Regulatory Choices: A Perspective on Developments in Energy Policy

Regulatory Choices provides a comprehensive economic history of energy policy and its consequences for California, examining the issue of setting utility rates and exploring the costs and environmental impacts of alternative energy sources. The book concludes by documenting the results of subsidy programs designed to target the development of wind power and residential energy conservation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Regulatory Choices provides a comprehensive economic history of energy policy and its consequences for California, a region known for pioneering innovative and far-reaching regulatory reform programs. The authors of this volume have assembled an extensive collection of material on actual policy decisions and their economic impact, subjecting their findings to rigorous economic analysis. This book will serve as an invaluable reference for years to come, shedding light on the costs and effects of various energy policies.

The first part of the book explores the issue of setting utility rates, considering proposals to provide regulated industries with incentives to address economic and environmental concerns. It examines the challenges of energy supply, including a survey of alternative energy sources' costs and environmental impacts, as well as a case study of the construction of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. The book concludes by documenting the results of subsidy programs aimed at promoting wind power and residential energy conservation.

Regulators' track record in managing energy production is mixed. Some conservation programs have achieved significant economic success, particularly those that improve consumer information. On the other hand, others, such as renewable energy tax credits or programs subsidizing new technologies, have incurred costs far exceeding the value of the energy they have saved. This study highlights that regulated industries are not immune to the forces of competition.

Overall, Regulatory Choices offers a valuable insights into the complex dynamics of energy policy and its economic implications, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing California and other regions in the pursuit of sustainable and efficient energy systems.

Weight: 771g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520367807