Clean Economy Graphics Data Sources and Documentation Overview

This guide provides the data sources, assumptions, and methodology used by RMI to create 'State Clean Energy Eco' graphics. These graphics illustrate the economic, social, and health opportunities associated with a transition to a net zero carbon US economy by 2050, focusing on state-level metrics across electricity, industry, transportation, buildings, and human impact.

• RMI's 2050 metrics are based on modeling for a net zero carbon US economy, primarily utilizing the Princeton Net Zero America (NZA) project's 'E+RE+' scenario (higher electrification and higher renewable energy). Other data sources include the state Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) 'NDC Pathway' scenarios, NREL Cambium national electricity system scenarios (95% clean electricity by 2035 + High Electrification), and state population projections from a 2021 study by Berrill et al.
• To estimate potential federal investment in state clean economies under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) through 2030, RMI used three different methods based on the funding mechanism: downscaling national values from the NZA 'E+RE+' scenario for tax credits (accounting for domestic manufacturing and wage requirements), downscaling Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scores for non-tax credit provisions, and using official formula funding allocations where available from the U.S. Department of Energy.
• The graphics include 2021 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for four sectors: Electricity (within-state production only), Industry (including fossil methane and fluorinated gas leakage), Transportation, and Buildings. These are derived from state EPS models and may differ from official state emissions inventories due to the use of downscaled, benchmarked input data and EPS sector conventions.
• RMI uses specific conversion assumptions to translate power capacity into tangible units for the graphics: grid-scale battery storage is converted to battery cells (assuming 2 watts per cell for a 5-hour duration), solar capacity to panels (320 watts per panel), and wind capacity to turbines (3 megawatts per turbine).
• Human impact metrics include avoided asthma attacks and premature deaths from air pollution in 2050. The monetized benefit of avoided deaths is calculated by multiplying the number of avoided deaths by an assumed Value of Statistical Life of $10 million (converted to 2023 dollars).

APA

RMI (n.d.). Clean Economy Graphics Data Sources and Documentation Overview. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2023/10/clean_economy_graphics_documentation.pdf

Chicago

RMI. Clean Economy Graphics Data Sources and Documentation Overview. n.d. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2023/10/clean_economy_graphics_documentation.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Clean Economy Graphics Data Sources and Documentation Overview |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2023/10/clean_economy_graphics_documentation.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmindclean, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Clean Economy Graphics Data Sources and Documentation Overview}}, institution = {RMI}, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2023/10/clean_economy_graphics_documentation.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }