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.
RAND analyzes the effects of existing and proposed energy policies on the environment to help lawmakers put policy proposals in context.
From researching better methods of promoting energy-efficient buildings to identifying ways that the military can reduce energy consumption, RAND constantly seeks to balance the need for economic development and environmental protections.
Some recent RAND reports exploring issues related to energy and environment include:
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Energy Services Analysis: An Alternative Approach for Identifying Opportunities to Reduce Emissions of Greenhouse Gases 2012
This report uses energy services analysis (ESA) to examine possibilities for changing how a service is delivered. ESA is used to analyze how changes in two services -- news delivery and personal mobility -- might reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions.
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Making the Connection: Beneficial Collaboration Between Army Installations and Energy Utility Companies 2011
Explores how the Army can improve collaboration with utility companies to reduce energy consumption on its installations and help meet other Army energy goals.
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Alternative Fuels for Military Applications 2011
Examines alternative fuels that are candidates for military applications, focusing on economic viability, greenhouse gas emissions, military utility, and current alternative fuel development and testing efforts within the Department of Defense.
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Improving the Energy Performance of Buildings: Learning from the European Union and Australia 2009
A review of recent European and Australian experience in the design and implementation of policies to improve energy efficiency of buildings and insights to aid U.S. designers of analogous policies.
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The Economic Costs of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under a U.S. National Renewable Electricity Mandate 2011
The authors perform a technical and economic assessment and estimate the economic costs and net GHG reductions from U.S renewable electricity mandates. GHG emissions reductions from such policies could be as much as 670 million metric tons per year. Depending on technological development, economic costs are $13-$45 billion per year. Lower costs depend on favorable technological progress.
