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Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Policy Memos

These policy memos were completed as part of the Yale Center for Business and the Environment’s online Financing and Deploying Clean Energy certificate program, which trains and connects rising leaders to catalyze the transition to a clean economy. The application for the certificate’s 2023-24 cohort closes on March 12. You can read what the application entailed, and what the program seeks to do, here.

We invite policy-makers and stakeholders to consider the ideas in these memos and respond. Views expressed in the memos are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of their employers.

2023-01-03 CommercialCommunity solarCooperativesProcurementProject FinanceSolarStrategy/PolicyTransmissionUnited StatesWholesale market rules
Policy Memo: How We Pay For Free Electricity
Mike Novello
March 15, 2022
As New England states progress towards decarbonization goals, the electricity spot market will see offers from solar and wind generators that incur no marginal cost. That can harm reliability and put some operators hastily out of business. To retain existing resources and the stability they bring, we need to set...
Don't let the sun go down on price reliability, our author urges
Policy Memo: Bring Batteries for a Virtual Power Plant and a Virtuous Cycle
Brian Ambrette
January 25, 2022
Battery storage systems and virtual power plants offer an opportunity for individual ratepayers to improve energy reliability and contribute to Maine’s clean energy goals. Maine has several options for protecting and incentivizing ratepayers, especially low-income ratepayers, to own battery storage systems and join virtual power plant programs.
YPCCC-Maine
Policy Memo: A Good Look for Apparel's Industrial Decarbonization Path
Elizabeth Rich
January 14, 2022
The US, as the largest consumer and highest emitter of carbon per capita, bears a critical share of the responsibility to facilitate a transition to sustainable practices. ​​​​​This article lays out the rationale and a pathway for the US to incentivize the apparel industry’s decarbonization. I propose a preferential tariff...
Patrick Kovarik.Getty Images took this photo for Fashionista.
Policy Memo: Lower Price, Higher Potential
Katie Sarro
January 07, 2022
Climate scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report warned that without immediate large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, climate change will cause devastating economic and human losses. Policymakers must come together to implement a comprehensive climate change strategy in the United States.
Utility Solar in Spotsylvania County VA
Making 100% Clean Electricity Doable: A Strategy Memo to Octopus Energy
Parthasarthy
December 07, 2021
According to this consultant, Octopus Energy must build measurable positive momentum towards the customer-centric (and just) energy transition it implies in its branding. It should invest capital toward changes in marketing and customer support. By doing so, this memo suggests, Octopus can deliver more fully on its promise.
A row of typical United Kingdom houses
Policy Memo: Promoting Offshore Wind in North Carolina With an Executive Order
January 21, 2020
North Carolina has the potential to be a leader in offshore wind development, and the governor’s guidance can help jumpstart the industry. As a new market, however, the industry needs a stronger signal of interest. An executive order setting a goal for offshore wind development will show the wind industry...
Anna Hofmann
Policy Memo: Saving Money in Michigan With Residential PACE Financing
January 03, 2020
Michigan can unlock energy-saving upgrades for homeowners by passing residential property assessed clean energy legislation. The legislation should guarantee energy savings and protect consumers by including a method for determining eligible energy-saving measures; restrictions to R-PACE financing amounts and underwriting criteria; and robust consumer protection provisions.
Cory Connolly
Policy Memo: Creating a Green Bank in Arlington County, VA
January 03, 2020
The implementation plan that Arlington County expects to propose in June 2020 needs to include the creation of a green bank – a quasi-public entity established to facilitate private investment into local low-carbon, climate-resilient infrastructure.
Mike Shuster
Policy Memo: Establishing a National Energy Benchmarking Standard for Commercial Buildings
January 03, 2020
To capture the energy efficiency opportunity across the U.S. economy, the House Energy and Commerce Committee should introduce a bill to establish a national energy benchmarking standard for commercial buildings. Building on the success of local ordinances, the proposed bill would create a national requirement while giving state and local...
Joe Indvik