction: California State Legislative Action
This is the first post in a series looking at legislative and regulatory action addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from Electric Vehicle (EV) . This first post focuses on state legislative action.
January 2015
Addressing the Role of Electric Vehicles in Greenhouse Gas Reduction: California State Legislative Action
This is the first post in a series looking at legislative and regulatory action addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from Electric Vehicle (EV) . This first post focuses on state legislative action.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
December 2014
Senator Pavley Introduces SB 32 (2015-2016) to Amend the AB 32 California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
This post summarizes SB 32, a bill introduced by Senator Pavley on December 1, 2014, which requires the CARB to adopt a statewide GHG emission limit equivalent to 80% below the 1990 level to be achieved by 2050. The bill authorizes the CARB to adopt interim GHG emission level targets for 2030 and 2040.
December 2014
Senator Pavley Introduces SB 32 (2015-2016) to Amend the AB 32 California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
This post summarizes SB 32, a bill introduced by Senator Pavley on December 1, 2014, which requires the CARB to adopt a statewide GHG emission limit equivalent to 80% below the 1990 level to be achieved by 2050. The bill authorizes the CARB to adopt interim GHG emission level targets for 2030 and 2040.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
December 2014
Climate Action Plan Litigation: San Diego County Appeals Fourth Appellate District CEQA Decision
This post discusses the ruling by the Fourth Appellate District in Sierra Club v. County of San Diego. A three-judge panel of heard an appeal by the County of San Diego of a superior court finding that the County violated CEQA by not complying with the requirements of its own Climate Change Mitigation Measure CC-1.2 (Mitigation Measure CC-1.2) in its Climate Action Plan (CAP).
December 2014
Climate Action Plan Litigation: San Diego County Appeals Fourth Appellate District CEQA Decision
This post discusses the ruling by the Fourth Appellate District in Sierra Club v. County of San Diego. A three-judge panel of heard an appeal by the County of San Diego of a superior court finding that the County violated CEQA by not complying with the requirements of its own Climate Change Mitigation Measure CC-1.2 (Mitigation Measure CC-1.2) in its Climate Action Plan (CAP).
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
December 2014
Regional Transportation Plan Litigation: Fourth Appellate District Finds SANDAG Transportation Plan Violated CEQA
This post discusses the California Forth Appellate District ruling in the Cleveland National Forest Foundation v. SANDAG case. The three-judge panel heard SANDAG's appeal of a trial court ruling on the first Regional Transportation Plan put forward by one of the state's nine regional planning entities to comply with SB 375.
December 2014
Regional Transportation Plan Litigation: Fourth Appellate District Finds SANDAG Transportation Plan Violated CEQA
This post discusses the California Forth Appellate District ruling in the Cleveland National Forest Foundation v. SANDAG case. The three-judge panel heard SANDAG's appeal of a trial court ruling on the first Regional Transportation Plan put forward by one of the state's nine regional planning entities to comply with SB 375.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
December 2014
California's Solar Rights Act: A Review of the Statutes and Relevant Cases (pdf)
This paper examines the sections of California law known collectively as the Solar Rights Act (SRA) and reviews lawsuits brought under the Act. It is intended to provide solar energy users, home owners associations (HOA), and local governments more information about the content and application of California's primary solar access law.
December 2014
California's Solar Rights Act: A Review of the Statutes and Relevant Cases (pdf)
This paper examines the sections of California law known collectively as the Solar Rights Act (SRA) and reviews lawsuits brought under the Act. It is intended to provide solar energy users, home owners associations (HOA), and local governments more information about the content and application of California's primary solar access law.
Project: Energy Policy Support to Saudi Aramco
Partner: Saudi Aramco
December 2014
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and executed a 5-day Energy Policy workshop at the Saudi Aramco campus is Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The workshop summarized energy efficiency and renewable energy policy developments in California and Germany to support Saudi Aramco's Kingdom Economic & Energy Analysis, Public Policy Analysis group.
Partner: Saudi Aramco
December 2014
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC developed and executed a 5-day Energy Policy workshop at the Saudi Aramco campus is Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The workshop summarized energy efficiency and renewable energy policy developments in California and Germany to support Saudi Aramco's Kingdom Economic & Energy Analysis, Public Policy Analysis group.
Project: GHG Analysis Technical Working Paper
December 2014
Splitting the Electric Baby: A Methodology for Allocating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions within the Electricity Sector (pdf)
This paper presents a methodology for allocating greenhouse gas emissions reductions within the electricity sector. It addresses an issue that arises when certain emissions reductions result from decreasing the greenhouse gas intensity of electricity (i.e. reducing the pounds per MWh of generated electricity through policies like a renewable portfolio standard), while other simultaneous emissions reductions result from reducing the megawatt-hours consumed from the electric utility through energy efficiency. This paper presents an analytical solution to these issues that provides a foundation for a modeling methodology that properly allocates greenhouse gas emissions reductions within the electricity sector.
