Air Quality
Many human activities result in air pollution, which negatively impacts human health, the environment, and economic efficiency. RFF experts have been analyzing policies to monitor and improve air quality since such regulations first came to pass.
Carbon Standards Examined
Read about the Affordable Clean Energy Rule's effect on emissions.
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Gina McCarthy: The Promise of the Clean Power Plan
Read about RFF's Policy Leadership Forum with Gina McCarthy.
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On the Issues: Australia’s Wildfires, Financial Risks of Climate Change, and More
Connecting this week's environmental and energy news to RFF's economic research.
Press Release — Jan 6, 2020
The Clean Air Act: Successes and Challenges Since 1970
A new retrospective analysis highlights the Clean Air Act’s successes and challenges.
Working Paper — Jan 6, 2020
Looking Back at Fifty Years of the Clean Air Act
After major expansion in 1970, the Clean Air Act led to substantial emissions reductions and health improvements—as well as some unintended consequences.
Working Paper — Jan 6, 2020
Looking Back at Fifty Years of the Clean Air Act
After major expansion in 1970, the Clean Air Act led to substantial emissions reductions and health improvements—as well as some unintended consequences.
Report — Dec 4, 2019
Report on the Proposed Changes to the Federal Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS)
Environmental economists from RFF, Harvard, Yale, and other leading research institutions say an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal that could eventually allow more mercury pollution from power plants relies on a flawed cost-benefit analysis.
Working Paper — Nov 20, 2019
California’s Evolving Zero Emission Vehicle Program: Pulling New Technology into the Market
California’s Zero Emission Vehicle program was created to bring electric vehicles to the market. The program has succeeded in some ways and struggled in others, and new major changes to the requirements will require more cost-effective, consistent approaches than have been used in the past.
Workshop/Seminar — Sep 16, 2019
How Well Are Our Environmental Laws Working? Retrospective Analysis of Federal Environmental Regulation
Presenting retrospective analyses on the Clean Air Act and other past environmental regulations
RFF Live — Jun 27, 2019
CPP vs. ACE: Evaluating the Economic and Legal Impacts
Examining the economic and legal implications of the ACE rule.
Conferences & Panels — Jun 10, 2019
Lessons from the Clean Air Act
A symposium on the lessons learned from the Clean Air Act
Press Release — Jan 6, 2020
The Clean Air Act: Successes and Challenges Since 1970
A new retrospective analysis highlights the Clean Air Act’s successes and challenges.
Media Highlight — Dec 23, 2019
US Senators Ask for Government Investigation of Coal Tax Credit Program
"Three U.S. Democratic senators have asked the investigative arm of Congress to evaluate a $1 billion-a-year subsidy for burning chemically treated refined coal, after research has shown that some power plants using the fuel produced surging amounts of mercury and smog instead of cutting pollution."
Press Release — Dec 4, 2019
“Report on the Proposed Changes to the Federal Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS)”
A new report finds a flaw in EPA's proposed changes to the Federal Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
On the Issues: Australia’s Wildfires, Financial Risks of Climate Change, and More
Connecting this week's environmental and energy news to RFF's economic research.
Waive Goodbye? The History and Future of the California Waiver, with Emily Wimberger
Emily Wimberger provides an overview of the California waiver―its history, why the Trump administration is moving to revoke it, and the broader impact it has on US environmental policy.
Balancing the Ledgers: Pollution and GDP, with Nicholas Z. Muller
Daniel Raimi talks with Nicholas Z. Muller about using green accounting to understand the economic effects of air pollution.