Electric Power
Limiting global climate change will require widespread decarbonization of the power sector and electrification of the economy. RFF's research and policy engagement holistically evaluates market designs and federal, state, and local policies to facilitate a smooth transition to a decarbonized power sector that serves a broad range of sectors and energy needs.
Highlights
Topics
Carbon Capture and Storage
Modeling how carbon capture and storage technologies will affect emissions and the economy
Clean Air Act Regulations
Analyzing policy solutions for states to achieve compliance
Clean Energy Standards
Working with policymakers to provide economic analysis on potential legislation
Coal
Analyzing the role of coal in the global and domestic energy sectors
Electricity Markets
Exploring how these markets respond to uncertainties
Electrification
Exploring emissions reductions through electrification of the US economy
Energy Efficiency and Demand-Side Management
Examining policies to help close the existing energy efficiency gap
Engineering, Economic, and Environmental Electricity Simulation Tool (E4ST)
The E3 CGE model is a multi-period, economy-wide general equilibrium model of the United States with international trade.
Nuclear Energy
Examining the implications of advancing nuclear power technologies for the economy and environment
Renewable Energy
Evaluating the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of clean energy policies
RGGI
Analyzing programs in place through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- Editorial
- News
Resources Radio — Apr 9, 2024
How Surging Demand Is Shaping the US Power Sector, with Brad Harris
Brad Harris discusses the growing demand for electricity in the United States, the industries that are driving this growth in demand, and how utilities and policymakers can mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions that result from higher energy use.
In Focus — Apr 2, 2024
In Focus: Developing Carbon Dioxide Removal
This video shares insights on technologies and policy options that can help expand US and global capacity to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with RFF Research Associate Emily Joiner.
Report — Apr 2, 2024
Global Energy Outlook 2024: Peaks or Plateaus?
RFF's annual Global Energy Outlook harmonizes a range of long-term energy projections to find key trends in global energy consumption, emissions, and geopolitics.
Media Highlight — Mar 27, 2024
Cipher: “Changes in US Tax Rules Provide Big Boost for Renewables”
RFF Board of Directors Member and Senior Advisor Jay Bartlett offers comments on tax breaks for clean energy companies.
Report — Apr 2, 2024
Global Energy Outlook 2024: Peaks or Plateaus?
RFF's annual Global Energy Outlook harmonizes a range of long-term energy projections to find key trends in global energy consumption, emissions, and geopolitics.
Report — Feb 21, 2024
Policy Incentives to Scale Carbon Dioxide Removal: Analysis and Recommendations
This report surveys the challenges to scaling carbon dioxide removal efforts in the United States and details short-term solutions and long-run policy frameworks.
Working Paper — Jan 23, 2024
The Energy Transition and Local Government Finance: New Data and Insights from 10 US States
This working paper analyzes how fossil fuels and renewable energy contribute to local governments revenue in 79 US counties across 10 states.
Working Paper — Dec 18, 2023
Widening the Scope: The Direct and Spillover Effects of Nudging Water Efficiency in the Presence of Other Behavioral Interventions
This working paper describes the results of a social information campaign designed to nudge water conservation.
RFF Live — Jan 24, 2024
Big Decisions 2024
RFF's annual event exploring big decisions in climate, energy, and the environment in the year ahead.
RFF Live — Jun 27, 2023
Policy Road Map to Accelerate Responsible BECCS Deployment
An event hosted by EFI Foundation and Resources for the Future reviewing the future of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage
Policy Leadership Series — Jun 20, 2023
Financing the Energy Transition: A Policy Leadership Series Event with Jigar Shah
A conversation with the Loan Programs Office Director at the US Department of Energy Jigar Shah on funding the clean energy transition, technological innovation, infrastructure, and more
Workshop — Jun 12, 2023
Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Workshop: Research for Effective, Efficient, and Equitable Policy Implementation
An RFF workshop exploring zero-mission vehicle (ZEV) mandates and how they will change the transportation landscape in the United States.
Resources Radio — Apr 9, 2024
How Surging Demand Is Shaping the US Power Sector, with Brad Harris
Brad Harris discusses the growing demand for electricity in the United States, the industries that are driving this growth in demand, and how utilities and policymakers can mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions that result from higher energy use.
In Focus — Apr 2, 2024
In Focus: Developing Carbon Dioxide Removal
This video shares insights on technologies and policy options that can help expand US and global capacity to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with RFF Research Associate Emily Joiner.
Common Resources — Mar 12, 2024
Speeding Up Solar Projects: Siting Review under the National Environmental Policy Act
New solar energy projects can take a long time to be approved, built, and connected to the grid. Some recent federal efforts that aim to accelerate project development have shown mixed results.
Resources Radio — Feb 27, 2024
Decarbonizing the Industrial Sector, with Jeffrey Rissman
Jeffrey Rissman discusses the sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector, along with policies and clean energy technologies that can help the sector achieve net-zero emissions.
Media Highlight — Mar 27, 2024
Cipher: “Changes in US Tax Rules Provide Big Boost for Renewables”
RFF Board of Directors Member and Senior Advisor Jay Bartlett offers comments on tax breaks for clean energy companies.
Media Highlight — Mar 19, 2024
Heatmap: “Why Moving to 24/7 Clean Electricity Is Going to Be Really, Really Hard”
RFF Fellow Aaron Bergmen explain the pros and cons of hourly matching in this article about how the US government and utilities define clean energy.
Media Highlight — Feb 26, 2024
City & State Pennsylvania: “Reconsidering the Reckoning over RGGI”
A story about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s presence in Pennsylvania references a report conducted by RFF and the University of Pennsylvania on the policy’s costs and benefits.
Press Release — Nov 9, 2023
Adding an Emissions Cap to the Inflation Reduction Act Could Create More Cost-Effective, Certain Emissions Reductions
New RFF modeling shows that a federal cap on power-sector emissions could carry the United States to its power-sector emissions goal, and that such a cap would be less expensive for emitters and households than it would have been otherwise.
