While the DDPP reports identify clear emissions targets and energy resource scenarios that can meet them, they do not tell us which policy levers to pull to get there. The chapter focuses on specific policy changes to electric power mandates, subsidies, and retail customer charges that can help to facilitate the transition to deep decarbonization. Existing state and federal policies regarding these tools demonstrate their potential for balancing economic, consumer welfare, and environmental goals as the electric power system adapts to various DDPP scenarios. It will be necessary to significantly scale up and recalibrate electric power mandates, subsidies, and retail customer charges to successfully arrive at any of the DDPP scenarios in the electric power sector. While no one change to these tools will be sufficient on its own to achieve the DDPP’s goals, state regulators, Congress, and federal agencies are well positioned to design a package of reforms to ensure that the transition to deep decarbonization does not impair economic efficiency or consumer welfare.
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Top Ten Resources on Electricity Charges, Mandates, and Subsidies: To help users take a brief survey of some of our favorite materials from this pathway, the LPDD team has drafted a "Top 10" resources list for state and local governments trying to address Electricity Charges, Mandates, and Subsidies. Check it out here.