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The 'Half the Oil' plan proposes reducing U.S. oil use by 50% over 20 years, projecting annual oil spending cuts of $550 billion, the creation of over 1 million jobs, and the elimination of 2 billion metric tons of global warming emissions per year by 2035. The strategy focuses on improving fuel efficiency for passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks, expanding the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), and implementing 'smart growth' urban planning to reduce vehicle miles traveled.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) argues that the U.S. can cut its projected oil use in half by 2035 compared to a 'do-nothing' baseline. By implementing technology and policy advances across transportation, buildings, and industry, the plan estimates a reduction of 11 million barrels per day (mbpd), resulting in gross cost savings of more than $550 billion and the creation of over 1 million net new jobs by 2035.

The 'Half the Oil' plan proposes reducing U.S. oil use by over 11 million barrels per day by 2035. This is to be achieved through efficiency gains in vehicles and buildings (saving nearly 8 million barrels per day) and innovations such as electric vehicles and biofuels (saving over 4 million barrels per day).

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) asserts that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has failed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily because it has functioned as a mandate for corn ethanol. CATF argues that EPA's lifecycle analyses are flawed by relying on hypothetical 2022 production scenarios and ignoring current indirect land use change (ILUC) and the 'global rebound effect.' The document claims that cumulative GHG emissions from corn ethanol produced between 2010 and 2015 are 28% higher than those from gasoline. Furthermore, it states that the RFS contributes to global food insecurity by diverting crops and driving land conversion in tropical countries. CATF suggests transitioning to zero-carbon mobility fuels, such as ammonia, electricity, and synthetic hydrocarbons, rather than relying on biofuels.

The FY 2014 budget proposal emphasizes investments in clean energy and energy efficiency, proposing a 30 percent increase in clean energy technology funding across all agencies to approximately $7.9 billion. Key initiatives include a $2 billion Energy Security Trust to reduce oil dependence, a $200 million 'Race to the Top' program for grid modernization and energy efficiency, and significant funding increases for the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The budget also proposes $2 billion for a satellite system to improve climate modeling and calls for the elimination of $4 billion in fossil fuel subsidies.

The report identifies systemic failures within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), including the distraction of nuclear weapons and cleanup missions, a fragmented 'stovepipe' organizational structure, and a lack of objective program evaluation. It recommends consolidating energy and science programs under a single Under Secretary, shifting the focus of applied R&D from energy sources to end-uses, and restoring the Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) model for national laboratories. The authors advocate for structured public-private consortia to drive pre-commercial research and suggest that large-scale 'first-of-a-kind' commercial demonstrations be led by the private sector rather than the DOE. Additionally, the report proposes moving nuclear weapons and nonproliferation missions to the Department of Defense and environmental cleanup to the Army Corps of Engineers or the EPA to allow DOE leadership to focus exclusively on energy innovation.

The Obama Administration's FY 2014 budget proposal emphasizes investments in clean energy and energy efficiency, proposing a total of approximately $7.9 billion for clean energy technology programs across all agencies. Key highlights include a $2 billion Energy Security Trust to reduce oil dependence, a $200 million 'Race to the Top' program for grid modernization and energy efficiency, and significant funding increases for the Department of Energy's (DOE) renewable energy programs. The budget also proposes $2 billion for a satellite system to improve climate modeling and weather forecasts, while calling for the elimination of $4 billion in fossil fuel subsidies. Substantial allocations are directed toward vehicle technologies, building efficiency, and international climate resilience through the Department of State.

The EDGE model is a modular simulation tool developed by RMI to address the lack of analytical tools for evaluating distributed energy resources (DERs). It integrates resource portfolio planning, bulk power dispatch, distribution system simulation via OpenDSS, and rate/regulation accounting to determine the financial and operational impacts on utilities, customers, third-party providers, and society. While designed for utility or regional scales, it is not intended for national-level analysis or as a replacement for full distribution management systems.

The author proposes a two-track approach for President Obama's second term: immediate regulatory action via the EPA to reduce carbon dioxide from power plants and methane from the oil and gas industry, and a long-term strategy to revamp energy technology innovation. To achieve a target of 80 percent carbon dioxide reduction by 2050, the document suggests developing a portfolio of zero-carbon technologies, including carbon capture and storage, advanced nuclear energy, and synthetic hydrocarbon fuels, supported by more effective innovation policies and increased R&D funding.

The report argues that instead of risky whole-vehicle redesigns, the automotive industry should adopt carbon fiber composites starting with specific high-value parts and subassemblies. It identifies promising candidates such as door inners, engine cradles, and seats, noting that while these parts cost significantly more than steel counterparts, the value from weight reduction and fuel savings can make them cost-competitive. The document outlines technical gaps in material characterization, predictive modeling, and fiber cost, and recommends the creation of a 'Parts Campaign' and an 'Innovation Hub' to coordinate efforts between industry, government, and academia.

