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ICCR Report: Coal-Fired Power Plants Facing Risks, Uncertainties, Cost Hikes 'Comparable' to Those That Pulled the Plug on Nuclear Power in U.S.
Sun Herald - February 26, 2008

With rising construction costs, regulatory uncertainties, environmental concerns and other growing risks, the U.S. utilities with more than 100 proposed new coal-fired power plants now face "comparable risks and uncertainties" to those that derailed the U.S. nuclear power industry in the 1970s, according to a major new report prepared by Synapse Energy Economics, Inc....

Dirty Dancing: Cleveland Talks about Going Green But Considers a 50-Year Marriage to Coal
Cleveland Free Times - Feb 20, 2008

He toured the area last week with David Schlissel, the senior consultant with Synapse Energy Economics Inc...Schlissel believes the city should focus more on energy efficiency now, further diversify its portfolio of alternative sources and try to find a company to provide the power it needs for the next decade or two at a better cost than AMP-Ohio. Then CPP will be in a better position to marry...

It's The Economics, Stupid
Grist- February 22, 2008

Synapse Energy Economics has recently put together a report for NRDC that ought to be required reading for anyone who objects to dirty or expensive power (e.g., coal-fired, central station power). The report, entitled "The Risks of Participating in the AMPGS Coal Plant" (PDF), is ostensibly only about a specific 960MW plant that AMP wants to build in Ohio. But their report speaks volumes about the larger economic and environmental challenges to coal-fired central station power...

Big Stone II Costs Debated
The Bemidji Pioneer- January 25, 2008

Energy experts and utility officials disagree over the potential cost of a proposed coal-fueled power plant and related transmission line improvements. Officials from five utilities seeking regulatory approval for the Big Stone II project said Thursday they have used conservative cost estimates. Opponents of the coal-fueled plant said there are market uncertainties that could be significant enough to warrant halting the project ... “It appears that they are trying to get a predetermined result,” said Schlissel, a senior consultant with Massachusetts-based Synapse Energy Economics ...

Opponents of Coal Plant Testify Before Utilities Board
Times-Republican- January 17, 2008

Leaving six Alliant Energy witnesses for later cross-examination, the Iowa Utilities Board Wednesday moved on to the lineup of Consumer Advocate witnesses, all opposed to the proposed building a new coal-fired power plant in Marshalltown. Michael Drunsic, a research associate for the firm Synapse Energy Economics, had argued in documents presented before this week’s hearing in the Iowa Veterans Home’s Whitehall Auditorium that the way Alliant modeled how much wind energy could be generated in the future was too restrictive and thus limited the real possibilities wind could have...

Connecticut Urges Rejection of Long Island Sound Gas Terminal
Environment News Service - Jan 8, 2008

On the other hand, Synapse Energy Economics, Inc., a Boston based consulting firm, released a 2006 report concluding that Broadwater is unnecessary to meet the region's energy needs. The report cites specific examples of how future energy needs can be met through a combination of energy projects already approved, existing renewable energy initiatives, and demand side management techniques...

Anti-Power Plant Group Targets EEC
The Ely Times- October 24, 2007

Nevadans for Clean Affordable Reliable Energy, NCARE, has submitted an analysis of Sierra Pacific Resources, SPR, energy plans for the future to the Nevada Public Utilities Commission, alleging the plan is ignoring major costs that would effect utility customers...The true costs of complying with looming restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, “should be included up-front similar to the way fuel costs are treated,” said the testimony, submitted for NCARE by Ezra Hausman, a senior associate at Synapse Energy Economics ...

Gas Plant Cheaper Than Coal, Panel Told
Arkansas Democrat Gazette - September 13, 2007

It would be less expensive for Southwestern Electric Power Co. to build and operate a natural gas power plant than a coal-fired plant in Hempstead County, a consultant hired by the Arkansas Public Service Commission staff testified Wednesday. David Schlissel, a senior consultant for Synapse Energy Economics Inc. in Cambridge, Mass., conducted studies comparing the cost of the two sources...

Witness Disputes Some Forecasts of Emission Costs
Texarkana Gazette - September 13, 2007

A witness speaking before the Arkansas Public Service Commission on Wednesday disputed Southwestern Electric Power Co.’s cost forecasts for carbon emissions at the proposed Hempstead County power plant. David Schlissel, a senior consultant at Cambridge, Mass., based Synapse Energy Economics , also said the risks involved ...

