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David Nichols

David Nichols is a Senior Consultant with Synapse Energy Economics. Prior to joining Synapse, Dr. Nichols was vice president of the Tellus Institute and an associate professor at the State University of New York (Albany).

Dr. Nichols works throughout the United States and internationally. His energy work includes efficiency studies, technology assessment, cost benefit analysis, design and evaluation of demand-side load response and efficiency programs, and policy analysis. He has testified before regulatory commissions in the U.S. and Canada on rate design, performance-based ratemaking, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other issues. Current and recent work includes:

• Consultant to the New Jersey Rate Counsel for: the NJ Governor's Renewable Energy Task Force, the NJ Clean Energy Council, gas and electric utility recovery of demand-side management costs, and design and administration of renewable energy and energy efficiency programs in a restructured environment; as well as off-tariff rate applications. This work has included testimony in several Board of Public Utilities dockets.
• Training of midlevel professionals in India and Indonesia on electric resources planning and demand-side management. This work was done for the U.S. Agency for International Development through the Institute of International Education.
• Comprehensive reports on states' policy and regulatory treatment of renewable energy and energy efficiency, for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the Colorado Governor's Office of Energy Management, E-Source, and others.
• Study of the achievable potential from new electric energy efficiency and load response measures in Utah, completed for an Advisory Group to the Public Service Commission.
• Heading the team that developed performance indicators for the Climate Change programs (renewable energy and energy efficiency) of the Global Environment Facility.
• Lead author for the World Commission on Dams' Thematic Review of Planning Approaches, focusing enabling participation in multi-stakeholder planning, avoiding adverse impacts though energy and water conservation, and better siting and operating practices.
• Analyses of utility cost recovery and incentives for ratepayer-funded energy efficiency, for the Regional Environmental Councils of Quebec, West Kootenay Power Co., Enbridge Gas Ltd., and others.
• Leading Tellus' Industrial Eco-Efficiency (E2) Initiative to promote integrated assessment of pollution prevention and energy efficiency. The Initiative created software for financial analysis of projects within firms, and the E2 Financing Directory, a U.S. EPA data base of resources for New England businesses seeking financing for E2 projects.