RAND Research Topic: Energy Security 2012-05-24T20:32:43Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/energy-security.html Exploring the Nexus of Energy Sources, Technology, and Policy http://www.rand.org/ise/environ/areas/energy.html Feb 27, 2012 Feb 27, 2012 Energy plays a vital role in the success of the global economy, but obtaining and using energy can also impact the environment. RAND researchers in the Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program help policymakers worldwide make informed decisions on meeting their nations' energy needs while mitigating long-term life cycle environmental risks. DoD Renewable Fuels Investment Premature http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/23/NJ.html May 23, 2012 May 23, 2012 Technological development challenges suggest that it is highly unlikely that advanced approaches for producing hydrotreated renewable oils suitable for military applications will constitute an important fraction of the commercial fuel market until well beyond the next decade, writes Keith Crane. The Nature of the Chinese-Iranian Partnership and the Challenges It Poses for the U.S. http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP351.html May 2, 2012 May 2, 2012 The partnership between China and Iran presents challenges to U.S. interests, including dissuading Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability. An analysis of the factors driving Chinese-Iranian cooperation offers policy options for influencing this partnership to meet U.S. objectives. Characterizing the U.S. Industrial Base for Coal-Powered Electricity http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1147.html Oct 27, 2011 Oct 27, 2011 Coal-fired electricity generating units (EGUs) provide about 46 percent of the electricity generated in the U.S., yet most of the existing coal-fired electricity fleet is 25&ndash;45 years old. Can the industry maintain the capability to design, construct, and operate coal-fired EGUs within reasonable cost, schedule, performance, environmental, and quality expectations? Testimony on S. 937 The American Alternative Fuels Act of 2011: Addendum http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/CT364z1.html Jun 30, 2011 Jun 30, 2011 Document submitted on June 29, 2011 as an addendum to testimony presented before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on June 7, 2011. Testimony on S. 937 The American Alternative Fuels Act of 2011 http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/CT364.html Jun 7, 2011 Jun 7, 2011 Testimony presented before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on June 7, 2011. Opportunities for Alternative Fuels Production http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/CT360.html May 5, 2011 May 5, 2011 Testimony presented before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Power on May 5, 2011. No Direct Military Benefit from Use of Alternative Fuels by Armed Forces http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG969.html Jan 24, 2011 Jan 24, 2011 If the U.S. military increases its use of alternative fuels, there will be no direct benefit to the nation's armed forces. It makes more sense for the military to direct its efforts toward using energy more efficiently. No Direct Military Benefit from Use of Alternative Fuels by Armed Forces http://www.rand.org/news/press/2011/01/25.html Jan 24, 2011 Jan 24, 2011 If the U.S. military increases its use of alternative fuels, there will be no direct benefit to the nation's armed forces. Natural Gas and Israel's Energy Future http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG927.html Dec 19, 2009 Dec 19, 2009 <p>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.</p> Strengthening U.S. International Energy Assistance to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improve Energy Security http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP251.html Sep 10, 2009 Sep 10, 2009 <p>International energy-assistance programs are a potentially important tool for addressing the challenges of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and increasing U.S. energy security. This study reviews U.S. programs and compares them with German programs, which take a different, more centralized approach. Insights from recent studies of U.S. energy and climate policy are presented, along with recommendations for further investigation.</p> Economic Costs of Major Oil Supply Disruption Pose Risk to U.S. National Security http://www.rand.org/news/press/2009/05/11.html May 11, 2009 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&mdash;including higher prices for American consumers&mdash;pose the greatest risk to the United States. Economic Costs of Major Oil Supply Disruption Pose Risk to U.S. National Security http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG838.html May 10, 2009 May 10, 2009 <p>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&mdash;including higher prices for American consumers&mdash;pose the greatest risk to the United States.</p> Does Imported Oil Threaten U.S. National Security? http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9448.html May 5, 2009 May 5, 2009 <p>U.S. reliance on oil risks the economic costs of disruption in global oil supplies. The United States would reduce the national security costs of importing oil by supporting well-functioning oil markets and imposing an oil excise tax.</p> Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Production Could Offer Major National Benefits http://www.rand.org/news/press/2008/12/10.html Dec 10, 2008 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. Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Production Could Offer Major National Benefits http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG754.html Dec 10, 2008 Dec 10, 2008 <p>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, as well as by expanding its investment in carbon sequestration technology to help limit, and possibly reduce, greenhouse gas emissions levels.</p> Assessing a Coal-to-Liquids Fuel Industry in the United States http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9342.html Nov 30, 2008 Nov 30, 2008 <p>Government actions to gain early experience in producing liquid fuels from coal offer major energy security benefits but also raise important economic governance, and environmental issues.</p> Major Progress in Technology Needed for 25 Percent Renewable Energy Use to Be Affordable http://www.rand.org/news/press/2008/06/24.html Jun 24, 2008 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. Steer a Smarter Course Than Specific Mileage Goals http://www.rand.org/commentary/2007/03/16/DFP.html Mar 16, 2007 Mar 16, 2007 Published commentary by RAND staff: Steer a Smarter Course Than Specific Mileage Goals, in the Detroit Free Press.