Climate Change
Selected Research, Commentary and Congressional Testimony
Green Buildings, Jobs and Summits — Sep. 25, 2009
If the United States is to be a global competitor in green building technology, it needs to learn from some of the countries that are at the table in Pittsburgh this week, writes Charles Ries.
Commentary
Energy and Environment Research Area
Transportation Challenges for the New Administration: Perspectives of Past Transportation Secretaries — May 1, 2009
Shortly after the inauguration of President Barack Obama, RAND hosted a panel discussion with three former U.S. secretaries of transportation. These conference proceedings summarize their comments on which issues should be among the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) top priorities, DOT funding and appropriation, earmarking and transparency in the transportation funding process, and the federal role in transportation policy.
Full Document
Transportation and Infrastructure Research Area
Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria — Apr. 14, 2009
Devising policies to mitigate greenhouse gases responsible for climate change is one of the great challenges facing the U.S. Options that are effective and politically feasible must not just be cost-effective but also consider the realities of passing major federal legislation with widespread impacts on U.S. producers and consumers.
Full Document
Energy and Environment Research Area
Financing Transportation Infrastructure in California — Mar. 26, 2009
In testimony presented before the California Little Hoover Commission, James Dobbins suggests financing alternatives to replace declining fuel taxes and non-user fees in order to promote efficient transportation infrastructure development.
Full Document
Transportation and Infrastructure Research Area
Research Priorities for Fossil Fuels: Technology for Greenhouse Gas Reduction — Mar. 5, 2009
In testimony presented before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, James T. Bartis addresses critical R&D needs and opportunities associated with fossil energy.
Full Document
On Carbon Dioxide, a Better Alternative — Nov. 29, 2007
Instead of the complicated "cap-and-trade" system to reduce carbon emissions proposed in current congressional legislation, a tax on carbon dioxide refunded directly to individuals would cut emissions while cushioning the impact on the pocketbooks of American families, write Keith Crane and James Bartis.
Commentary
Energy and Environment Research Area
A New Analytic Method for Finding Policy-Relevant Scenarios — Jul. 9, 2007
Scenarios play a prominent role in policy debates over climate change, but questions continue about how best to use them. A new analytic method, based on robust decisionmaking, can be applied to water resource management in California and climate change policy questions.
Full Document
Energy and Environment Research Area
Policy Issues for Coal-to-Liquid Development — May 24, 2007
In testimony presented before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, James T. Bartis discusses the key problems and policy issues associated with developing a domestic coal-to-liquids industry.
Full Document
Addendum