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This RMI briefing outlines how US Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) can use grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) to resolve transmission bottlenecks that are delaying the interconnection of renewable energy. It identifies regulatory 'gold plating' and 'capex bias' as primary barriers and proposes four strategies—knowledge building, planning mandates, financial incentive reforms, and FERC engagement—to accelerate the deployment of these cost-effective solutions.

The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, passed by California legislators on April 28th, aims to phase out medium- and heavy-duty (MDHD) internal combustion engine trucks to transition the state's transport system to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) by 2045. The regulation establishes specific compliance pathways for high-priority fleets, drayage truck fleets, and public fleets, while providing extensions for infrastructure, electrical, and delivery delays.

This guide explains the Clean Miles Standard (CMS), a California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ridehailing and autonomous vehicle providers by mandating a transition to zero-emissions vehicles by 2030.

This fact sheet explains the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) regulation adopted by California in 2020, which requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to increase the percentage of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) and near-zero-emissions vehicles (NZEVs) in their annual sales from 2024 to 2035.

This briefing by RMI examines the debate over emissions accounting methods in New York State, specifically focusing on the shift to a 20-year global warming potential (GWP20) timeframe and the inclusion of upstream and biogenic emissions. The author argues that this 'new climate math' increases climate benefits without necessarily increasing costs, as physical emissions remain constant regardless of the accounting timeframe used.

This guide explains the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation in California, which aims to reduce light-duty vehicle emissions by 50 percent by 2040. The regulation mandates that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) increase the sale of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), culminating in a requirement that 100 percent of sales be ZEVs or PHEVs by 2035.

This briefing by RMI outlines strategies and policy levers to reduce methane emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in the United States. It proposes a two-pronged approach: improving the monitoring and control of existing waste and preventing new methane generation by diverting organic waste from landfills. The document advocates for stronger federal standards from the EPA to scale these reductions and protect adjacent communities.

This report by Ember proposes an ambitious wind and solar expansion plan for Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries to improve energy security and lower electricity prices. Using the PyPSA-CEE model, the study argues that accelerating renewables deployment could reduce wholesale power prices by 29% and make the region electricity self-sufficient by 2030.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) provides expert comments to the Washington Department of Ecology regarding the potential linkage of Washington's cap-and-invest program with the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) market administered by California and Quebec. SEI warns that because Washington's program is currently more stringent and has a longer time horizon (through 2050) than California's (authorized through 2030), full linkage could significantly lower allowance prices, reduce state auction revenues, and undermine Washington's emission reduction goals. SEI recommends that full linkage be contingent on California extending its program beyond 2030 and increasing its 2030 cap stringency to address a large bank of unused allowances. As an interim measure, SEI proposes 'restricted linkage' via a quota on imported WCI allowances to balance cost containment with environmental integrity.

This briefing by RMI argues that current global oil price benchmarks fail to account for the varying greenhouse gas emissions intensities of different crude oils, creating perverse market incentives. The author proposes incorporating emissions data, specifically via the Oil Climate Index plus Gas (OCI+), into benchmark pricing to reflect the true climate cost of production and encourage operators to reduce emissions.

This report analyzes the potential nationwide impact of California's Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule, which aims for 100% ZEV sales by 2035. It finds that if all 177 eligible states adopt the rule, the U.S. could reduce cumulative emissions by 1,310 MMT CO2e by 2050, prevent 5,000 deaths and 160,000 asthma attacks, and see the EV fleet grow to 239 million vehicles. The analysis emphasizes that while the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides critical short-term incentives, state-level mandates are necessary for long-term sustainability.

This briefing, based on research from the Aspen Global Change Institute, examines the impact of climate change on atmospheric rivers and snowpack in California and other mountainous regions. It highlights a paradoxical future where the region faces both an increased risk of catastrophic megafloods and a long-term decline in snowpack and overall precipitation frequency, emphasizing that high-emissions scenarios will accelerate these hydrologic shifts.

This fact sheet by RMI explains the concept of embodied carbon in building materials, detailing how it is calculated, strategies for its reduction, and the role of policy and industry in decarbonizing construction.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute analyzes version 1.0 of the White House Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). While the update identifies more disadvantaged communities than the beta version, the authors argue it fails to account for cumulative burdens—where multiple environmental, health, and socioeconomic stressors overlap—which disproportionately affect communities of color.

This report by Energy Innovation and RMI evaluates the impact of five key state-level energy policies on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across six U.S. states using the Energy Policy Simulator (EPS). The analysis demonstrates that a coordinated policy approach can significantly reduce emissions, create jobs, and improve public health outcomes.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes energy efficiency (EE) mechanisms for electricity-intensive consumers, comparing international experiences from the European Union, USA, China, and other nations with the current policy landscape in Brazil. It identifies direct and indirect benefits of EE, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased industrial competitiveness, and evaluates various regulatory, fiscal, and market-based instruments to provide recommendations for improving Brazil's energy efficiency framework.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) legal frameworks in mining, focusing on California (USA), Kazakhstan, and Queensland (Australia). It identifies ten key components of a strong ESIA framework and analyzes how these three jurisdictions implement and improve their respective systems to meet sustainability goals.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that Canada is unlikely to be the last country to sell oil due to a combination of declining global demand, price volatility, and higher production costs compared to Middle Eastern competitors. While Canada's heavy reliance on U.S. refineries provides a temporary buffer, the document suggests that ESG credentials will not protect market share and that the sector faces an existential threat as the world moves toward a post-peak oil market around 2030.

This policy brief by RMI argues that US airports are strategically positioned to host multi-megawatt fast-charging hubs to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption, particularly for high-mileage commercial ridehail and taxi drivers. Using a model based on Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), RMI suggests that these hubs can be financially viable with investment payback periods under 10 years, provided there is close coordination with local utilities to manage infrastructure costs and capacity.

This guide by the World Resources Institute (WRI) examines the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) school buses to electric school buses (ESBs) in the United States. It analyzes how the shift in cost structures—from lower upfront costs and higher operating expenses to higher upfront costs and lower operating expenses—creates a need for new business models to manage capital, risk, and infrastructure.