Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Testimony, May 8, 2019

CLASS OF 1964 POLICY RESEARCH SHOP STUDENTS TESTIFY BEFORE THE ENERGY COMMITTEE OF WOLFEBORO, NH ON MAY 8, 2019.

On May 8, 2019, Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop students, Eitan Darwish ‘21, Maria Smith-Lopez ‘21, and Harish Tekriwal ’21, traveled to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire to present key findings from their research report, "Net Metering Policy Options for Wolfeboro, NH." In attendance were members of the Energy Committee of Wolfeboro, selectmen, the head of the Municipal Electric Department, and other interested citizens.

The students’ research drew on expert interviews and site visits they conducted throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. Their findings explored the costs, benefits, and feasibility of several policy options that Wolfeboro might consider incorporating into its net metering policy going forward, such as simple value of solar tariffs, battery technologies, and purchasing power agreements.

At the conclusion of the presentation, students answered numerous questions from stakeholders, including how the town could calculate a simple value of solar tariff, the typical life-cycle of batteries, and what the academic literature suggests about local externalities associated with energy production.