December 2014
Splitting the Electric Baby: A Methodology for Allocating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions within the Electricity Sector (pdf)
This paper presents a methodology for allocating greenhouse gas emissions reductions within the electricity sector. It addresses an issue that arises when certain emissions reductions result from decreasing the greenhouse gas intensity of electricity (i.e. reducing the pounds per MWh of generated electricity through policies like a renewable portfolio standard), while other simultaneous emissions reductions result from reducing the megawatt-hours consumed from the electric utility through energy efficiency. This paper presents an analytical solution to these issues that provides a foundation for a modeling methodology that properly allocates greenhouse gas emissions reductions within the electricity sector.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
November 2014
Innovative Regulatory and Business Models in a Changing Electric Industry
The sixth annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 7, 2014. Speakers discussed options for the utility of the future, the role of distributed technologies as drivers of change, and possible regulatory models compatible with the future of the electric grid.
November 2014
Innovative Regulatory and Business Models in a Changing Electric Industry
The sixth annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 7, 2014. Speakers discussed options for the utility of the future, the role of distributed technologies as drivers of change, and possible regulatory models compatible with the future of the electric grid.
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Project: EPIC Energy Blog
October 2014
AB 2188: Streamlining Permitting for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems at the Local Level under the Solar Rights Act
This post summarizes AB 2188, a bill signed into law by the Governor on September 21, 2014 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014), to amend the Solar Rights Act to implement, among other requirements, the first codified streamlined permitting requirement for small rooftop solar energy systems at the local level in California.
October 2014
AB 2188: Streamlining Permitting for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems at the Local Level under the Solar Rights Act
This post summarizes AB 2188, a bill signed into law by the Governor on September 21, 2014 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014), to amend the Solar Rights Act to implement, among other requirements, the first codified streamlined permitting requirement for small rooftop solar energy systems at the local level in California.
Project: Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
October 2014
Residential and Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing in California (pdf)
EPIC produced a report that provides a comprehensive review of PACE funding in California. This report, the first-of-its kind in the state at the time, reviews the legal framework for PACE, an update on current litigation and a review of the regulatory processes that could resolve key legal issues, and a detailed comparison of each major PACE program in California. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge (SCRC). The SCRC is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
October 2014
Residential and Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing in California (pdf)
EPIC produced a report that provides a comprehensive review of PACE funding in California. This report, the first-of-its kind in the state at the time, reviews the legal framework for PACE, an update on current litigation and a review of the regulatory processes that could resolve key legal issues, and a detailed comparison of each major PACE program in California. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge (SCRC). The SCRC is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Project: Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
October 2014
Residential and Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing in California (Updated) (pdf)
EPIC produced a report that provides a comprehensive review of PACE funding in California. This version of the report updates the original report published in March 2013. It identifies and describes the current state of residential and commercial property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing programs in California. It reviews the legal framework for PACE, provides an update on current litigation and a review of the regulatory processes that could resolve key legal issues, and a detailed comparison of each major PACE program in California. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
October 2014
Residential and Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing in California (Updated) (pdf)
EPIC produced a report that provides a comprehensive review of PACE funding in California. This version of the report updates the original report published in March 2013. It identifies and describes the current state of residential and commercial property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing programs in California. It reviews the legal framework for PACE, provides an update on current litigation and a review of the regulatory processes that could resolve key legal issues, and a detailed comparison of each major PACE program in California. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) statewide California Rooftop Solar Challenge, the second phase of the more targeted Southern California-focused project. This is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
August 2014
Petitions to Re-Hear Denied: The Low Carbon Fuel Standard Still Stands Intact
This post summarizes action by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on January 22, 2014 to deny petitions to rehear Rocky Mountain Farmers Union v. Corey, en banc. Rocky Mountain Farmers Union v. Corey, 740 F. 3d 507 (9th Cir. 2014).
August 2014
Petitions to Re-Hear Denied: The Low Carbon Fuel Standard Still Stands Intact
This post summarizes action by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on January 22, 2014 to deny petitions to rehear Rocky Mountain Farmers Union v. Corey, en banc. Rocky Mountain Farmers Union v. Corey, 740 F. 3d 507 (9th Cir. 2014).
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Energy Commission
May 2014
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students conducted research related to cost effectiveness for the California Energy Commission.
Partner: California Energy Commission
May 2014
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students conducted research related to cost effectiveness for the California Energy Commission.
Project: San Diego Solar Stakeholder Group
Partner: San Diego Solar Stakeholder Group
February 2014
San Diego Distributed Solar Photovoltaics Impact Study Final Report (pdf)
EPIC facilitated the San Diego Solar Stakeholder Group and produced a report based on the Groups direction. The report identifies and estimates the annual costs of the services provided by SDG&E to distributed PV customersÑi.e. those SDG&E customers who have chosen to install a PV system less than one MW on their property behind the utility meter (whether or not they participate in the SDG&E Net Energy Metering (NEM) tariff). It also identifies and quantifies the annual value of the services provided by the distributed PV customers to SDG&E.
