Energy and Environment

RAND work in energy and the environment builds on a long history of research on policy issues, often balancing environmental protection with economic development and other social needs. Much of this work is done within the Environment, Energy, and Economic Development program of RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment. View all Energy and Environment Documents Available Online or find general information at Reports and Bookstore.

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Western Riverside County Habitat Conservation Plan Progressing, but Needs Fine-Tuning — Nov. 3, 2008

Western Riverside County's Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan -- a sweeping effort to protect endangered and threatened species while accelerating the approval of transportation improvements -- has made significant progress, but needs modifying to reach its goals in Southern California's changing economy.

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Alternative Fossil Fuels Have Economic Potential but Uncertain Environmental Consequences — Oct. 8, 2008

Alternative sources of fossil fuels such as oil sands and coal-to-liquids have significant economic promise, but the environmental consequences must also be considered.

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Natural Resources and Their Impact on Economic Development — Sep. 28, 2007

Research conducted within RAND Environment, Energy, and Economic Development focuses on environmental quality and regulation, energy resources and systems, water resources and systems, climate, agriculture, oceans, natural hazards and disasters, and economic development.

November 3, 2008: Western Riverside County Habitat Conservation Plan Progressing, but Needs Fine-Tuning

October 8, 2008: Alternative Fossil Fuels Have Economic Potential but Uncertain Environmental Consequences

October 2, 2008: Comprehensive Study on Traffic Congestion in Urban Los Angeles Suggests Ways to Improve Traffic

September 23, 2008: Army Can Boost Mission Success by Better Managing Environmental Considerations

June 24, 2008: Major Progress in Technology Needed for 25 Percent Renewable Energy Use to Be Affordable

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Oil Shale Development in the United States: Prospects and Policy Issues

In the early 1980s, industry and government took a hard look at the economics of extracting oil from vast deposits of shale that lie beneath the western United States. Oil prices subsided, and interest waned. With oil prices spiking and global demand showing no signs of abating, reexamining the economics of oil shale makes sense. In this report, the authors describe oil shale resources; suitability, cost, and performance of new technologies; and key policy issues that need to be addressed by government decisionmakers in the near future.

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The Future of Genetically Modified Crops: Lessons from the Green Revolution

The world is now on the cusp of a new agricultural revolution, the so-called Gene Revolution, in which genetically modified (GM) crops are tailored to address chronic agricultural problems in certain regions of the world. This monograph report investigates the circumstances and processes that can induce and sustain this new agricultural revolution.