Eshaan Mani

Developed a comparative analysis of storm cost recovery frameworks for Massachusetts across six states, evaluating the efficacy of evolving practices such as securitization, performance-based regulation, and storm reserve funds to identify reforms applicable to Massachusetts. Produced policy recommendations focused on reducing rate volatility, strengthening resilience incentives, and linking storm recovery spending to measurable reliability outcomes.

Using a mixed-methods comparative case study approach, this paper argues that differences in state-owned enterprise (SOE) performance are driven less by the degree of government intervention than by its timing and intent, complicating apples-to-apples comparisons across countries. Comparing China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and Singapore’s SMRT through qualitative and quantitative analysis, it finds that Singapore generally imposes commercial discipline through ex ante cost-benefit scrutiny, while China more often pursues politically driven infrastructure projects and absorbs financial risks through ex post state support and leverage. Consequently, conventional metrics such as profitability alone are insufficient for evaluating SOE performance; outcomes must be assessed relative to the political, developmental, or commercial objectives governments assign to these firms.

Researched and benchmarked utility climate resilience regulations across the U.S., developing recommendations to strengthen Massachusetts’ new 2026 Climate Vulnerability & Resilience Plan (CVRP) statute in areas such as risk assessment, equity, resilience valuation, and grid technology adoption.

This seminar paper examines how women Chief Ministers in India use gendered rhetoric to sustain political legitimacy amid corruption or criminal allegations, drawing on an extensive review of speech transcripts and news coverage. Through case studies of J. Jayalalithaa, Kumari Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, and Rabri Devi, it analyzes how uniquely gendered familial and religious imagery is deployed by female CMs and their parties, how these strategies shape electoral resilience after scandal, and which actor's rhetoric holds more weight in shaping this resilience.

Through extensive case studies of Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO), Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), Consumers Energy (Consumers), and Entergy New Orleans (ENO), I aided Rhizome's team in exploring how utilities are evolving their distribution system planning (DSP) processes to include resilience, decarbonization, and affordability due to extreme weather threats. We also offered best practices and insights to help utilities and regulators.

In 2025, wildfire risk management entered the billion-dollar era. This analysis examines how 20 major U.S. utilities are allocating $21+ billion in wildfire mitigation spending through 2027. It reveals current investment patterns, justification strategies, and implementation challenges shaping the industry.

An industry-first tool to sort and identify upcoming filings for utilities in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Belize. More than a dozen kinds of filings are included.

Aided in the development of a prevention-first utility wildfire mitigation framework emphasizing risk-based decision-making, proactive vegetation and asset management, and targeted operational responses. The framework advocates replacing broad reactive measures with continuous monitoring, predictive analytics, and advanced situational awareness. Adopted by the Hawaii PUC as its standard of evaluation for wildfire mitigation plans. Circulated at NARUC conferences, DISTRIBUTECH, and other industry events.

Utilities face mounting pressure to recover extraordinary climate-caused expenses while maintaining affordable service. This primer examines the merits of securitization as a tool to refinance storm recovery costs and stranded assets at lower interest rates through case studies from Wisconsin and Texas.

This paper examines the expansion of community solar in the U.S., particularly its role in making solar energy accessible to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. Community solar, now exceeding 6 gigawatts in capacity, offers significant benefits like bill credits of 5% to 15% without the need for direct property investment, yet faces challenges in reaching and enrolling LMI participants. Despite these barriers, financial support from the Biden government indicates community solar is a critical path to equitable clean energy access. The paper emphasizes the necessity of targeted research and strategies supported by corporate and government bodies to effectively integrate LMI communities into the community solar framework.