Partner: San Diego Solar Stakeholder Group
February 2014
San Diego Distributed Solar Photovoltaics Impact Study Final Report (pdf)
EPIC facilitated the San Diego Solar Stakeholder Group and produced a report based on the Groups direction. The report identifies and estimates the annual costs of the services provided by SDG&E to distributed PV customersÑi.e. those SDG&E customers who have chosen to install a PV system less than one MW on their property behind the utility meter (whether or not they participate in the SDG&E Net Energy Metering (NEM) tariff). It also identifies and quantifies the annual value of the services provided by the distributed PV customers to SDG&E.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
November 2013
California in the Spotlight: Successes and Challenges in Climate Change Law
The fifth annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 8, 2013. Speakers discussed the strengths and weaknesses of California's cap-and-trade program, the outlook for emission reductions in the transportation sector, and the promotion of low-carbon energy, particularly solar energy.
November 2013
California in the Spotlight: Successes and Challenges in Climate Change Law
The fifth annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 8, 2013. Speakers discussed the strengths and weaknesses of California's cap-and-trade program, the outlook for emission reductions in the transportation sector, and the promotion of low-carbon energy, particularly solar energy.
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Project: EPIC Energy Blog
October 2013
Low Carbon Fuel Standard Litigation (California)
This post discusses California's Low-Carbon Fuel Standard and summarizes the main issues and holdings in related litigation.
October 2013
Low Carbon Fuel Standard Litigation (California)
This post discusses California's Low-Carbon Fuel Standard and summarizes the main issues and holdings in related litigation.
Project: Climate Education Partners - San Diego Region
Partner: National Science Foundation
September 2013
Water and Climate Change in San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how climate change could affect our water supply and what the implications could be for the San Diego region.
Partner: National Science Foundation
September 2013
Water and Climate Change in San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how climate change could affect our water supply and what the implications could be for the San Diego region.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
August 2013
Cost Effectiveness Comparison of Certain Transportation Measures to Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions in San Diego County, California
This article summarizes results from GHG and cost analysis for seven actual San Diego County on-road transportation policies: telecommute, vanpools, a bicycle strategy, an increase in mass transit use, parking policies (parking pricing, preferred parking for electric vehicles), an increased local fuel tax and speed harmonization (signal re-timing, roundabouts). Net costs are calculated as the sum of direct costs and benefits to the administering agency ,the employer and the individual. Net costs per metric ton GHG abated vary greatly across measures, from negative to high positive (more than US$1000). We find that local GHG cost cannot be sensibly compared to other carbon or GHG policy costs outside the local context for a variety of reasons, but especially because measures have not been adopted primarily for carbon or GHG abatement potential or on the basis of cost effectiveness.
August 2013
Cost Effectiveness Comparison of Certain Transportation Measures to Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions in San Diego County, California
This article summarizes results from GHG and cost analysis for seven actual San Diego County on-road transportation policies: telecommute, vanpools, a bicycle strategy, an increase in mass transit use, parking policies (parking pricing, preferred parking for electric vehicles), an increased local fuel tax and speed harmonization (signal re-timing, roundabouts). Net costs are calculated as the sum of direct costs and benefits to the administering agency ,the employer and the individual. Net costs per metric ton GHG abated vary greatly across measures, from negative to high positive (more than US$1000). We find that local GHG cost cannot be sensibly compared to other carbon or GHG policy costs outside the local context for a variety of reasons, but especially because measures have not been adopted primarily for carbon or GHG abatement potential or on the basis of cost effectiveness.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
August 2013
Water-Energy Nexus: City of San Diego
This post discusses the water energy nexus in the City of San Diego.
August 2013
Water-Energy Nexus: City of San Diego
This post discusses the water energy nexus in the City of San Diego.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2013
World Energy Consumption Will Increase 56% by 2040
This post describes projected world energy use through 2040.
July 2013
World Energy Consumption Will Increase 56% by 2040
This post describes projected world energy use through 2040.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2013
Surviving Sub One-Percent Growth Ñ The Choices Facing the Utilities
In this post, guest blogger and electric rate expert Ahmad Faruqui discusses the implications of slowing electricity consumption on utilities.
July 2013
Surviving Sub One-Percent Growth Ñ The Choices Facing the Utilities
In this post, guest blogger and electric rate expert Ahmad Faruqui discusses the implications of slowing electricity consumption on utilities.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
July 2013
The Water-Energy Nexus in California
This post, the first in a series, provides an overview of the water-energy nexus in California.
July 2013
The Water-Energy Nexus in California
This post, the first in a series, provides an overview of the water-energy nexus in California.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
June 2013
Residential Rates Revisited Ð Part 3: Legislative Fixes
This post, the third in a series, provides an overview of the pending legislation to revise residential electricity rate.
June 2013
Residential Rates Revisited Ð Part 3: Legislative Fixes
This post, the third in a series, provides an overview of the pending legislation to revise residential electricity rate.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
June 2013
Residential Rates Revisited Ð Part 2: Inclining Block Rates
This post, the second in a series, provides an overview of the inclining block rate structure for electricity.
June 2013
Residential Rates Revisited Ð Part 2: Inclining Block Rates
This post, the second in a series, provides an overview of the inclining block rate structure for electricity.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
June 2013
Residential Electric Rates Revisited Ð Part 1: A Historical Perspective
This post, the first in a series, provides historical perspective on residential rate structures after the 2000-2001 California electricity crisis.
