Electric Power http://www.ceres.org Ceres electric power related reports daily 1 2011-02-08T15:41:20Z Power Factor: Institutional Investors’ Policy Priorities Can Bring Energy Efficiency to Scale http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/power-factor-institutional-investors2019-policy-priorities-can-bring-energy-efficiency-to-scale Research shows climate change could impose a multi-trillion dollar burden on the global economy and contribute ten percent of overall risk within institutional investment portfolios. Institutional investors, who manage tens of trillions of dollars globally, are actively looking for ways to mitigate these climate-related risks. Energy efficiency offers one such opportunity for institutional investors to manage the risks of climate change while earning a competitive rate of return on their investment. Research shows climate change could impose a multi-trillion dollar burden on the global economy and contribute ten percent of overall risk within institutional investment portfolios. Institutional investors, who manage tens of trillions of dollars globally, are actively looking for ways to mitigate these climate-related risks. Energy efficiency offers one such opportunity for institutional investors to manage the risks of climate change while earning a competitive rate of return on their investment.

Industry analysts have estimated the potential energy efficiency investment opportunity in the hundreds of billions of dollars.However, under current market conditions, institutional investors are largely unable to finance energy efficiency projects at the scale necessary to address climate change or to meet their own internal investment criteria. At sufficient size, a market for energy efficiency loans could present an attractive investment opportunity for institutions.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2013-05-21T13:00:00Z Resource Benchmarking Air Emissions http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/benchmarking-air-emissions This report analyzes the latest emissions from the 100 largest power producers in the U.S. The report shows that the electric industry cut emissions of NOx, SO2 and CO2 in 2011 even as overall electricity generation increased, largely due to increased use of natural gas and growing reliance on renewable energy. This report analyzes the latest emissions from the 100 largest power producers in the U.S. The report shows that the electric industry cut emissions of NOx, SO2 and CO2 in 2011 even as overall electricity generation increased, largely due to increased use of natural gas and growing reliance on renewable energy.

Based on the latest available data, the report also reveals that Wyoming, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, and North Dakota had the highest CO2 emissions per megawatt-hour of power produced, while Idaho, Vermont, Washington, Oregon, and Maine had the lowest CO2 emissions rates. Nationwide, five power producers—American Electric Power, Duke Energy, FirstEnergy, Southern Company, and Tennessee Valley Authority—generate 25 percent of overall electric sector CO2 emissions, though some of these producers and others have significantly reduced emissions in recent years.

The Benchmarking Air Emissions report is the ninth in a series highlighting environmental performance and progress in the nation’s electric power sector.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2013-05-15T12:10:00Z Resource Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States 2012 http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/benchmarking-air-emissions-of-the-100-largest-electric-power-producers-in-the-united-states A new report on U.S. power plant emissions from the top 100 power producers demonstrates the impact of the electric power industry’s current transition to cleaner energy sources. The latest data on top 100 power producers show declining SO2, NOx and CO2 emissions and increasing use of energy efficiency and renewables.

The 2012 Benchmarking report is the eighth report in a series highlighting environmental performance and progress in the nation’s electric power sector. The report is based on 2010 generation and emissions data from the Energy Information Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, and also includes analysis of preliminary 2011 emissions data. The previous edition reported on 2008 data.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2012-07-31T13:45:00Z Resource The Road to 2020: Corporate Progress on the Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/the-road-to-2020-corporate-progress-on-the-ceres-roadmap-for-sustainability The Road to 2020: Corporate Progress on The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability (www.ceres.org/roadto2020) assesses how U.S. businesses are progressing on sustainability and uses as a framework, The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability—a guide for integrating sustainability across a company’s entire enterprise. Specifically, it evaluates where 600 large publicly traded companies stand on sustainability issues in terms of governance, stakeholder engagement, disclosure and performance. The Road to 2020: Corporate Progress on The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability (www.ceres.org/ceresroadmap) assesses how U.S. businesses are progressing on sustainability and uses as a framework, The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability—a guide for integrating sustainability across a company’s entire enterprise. Specifically, it evaluates where 600 large publicly traded companies stand on sustainability issues in terms of governance, stakeholder engagement, disclosure and performance.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2012-04-25T10:40:00Z Resource Practicing Risk-Aware Electricity Regulation: What Every State Regulator Needs to Know http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/practicing-risk-aware-electricity-regulation This report is primarily addressed to state regulatory utility commissioners, who will preside over some of the most important investments in the history of the U.S. electric power sector during perhaps its most challenging and tumultuous period. This report seeks to provide regulators with a thorough discussion of risk, and to suggest an approach—“risk-aware regulation”—whereby regulators can explicitly and proactively seek to identify, understand and minimize the risks associated with electric utility resource investment. It is hoped that this approach will result in the effcient deployment of capital, the continued financial health of utilities, and the confidence and satisfaction of the customers on whose behalf utilities invest. This report is primarily addressed to state regulatory utility commissioners, who will preside over some of the most important investments in the history of the U.S. electric power sector during perhaps its most challenging and tumultuous period. This report seeks to provide regulators with a thorough discussion of risk, and to suggest an approach—“risk-aware regulation”—whereby regulators can explicitly and proactively seek to identify, understand and minimize the risks associated with electric utility resource investment. It is hoped that this approach will result in the efficient deployment of capital, the continued financial health of utilities, and the confidence and satisfaction of the customers on whose behalf utilities invest.

