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RAND energy and environmental analyses examine the implications 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.

Commentary

Investing in Infrastructure? Don't Forget the Electric Grid

Dec 7, 2016

To maximize the potential benefits of a multibillion-dollar smart grid investment, a closer examination of technology and policy is needed. First, weigh the preferences and constraints of the various stakeholders and how technology can or cannot meet their objectives.
Commentary

With Trump in the White House, States Could Step Up on Climate Change

Nov 26, 2016

President-elect Trump has expressed skepticism about climate change. But states may choose to pursue their own climate change initiatives.

Topics in Focus:

Explore Energy and Environment

Report

How Are European Countries Vulnerable to Russia?

Russia's aggression against Ukraine has highlighted potential threats to NATO and the EU. But European countries differ in how susceptible they are to possible Russian actions.

Jan 18, 2017
News Release

News Release

China Invests Warily in Middle East

China endeavors to protect its expanding interests in the Middle East by not taking sides in conflicts and controversies. The United States should encourage China to become more involved in efforts to improve regional stability while reassuring partners of its own commitment to the region.

Dec 5, 2016
Report

China Invests Warily in the Middle East

China endeavors to protect its expanding interests in the Middle East by not taking sides in conflicts and controversies. The United States should encourage China to get more involved in efforts to improve regional stability while reassuring partners of its own commitment to the region.

Dec 5, 2016
Periodical

Periodical

RAND Review: November-December 2016

This issue highlights the policy issues facing the next U.S. president; the problem of food, energy, and water scarcity throughout the world; and the connection between violence against women and murder.

Oct 17, 2016
Essay

The Hot Spots of the World

Scarcity of food, energy, and water endangers the lives of millions. So RAND created a tool with the potential to help make aid initiatives more effective.

Oct 13, 2016
Report

Report

Scenario Development for the 2015 Quadrennial Energy Review: Assessing Stresses, Opportunities, and Resilience in the Transmission, Storage, and Distribution Systems for Oil and Refined-Oil Products, Electricity, and Natural Gas

RAND researchers developed a framework and metrics for examining vulnerabilities, opportunities, and risks to U.S. energy transmission, storage, and distribution systems through 2030 under a range of uncertainties.

Sep 27, 2016
Report

Technological Lessons from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

How was technology used to address the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan? Lessons from this event can help inform preparation for and response to future emergencies.

Jun 1, 2016
Tool

Tool

Developing the Pardee RAND Food-Energy-Water Security Index: Toward a Global Standardized, Quantitative, and Transparent Resource Assessment

To provide information to agencies and efforts focused on food, water, and energy resources, the RAND Corporation developed the Pardee RAND Food-Energy-Water Security Index. This report serves as the technical documentation for the index.

Apr 28, 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
Journal Article

Climate and Energy Analysis: Reinvigorating the Scenario Technique

Scenarios are widely used for long-term climate and energy analysis, but scenario developers and users typically capture only a subset of future uncertainties. By adopting three focal points as part of this methodology, researchers can expand uncertainty consideration and gather user-specific insights.

Feb 4, 2016
Dissertation

Dissertation

Improving Energy Security for Air Force Installations

Develops a methodology and tool that will allow installation commanders and energy managers the ability to evaluate the cost and effectiveness of various energy investment options.

Nov 23, 2015
Report

Overcoming Obstacles to Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies

If nuclear fission is to play a big role in the future of the U.S. energy supply, a more cost-effective type of nuclear power plant must be commercialized. But there are barriers to commercializing next-generation nuclear reactors. How can policymakers overcome them?

Aug 31, 2015
Commentary

Ebola and Syria's Chemical Weapons Show U.S. Can Leave Nothing to Chance

There are key takeaways from the Ebola outbreak, Syria's chemical weapons, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The U.S. and its international partners should view these events as learning opportunities that could help improve preparedness and response capabilities before the next crisis strikes.

Jul 9, 2015
Report

Tankering Fuel on U.S. Air Force Transport Aircraft

Tankering fuel involves carrying excess fuel when flying from origins where fuel is less expensive than at the destination. Would this practice generate cost savings if used on U.S. Air Force transport aircraft?

Jun 23, 2015
Commentary

Breaking Down Nuclear Waste as a Two-Part Issue

The U.S. Department of Energy is now planning separate repositories for commercial waste and the waste from the military's nuclear weapons production instead of disposing of both in the same repository as originally intended. Decoupling different parts of the nuclear waste problem is a small but positive step forward.

May 5, 2015
Periodical

Periodical

RAND Review: May-June 2015

This issue of RAND Review reports on smart-grid technologies, the nuclear deal with Iran, the education crisis among Syrian children, diversity in the biomedical scientific workforce, and recent philanthropic gifts to RAND.

May 4, 2015
Brochure

Brochure

RAND's Impact in the Middle East

Provides an overview of RAND's impact in the Middle East in the areas of supporting youth, health and health care, education, energy and environment, labor market reform and private-sector development, capacity-building, and planning for the future.

Apr 29, 2015
Essay

How Smart Grids Can Change the Way We Live

A modernized, “smart” grid could change how much you pay for electricity, where it comes from, and how likely you are to lose it in a summer storm. But has the reality of the smart grid kept pace with the promise?

Apr 27, 2015

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