Energy and Environment

RAND energy and environmental analyses help contextualize the effects of existing and proposed energy policies on the environment. Building on a long history of policy research, RAND helps balance the need for environmental protections and economic development.

Research conducted by: Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program; RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment; Improving Decisions in a Complex and Changing World; RAND Law, Business, and Regulation; RAND Europe

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Attention to Societal Priorities Can Help Guide Nuclear Waste Management Policy

To break the impasse over how to deal with spent nuclear fuel from commercial nuclear power plants policymakers should focus on how various waste management strategies address societal priorities related to nuclear energy.

News Releases (41)

High Rates of Household Breakups Occurred Following Hurricane Katrina — May 23, 2011

The composition of households in New Orleans made the city's families more vulnerable to breakup during the chaos that followed Hurricane Katrina.

Replacing Gas Tax with Crude Oil Tax Could Fund Nation's Transportation Needs — Feb 23, 2011

The federal government could fully fund its surface transportation infrastructure needs by levying a percentage tax on crude oil and imported refined petroleum products.

No Direct Military Benefit from Use of Alternative Fuels by Armed Forces — Jan 25, 2011

If the U.S. military increases its use of alternative fuels, there will be no direct benefit to the nation's armed forces.

Attention to Societal Priorities Can Help Guide Nuclear Waste Management Policy — Nov 15, 2010

To break the impasse over how to deal with spent nuclear fuel from commercial nuclear power plants, policymakers should focus on how various waste management strategies address societal priorities related to nuclear energy.

Dirty Air in California Caused $193 Million in Hospital-Based Medical Costs During 2005 to 2007 — Mar 2, 2010

California's dirty air caused more than $193 million in hospital-based medical care from 2005 to 2007 as people sought help for problems such as asthma and pneumonia that are triggered by elevated pollution levels.

Study Funded by Nazarian Family Foundation Analyzes Risks, Benefits to Israel of Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas — Dec 20, 2009

Israel can make natural gas usage a bigger part of its energy portfolio without jeopardizing its security, but even more importantly, the nation needs to make conservation measures a priority in its future energy plans.

More Support Needed to Integrate Nongovernmental Agencies in Human Recovery from Disasters — Sep 23, 2009

The valuable roles that nongovernmental organizations can play in helping communities recover from disasters such as Hurricane Katrina are not well-defined in federal, state or local policies. Changing emergency planning rules to make nongovernmental organizations a key component of recovery efforts could get them involved earlier and speed the full recovery of communities after disaster strikes.

Building Energy Efficiency Programs in Europe and Australia Offer Important Lessons for the United States — Sep 21, 2009

The United States can become more energy efficient and create more "green" jobs by adopting some of the strategies used by the European Union and Australia to rate and disclose the performance of commercial and government-owned buildings.

RAND Gulf States to Conduct Further Study of New Orleans Residents Displaced by Hurricane Katrina — Jul 16, 2009

Researchers from the RAND Corporation have launched an in-depth study of people who lived in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to gain a better understanding of how they were affected by the hurricane and its aftermath.

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.

RAND Announces New Pricing Strategy and Partnerships for E-Books — Jun 1, 2009

The RAND Corporation announced today that it has revised the suggested retail pricing on all RAND e-books to $9.95 each. RAND e-books are available through a wide variety of wholesale and retail partners.

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 economic costs of a major disruption in global oil supplies—including higher prices for American consumers—pose the greatest risk to the United States.

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

A new study from the RAND Corporation examines how China's Tianjin Binhai New Area (TBNA) and Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) can best spur regional development and economic growth by focusing on emerging high-technology applications.

Time is Ideal for United States, Europe to Establish New Security Partnership — Feb 5, 2009

A new, dynamic transatlantic security partnership is crucial if the United States and Europe are to address the growing list of global security challenges that neither can manage separately.

Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Production Could Offer Major National Benefits — Dec 10, 2008

The federal government can spark the creation of a commercially competitive coal-to-liquids industry by fostering early development of plants that would produce transportation fuels from coal.

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.

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.

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

A comprehensive look at Los Angeles traffic debunks common myths about the metropolitan region's traffic patterns and details the reasons why congestion is so bad -- and why it will get worse in the coming years without significant policy changes.

Army Can Boost Mission Success by Better Managing Environmental Considerations — Sep 23, 2008

By better managing environmental issues during deployments, U.S. Army units can gain tactical and strategic advantages that will help in combat and post-conflict operations, and boost overall mission success.

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

Dramatic progress in renewable energy technology is needed if the United States desires to produce 25 percent of its electricity and motor vehicle fuel from renewable sources by 2025 without significantly increasing consumer costs.

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