RPS Webinar: RPS and Cost Containment Options

This webinar, presented by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) for the State-Federal RPS Collaborative, focused on the various ways in which states have sought to limit the cost of their RPS.

Brendan Pierpont of the Climate Policy Initiative presented his report examining several cost containment mechanisms—alternative compliance payments, a contract price cap, a rate impact cap, and a renewable energy fund cap. He described how each one works and explain its advantages and disadvantages. He also made some recommendations for how states can best approach cost containment. Representatives of two state RPSs commented on Mr. Pierpont’s presentation and considered its applicability to their states. This was followed by an audience Q&A.

Presenters:

• Brendan Pierpont, Analyst, Climate Policy Initiative
• R. Dwight Lamberson, Economist, New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
• Rebecca O’Neil, Senior Policy Analyst, Oregon Department of Energy