The document proposes a 'parts approach' to overcome barriers to the adoption of automotive carbon fiber composites. Rather than attempting whole-vehicle integration, it suggests targeting specific parts (such as rear hatches or door inners) for mainstream volumes of 50,000 to 100,000 units per year by model year 2018. This strategy aims to create a viable business case, drive scale, and identify technology and funding gaps through a collaborative supply chain team including OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and material producers.

The briefing distinguishes between two types of demand-response: 'capacity' and 'balancing'. Demand-response as capacity reduces the need for new power plants by moderating peak demand events, while demand-response as balancing uses automated technology to adjust electricity use in real-time to complement variable renewable energy output.

The document identifies high raw material costs, long manufacturing cycle times, and a lack of automotive-specific design standards as primary obstacles to using carbon fiber composites in vehicles. It argues that reducing material costs from approximately $11/lb to $6-$8/lb is essential for viability. The proposed solution is a 'substitution to transformation' approach, starting with individual part substitutions (e.g., engine mounts or battery carriers) to build supply chain scale before moving to full body-in-white implementation. The briefing also emphasizes the need for advanced CAE tools for crash modeling and the development of recycling and repair processes to ensure lifecycle robustness.

The report outlines the progress of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative, highlighting over 100 commitments from governments and businesses, including more than USD $50 billion from the private sector. It details a four-step country-action process adopted by 55 developing countries and identifies 50 high-impact opportunities across 11 action areas. The document also proposes a distributed global network for future implementation and a baseline report to track progress toward 2030 goals.

The report finds that electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States generally produce lower global warming emissions than average gasoline vehicles, though the extent of the benefit varies by regional electricity grid mix. It also demonstrates that EVs offer significant annual fuel-cost savings, which can be further maximized through time-of-use (TOU) electricity rate plans.

The analysis finds that EVs generally produce lower global warming emissions than average compact gasoline vehicles, though their relative performance against high-efficiency hybrids depends on the regional electricity grid's fuel mix. In 'BEST' regions, EVs outperform 50 mpg hybrids, while in 'GOOD' regions, some hybrids remain a better choice for emissions. Financially, EV owners in 50 major U.S. cities can save between $750 and $1,200 annually in fuel costs when using the lowest-cost electricity plans, with significant additional savings available through time-of-use (TOU) rate plans, particularly in California.

The report examines how the growth of distributed energy resources (DERs), particularly rooftop solar PV, disrupts traditional utility business models in California. It argues that existing volumetric rate structures and net energy metering (NEM) create economic misalignments and cost shifts from solar adopters to non-adopters. To resolve this, the authors propose three building blocks: improving the measurement of DER costs and benefits, implementing pricing models that reflect the actual value of energy based on time and location, and adapting utility business models toward either an 'incentive regulation' or 'network utility' approach.

The document analyses the global rare earth elements (REE) industry, which is dominated by China with a 97% share of upstream production. It examines how China uses export restrictions and production quotas to leverage its monopoly, aiming to induce foreign downstream producers to relocate to China for technology transfer. The paper highlights the strategic importance of REEs for 'green' technology and military applications, and assesses South Africa's potential to re-enter the market through the Steenkampskraal and Zandkopsdrift projects. It also discusses global reactions, including Japan's efforts to reduce REE reliance and the emergence of junior mining companies seeking non-Chinese sources.

The document identifies severe long-term supply risks for indium and tellurium, and moderate to severe risks for neodymium, which could hinder the deployment of photovoltaics, wind power, and electric vehicles. It argues that while governments often treat mineral scarcity as a technological issue, economic and political risks are significant drivers of future deficits. Businesses are responding through recycling, vertical integration, and material substitution, though the effectiveness of these measures varies by metal and technology.

The report identifies significant risks of cumulative supply deficits for indium, tellurium, and neodymium by 2035, which could hinder the deployment of low-carbon technologies like photovoltaics and electric vehicles. Using a scenario calculator based on IEA and WEF frameworks, the study finds that indium and tellurium face severe risks, while cobalt and lithium show limited risk. The photovoltaic industry is highlighted as particularly vulnerable, specifically second-generation thin-film technologies. Proposed mitigation strategies include material substitution, vertical integration, and increased recycling, though the latter faces technical and economic hurdles. The report argues that current government policies often treat scarcity as a technological issue, neglecting the geopolitical and economic risks that can exacerbate supply bottlenecks.