Search Climate Insights Directory
172 results
Developing Solar Friendly Communities
This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) provides an overview of model standards and policy design criteria for permitting, inspection, interconnection, and net metering of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems. It aims to help local governments and utilities reduce non-hardware balance of system costs—which can account for up to 40% of installed system costs—by adopting streamlined, standardized processes. The document highlights specific model frameworks such as the Solar ABCs Expedited Permit Process and IREC Model Interconnection Procedures, while detailing the existing solar-friendly policy landscape in Colorado.
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Document type: Report
Cellulosic Biofuels
This July 2008 fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) details the status of cellulosic biofuel production in the United States, highlighting the number of biorefineries in development, the technologies and feedstocks used, and the federal and state investments supporting the industry.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Why Build Green? Case Studies
This RMI fact sheet presents several case studies of green building projects across residential, commercial, and urban redevelopment sectors, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable design, such as energy savings, increased property value, and reduced marketing costs.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Whole System Design
This guide introduces 'whole system design' for residential buildings, emphasizing the integration of passive solar strategies, thermal mass, and reflective roofing to reduce energy consumption. It argues that careful planning can make green homes cost the same or less than conventional ones and highlights financing options like Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs).
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Document type: Guide
Action List Day 2: December 3
The Action List from the second day of the Sixteenth Meeting of the IAI Executive Council (EC) details administrative approvals, committee restructuring, and the scheduling of future meetings.
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Document type: Briefing
Lista de Acciones DÌa 2: 3 de diciembre
This document is a list of actions approved during the second day of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on December 3, 2002, in Panama City, Panama.
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Document type: Briefing
Battling Fuel Waste in the Military
The report 'Battling Fuel Waste in the Military' by Amory Lovins (RMI) argues that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) suffers from systemic fuel inefficiency due to a failure to account for the high cost of fuel delivery (logistics). By ignoring these costs during the design of weapons platforms and ships, the DOD maintains inefficient equipment that increases operational costs and inhibits warfighting capability. The author suggests that adopting fuel-saving technologies and 'green design' could save billions of dollars annually and improve military agility and security.
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Document type: Report
Clean Renewables and Efficiency, not Coal, are the Key
This statement by Ken Wicker and Karl R. Rábago of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) argues against the increased use of coal for electricity generation in Colorado, advocating instead for a diversified energy portfolio centered on energy efficiency and clean renewable resources.
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Document type: Statement
Taller de Lima sobre Minería y Desarrollo Sustentable en las Américas
This report documents the proceedings of the Lima Workshop on Mining and Sustainable Development in the Americas, held from June 27-29, 1998. The event brought together 76 representatives from 11 countries—including industry, government, NGOs, and indigenous peoples—to discuss improving mining policies and practices to ensure they contribute to sustainable development in the hemisphere.
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Document type: Report
MODELS AND METHODS OF MEASURING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCE
This research paper, prepared for the Government of Manitoba by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, examines models for measuring sustainable development performance at the provincial, state, and municipal levels. It reviews specific initiatives in Alberta, Oregon, Colorado, Seattle, and Jacksonville to identify strengths and weaknesses in indicator selection and application. The document proposes a causal framework based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model to better link human activities to environmental and social outcomes, providing a methodological guide for developing a sustainable development reporting system in Manitoba.
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Document type: Research paper
Fort Collins
This case study describes the Epic Homes Program, an on-bill financing initiative launched by Fort Collins Utilities in mid-2018 to support residential energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades in Fort Collins, Colorado.
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Document type: Case study
Colorado: Grand Valley Power Cooperative
This case study describes community solar projects with on-bill financing options implemented by three utilities in the United States: Grand Valley Power Cooperative in Colorado, Cedar Falls Utilities in Iowa, and Lake Region Electric Cooperative in Minnesota.
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Document type: Case study
Colorado’s Path to an Energy-Efficient Future
This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute outlines the economic, environmental, and health benefits of prioritizing energy efficiency in Colorado, specifically highlighting how targeted policies can help the state meet federal air regulations and reduce carbon pollution.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Fact Sheet Critical Mineral Deep Dive: Lithium
This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute describes the role of lithium as a critical mineral for clean energy, its global supply chain, extraction and processing methods, and the environmental and social externalities associated with its production.
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Document type: Fact sheet
RECOVERY ACT HIGH SPEED RAIL AWARDS
This fact sheet details the distribution of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants for high-speed rail projects across four US regions: West, Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast, as well as additional planning awards.
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Document type: Fact sheet
nirs-maps-state_nuclear_waste_transport_route_maps-5e936ce1772e71fd.pdf
This document consists of a list of figure captions for maps depicting Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) nuclear waste transport routes across various United States states and the District of Columbia.
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Document type: Report
ENERGY LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF NEED: A BLUEPRINT FOR STATES
This guide by Energy Innovation provides a blueprint for U.S. state policymakers to mitigate the economic impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). It specifically focuses on accelerating the procurement of wind and solar energy to ensure projects qualify for federal tax credits before they expire.
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Document type: Guide
ENERGY LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF NEED: A BLUEPRINT FOR STATES
This briefing from Energy Innovation provides a blueprint for U.S. state policymakers to maintain energy efficiency and electrification progress in buildings and industry following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which the author projects will negatively impact the U.S. economy.
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Document type: Briefing
RENEWABLE ENERGY PARKS: AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR PUEBLO, COLORADO
This report proposes the creation of an "energy park" in Pueblo, Colorado, as an economic development strategy to replace the retiring Comanche coal plant. The strategy involves a diversified portfolio of clean energy resources and "flexible" industrial technologies to maintain tax revenue and grid reliability while reducing costs for electricity customers.
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Document type: Report
ENERGY LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF NEED: A BLUEPRINT FOR STATES
This guide from Energy Innovation provides a blueprint for U.S. state policymakers to stimulate investments in clean industries, particularly in response to the negative economic impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). It outlines strategies to attract clean industrial projects, overcome regulatory and commercial barriers, and leverage technologies like industrial thermal batteries and low-carbon hydrogen to decarbonize manufacturing.
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Document type: Guide