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Public Utilities

Journal Article
Maintaining Critical Infrastructure Resilience to Natural Hazards During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Hurricane Preparations by US Energy Companies
This article describes the ways that an energy organization, the regional transmission operator PJM, is preparing for hurricanes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article has implications for policy makers working to maintain infrastructure resilience to natural hazards during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aug 11, 2020
Blog
The Postal Service, Election Security, Reducing Child Deaths: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on the role of the U.S. Postal Service, preparing for the presidential election, reducing child deaths in Nigeria, and more.
Jun 26, 2020
Report
The Postal Service and the Pandemic
How do Americans feel about the Postal Service during the COVID-19 crisis? How do they think USPS compares with private courier companies? Are they concerned about handling mail and packages? New survey data sheds light on these questions and more.
Jun 22, 2020
Commentary
Turning Off Power to Combat Wildfires Could Harm the Very People Who Need Protection
Intentionally shutting off power may be a practical way to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires. But is it worth the risks? Until more thoughtful and comprehensive decisions are made, planned power outages need to be planned better.
Oct 28, 2019
Report
Characterization of the Synthetic Opioid Threat Profile to Inform Inspection and Detection Solutions
The opioid overdose crisis has accelerated in recent years because of the arrival of potent synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and related substances. Analysis of regional trends can help inform decisions about how and where to deploy law enforcement interventions.
Sep 9, 2019
Commentary
How to Ensure Quality Drinking Water Service for All? One Option Is Fewer Utilities.
California's Human Right to Water Bill declares that “every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water.” One clear barrier to reaching this target is the sheer number of small water utilities that pose service sustainability and public health risks to their customers.
Mar 26, 2019
Journal Article
Regulating Risks Within Complex Sociotechnical Systems: Evidence From Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Standards
One of the first empirical studies of the effects of mandatory cybersecurity regulations for critical infrastructure.
Nov 27, 2018
Commentary
Staying Cool as the Globe Warms
Studies suggest that the heat of the future will exceed humans' capacity to cope. But taking advantage of smart technology, inexpensive traditional methods of cooling that require little energy use, and innovative energy-efficient technologies could provide a sustainable path forward in heat-challenged regions.
Apr 23, 2018
Commentary
Austin Bombings Highlight a Potential Vulnerability in the Mail Delivery System
USPS is better than private couriers at identifying and detecting suspicious packages. Given that they are increasingly handling
Apr 17, 2018
Commentary
How Federal Policy Could Help Water and Wastewater Utilities
A targeted approach could help the federal government address the root causes of infrastructure problems more effectively than a spending initiative that simply spreads money around with the hope that more spending might do some good.
Jan 16, 2018
News Release
Not Everything Is Broken with U.S. Transportation and Water Infrastructure; Improved Targeted Strategies Needed to Fix ...
Transportation and water infrastructure funding and finance in the United States are not nearly as dire as some believe, but a national consensus on infrastructure priorities, accompanied by targeted spending and selected policy changes, is needed.
Dec 5, 2017
Research Brief
Fixing U.S. Infrastructure's Ills Requires an Accurate Diagnosis
This brief examines how the federal government can better promote investment in and maintenance of U.S. transportation and water infrastructure.
Dec 5, 2017
Report
Not Everything Is Broken with U.S. Transportation and Water Infrastructure
Transportation and water infrastructure funding and finance in the United States are not nearly as dire as some believe. But a national consensus on infrastructure priorities, accompanied by targeted spending and selected policy changes, is needed.
Dec 5, 2017
Commentary
Getting (Solar) Electricity Pricing Right
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.
Jul 24, 2017
Commentary
Getting the Lead Out of Pittsburgh's Water
Without an aggressive long-term strategy for replacing service lines, and collaboration among the water authority, public officials, and residents, lead in Pittsburgh's water will persist.
Jul 3, 2017
Commentary
Pittsburgh's Options to Address Lead in Its Water
Pittsburgh is struggling to manage and improve its aging water system, with a focus on elevated lead levels for many customers. What steps could help steer the city toward a permanent solution and protect future generations?
Jun 27, 2017
Commentary
Investing in Infrastructure? Don't Forget the Electric Grid
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.
Dec 7, 2016
News Release
Twenty Percent of U.S. Households View Landline Telephones as an Important Communication Choice
The predicted death of the household landline telephone in the United States may be premature. While most Americans like their cell phones, twenty percent of American households still think having a landline phone is important.
Nov 17, 2016
Report
Twenty Percent of U.S. Consumers Still Consider Landlines Important
The predicted death of the landline telephone may be premature. Twenty percent of American households surveyed still think having a landline telephone is most important. Among the majority, mobile telephone service was considered the most important, followed by fixed internet service.
Nov 17, 2016
Report
Policy Options for Better Service Outcomes from the Future Electric Grid: A Stakeholder Symposium
This symposium's goal was to identify important policy questions related to the present and future electric power grid system. This convening aimed to identify problem areas that could benefit from stakeholder-driven objective research.
Apr 18, 2016

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RAND Topic:
Public Utilities

Topic Synonyms:
Utilities

Research conducted by

RAND Social and Economic Well-Being