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
Explainer — Sep 22, 2023
Transmission 102: Building New Transmission Lines
This explainer reviews the actors involved in transmission expansion and the barriers involved in constructing new lines.
Explainer — Sep 22, 2023
Transmission 101: Transmission Planning
This explainer discusses the nuts and bolts of transmission planning, relevant actors, and recent policy developments.
Report — Sep 21, 2023
Expanding the Possibilities: When and Where Can Grid-Enhancing Technologies, Distributed Energy Resources, and Microgrids Support the Grid of the Future?
This report discusses three categories of solutions that can bolster resilience, reliability, and affordability of electricity transmission: grid-enhancing technologies, distributed energy resources, and microgrids.
Resources Radio — Sep 19, 2023
Climate Policy and Environmental Justice in New York, with Victoria Sanders and Molly Robertson
Victoria Sanders and Molly Robertson discuss the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in New York State, options for implementing the law, and the different benefits that these options could provide among different communities.
Issue Brief — Jan 24, 2019
Clean Energy Standards
Exploring the options available for policymakers to implement a CES at the state or federal level.
Explainer — Sep 22, 2023
Transmission 102: Building New Transmission Lines
This explainer reviews the actors involved in transmission expansion and the barriers involved in constructing new lines.
Explainer — Sep 22, 2023
Transmission 101: Transmission Planning
This explainer discusses the nuts and bolts of transmission planning, relevant actors, and recent policy developments.
Report — Sep 21, 2023
Expanding the Possibilities: When and Where Can Grid-Enhancing Technologies, Distributed Energy Resources, and Microgrids Support the Grid of the Future?
This report discusses three categories of solutions that can bolster resilience, reliability, and affordability of electricity transmission: grid-enhancing technologies, distributed energy resources, and microgrids.
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
Workshops — 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.
RFF Live — May 19, 2023
Unplugging Emissions: Exploring New EPA Rules on Climate and Health
An RFF Live event examining three recent proposed and final rules on power-sector emissions from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Resources Radio — Sep 19, 2023
Climate Policy and Environmental Justice in New York, with Victoria Sanders and Molly Robertson
Victoria Sanders and Molly Robertson discuss the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in New York State, options for implementing the law, and the different benefits that these options could provide among different communities.
Resources Radio — Sep 12, 2023
European Perspectives on the Inflation Reduction Act, with Milan Elkerbout
Milan Elkerbout discusses how the European Union has reacted to the Inflation Reduction Act, climate and industrial policies that the European Union has proposed over the past year, and trends in global trade and industrial policy.
On the Issues — Aug 25, 2023
On the Issues: Artificial Intelligence, US Treasury Delay, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: Artificial intelligence, US Treasury Delay, and more.
Common Resources — Aug 21, 2023
What Have We Learned About the Inflation Reduction Act, One Year After the Law’s Passage?
On the one-year anniversary of the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, researchers at Resources for the Future share insights on the progress and potential of the law’s climate provisions.
Media Highlight — Aug 24, 2023
Axios: "The Case Against Imminent Peak Oil Demand"
An article that debates the timing of peak oil demand cites RFF's 2023 Global Energy Outlook.
Media Highlight — Aug 8, 2023
Harvard Environmental Insights Podcast: "The Electricity Sector and Climate Policy: A Discussion with Karen Palmer"
Senior Fellow Karen Palmer, who leads RFF's Electric Power Program, shares her thoughts on electricity regulation, climate policy, and more in this podcast episode.
Media Highlight — Jul 2, 2023
New York Times: "A Climate Laggard in America's Industrial Heartland Has a Plan to Change, Fast"
An article about evolving electricity policy in Michigan quotes RFF Senior Fellow Dallas Burtraw.
Media Highlight — Jun 9, 2023
E&E News: "PA Coal Plants Keep Closing. Does the State Need Carbon Trading?"
An article about Pennsylvania's changing electricity landscape cites a report authored by scholars at RFF and the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania.