June 2013
Residential Electric Rates Revisited Ð Part 1: A Historical Perspective
This post, the first in a series, provides historical perspective on residential rate structures after the 2000-2001 California electricity crisis.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2013
CEQA Greenhouse Gas Litigation San Diego County
This post summarizes the most important greenhouse gas planning lawsuits to date initiated in San Diego County and their potential implications for local planning.
May 2013
CEQA Greenhouse Gas Litigation San Diego County
This post summarizes the most important greenhouse gas planning lawsuits to date initiated in San Diego County and their potential implications for local planning.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2013
Induced Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) Ð Background and Pending Legislation
This post provides a general background on fracking technology, the related environmental and safety concerns, and pending legislation.
May 2013
Induced Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) Ð Background and Pending Legislation
This post provides a general background on fracking technology, the related environmental and safety concerns, and pending legislation.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2013
How many pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) does a gallon of gas produce?
This post answers the question: How many pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) does a gallon of gas produce?
May 2013
How many pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) does a gallon of gas produce?
This post answers the question: How many pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) does a gallon of gas produce?
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2013
The Real Price of Gasoline
The price of gasoline varies over time and by region, and affects the lives of the majority of the global population in many ways. This post looks at what makes up the price of a gallon of gas and highlights a few of the factors that shape the diversity in price.
May 2013
The Real Price of Gasoline
The price of gasoline varies over time and by region, and affects the lives of the majority of the global population in many ways. This post looks at what makes up the price of a gallon of gas and highlights a few of the factors that shape the diversity in price.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2013
Energy Consumption by Sector in the United States
This post describes how the primary source of energy in the United States has only changed three times in the nation's history. The U.S. relied largely on wood for cooking and heating until nearly the turn of the twentieth century when coal became the primary energy source in a rapidly industrializing and urbanizing American society. As cars became the dominant mode of transportation, petroleum became and still remains the primary source of energy consumption in the U.S.
May 2013
Energy Consumption by Sector in the United States
This post describes how the primary source of energy in the United States has only changed three times in the nation's history. The U.S. relied largely on wood for cooking and heating until nearly the turn of the twentieth century when coal became the primary energy source in a rapidly industrializing and urbanizing American society. As cars became the dominant mode of transportation, petroleum became and still remains the primary source of energy consumption in the U.S.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2013
Load Factor
This post discusses the concept of the electric load factor, which is the ratio of average demand to peak demand and is typically measured in megawatts (MW) on a system wide level. Load factor is a useful metric to show how much of the entire electric delivery system capacity is being used on average over a given period.
May 2013
Load Factor
This post discusses the concept of the electric load factor, which is the ratio of average demand to peak demand and is typically measured in megawatts (MW) on a system wide level. Load factor is a useful metric to show how much of the entire electric delivery system capacity is being used on average over a given period.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2013
New CAFE standards: 54.5 MPG in 2025
This post discusses the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for 2017 - 2025 approved by the Obama Administration.
May 2013
New CAFE standards: 54.5 MPG in 2025
This post discusses the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for 2017 - 2025 approved by the Obama Administration.
Project: EPIC Energy Blog
May 2013
The MPG Illusion
This post evaluates the tradeoffs, both in terms of fuel economics and emissions perspective, between replacing an SUV (15 MPG) with a mid-size sedan (28 MPG) and replacing a compact car (32 MPG) with a hybrid (55 MPG).
May 2013
The MPG Illusion
This post evaluates the tradeoffs, both in terms of fuel economics and emissions perspective, between replacing an SUV (15 MPG) with a mid-size sedan (28 MPG) and replacing a compact car (32 MPG) with a hybrid (55 MPG).
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
May 2013
Climate Change Disputes at the World Trade Organization: National Energy Policies and International Trade Liability (pdf)
This Article draws attention to the different outcomes that may result when World Trade Organization law is applied to resolve climate related national energy policy disputes, signals this might send for national energy policies, and how a subtle effect of indirect state liability may arise. Several pending or unresolved complaints currently at the WTO demonstrate these effects, including the greenhouse gas controversy, the wind energy subsidies complaint, and the feed-in tariffs complaint.
May 2013
Climate Change Disputes at the World Trade Organization: National Energy Policies and International Trade Liability (pdf)
This Article draws attention to the different outcomes that may result when World Trade Organization law is applied to resolve climate related national energy policy disputes, signals this might send for national energy policies, and how a subtle effect of indirect state liability may arise. Several pending or unresolved complaints currently at the WTO demonstrate these effects, including the greenhouse gas controversy, the wind energy subsidies complaint, and the feed-in tariffs complaint.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Energy Commission
May 2013
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law Students conducted research related to energy data for the California Energy Commission.
Partner: California Energy Commission
May 2013
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law Students conducted research related to energy data for the California Energy Commission.
Project: Climate Education Partners - San Diego Region
Partner: National Science Foundation
March 2013
Heat Waves and Energy Use in San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how climate change could increase heat waves and what the implications could be for the San Diego region and its energy supply.
Partner: National Science Foundation
March 2013
Heat Waves and Energy Use in San Diego
As part of the University of San Diego's Climate Education Partners project and in partnership with project participants, EPIC staff managed development of this video that illustrates how climate change could increase heat waves and what the implications could be for the San Diego region and its energy supply.
