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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U.S. Freight System Modernization Necessary to Reduce Bottlenecks, Improve Security — Jun. 9, 2009

The long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. freight transportation system is threatened by bottlenecks, inefficient use of some parts of the infrastructure components, vulnerability to disruptions, and crucial environmental and energy concerns.

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Economic Costs of Major Oil Supply Disruption Pose Risk to U.S. National Security — May 11, 2009

While on a net basis the United States imports nearly 60 percent of the oil it consumes, this reliance on imported oil is not by itself a major national security threat. The study finds that the economic costs of a major disruption in global oil supplies—including higher prices for American consumers—pose the greatest risk to the United States.

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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.

June 9, 2009: U.S. Freight System Modernization Necessary to Reduce Bottlenecks, Improve Security

June 1, 2009: RAND Announces New Pricing Strategy and Partnerships for E-Books

May 11, 2009: Economic Costs of Major Oil Supply Disruption Pose Risk to U.S. National Security

March 2, 2009: Research Priorities for Fossil Fuels, By James T. Bartis

February 13, 2009: How China Can Strengthen Its Economy by Investing in High-Technology Applications

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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.