For more about this issue, listen to the Ceres Podcast episode with report author Ron Binz, former chairman of the Colorado Public Utility Commission and principle of Public Policy Consulting.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2012-04-19T14:40:00Z Resource New Jobs - Cleaner Air (Part II): An investment in American Businesses and American Jobs http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/new-jobs-cleaner-air-part-two In February 2011, Ceres issued a study demonstrating how new air pollution rules proposed for the electric power sector by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide long-term economic benefits across much of the United States. This report supplements this economic study by highlighting specific case examples of the companies involved in building a modern generating fleet. It breaks the supply chain into its component pieces and shows the vital role that American workers play in installing and maintaining sophisticated emission control systems. This report is a follow-up to the February 2011 study, New Jobs - Cleaner Air: Employment Effects under Planned Changes to EPA's Air Pollution Rules, which demostrates how new air pollution rules proposed for the electric power sector by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide long-term economic benefits across much of the United States in the form of highly skilled, well-paying jobs created through infrastructure investment in the nation's fleet of power plants.

This follow-up report supplements the original economic study by highlighting specific case examples of the companies involved in building a modern generating fleet. It breaks the supply chain into its component pieces and shows the vital role that American workers play in installing and maintaining sophisticated emission control systems.

State Fact Sheets

Download fact sheets detailing how investments to clean and modernize power plants create new jobs and boost the economy in the following states:

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2011-11-17T15:55:00Z Resource Benchmarking Electric Utility Energy Efficiency Portfolios in the U.S. http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/benchmarking-electric-utilities-2011 The goal of this report is to highlight the importance—and the challenges—of benchmarking electric utility energy efficiency portfolios, and to initiate a benchmarking process that will continue to evolve over time. Benchmarking allows for direct comparison of spending and energy savings across electric utility energy efficiency portfolios. This report discusses the difficulties involved in benchmarking energy efficiency portfolios, evaluates and recommends a suite of metrics, and demonstrates these metrics using a diverse set of electric utilities. The goal of this report is to highlight the importance—and the challenges—of benchmarking electric utility energy efficiency portfolios, and to initiate a benchmarking process that will continue to evolve over time. Benchmarking allows for direct comparison of spending and energy savings across electric utility energy efficiency portfolios. This report discusses the difficulties involved in benchmarking energy efficiency portfolios, evaluates and recommends a suite of metrics, and demonstrates these metrics using a diverse set of electric utilities.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2011-11-10T12:55:00Z Resource New Jobs-Cleaner Air: Employment Effects under Planned Changes to EPA’s Air Pollution Rules http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/new-jobs-cleaner-air February 2011 - This study demonstrates how new air pollution rules proposed for the electric power sector by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide long-term economic benefits across much of the United States in the form of highly skilled, well paying jobs through infrastructure investment in the nation's generation fleet. Significantly, many of these jobs will be created over the next five years as the United States recovers from its severe economic downturn. February 2011 - This study demonstrates how new air pollution rules proposed for the electric power sector by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide long-term economic benefits across much of the United States in the form of highly skilled, well paying jobs through infrastructure investment in the nation's generation fleet. Significantly, many of these jobs will be created over the next five years as the United States recovers from its severe economic downturn.

State Fact Sheets

Download fact sheets showing how investments to clean and modernize power plants create new jobs and boost the economy in the following states:

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2011-02-01T23:35:00Z Resource The Ripple Effect: Water Risk in the Municipal Bond Market http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/water-bonds October 2010 - Growing water scarcity in many parts of the United States is a hidden financial risk for investors who buy the water and electric utility bonds that finance much of the country's vast water and power infrastructure, according to this first-ever report by Ceres and Water Asset Management. The report evaluates and ranks water scarcity risks for public water and power utilities in some of the country's most water-stressed regions, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas and Atlanta. October 2010 - Growing water scarcity in many parts of the United States is a hidden financial risk for investors who buy the water and electric utility bonds that finance much of the country's vast water and power infrastructure, according to this first-ever report by Ceres and Water Asset Management. The report evaluates and ranks water scarcity risks for public water and power utilities in some of the country's most water-stressed regions, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas and Atlanta.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2010-10-22T14:20:00Z Resource The 21st Century Electric Utility: Positioning for a Low-Carbon Future http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/the-21st-century-electric-utility-positioning-for-a-low-carbon-future-1 July 2010 - This report identifies five key elements of a 21st century electric utility business model and makes specific recommendations to utilities as they transition to a low-carbon future. It is by no means the final word on this complex and constantly evolving subject. Rather it is a starting point for utilities, policymakers, regulators, investors, analysts, and advocates to consider the utility decisions and behaviors best suited to helping us realize the energy future we all want – a future that, as the report says, “minimizes cost, risk and environmental impact, and maximizes opportunity, options and societal benefit.” July 2010 - This report identifies five key elements of a 21st century electric utility business model and makes specific recommendations to utilities as they transition to a low-carbon future. It is by no means the final word on this complex and constantly evolving subject. Rather it is a starting point for utilities, policymakers, regulators, investors, analysts, and advocates to consider the utility decisions and behaviors best suited to helping us realize the energy future we all want – a future that, as the report says, “minimizes cost, risk and environmental impact, and maximizes opportunity, options and societal benefit.”

