Publications

This report provides data and analysis to help inform the upcoming policy discussion about whether to ease US fuel economy standards from 2022–2025.

Countries are pursuing a variety of climate change policies; we examine how much they cost relative to cheaper alternatives.

Our first report in a series examining US oil and gas sector regulations evaluates the costs and benefits of repealing or modifying BLM’s 2016 methane waste prevention rule under several scenarios.

We estimate the degree to which the US ethanol tax credit benefited different segments of the transportation fuels system, including ethanol producers, corn farmers, gasoline blenders, and consumers.

New insight on how consumers adjust purchase decisions when gas prices change can help predict how policy shifts will impact overall US vehicle fuel efficiency and GHG emissions.

Saltwater intrusion induced by climate change presents an explicit threat to the Earth’s coastal regions. How can communities best adapt to the risks for agriculture and ecosystems?

Introducing regulatory compliance flexibility could reduce consumer prices for appliances and compliance costs for manufacturers, as well as increase choices in the market while achieving important efficiency gains.

RFF experts are exploring possibilities for state and regional carbon pricing policies, developing adaptation strategies for coastal ecosystems, and examining household demand for flood insurance.

Considering both global and domestic estimates of the social cost of methane paints a more comprehensive picture about the costs and benefits of BLM’s methane waste prevention rule.

Understanding how homeowners think about flood insurance can help lawmakers consider reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program aimed at protecting the most vulnerable populations.

How will climate change impact outdoor recreation? RFF’s Casey Wichman discusses work examining data from 27 million recreational bike-share trips across 16 North American cities.

Previous research points to a link between lower US natural gas prices and employment in the manufacturing sector. But this relationship may not be as strong as once thought, which could have policy implications for US exports of natural gas.

Declining labor productivity has caused more Appalachian coal mine closures and employment losses than has low natural gas prices or electricity demand.

Emissions caps can automatically adjust to preserve the integrity of other policies that lead to emissions reductions.

Environmental regulations are unlikely to significantly reduce jobs in the US economy, contrary to what some critics suggest. Instead, jobs will shift away from polluting industries toward cleaner ones. Policy design can smooth that transition.

Ambitious US climate policy will require border adjustments to protect energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries from unfair competition—but formulating policies compatible with obligations under the World Trade Organization has proved challenging.

This article highlights past examples of the use of science to document the effectiveness of policy in air quality management in order to inform public discourse.

New technologies are fundamentally changing vehicles and travel, with benefits for the US economy but complex implications for energy security and the environment.

Bringing CAFE style flexibility to appliance standards can improve program efficiency if implemented carefully. A pilot program with limited trading scope can provide insights for future implementation.