Project: Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
February 2013
Best Practices for Interconnection Procedures (pdf)
EPIC produced a report that provides a summary of the best practices in the three major interconnection process categories among the local utilities in Southern California, including: (1) Information Access, (2) Application Access and Application Submission, (3) Processing Time, and (4) Inspections. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge (SCRC). The SCRC is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
February 2013
Best Practices for Interconnection Procedures (pdf)
EPIC produced a report that provides a summary of the best practices in the three major interconnection process categories among the local utilities in Southern California, including: (1) Information Access, (2) Application Access and Application Submission, (3) Processing Time, and (4) Inspections. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge (SCRC). The SCRC is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Project: Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
February 2013
Best Practices for Interconnection Standards (pdf)
EPIC produced a report that provides a summary of the best practices in the Net Energy Metering (NEM) Standards and Interconnection Standards categories among a selection of investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and publicly-owned utilities (POUs)local utilities in Southern California. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge (SCRC). The SCRC is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
February 2013
Best Practices for Interconnection Standards (pdf)
EPIC produced a report that provides a summary of the best practices in the Net Energy Metering (NEM) Standards and Interconnection Standards categories among a selection of investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and publicly-owned utilities (POUs)local utilities in Southern California. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge (SCRC). The SCRC is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Project: Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
February 2013
Best Practices for Permitting Processes (pdf)
EPIC produced a report that provides a summary of the best practices in the four major permitting process categories among the local jurisdictions in Southern California, including: (1) Application and Information Access, (2) Processing Time, (3) Fees, (4) Utilization of Model Processes, (5) Inspections, and (6) Communication with Utility. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge (SCRC). The SCRC is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Partner: Center for Sustainable Energy
February 2013
Best Practices for Permitting Processes (pdf)
EPIC produced a report that provides a summary of the best practices in the four major permitting process categories among the local jurisdictions in Southern California, including: (1) Application and Information Access, (2) Processing Time, (3) Fees, (4) Utilization of Model Processes, (5) Inspections, and (6) Communication with Utility. This report was part of a project in which EPIC provided regulatory and legal support to the Center for Sustainable Energy's (CSE) Southern California Rooftop Solar Challenge (SCRC). The SCRC is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program and the SunShot Initiative.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
November 2012
Law in a Distributed Energy Future
The fourth annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 9, 2012. Speakers discussed the rules that govern the electricity grid change to incorporate distributed generation, the possibilities for generating energy at the neighborhood and community levels, and the legal and policy innovations at the federal, state and local levels needed to accommodate a distributed energy future.
November 2012
Law in a Distributed Energy Future
The fourth annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on November 9, 2012. Speakers discussed the rules that govern the electricity grid change to incorporate distributed generation, the possibilities for generating energy at the neighborhood and community levels, and the legal and policy innovations at the federal, state and local levels needed to accommodate a distributed energy future.
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Project: City of Carlsbad Energy and Climate Educational Staff Support
Partner: City of Carlsbad
July 2012
Final report not available to the public.
Series of workshops on California and Energy Policy topics, including California's energy regulatory agencies, California climate policy and planning, renewable energy, energy efficiency, rates and tariffs, and energy programs available to cities and their residents.
Partner: City of Carlsbad
July 2012
Final report not available to the public.
Series of workshops on California and Energy Policy topics, including California's energy regulatory agencies, California climate policy and planning, renewable energy, energy efficiency, rates and tariffs, and energy programs available to cities and their residents.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Energy Commission
May 2012
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law Students conducted research related to appliance standards for the California Energy Commission.
Partner: California Energy Commission
May 2012
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law Students conducted research related to appliance standards for the California Energy Commission.
Project: Yokogowa Scenario Planning Workshop
Partner: Yokogawa
March 2012
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC staff participated in a scenario planning workshop as subject matter experts for Yokogawa America, a Japanese electrical engineering and software company.
Partner: Yokogawa
March 2012
Final report not available to the public.
EPIC staff participated in a scenario planning workshop as subject matter experts for Yokogawa America, a Japanese electrical engineering and software company.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Energy Commission
May 2011
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law Students conducted research for the California Energy Commission relating to authority and permitting requirements for siting thermal power plants in California.
Partner: California Energy Commission
May 2011
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law Students conducted research for the California Energy Commission relating to authority and permitting requirements for siting thermal power plants in California.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
April 2011
Advancing a Clean Energy Future
The third annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on April 15, 2011. Speakers discussed the role of states in renewable energy development, policies to encourage clean energy and energy efficiency, and the balance between renewable energy development and environmental concerns.
April 2011
Advancing a Clean Energy Future
The third annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on April 15, 2011. Speakers discussed the role of states in renewable energy development, policies to encourage clean energy and energy efficiency, and the balance between renewable energy development and environmental concerns.
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Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
January 2011
PLEASE ENTER A TITLE (pdf)
This paper explores laws adopted in the United States at the state level to ensure that a property owner has access to direct sunlight. In particular, it focuses on laws designed to prohibit vegetation on adjacent properties from shading solar energy equipment, such as photovoltaics or solar water heating collectors. The paper compares the laws adopted by states and focuses on California's Solar Shade Control Act as a model for other states. It provides a detailed analysis of the provisions of the Act and a review of cases brought under it.
