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Alternative and Renewable Energy

Emerging Technologies
commentary
A Better Way to Think About Scooters
Robert J. Lempert @RobertLempert, Tim McDonald, Andrew J. Lohn @andrewjlohn
Aug 28, 2018
Los Angeles Times
Unleashed in Santa Monica, California, last September, Bird and its competitors are now in 30 American cities and counting. Cities are responding to the scooter takeover with new regulations and increased law enforcement. But if officials rely only on 20th-century tools to integrate these 21st-century scooters into their cities, they will miss a big opportunity.
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Public Utilities
commentary
Getting (Solar) Electricity Pricing Right
Nicholas Burger, Aimee E. Curtright @ACurtright, Benjamin Smith
Jul 24, 2017
The Energy Collective
Demand for rooftop solar panels is soaring among U.S. homeowners. Meanwhile, states are struggling to adapt a 20th-century electrical grid—and the corresponding cost structure for electricity rates—to this 21st-century reality. This is causing confusion and uncertainty.
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Alternative and Renewable Energy
commentary
Uncertainty and Complexity: Biomass Can Help on the Path to Deep Decarbonization
Aimee E. Curtright @ACurtright, Sara Turner
Feb 24, 2017
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
While biomass will almost certainly never become the dominant fuel for the electricity sector in the United States, it is still worth including as part of a menu of greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.
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Energy Distribution
commentary
Investing in Infrastructure? Don't Forget the Electric Grid
Aimee E. Curtright @ACurtright, Kathleen Loa
Dec 7, 2016
Inside Sources
Leaving the future of America's electricity grid to chance should not be an option. To maximize the potential benefits of a multibillion-dollar smart grid investment, a closer examination of technology and policy is needed.
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Global Climate Change
commentary
With Trump in the White House, States Could Step Up on Climate Change
Robert J. Lempert @RobertLempert, Debra Knopman
Nov 26, 2016
Fox News Channel
The new administration has expressed skepticism about climate change. But states may choose to pursue their own climate change initiatives.
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Environmental Pollution
commentary
China Can Fix Its Severe Pollution Problem
Keith Crane
Jan 19, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
China's economic transformation over the last three decades has produced potentially deadly air pollution its people inhale every day. But an investment of $215 billion annually could substantially reduce pollution, lessen its drag on productivity, spare the lungs of countless people, and save lives.
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Developing Countries
commentary
In South Africa, Bold Investments Turn Trash into Treasure
Julia Pollak
Dec 3, 2014
The RAND Blog
South Africa’s landfills are reportedly rapidly reaching capacity—as are those in many developing countries. Surveys show that only about 3 percent of urban South Africans sort and recycle their household waste frequently. Until recycling becomes more widespread, the nation will have to keep building landfills.
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Environmental Regulation
commentary
New Coal Plant Rules Need Sustained Support to Succeed
Robert J. Lempert @RobertLempert, Steven W. Popper
Jun 30, 2014
The Sacramento Bee
Stopping climate change will require the United States and the rest of the world to virtually eliminate emissions over the course of the 21st century. Getting anywhere close to zero emissions demands sustained political and public support, driven by an energy production sector given enough incentives to make carbon reduction succeed.
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Solar Energy
commentary
Why China's Suntech Might Not Be Alone in Heading Toward Bankruptcy
Keith Crane
Mar 29, 2013
The RAND Blog
Demand for photovoltaic solar panels still primarily depends on government subsidies, as in most parts of the world solar power remains more expensive than conventional sources of electricity, says Keith Crane.
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Environmental Legislation
commentary
Transitioning to a Carbon Tax Credit
Constantine Samaras
Feb 20, 2013
The Energy Collective
Instead of setting an arbitrary Production Tax Credit value, we could provide a tax credit based on the social value of clean electricity generation, writes Constantine Samaras.
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Military Budgets and Defense Spending
commentary
DoD Renewable Fuels Investment Premature
Keith Crane
May 24, 2012
National Journal
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.
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Environmental and Natural Resource Management
blog
Earth Day and RAND
Apr 20, 2012
As people around the world prepare for the 42nd annual Earth Day this Sunday, we look back at some of the recent research from RAND's Environment, Energy, and Economic Development program.
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Global Climate Change
commentary
On Carbon Dioxide, a Better Alternative
Keith Crane, James T. Bartis
Nov 29, 2007
Washingtonpost.com
A carbon dioxide tax with refund is fair because the people responsible for the most emissions would pay the most. The tax would also be progressive. Many Americans with lower incomes would find the refund would more than defray the higher costs of gasoline and electric power, write Keith Crane and James Bartis.
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commentary
Fueling Opportunity
John D. Graham
May 19, 2006
Washington Times
Published commentary by RAND staff: Fueling Opportunity in the Washington Times.
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