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
Advanced Energy Technologies Series — Oct 29, 2020
The Future of Energy Storage
An in-depth discussion with energy storage expert Marc Chupka on storage technology, challenges that remain in development and deployment, and policy drivers that will impact the future of energy storage in the United States
Explainer — Sep 30, 2020
Carbon Pricing 301: Advanced Topics in Carbon Pricing in the Electricity Sector
How can carbon pricing lower emissions in the power sector? This explainer gives an in-depth outline of the central factors.
RFF Live — Oct 1, 2020
Examining Climate Risks in US Financial Markets
A discussion on the potential risks climate change poses on our economy and overall trends in climate risk and global financial markets
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 — Oct 29, 2020
The Future of Energy Storage
An in-depth discussion with energy storage expert Marc Chupka on storage technology, challenges that remain in development and deployment, and policy drivers that will impact the future of energy storage in the United States
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
RFF Live — Oct 1, 2020
Examining Climate Risks in US Financial Markets
A discussion on the potential risks climate change poses on our economy and overall trends in climate risk and global financial markets
Press Release — Sep 15, 2020
How Environmental and Infrastructure Spending Can Support Fossil Fuel Communities in Transition
The latest report in RFF and EDF’s Fairness for Workers and Communities series examines the potential for environmental remediation and infrastructure spending to help communities transition to sustainable economies.
Press Release — Aug 27, 2020
New Research Finds No Evidence that EU Carbon Taxes Hurt Employment or GDP Growth
By analyzing carbon taxes in European countries, a new RFF working paper finds that carbon taxes do not harm key economic factors—and could efficiently reduce emissions in the United States.
Press Release — Aug 24, 2020
Climate Insights 2020: Climate Opinions Unchanged by Pandemic, but Increasingly Entrenched
A new survey provides a snapshot of American opinion on climate change as the nation’s public health, economy, and social identity are put to the test.
Resources Articles — Jun 15, 2020
The Rise and Fall of Clean Air Act Climate Policy
RFF University Fellow Nathan Richardson shares his take on whether the Clean Air Act can serve as a viable vehicle for broad climate policy. Spoiler: Nope, probably not.
Resources Radio — Jun 2, 2020
Adding Subtraction to the Climate Toolkit: Discussing Carbon Dioxide Removal with Wil Burns
Wil Burns explores various technologies to remove carbon from the atmosphere, from planting trees to expanding carbon sequestration by phytoplankton in the ocean.
Resources Radio — May 26, 2020
Decarbonizing Global Industry, with Jeffrey Rissman
Jeffrey Rissman explores ways to decarbonize industry, contending that investment in research, technology, and policy is vital to meet climate goals.