January 2011
PLEASE ENTER A TITLE (pdf)
This paper explores laws adopted in the United States at the state level to ensure that a property owner has access to direct sunlight. In particular, it focuses on laws designed to prohibit vegetation on adjacent properties from shading solar energy equipment, such as photovoltaics or solar water heating collectors. The paper compares the laws adopted by states and focuses on California's Solar Shade Control Act as a model for other states. It provides a detailed analysis of the provisions of the Act and a review of cases brought under it.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
December 2010
Reducing Greenhouse Gases from Buildings in the San Diego Region: An Analysis of Local Government Policy Options (pdf)
This paper evaluates a range of policies within local government authority to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electric and natural gas use associated with buildings. San Diego County is used as a case study because significant work already has been completed to characterize regional emissions. Within San Diego County, GHG emissions associated with buildings constitute about 30% of total emissions. It appears that statewide building and appliance standards and utility-administered efficiency incentive programs combined with local government policies could reduce emissions enough to meet California's 2020 greenhouse gas targets as applied to the San Diego region; however, to reach long-term targets that seek to cut emissions significantly below 1990 levels by 2050, more aggressive policies would be needed.
December 2010
Reducing Greenhouse Gases from Buildings in the San Diego Region: An Analysis of Local Government Policy Options (pdf)
This paper evaluates a range of policies within local government authority to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electric and natural gas use associated with buildings. San Diego County is used as a case study because significant work already has been completed to characterize regional emissions. Within San Diego County, GHG emissions associated with buildings constitute about 30% of total emissions. It appears that statewide building and appliance standards and utility-administered efficiency incentive programs combined with local government policies could reduce emissions enough to meet California's 2020 greenhouse gas targets as applied to the San Diego region; however, to reach long-term targets that seek to cut emissions significantly below 1990 levels by 2050, more aggressive policies would be needed.
Project: Proposition 23 Analysis
September 2010
Proposition 23: An Analysis of Which Scoping Plan Measures Could be Suspended and for How Long (pdf)
This paper discusses which California AB 32 greenhouse gas reduction measures could be suspended under Proposition 23, and how long could these measures be suspended? In doing so, the paper also provides background information on both AB 32 and Proposition 23.
September 2010
Proposition 23: An Analysis of Which Scoping Plan Measures Could be Suspended and for How Long (pdf)
This paper discusses which California AB 32 greenhouse gas reduction measures could be suspended under Proposition 23, and how long could these measures be suspended? In doing so, the paper also provides background information on both AB 32 and Proposition 23.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2010
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law student worked in partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) Legal Division to determine whether existing statutes and regulations could afford renewable energy any advantage to access transmission lines.
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2010
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law student worked in partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) Legal Division to determine whether existing statutes and regulations could afford renewable energy any advantage to access transmission lines.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
April 2010
Next Generation Climate Regulation: Instrument Choice in Climate Law
The second annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on April 9, 2010. Speakers discussed market mechanism and tax law options to reduce greenhouse gases and whether traditional legal and policy mechanisms are still relevant. The 2010 Symposium also included a workshop on the challenges of and opportunities for siting renewable energy systems.
April 2010
Next Generation Climate Regulation: Instrument Choice in Climate Law
The second annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on April 9, 2010. Speakers discussed market mechanism and tax law options to reduce greenhouse gases and whether traditional legal and policy mechanisms are still relevant. The 2010 Symposium also included a workshop on the challenges of and opportunities for siting renewable energy systems.
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Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
March 2010
Solar Shade Control Act: A Review of the Statutes and Relevant Cases (pdf)
This paper examines California's Solar Shade Control Act (SSCA) and reviews lawsuits brought under the Act. Through the Act, the Legislature sought to balance the desired effects of planting trees and shrubs for shade and visual appeal with the desire for increased use of solar energy devices, whose performance can be hindered by shade from nearby vegetation. The Act provides for specific and limited controls of trees and shrubs to protect the use of nearby solar energy systems. However, the extent to which the Act protects solar energy systems from vegetation-created shade is frequently misunderstood, and the subject of many disputes between neighboring property owners. Thus, this paper is intended to provide solar energy users and neighboring tree and shrub owners more information about the content and application of California's solar laws.
March 2010
Solar Shade Control Act: A Review of the Statutes and Relevant Cases (pdf)
This paper examines California's Solar Shade Control Act (SSCA) and reviews lawsuits brought under the Act. Through the Act, the Legislature sought to balance the desired effects of planting trees and shrubs for shade and visual appeal with the desire for increased use of solar energy devices, whose performance can be hindered by shade from nearby vegetation. The Act provides for specific and limited controls of trees and shrubs to protect the use of nearby solar energy systems. However, the extent to which the Act protects solar energy systems from vegetation-created shade is frequently misunderstood, and the subject of many disputes between neighboring property owners. Thus, this paper is intended to provide solar energy users and neighboring tree and shrub owners more information about the content and application of California's solar laws.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Analysis
Partner: The San Diego Foundation
October 2009
Reducing Greenhouse Gases from Electricity and Natural Gas Use in San Diego County Buildings: An Analysis of Local Government Policy Options (pdf)
The purpose of this report is to assess building-related policy options based on their potential to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), cost, time to implement, and experience by other jurisdictions. It is intended to help decision makers understand which policy actions could achieve the GHG reductions and information to prioritize activities and policies.
