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This briefing by Energy Innovation introduces a series of tools designed to help regulators, utilities, and investors manage the financial transition from uneconomic coal-fired power plants to cheaper clean energy generation, using Colorado as a case study.

This policy brief outlines the "steel for fuel" investment strategy, where utilities replace uneconomic fossil fuel plants with renewable energy assets. By shifting from variable fuel expenses (which earn no return) to capital investments in wind and solar (which earn regulated returns), utilities can increase shareholder earnings while reducing costs for consumers. Using Xcel Energy as a primary example, the brief discusses the role of competitive bidding, the difference between utility-owned assets and Power Purchase Agreements, and the regulatory environment in the United States.

The document introduces 'Navigating Utility Business Model Reform: A Practical Guide to Regulatory Design', a collaborative guide produced by the Rocky Mountain Institute, America’s Power Plan, and Advanced Energy Economy Institute to assist industry actors in implementing utility business model reforms tailored to local contexts.

This research note argues that $2 billion in proposed federal subsidies intended to prevent the retirement of six FirstEnergy coal and nuclear power plants should instead be redirected toward economic transition and workforce development for the affected communities.

This research note by Energy Innovation analyzes the economic and environmental impacts of a proposed Trump Administration policy to freeze federal fuel economy standards for cars and SUVs at 2020 levels, undoing planned increases for model years 2022 to 2025.

This research note examines 'consignment auctioning,' a hybrid carbon allowance distribution method used in California's emission trading system (ETS) that combines elements of free allocation and auctioning. The authors propose this model as a potential solution for China's national ETS to introduce auctioning while mitigating economic shocks to covered entities and bypassing institutional barriers regarding the handling of government revenue.

This research paper evaluates the Pan-Canadian Framework (PCF) using the Canada Energy Policy Simulator (EPS), a tool developed by the Pembina Institute and Energy Innovation. The analysis finds that the PCF is insufficient to meet Canada's 2030 Paris Agreement goals and suggests that extending and strengthening these policies would improve environmental, economic, and public health outcomes.

This research paper by Energy Innovation analyzes the potential costs to electricity customers of a US Department of Energy (DOE) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) that would provide out-of-market subsidies to power plants with a 90-day on-site fuel supply, specifically targeting coal and nuclear facilities.

This research paper examines the 'utility information problem'—the lack of data regarding the locational value of distributed energy resources (DERs)—which obscures the boundaries of the electric distribution utility's natural monopoly. The author proposes that integrated distribution planning (IDP) is necessary to reveal this information, enabling a transition toward a Distribution System Optimizer (DSO) role. The paper evaluates two pathways to this transition: an information-intensive approach compatible with cost-of-service regulation and an outcome-focused approach utilizing performance-based regulation (PBR).

A briefing by Energy Innovation detailing the potential climate impact of a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling that vacated an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard for regulating hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) through the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program.

This report by Energy Innovation provides a quantitative analysis of the linked California-Quebec cap-and-trade program, identifying a systemic oversupply of carbon allowances. The author argues that emissions have fallen faster than regulators expected due to successful climate policies, technological innovation, and economic trends. While the program's price floor and holding limits act as stabilizers, the report suggests that the current oversupply has led to undersubscribed auctions. The author proposes four policy reforms—lowering caps, switching to annual compliance, increasing the price floor, and reducing free allowances—to drive more significant emission reductions and provide stable revenue for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

This research paper by Energy Innovation outlines a five-step framework for state regulators to design grid modernization programs that maximize benefits for customers. The authors emphasize the use of outcome-oriented metrics across three primary goals—affordability, resilience, and environmental performance—and suggest tying utility revenue to performance against these targets to align incentives.

This guide provides a structured list of questions for state policymakers and stakeholders to evaluate utility regulatory models, specifically comparing cost of service regulation and performance regulation in the context of evolving power system goals.

This report, produced by Energy Innovation, China’s National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC), and China’s Energy Research Institute (ERI), uses the Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) to identify cost-effective climate and energy policies for China. The analysis compares a Reference Scenario (RS) against a Low Carbon (LC) scenario and an Accelerated Low Carbon (ALC) scenario, evaluating their impact on CO2 and CO2e emissions, primary energy use, and air quality through 2030.

This 2016 report by Energy Innovation outlines sustainable urban planning guidelines for Mexico City's General Urban Development Program (PGDU). It advocates for a 'human-scale' city that reduces car dependency through Transit-Oriented Development, mixed land use, and integrated public transport. Key goals include increasing the population living near mass transit to 70% by 2030 and expanding exclusive public transport lanes to 70% of the urban area by the same date.

This research paper argues that traditional Cost of Service Regulation (COSR) incentivizes investor-owned utilities to over-invest in capital infrastructure at the expense of more efficient, non-utility-owned or non-capital alternatives. Through three case studies, the authors demonstrate that multiyear revenue caps and Performance Incentive Mechanisms (PIMs) can better align utility shareholder profits with societal goals, such as carbon reduction and cost-effective grid modernization.

This report by Energy Innovation debunks four common myths regarding the clean energy transition, arguing that decarbonizing the electricity sector is possible without sacrificing reliability or affordability. The authors contend that grid variability, overgeneration, high costs, and the role of natural gas are often misunderstood or based on outdated data, and that demand-side management, regional trading, and energy efficiency are key drivers of a low-carbon future.

This policy brief by Energy Innovation argues that avoiding catastrophic climate change requires the 20 largest carbon-emitting countries to rapidly implement a specific set of well-designed, sector-specific energy policies. The author emphasizes that the next 15 years are crucial to prevent irreversible damage and runaway feedback loops, suggesting that the use of 'Best Practice Networks' (BPNs) can provide the technical expertise necessary for countries to design and implement these policies effectively.

This research paper argues that regulators should shift from traditional measure-by-measure energy efficiency tracking to outcome-oriented, economy-wide metrics when tying utility compensation to performance. The authors contend that outcome-oriented metrics are more transparent, easier to monitor, and better aligned with broad policy goals, while reducing the administrative burden and regulatory conflict associated with uncertain savings estimates.

This case study examines the California Risk-Reward Incentive Mechanism (RRIM), an energy efficiency shareholder incentive program, to identify challenges associated with using counterfactuals to vet utility savings claims. The document highlights how measure-by-measure estimation of savings leads to regulatory conflict, high administrative costs, and volatile incentive payments, ultimately recommending a shift toward outcome-oriented metrics.