Industry and Fuels
RFF researchers are exploring technological and policy solutions that can help decarbonize the industrial sector, from performance standards and public procurement policy to incentives and funding for innovation—alongside the technical, equity, financing, and economic issues associated with a transition away from fossil fuels.
Global Energy Outlook
Explore the definitive comparative analysis of global energy projections.
Open the Data Tool
The Community Impacts of Oil and Gas Development
Read RFF's research on the local impacts of oil and gas.
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Shale Research Clearinghouse
Explore research on the economic, health, and environmental impacts of oil and gas development.
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Carbon Capture and Storage
Modeling how carbon capture and storage technologies will affect emissions and the economy
Coal
Analyzing the role of coal in the global and domestic energy sectors
Natural Gas
Analyzing the development and use of natural gas in the United States and abroad
Nuclear Energy
Examining the implications of advancing nuclear power technologies for the economy and environment
Oil
Offering insight into the effects of development and regulation on oil markets
Renewable Energy
Evaluating the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of clean energy policies
Featured Content
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- Resources Magazine
Press Release — Jul 21, 2021
New Study Reveals Key Factors for Estimating Costs to Plug Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
An article published last week in the journal Environmental Science & Technology finds that plugging and reclaiming abandoned oil and gas wells has a median cost of $76,000, although costs can vary widely based on location, age, and other factors.
Journal Article — Jul 14, 2021
Decommissioning Orphaned and Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells: New Estimates and Cost Drivers
This article provides new estimates of the costs of decommissioning oil and gas wells and the key drivers of those costs.
Issue Brief — Jul 14, 2021
Plugging Abandoned Wells: Effects of the Draft Energy Infrastructure Act
This issue brief, part of a three-part series on the Energy Infrastructure Act, details the methane emissions reductions associated with funding to plug abandoned oil wells allocated in the Energy Infrastructure Act.
Journal Article — Jul 14, 2021
Decommissioning Orphaned and Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells: New Estimates and Cost Drivers
This article provides new estimates of the costs of decommissioning oil and gas wells and the key drivers of those costs.
Issue Brief — Jul 14, 2021
Plugging Abandoned Wells: Effects of the Draft Energy Infrastructure Act
This issue brief, part of a three-part series on the Energy Infrastructure Act, details the methane emissions reductions associated with funding to plug abandoned oil wells allocated in the Energy Infrastructure Act.
Report — Jun 8, 2021
Global Energy Outlook 2021: Pathways from Paris
Resources for the Future’s annual Global Energy Outlook report finds that current trends fall far short of meeting emissions reduction targets, despite the economic slowdown of the COVID-19 pandemic.
RFF Live — Jun 8, 2021
The Global Energy Outlook: Pathways from Paris
An in-depth panel discussion on some of the potential long-term outlooks for energy markets and the global energy system
Policy Leadership Series — May 11, 2021
Policy Leadership Series with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby
A conversation with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby on the airline's decarbonization strategy and the future of the industry
RFF Live — Apr 28, 2021
An Equitable Energy Transition for Workers and Communities
A conversation that will explore a recently published report and what future policy is needed to support fossil fuel workers and communities in the shift to a low-carbon economy
Press Release — Jul 21, 2021
New Study Reveals Key Factors for Estimating Costs to Plug Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
An article published last week in the journal Environmental Science & Technology finds that plugging and reclaiming abandoned oil and gas wells has a median cost of $76,000, although costs can vary widely based on location, age, and other factors.
Media Highlight — Jul 1, 2021
How Many Abandoned Oil Wells Threaten Your Favorite National Park?
The LA Times' Boiling Point Newsletter references research by RFF and Columbia University on abandoned oil and gas wells.
Media Highlight — Jun 29, 2021
How Last Century's Oil Wells Are Messing with Texas Right Now
A story in Bloomberg Green cites RFF expertise on the backlog of abandoned oil and gas wells in Texas.
Resources Magazine — May 20, 2021
Federal Climate Policy Toolkit: Oil and Gas
Burning fossil fuels increases the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and causes climate change. Federal policies that reduce the production and consumption of oil and gas—and that eliminate methane leaks—will help slow climate change.
Resources Radio — May 4, 2021
Exploring the Energy Transition on Tribal Lands, with Pilar Thomas
Although tribes currently develop oil and gas, Pilar Thomas contends that boosting renewables could be key to reducing energy poverty on tribal lands.
Common Resources — Apr 29, 2021
Protecting Public Lands: RFF’s Policy Leadership Series with Sally Jewell
Sally Jewell reflects on her tenure as US Secretary of the Interior and offers guidance on key public lands issues that now confront President Biden.