Partner: The San Diego Foundation
October 2009
Reducing Greenhouse Gases from Electricity and Natural Gas Use in San Diego County Buildings: An Analysis of Local Government Policy Options (pdf)
The purpose of this report is to assess building-related policy options based on their potential to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), cost, time to implement, and experience by other jurisdictions. It is intended to help decision makers understand which policy actions could achieve the GHG reductions and information to prioritize activities and policies.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Analysis
Partner: The San Diego Foundation
October 2009
Reducing Greenhouse Gases from On Road Transportation in San Diego County: An Analysis of Local Government Policy Options (pdf)
The purpose of this report is to assess transportation-related policy options based on their potential to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), cost, time to implement, and experience by other jurisdictions. It is intended to help decision makers understand which policy actions could achieve the GHG reductions and information to prioritize activities and policies.
Partner: The San Diego Foundation
October 2009
Reducing Greenhouse Gases from On Road Transportation in San Diego County: An Analysis of Local Government Policy Options (pdf)
The purpose of this report is to assess transportation-related policy options based on their potential to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), cost, time to implement, and experience by other jurisdictions. It is intended to help decision makers understand which policy actions could achieve the GHG reductions and information to prioritize activities and policies.
Project: City of Austin GHG Analysis Support
Partner: AECOM
September 2009
Final report not available to the public.
Peer review of GHG reduction analysis
Partner: AECOM
September 2009
Final report not available to the public.
Peer review of GHG reduction analysis
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
July 2009
Applying California's AB 32 targets to the regional level: A study of San Diego County greenhouse gases and reduction strategies
This paper presents a summary of a local effort in California to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and identify potential mitigation measures. Local policymakers in California already have been searching for ways to reduce GHG emissions but it was the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), which seeks to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, that has provided a framework for regions to evaluate their ability to reduce GHG emissions. We conducted a GHG inventory for the San Diego region from 1990 to 2006. Applying a combination of 21 existing or pending state GHG reduction mandates and feasible regional measures we show that the region could achieve the AB 32 target. Although the largest reductions are achieved through state mandates, all measures, including at the local level, will be required to achieve the AB 32 target. Thus local regions retain control over a fairly significant portion of reductions, and remain important actors in the implementation and compliance of state mandates.
July 2009
Applying California's AB 32 targets to the regional level: A study of San Diego County greenhouse gases and reduction strategies
This paper presents a summary of a local effort in California to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and identify potential mitigation measures. Local policymakers in California already have been searching for ways to reduce GHG emissions but it was the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), which seeks to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, that has provided a framework for regions to evaluate their ability to reduce GHG emissions. We conducted a GHG inventory for the San Diego region from 1990 to 2006. Applying a combination of 21 existing or pending state GHG reduction mandates and feasible regional measures we show that the region could achieve the AB 32 target. Although the largest reductions are achieved through state mandates, all measures, including at the local level, will be required to achieve the AB 32 target. Thus local regions retain control over a fairly significant portion of reductions, and remain important actors in the implementation and compliance of state mandates.
Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Air Resources Board
May 2009
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students worked in collaboration with the California Air Resources Board's Chief Counsel to conduct legal research into a specific legal question related to auctioning allowances in a cap-and-trade scheme.
Partner: California Air Resources Board
May 2009
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students worked in collaboration with the California Air Resources Board's Chief Counsel to conduct legal research into a specific legal question related to auctioning allowances in a cap-and-trade scheme.
Project: Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law
February 2009
Federal Preemption or State Prerogative: California in the Face of National Climate Policy
The inaugural Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on February 20, 2009. Speakers discussed whether states law and policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are pre-empted by federal law and ways to integrate state and federal actions.
February 2009
Federal Preemption or State Prerogative: California in the Face of National Climate Policy
The inaugural Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate and Energy Law took place on February 20, 2009. Speakers discussed whether states law and policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are pre-empted by federal law and ways to integrate state and federal actions.
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Project: Energy Law and Policy Clinic
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2008
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students conducted research for an administrative law judge at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) related to the reinstatement of direct access in California, which allows customers to purchase electricity from a company other than their incumbent utility.
Partner: California Public Utilities Commission
May 2008
Final report not available to the public.
USD Law students conducted research for an administrative law judge at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) related to the reinstatement of direct access in California, which allows customers to purchase electricity from a company other than their incumbent utility.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Analysis
August 2007
Biogas Production and Use on California's Dairy Farms: A Survey of Regulatory Challenges (pdf)
Market, financing, and regulatory challenges to producing biogas exist in California. This paper focuses on the regulatory challenges that could inhibit expansion of the biogas market. The purpose is to conduct a preliminary review of existing water, air, solid waste management, electricity, and natural gas regulations to identify challenges or areas of uncertainty that might affect biogas production in California.
August 2007
Biogas Production and Use on California's Dairy Farms: A Survey of Regulatory Challenges (pdf)
Market, financing, and regulatory challenges to producing biogas exist in California. This paper focuses on the regulatory challenges that could inhibit expansion of the biogas market. The purpose is to conduct a preliminary review of existing water, air, solid waste management, electricity, and natural gas regulations to identify challenges or areas of uncertainty that might affect biogas production in California.