Docket shows conflict: SWEPCO's Hempstead plant to face number of hot issues
Texarkana Gazette - July 29, 2007

... Looking at the Arkansas Public Service Commission docket for Southwestern Electric Power Co.’s proposed 600-megawatt, coal-fueled electric power plant, it’s clear a number of hot issues are still boiling. The APSC is slated to formally consider the issues surrounding the Hempstead County plant proposal in a public meeting Aug. 9 in Little Rock. This past week, a lawyer representing hunting landowners with property near the proposed site filed a motion to compel consultant David A. Schlissel of Synapse Energy Economics ...

Risky Business: The Outlook for Investing in Nuclear Power
SocialFunds.com - May 10, 2007

... An influential coalition of socially responsible investors and environmental, health, and public interest organizations recently released the report “Why a Future for the Nuclear Industry is Risky” that strongly comes down against the inclusion of nuclear power in the future energy equation. The report argues that nuclear power is not a good investment for people interested either in a healthy return or a healthy planet. The report is based on presentations by Peter Bradford and David Schlissel , both of whom have extensive experience in the technical and governmental aspects of the nuclear power industry. ...

Study Shows Big Job Losses Expected From Electric Rate Hikes, CUB Urges Lawmakers to Roll Back ComEd, Ameren Increases
Citizens Utility Board - Chicago, Illinois, February 19, 2007

... In September, the first auction resulted in an average 26 percent rate hike for ComEd customers and a 40 to 55 percent increase for Ameren customers. However, because of the rate structure adopted, many customers are seeing their bills soar even higher. According to the companies' own data, the combined rate hikes will drain $2.3 billion out of the Illinois economy. The CUB study, conducted in conjunction with Synapse Energy Economics Inc., of Cambridge, MA, uses the results of a state-of-the-art economic model to calculate the effects of such a massive transfer of wealth on state employment....

Broadwater Gas Plant Debate Rages On
The Stamford Times - Norwalk, Connecticut, January 18, 2007

...Synapse senior associate Ezra Hausman said this week the natural gas projected to be brought to the region from the new facilities will be high-priced in response to a global market. Historically, Hausman said, the U.S. domestic market has not been influenced by the natural gas global market because most natural gas consumed in the U.S. came from American and Canadian sources.

But Hausman said with the creation of new LNG facilities, the domestic market will be impacted by global demand and he predicts gas prices to rise over the next ten years. Hausman said Broadwater has made no commitment to sell the terminal's natural gas at low rates, and he believes the company will sell the terminal gas at market rates.....

Town triples appraisal of Connecticut River hydropower dam
Boston Globe - October 10, 2006
... The Moore Dam is currently valued at $103 million, less than smaller dams along the river. When a recent revaluation put the value at $119, town officials questioned the figure. The town set up a Moore Dam committee, which hired Synapse Energy Economics last month to appraise the dam and the 3,500 reservoir behind it. Last week, the committee voted to accept the company's $317 million appraisal....

Hydro's Value Still Up in the Air
Rutland Herald - Rutland, Vermont, August 7, 2006

...Rockingham officials and representatives of TransCanada, the multinational energy giant that purchased the dam and 13 others in bankruptcy court last year, have been discussing a possible deal involving payments in lieu of taxes. Meanwhile, the company earlier this year rejected a $131 million value placed on the property by Synapse Energy Economics of Cambridge, Mass., a firm with experience valuing energy-producing facilities, hired by the town....

More Nuclear Power a Possibility across U.S.
Arizona Daily Star - Tucson, Arizona, August 6, 2006

...Energy economist David Schlissel cited the overruns in testimony opposing Georgia Power's request to charge ratepayers for permitting and licensing costs associated with possible expansion of its nuclear power capacity.
"The actual cost of the (Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant in Burke County, Ga.) was $8.87 billion, or more than 13 times as high as the initial $600 million estimated cost," said Schlissel, who works for the Cambridge, Mass., consulting group Synapse Energy Economics Inc....

Nuclear Power's Missing Fuel
Business Week Online - USA, July 10, 2006
...Historically, utilities did an "abysmal" job controlling building schedules and costs, says David A. Schlissel, an economist at Synapse Energy Economics Inc. in Cambridge, Mass. Between 1975 and 1989, the average period required to complete a plant soared from 5 years to 12. The bill for a group of 75 first-generation plants totaled $224.1 billion (in current dollars), 219% more than estimated, according to a 1986 Energy Dept. study. In time, many utilities collapsed under these debts even as customers' bills soared...

Report: No local need for gas hub
Newsday - New York, NY, United States, March 7, 2006
... The report by Synapse Energy Economics Inc., based in Cambridge, Mass., says, "Having carefully reviewed the project documentation put forth by Broadwater, we find that they have failed to identify any compelling local or regional need for the proposed project that would justify the impact that this project would have on the environmental, economic, recreational and historical value of Long Island Sound….”