Synapse conducted an economic valuation of the Allen S. King, Black Dog, High Bridge, and Riverside coal generators in order to assess public options for replacement with more efficient, less polluting sources of electric generation.  Project completed in March 1999.

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 1999.  

Synapse designed the first draft of the energy efficiency programs that were provided by the Cape Light Compact, the municipal aggregator on Cape Cod.  Synapse represented the Compact in the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy’s generic investigation of the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency programs, in Docket 98-100.  Synapse also represented the Compact in the Division of Energy Resources’ process for developing policy guidelines for Massachusetts energy efficiency programs.  Project completed in 1999.  

Synapse drafted comments in response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's May 14, 1999 "Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Regional Transmission Organizations Rulemaking."  The comments addressed the potential for broadening competition to have negative environmental consequences and the opportunities for RTOs to reduce barriers to market entry for renewable generators and to improve environmental quality.  The comments were submitted by the Project for Sustainable FERC Energy Policy, on behalf of seventeen environmental organizations.  Project completed in 1999.

Synapse worked with Von Hippel Associates to develop an integrated resource plan for Hawaii Gas Company.  Synapse took the lead role in developing forecasts for natural gas demand and estimating the environmental externalities associated with resource options.  Project completed in 1999.

Bruce Biewald presented “Market Power Analysis: Five Case Studies in Electricity” at the IBC Conference on Market Power in Washington, D.C. on May 24, 1999. The five case studies discussed were: New England, New York City, the APS-DQE merger, Mississippi (Entergy and Southern Company), and the AEP-CSW merger.

Synapse, with assistance from MacGregor Energy Consultancy, prepared a study of the following consumer protection measures: divestiture of generation, codes of conduct, licensing standards, reliability of distribution services, consumer education, and disclosure of information.  The report was presented in the testimony of Tim Woolf before the West Virginia Public Service Commission, Case No. 98-0452-E-GI.  Project completed in 1999.

Synapse prepared a review of Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s request to earn shareholder incentives for 1998 energy efficiency programs.  Synapse provided an overview of the principles that should be used in designing performance awards, a critique of the design of PG&E’s market transformation goals and benchmarks, and an assessment of the amount of awards requested for 1998 performance.  Project completed in 1999.  

Synapse conducted an analysis of the market power implications of the proposed merger, the air emissions of the combined companies, and the barriers to entry faced by potential market entrants.  The results were presented in the testimony of Bruce Biewald in FERC Docket Nos. EC98-40-00, et al.  Project completed in 1999.

Synapse and Resource Insight reviewed the proposals for stranded costs, market prices, standard offer services, and asset divestiture from Connecticut Light and Power Company and United Illuminating Company.  The results were presented in the testimony of Bruce Biewald in Dockets 99-03-35 and 99-03-36. Testimony filed in July 1999.

Synapse worked with MJBradley and Associates for STAPPA and ALAPCO - the two national associations of air pollution control officials in the 55 states and territories and over 165 major metropolitan areas - to develop a comprehensive document on greenhouse gas mitigation options.  Synapse analyzed the cost and emissions reductions from technology options available in the electric generating sector, including combined heat and power production, combined-cycle generation, co-firing and atmospheric fluidized bed combustion, integrated gasification combined cycle, fuel cells, carbon dispatch, and renewables.  Project completed in 1999.

Synapse and Resource Insight prepared estimates of the market value of eight hydro-electric generation facilities in Vermont.  These facilities were assessed using the income approach, the replacement cost approach and the comparable sales approach. The income approach relied upon computer simulation modeling of the New England electricity market. Project completed in 1999, with subsequent support following negotiations continuing until May 2003

Synapse provided testimony before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities regarding the appropriate use of the New Jersey system benefits charge, on behalf of the New Jersey Public Interest Interveners.  The testimony identified the potential energy savings and the likely air emissions benefits of energy efficiency programs, assessed the cost-effectiveness of the programs, and recommended the amount of the system benefits charge that should be allocated to energy efficiency programs.  Project completed in 1998.

Synapse drafted comments on the Energy Information Administration’s notice regarding the continued availability of electric industry data.  Synapse also provided technical support in an on-going effort to negotiate multi-party recommendations to EIA on data collection and confidentiality.  Project completed in August 1998.