Project: San Diego Smart Grid Study
Partner: SDG&E/Utility Consumers Action Network
October 2006
San Diego Smart Grid Study Final Report (pdf)
This San Diego Smart Grid Study was one of the first in the nation (at the time) to apply the Smart Grid concepts developed by the U. S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Modern Grid Initiative to a specific region. It provides preliminary analysis to determine the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of implementing Smart Grid technologies and strategies in the San Diego Region. The objectives of the study are to (1) determine whether the future economic and regulatory climate in the San Diego region could accommodate or necessitate a Smart Grid, (2) determine the portfolio of technologies that could implement a Smart Grid, and (3) conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether implementing a Smart Grid would be cost effective for the region.
Partner: SDG&E/Utility Consumers Action Network
October 2006
San Diego Smart Grid Study Final Report (pdf)
This San Diego Smart Grid Study was one of the first in the nation (at the time) to apply the Smart Grid concepts developed by the U. S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Modern Grid Initiative to a specific region. It provides preliminary analysis to determine the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of implementing Smart Grid technologies and strategies in the San Diego Region. The objectives of the study are to (1) determine whether the future economic and regulatory climate in the San Diego region could accommodate or necessitate a Smart Grid, (2) determine the portfolio of technologies that could implement a Smart Grid, and (3) conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether implementing a Smart Grid would be cost effective for the region.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Analysis
September 2006
Following California's Public Goods Charge:Tracking Contributions and Expendituresof the Renewable Energy Program and the PIER Program (pdf)
The purpose of this paper is (1) to track contributions to a subset of the Public Goods Charge (PGC) by customers in the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) service territories, and (2) to compare those contributions to the amount of PGC funds returned to those service territories for research and development activity and renewable energy development. The subset of the PGC that we analyzed includes the two programs that are administered at the state level by the California Energy Commission: the Renewable Energy Program and the Public Interest Energy Research Program (PIER Program). While we tracked contributions and distributions from these programs for all California investor-owned utilities (IOU), we paid particular attention to the SDG&E service territory.
September 2006
Following California's Public Goods Charge:Tracking Contributions and Expendituresof the Renewable Energy Program and the PIER Program (pdf)
The purpose of this paper is (1) to track contributions to a subset of the Public Goods Charge (PGC) by customers in the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) service territories, and (2) to compare those contributions to the amount of PGC funds returned to those service territories for research and development activity and renewable energy development. The subset of the PGC that we analyzed includes the two programs that are administered at the state level by the California Energy Commission: the Renewable Energy Program and the Public Interest Energy Research Program (PIER Program). While we tracked contributions and distributions from these programs for all California investor-owned utilities (IOU), we paid particular attention to the SDG&E service territory.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Analysis
September 2006
Following California's Public Goods Charge:Tracking Contributions and Expendituresof the Renewable Energy Program and the PIER Program (pdf)
The purpose of this paper is (1) to track contributions to a subset of the Public Goods Charge (PGC) by customers in the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) service territories, and (2) to compare those contributions to the amount of PGC funds returned to those service territories for research and development activity and renewable energy development. The subset of the PGC that we analyzed includes the two programs that are administered at the state level by the California Energy Commission: the Renewable Energy Program and the Public Interest Energy Research Program (PIER Program). While we tracked contributions and distributions from these programs for all California investor-owned utilities (IOU), we paid particular attention to the SDG&E service territory.
September 2006
Following California's Public Goods Charge:Tracking Contributions and Expendituresof the Renewable Energy Program and the PIER Program (pdf)
The purpose of this paper is (1) to track contributions to a subset of the Public Goods Charge (PGC) by customers in the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) service territories, and (2) to compare those contributions to the amount of PGC funds returned to those service territories for research and development activity and renewable energy development. The subset of the PGC that we analyzed includes the two programs that are administered at the state level by the California Energy Commission: the Renewable Energy Program and the Public Interest Energy Research Program (PIER Program). While we tracked contributions and distributions from these programs for all California investor-owned utilities (IOU), we paid particular attention to the SDG&E service territory.
Project: Energy and Climate Policy Research
July 2006
Technical Potential for Rooftop Photovoltaics in the San Diego Region (pdf)
This paper estimates the technical potential for rooftop photovoltaics in San Diego County and describes the methods used to derive the estimates. The commercial estimate was derived using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to map actual rooftops in the City of San Diego. This estimate for the City of San Diego was used to extrapolate an estimate for the entire County of San Diego. The residential estimate was developed using a simple model that incorporates estimated roof space and housing growth trends.
July 2006
Technical Potential for Rooftop Photovoltaics in the San Diego Region (pdf)
This paper estimates the technical potential for rooftop photovoltaics in San Diego County and describes the methods used to derive the estimates. The commercial estimate was derived using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to map actual rooftops in the City of San Diego. This estimate for the City of San Diego was used to extrapolate an estimate for the entire County of San Diego. The residential estimate was developed using a simple model that incorporates estimated roof space and housing growth trends.