Synapse worked with Brower and Company, Tellus Institute, and the Renewable Energy Policy Project to develop a plan for the aggressive implementation of energy efficiency and renewable resources in ten Midwest states.  The analysis included electricity market simulation modeling, a technical assessment of cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities, a technical and economic assessment of renewable resource potential, and a development of policies for overcoming market barriers to these clean resources.

Synapse, with Resource Insight, Inc., simulated the New England electricity market in order to project the cost of electricity generation in future years.  The results evaluated demand-side management investments for all of the Massachusetts companies on a consistent basis.  Project completed in November 2001.

Synapse investigated power plant outage rates in the New England Power Pool before and after the introduction of competition to the wholesale market.  Synapse's analysis found that generator outage rates increased by roughly 50 percent during the first twelve months after the opening of the new competitive wholesale market.  This may be one of the reasons why wholesale electricity prices increased dramatically during the same period.  Project completed in 2001.

Synapse reviewed the market power implications of the proposed merger between Conectiv and PEPCO.  The analysis concluded that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities should not approve the merger as currently proposed because the merger raised possibly significant market power issues.  Project completed in December 2001.

The New England Power Pool recently opened its governance structure to allow non-profits and other customer representatives to become voting members.  UCS, along with a coalition of public interest groups, hired Synapse to represent consumer and environmental interests by participating in committee discussions and voting on key issues.  Project completed in 2001.

Tim Woolf presented “Repowering the Midwest: Overview of Findings” before the National Press Club in Washington, DC on February 14, 2001. The presentation gave an overview of a project Synapse conducted with Brower and Company, Tellus Institute, and the Renewable Energy Policy Project to develop a plan for the aggressive implementation of energy efficiency and renewable resources in ten Midwest states.

Synapse reviewed whether the proposed cross-sound transmission cable between Connecticut and Long Island was needed for reliability purposes and would produce public benefits for Connecticut electricity customers.  The results were presented in the direct testimony of David Schlissel before the Connecticut Siting Council, Docket No. 208. Project completed in October 2001.

Synapse reviewed the 20 year Electric Resource Plans of Sierra Power and Nevada Power, focusing on the proposed energy efficiency programs, and the role of energy efficiency in the evolving electricity market in Nevada.  The results were presented in the direct testimony of Tim Woolf before the Public Service Commission of Nevada, Docket No. 01-7016. Project completed September 2001.

Lucy Johnston presented “The Importance of Publicly Available Power Information” before the Harvard Electricity Policy Group on June 12, 2001.

Lucy Johnston presented “Wholesale Electricity Markets: A Taco Short of a Combination Plate?” at the National Low Income Energy Consortium in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 6, 2001.

Synapse prepared testimony critiquing a PBR mechanism proposed by Connecticut Natural Gas Company.  Synapse's assessment focused on how to set an appropriate PBR rate, how to account for savings from a recent merger, and the development of performance standards to prevent deterioration in customer service. Project completed in August 2000.

Synapse prepared a detailed analysis of the costs of decommissioning nuclear power plants, comparing the cost implications of prompt dismantlement versus delayed dismantlement.  The study included regression analysis and sensitivities to assumptions of labor costs, waste burial costs, and other decommissioning costs.  Project completed in 2000.

Synapse assisted CRR with a review of the New Hampshire Restructuring Settlement Agreement.  Synapse focused on the cost of providing standard offer services and the additional costs due to "retail adders."  This work included oral testimony before the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission in Docket 99-099.  Project completed in 2000.