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.

Synapse investigated customer service performance standards in the context of an electric utility merger and rate cap plan. The analysis centered on the performance of customer call centers.  Project completed in June 2000.

Synapse drafted comments to the US Department of Energy regarding the electricity price assumptions that should be used in estimating the benefits of national air conditioner efficiency standards. This analysis included a review of hourly electricity prices from competitive and regulated US electricity markets in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Tim Woolf and Bruce Biewald provided results in oral testimony before the US DOE.  Project completed in November 2000.

Existing power plants often are subject to less stringent pollution standards than new plants under the Clean Air Act, providing a loophole for companies that own existing power plants. In “Electricity Market Distortions Associated with Inconsistent Air Quality Regulations,” an article published in The Electricity Journal, Synapse’s Tim Woolf and Bruce Biewald discuss how the loophole can create distortions in electricity markets, hinder the development of a competitive industry, and postpone some key benefits of the Clean Air Act.Access the article here: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1040619000000956.

On behalf of the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel, David Schlissel provided testimony before the Department of Public Utility Control regarding the potential impact of the proposed merger between Northeast Utilities and Consolidated Edison, Inc. Project completed in 2000.

Synapse participated in the Mississippi Public Service Commission’s Generic Docket to Consider Competition in the Provision of Retail Electric Service. First, Synapse reviewed and critiqued the filings of Entergy and the Southern Company with regard to standard offer pricing and performance-based ratemaking for transmission and distribution services. Synapse then prepared an assessment of the market power issues likely to arise in a restructured electricity industry in Mississippi, including a critique of the market power studies of Entergy and Southern Company. Additionally, Synapse and Resource Insight prepared an assessment of the stranded cost filings of Entergy and Southern Company. The results, including a discussion of divestiture of generation assets and the responsibility for stranded costs and gains, were presented in the testimony of Bruce Biewald before the Mississippi Public Service Commission in Docket No. 96-UA-389. Project completed in 1999.