Energy Sector Case Studies
This tab features case studies that describe examples of how adaptation has been incorporated in energy planning and policy.
Resources are automatically presented by date. Apply additional filters to narrow the list by state, impact, region, or jurisdictional focus.
37 results are shown below.
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Resource
September 2013
This report synthesizes regional studies on the implications of climate change on Bureau of Reclamation operations and activities in 17 Western States. Specifically, the report addresses past and projected effects of climate change on hydrology and water resources. The report outlines implications for the key resource areas the Bureau considers in its planning processes for each of the Bureau's five regions: Pacific Northwest, Mid-Pacific, Lower Colorado, Upper Colorado, and Great Plains.
Related Organizations: Bureau of Reclamation
Authors or Affiliated Users: Mark Spears, Alan Harrison, Victoria Sankovich, Jade Soddell, Levi Brekke
Resource Category: Assessments
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March 2011
This report presents a series of case studies describing the approaches currently (as of 2011) being taken by four water utilities in the United States to assess their vulnerability to climate change. The report is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of assessment approaches or utilities conducting vulnerability assessments. Rather, its purpose is to illustrate a range of issues and current approaches taken by selected utilities that are proactive in climate adaptation to understand and respond to climate risk.
Related Organizations: National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Resource Category: Assessments
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July 2008
This 2008 report, commissioned by the City of Chicago, models potential economic impacts of climate change for the city. The study focused on city infrastructure, key departments, and budgets of the city of Chicago. The analysis was designed to assist city leadership in adaptation and mitigation planning.
Related Organizations: City of Chicago, Illinois
Author or Affiliated User: Oliver Wyman
Resource Category: Assessments
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January 2016
The Green Zone Environmental Program (GZEP) is a program run by the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment that provides young adults aged 14 to 24 with summer careers in clean energy. Every year, over 300 youth and young adults throughout the District -- with a focus on recruitment from vulnerable, under-represented communities -- enroll in a six-week training and educational Program. The DOEE and GZEP partner with local businesses to expose participants of the Program to both classroom and hands-on training in the areas of stormwater management, solar energy installments, green infrastructure construction, landscaping, and more.
Related Organizations: District Department of Energy and the Environment (DDOE) - Washington DC
Resource Category: Education and Outreach
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2007
RichmondBUILD is a public-private partnership initiative launched by the City of Richmond, California to train individuals on developing the necessary talent and skill to join careers in the renewable energy or construction industries. RichmondBUILD has focused its efforts on recruiting participants from low-income households throughout the community. Since its launch in 2007, a majority of graduates of the workforce training program have been minorities (90%), and it includes a large percentage of individuals who have a history with the justice system (30%).
Related Organizations: City of Richmond, California
Resource Category: Education and Outreach
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May 18, 2017
In 2017, the District of Columbia’s Departments of Energy & Environment (DOEE) and Employment Services (DOES) partnered with GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic to start Solar Works DC, to implement a low-income solar installation program with a job training component. The purpose of the Program is to focus on training disadvantaged members of the D. C. community in solar installation, and provide low-income families with solar energy systems. Over a three-year period, more than 200 individuals have been trained in solar-related related industries.
Related Organizations: District Department of Energy and the Environment (DDOE) - Washington DC
Resource Category: Education and Outreach
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January 2018
The California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) allocates its Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) to fund projects located in and benefiting low-income and disadvantaged communities, which is an example of utility commissions participating in equitable grid investment. EPIC funds come from rates charged to electricity customers of the state utilities and supports investments in clean energy technologies that benefit ratepayers of investor owned utilities. AB 523 directs the California Energy Commission (CEC) to expend at least 25 percent of its EPIC funds for Technology Demonstration and Deployment funding (TD&D) at sites located in, and benefiting, “disadvantaged communities,” and adds an additional requirement that the CEC expend at least 10 percent of its EPIC funds for TD&D at sites located in, and benefiting, low-income communities located in the state. The CPUC approved the allocation of $60 million of its EPIC funding to projects located in and benefiting low-income and disadvantaged communities that are also specifically prioritized for the investment of proceeds from CA’s cap-and-trade program. These investments are aimed at improving public health, quality of life, and economic opportunity in disadvantaged communities, which are defined by AB 523 as those most burdened by pollution from multiple sources and most vulnerable to its effects, considering socioeconomic characteristics and underlying health status.
Related Organizations: California Public Utilities Commission
Resource Category: Funding
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Duke Energy Progress (DEP) worked with the nonprofit, Renewable Energy Transition Initiative (RETI), to increase access to renewable energy programs for lower-income residents. This program provides an example of how utilities can use equity considerations to inform the deployment of renewable energy programs and resources. RETI works to eliminate high energy costs and make renewable energy solutions more accessible through educational programs, community outreach, research, advocacy, and partnerships. RETI promotes income-based applications and brings awareness to this energy saving program through engaging with communities at local community events and churches. DEP and RETI also launched The Shared Solar program for its residential and non-residential customers to be able to share in the economic benefits from a single solar facility. The cost savings from this community solar program are allocated to low-income customers in the company’s territory.
Related Organizations: Duke Energy Progress, Renewable Energy Transition Initiative
Resource Category: Funding
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2015
California’s SOMAH and MASH programs provide an example of how financial incentives can be used to support installation of solar energy photovoltaic (PV) systems on multifamily affordable housing properties. Assembly Bill 693 provides financial incentives for the installation of PV systems, prescribes criteria for participation in the incentive program, sets targets for installation of solar PV systems, identifies various required elements for the Program, and gives direction to the California Public Utilities Commission on the administration of the Program. The SOMAH program's goal is to encourage the installation of 300 megawatts (MW) of solar power to benefit affordable housing units by 2030. This program is funded through GHG allowance auction proceeds and is administered by nonprofits and electric utilities. Eligible building owners and tenants can receive solar credits through a virtual net energy metering system. The program provides direct economic benefits by allowing low-income renters to receive energy produced on the roof of their housing unit, which lowers monthly utility costs and helps “disadvantaged communities” reap the benefits of the growing California solar industry.
Related Organizations: State of California
Resource Category: Funding
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January 17, 2017
This Georgetown Climate Center (GCC) case study on the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) explores how local governments and other partners are coordinating at the regional scale to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the King County region of Washington state. This case study explores how the K4C was formed and has organized its decisionmaking, what local governments and other stakeholders are involved in the collaborative, what roles it is playing to reduce emissions in the region, and how the collaborative funds its activities.
Related Organizations: Georgetown Climate Center
Authors or Affiliated Users: Hillary Neger , Annie Bennett
Resource Category: Law and Governance
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