Future of Power
Substantial reduction of US greenhouse gas emissions will require widespread decarbonization of the power sector and the economy. Experts at RFF are undertaking research and policy engagement activities that holistically evaluate market designs and local, state, and federal policies to facilitate a smooth transition to a decarbonized power sector.
RFF's Future of Power Initiative
Experts at RFF are working to holistically evaluate market designs and state and federal policies to facilitate a smooth transition to a decarbonized power sector.
Read About the Initiative
Reducing Risk in Wind and Solar
Read about how financial hedges can reduce investment risk.
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Clean Energy Standards
Read our issue brief on options available to federal and state policymakers.
Read moreTopics
Carbon Capture and Storage
Modeling how carbon capture and storage technologies will affect emissions and the economy
Clean Power Plan
Analyzing policy solutions for states to achieve compliance
Coal
Analyzing the role of coal in the global and domestic energy sectors
Electricity Markets and Regulation
Exploring how these markets respond to uncertainties
Electrification
Exploring emissions reductions through electrification of the US economy
Energy Efficiency
Examining policies to help close the existing energy efficiency gap
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
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- News
- Resources Magazine
Testimony and Public Comments — Nov 16, 2020
Comments to FERC on Carbon Pricing in Organized Regional Wholesale Electricity Markets
Comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the proposed policy statement to encourage efforts to incorporate state-determined carbon prices into organized wholesale electricity markets.
Report — Nov 12, 2020
The Role of Public Benefits in Supporting Workers and Communities Affected by Energy Transition
This report in RFF and EDF’s Fairness for Workers and Communities in Transition series examines how public benefits programs that protect health and economic security can play a role in supporting a fair transition away from fossil fuels.
Media Highlight — Nov 10, 2020
Biden EPA Likely to Confront Tough Clean Air Act Choices for US Power Sector
A story in S&P Global about the future of EPA under the Biden Administration pulls on the expertise of university fellow and environmental law expert, Nathan Richardson.
Working Paper — Jul 5, 2018
Retirements and Funerals: The Emission, Mortality, and Coal-Mine Employment Effects of a Two-Year Delay in Coal and Nuclear Power Plant Retirements
A leaked US government memo proposes preventing the scheduled retirement of coal and nuclear power plants for two years. Using a detailed simulation model, we estimate the effects of such a policy on emissions, mortality, and coal-mine jobs.
Working Paper — Nov 29, 2018
The Welfare Costs of Misaligned Incentives: Energy Inefficiency and the Principal-Agent Problem
I measure the welfare costs of the principal-agent problem in the context of an energy efficiency appliance upgrade program. I find that the principal-agent problem turns an otherwise welfare-increasing program into a welfare-reducing program.
Issue Brief — Jan 24, 2019
Clean Energy Standards
Exploring the options available for policymakers to implement a CES at the state or federal level.
Advanced Energy Technologies Series — Nov 13, 2020
The Future of Direct Air Capture
A discussion on the deployment potential of direct air capture technologies for climate change mitigation
Advanced Energy Technologies Series — Oct 29, 2020
The Future of Energy Storage
A discussion on the future of short-duration and long-duration storage technologies
Policy Leadership Series — Oct 2, 2020
Policy Leadership Series with Global Energy Expert Daniel Yergin
A conversation with leading energy expert and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Daniel Yergin on energy, climate, and economic issues
Media Highlight — Nov 10, 2020
Biden EPA Likely to Confront Tough Clean Air Act Choices for US Power Sector
A story in S&P Global about the future of EPA under the Biden Administration pulls on the expertise of university fellow and environmental law expert, Nathan Richardson.
Press Release — Oct 29, 2020
Bound for the EU, American-Made Biomass Checks the Right Boxes
A first-of-its-kind study published in the journal Scientific Reports on Thursday finds that wood produced in the southeastern United States for the EU’s renewable energy needs has a net positive effect on US forests—but that future industry expansion could warrant more research.
Media Highlight — Oct 28, 2020
Is 'King Solar' Now the Cheapest Electricity Source Ever?
A story in Reason cites an RFF explainer on electricity market while discussing falling prices in renewable energy.
Resources Articles — Oct 22, 2020
Legislative Strategy for Durable Climate Policy
Three RFF scholars sit down together to discuss what kinds of legislative strategies, when deployed, promote durable environmental policy.
Resources Articles — Oct 22, 2020
Puns That Only Resources for the Future Could Love
Review the Top 10 list of puns that made it through editorial review at Resources for the Future and into various newsletters and social media posts over the past few months … and groan along with us.
Common Resources — Jul 6, 2020
A Close Look at the New Report from the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
RFF researchers dig into the new congressional action plan for solving the climate crisis and share their impressions of the report.