PRESS RELEASE
ENERGY POLICY INITIATIVES CENTER MODEL PROJECTS EFFECTS
OF STATE POLICY ON ELECTRICITY RATES
SAN DIEGO, November 11, 2009 — The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC), a
nonprofit research center at the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law, today
released a publicly-available model that projects the effect that a range of pending
public policy measures would have on electricity rates. The first of its kind, the San
Diego Electric Rate Projection Model projects customer rates for a single electric utility
service territory.
To demonstrate the model and to review results, EPIC will host a workshop on
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 from 9 a.m. to noon. The model developer will be
available to answer specific questions about the model structure and assumptions used.
The workshop will be held at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice on the USD
campus. For more information about the event or to register, go to the San Diego
Electric Rate Projection Model Workshop Web page.
"While some information exists about the impacts of many pending energy- and climaterelated policies at the state level, this is an attempt to model the combined effects on a
single region," says Scott Anders, director of EPIC. "We believe this will be a valuable
tool to for those involved in energy policy and planning at the local and state levels. We
also believe that the results of the model will be interesting for anyone concerned about
future electricity rates in the region."
The model, which was developed by a team of leading California energy consultants,
calculates changes in consumer electricity rates due to policies that increase renewable
energy use, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, and distributed solar photovoltaics. It
allows users to change many of the variables and to test the effect of different
combinations of policies.
"The model estimates the integrated effects of increased renewable energy
requirements and the carbon constraints," said Anders. "For example it is possible that
prices increase but customers bills remain the same as energy efficiency reduces
overall consumption. It is necessary to understand these complex interactions and not
to evaluate a single policy in isolation."
ABOUT THE ENERGY POLICY INITIATIVES CENTER (EPIC)
EPIC is an academic and research center of the University of San Diego School of Law
that studies how energy policy issues affect the San Diego County region and
California. EPIC integrates research and analysis, law school study and public
education, and provides legal and policy expertise and information about efficient and
environmentally responsible solutions to our future energy needs.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF LAW
The University of San Diego School of Law is a center of academic excellence focused
on preparing its students for legal practice in the new century. One of the most selective
law schools in the country, the School of Law's nationally recognized faculty create a
demanding, yet welcoming environment that emphasizes individualized education. USD
law school graduates consistently score higher than the state average on the California
Bar Exam and go on to practice law throughout the country and abroad, forming an
influential network of alumni. The USD School of Law is one of only 81 law schools in
the country to have a chapter of the Order of the Coif, the most distinguished rank of
American law schools. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is
a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Founded in 1954, the law
school is part of the University of San Diego, a private, nonprofit, independent, Roman
Catholic university chartered in 1949.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Ashley Vitale, Director, Law School Communications, (619) 260-4097
Scott Anders, Director, Energy Policy Initiatives Center, (619) 260-4589