In the United States, regulation of air emissions from electric generators date back to 1970 with the enactment of the Clean Air Act. Despite the passage of over three decades, many areas of the country have found achieving these standards to be elusive. These areas face an ongoing challenge as new or revised regulations arise in response to a changing body of knowledge on emissions dispersal and damages. Historical experience suggests that future environmental requirements will be even more stringent than they are today.

Enacted and enforced at various levels of government, environmental regulations employ a range of technology- and economic-driven mechanisms. The form of environmental policies should address not only the potential to achieve the desired emissions reductions, but also the magnitude and distribution of other effects. These policies can affect electric system reliability, the welfare of energy consumers, economic growth, fuel dependence, sustainability and the development of alternative resources (e.g., renewable energy, energy efficiency, and distributed generation).

Synapse works to understand the complicated dynamics of the wholesale electrical market and to examine the fundamental principles behind resource adequacy approaches. We also continue to review and critique integrated resource planning activities in those states where electric utilities remain vertically integrated.

	Analysis of the quantity and cost of pollution emissions, including Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Mercury (Hg), and Carbon dioxide (CO2), for evaluating generation resource options to the coal-fired Mohave Generating Station in southern Nevada
	Projections of fine particulate emissions (PM2.5) and developing policy alternatives for achieving emissions reductions in New York City
	Quantification of emissions reductions from policies that encourage emissions avoidance, such as clean energy and demand management projects on an interconnected electricity grid
	Evaluation of the environmental and human health benefits of reduced air emissions from fossil-fueled power plants due to Renewable Portfolio Requirements (RPS) in New York State
	Development of regional clean energy plans that stabilize and reduce emissions by aggressively developing energy efficiency and renewable generating resources
	Testimony on quantity and cost of pollution emissions for prudent electric utility planning
	Consulting for environmental groups on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the northeastern United States