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2010-07-27T18:40:00Z Resource Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States 2010 http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/benchmarking-air-emissions-2010 June 2010 - The 2010 Benchmarking report is the seventh collaborative effort highlighting environmental performance and progress in the nation’s electric power sector. The Benchmarking series began in 1997 and uses publicly reported data to compare the emissions performance of the 100 largest power producers in the United States. The current report is based on 2008 generation and emissions data. Benchmarking Air Emissions 2010June 2010 - The 2010 Benchmarking report is the seventh collaborative effort highlighting environmental performance and progress in the nation’s electric power sector.  The Benchmarking series began in 1997 and uses publicly reported data to compare the emissions performance of the 100 largest power producers in the United States.  The current report is based on 2008 generation and emissions data.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2010-06-14T16:30:00Z Resource The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/ceres-roadmap-to-sustainability-2010 March 2010 - The Ceres Roadmap serves as a vision and practical guide for integrating sustainability into the DNA of business — from the boardroom to the copy room. It analyzes the drivers, risks and opportunities involved in making the shift to sustainability, and details strategies and results from companies who are taking on these challenges. The Ceres Roadmap is designed to provide a comprehensive platform for sustainable business strategy and for accelerating best practices and performance. March 2010 - The Ceres Roadmap serves as a vision and practical guide for integrating sustainability into the DNA of business — from the boardroom to the copy room. It analyzes the drivers, risks and opportunities involved in making the shift to sustainability, and details strategies and results from companies who are taking on these challenges. The Ceres Roadmap is designed to provide a comprehensive platform for sustainable business strategy and for accelerating best practices and performance.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com 2010-03-10T15:55:00Z Resource Climate Risk Disclosure in SEC Filings: An Analysis of 10K Reporting by Oil and Gas, Insurance, Coal, Transportation and Electric Power Companies http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/climate-risk-disclosure-2009 June 2009 - This Ceres/Environmental Defense Fund report evaluates the current state of climate risk disclosure by 100 global companies in five sectors that have a strong stake in preparing for a low carbon future: electric utilities, coal, oil and gas, transportation and insurance. It assesses climate risk disclosure in the SEC filings made by these companies in Q1 2008, and finds very limited disclosure. June 2009 - This Ceres/Environmental Defense Fund report evaluates the current state of climate risk disclosure by 100 global companies in five sectors that have a strong stake in preparing for a low carbon future: electric utilities, coal, oil and gas, transportation and insurance. It assesses climate risk disclosure in the SEC filings made by these companies in Q1 2008, and finds very limited disclosure.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com 2009-06-10T14:55:00Z Resource Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/air-emissions-of-100-largest-electric-power-producers-2008 May 2008 - The 2008 Benchmarking report is the sixth collaborative effort highlighting environmental performance and progress in the nation’s electric power sector. The Benchmarking series began in 1997 and uses publicly reported data to compare the emissions performance of the 100 largest power producers in the United States. The current report is based on 2006 generation and emissions data. May 2008 - The 2008 Benchmarking report is the sixth collaborative effort highlighting environmental performance and progress in the nation’s electric power sector.  The Benchmarking series began in 1997 and uses publicly reported data to compare the emissions performance of the 100 largest power producers in the United States. The current report is based on 2006 generation and emissions data.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com 2008-05-09T01:25:00Z Resource Electric Utilities: Global Climate Disclosure Framework http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/electric-utilities-global-climate-disclosure-framework-2008 February 2008 - The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC, Europe), Ceres, which directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR, US), and the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC, Australia and New Zealand) have collaborated to develop a reporting framework which defines investors’ climate change-related disclosure expectations for electric utilities and power generators, specifically those involved in power generation. February 2008 - The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC, Europe), Ceres, which directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR, US), and the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC, Australia and New Zealand) have collaborated to develop a reporting  framework which defines investors’ climate change-related disclosure expectations for electric utilities and power generators, specifically those involved in power generation.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com 2008-02-09T01:45:00Z Resource