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This case study by RMI examines how electric rate design can reduce financial barriers to heat pump adoption by aligning utility tariffs with the actual costs of service. By analyzing four different approaches in the United States, the document demonstrates that electrification-friendly rates can lower energy bills for heat pump users and improve grid efficiency by recognizing that heat pumps primarily increase demand during winter months, often utilizing existing capacity in summer-peaking systems.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute describes the role of cobalt as a critical mineral for the clean energy transition, detailing its applications in lithium-ion batteries, global distribution of reserves and production, and the significant human rights and environmental impacts associated with its extraction, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This RMI guide explains how cities can use curbside charging to make EV ownership accessible for multifamily housing residents. It emphasizes the need for early engagement with program stakeholders (government and private entities) and community stakeholders to navigate the complexities of urban infrastructure. The document outlines various business models—including own-and-operate, lease, external operator, and concession—and suggests community engagement tools to build trust and increase adoption.

This policy brief by RMI argues that virtual power plants (VPPs)—aggregations of distributed energy resources like batteries and smart thermostats—have reached a scale capable of replacing traditional power plants but are not being adequately integrated into utility long-term planning. The document highlights that while VPPs are increasingly mentioned in regulatory filings, they are often not modeled as selectable resources on an equal footing with conventional generation, leading to a risk of inefficient grid overbuilding.

This briefing analyzes the PJM Board's January 2026 decision regarding the Critical Issue Fast Path for Large Load Additions (CIFP-LLA). It outlines how states within the PJM region can implement retail-level policies—such as specialized tariffs and improved forecasting—to manage the surge in data center electricity demand without increasing costs for residential ratepayers or compromising grid reliability.

This briefing by RMI analyzes the economic impact of utility-scale wind and solar energy on rural American agricultural lands, noting that revenues from these sources are becoming comparable to major agricultural commodities in several states.

This report by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines reconductoring—the process of replacing existing electrical transmission cables with advanced conductors—as a rapid and cost-effective method to increase the capacity of the U.S. energy grid. The author argues that reconductoring can bypass lengthy permitting processes, reduce energy costs, and support the transition to clean energy by enabling the connection of stalled renewable projects and meeting rising electricity demands from electric vehicles and data centers.

This report by RMI examines how utilities and regulators in the United States are using large load tariffs to prevent the costs of serving new, high-demand electricity users—particularly data centers—from being shifted to other ratepayers. The analysis of 65 state-level tariffs identifies five common safeguard provisions: minimum contract terms, minimum monthly billing demands, collateral requirements, exit fees, and capacity reassignment.

This report by RMI examines how public utility commissions in Minnesota, Massachusetts, and New York use different cost allocation strategies during proactive distribution planning to balance grid investment needs with customer affordability during the electrification of buildings and transportation.

This RMI fact sheet examines the practice of gas line extension allowances—subsidies where existing customers fund the cost of connecting new buildings to the natural gas system—and the movement among US states to phase them out to lower utility bills and support electrification.

This briefing by RMI argues for the creation of regional financing ecosystems to bridge the gap between available clean energy capital and local project implementation. It posits that localized strategies, which coordinate regional banks, community lenders, and economic development organizations, can overcome systemic barriers such as misaligned risk appetites and deal fragmentation to ensure an inclusive energy transition.

The E-Bike Rebate Program Guidebook, published by RMI, provides a comprehensive framework for local governments, nonprofits, and transportation agencies to design and implement e-bike rebate programs. It outlines a five-step process: establishing a project team and goals, designing funding and incentive structures, partnering with bike shops, executing community outreach, and managing the program launch and follow-up. The guide emphasizes equity, suggesting income-tiered rebates and diverse application methods to increase accessibility for low- and moderate-income residents.

This report by RMI examines the potential of advanced transmission technologies (ATTs)—comprising grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) and advanced conductors—to expand electricity grid capacity and reliability. While pilot projects in the United States have demonstrated success in increasing capacity and reducing costs, the report identifies significant barriers to scaling these solutions, including risk aversion, financial disincentives, and a failure to integrate ATTs into long-term grid planning. RMI suggests that large corporate energy users can accelerate adoption through policy advocacy and by facilitating coordination between utilities across different service territories.

This report by RMI examines the evolution and current state of the United States fertilizer market, focusing on the transition from carbon-intensive ammonia production to low-carbon alternatives. It details various technological pathways for green and blue ammonia, compares the properties of nitrogen-based fertilizers, and identifies systemic barriers to the adoption of sustainable production methods. The document also outlines state and national incentives in the U.S. designed to support the deployment of green fertilizer infrastructure.

In 2024, wind and solar combined to produce 17% of US electricity, surpassing coal for the first time nationwide. This shift is driven by market dynamics, cost-effective renewables, and state-level policies, with 24 states now generating more electricity from wind and solar than from coal.

RMI describes the role of solar-plus-battery-storage microgrids in creating community resilience hubs, particularly during extreme weather events like hurricanes. Based on a cohort of leaders from various institutions, the guide outlines five key factors—facility suitability, electricity costs/net metering, energy efficiency, battery sizing strategies, and available funding—that can help non-taxable entities successfully implement microgrid projects in low-to-moderate income US communities.

This report provides guidance on transitioning the construction industry from prescriptive concrete specifications—which dictate a specific 'recipe'—to Performance Standards and Specifications (PSS) that focus on desired properties. The author argues that PSS is essential for scaling low-carbon concrete and reducing sector emissions by 25% or more, as traditional standards are geared toward ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The document outlines stakeholder roles, suggests specific tests for workability, strength, and durability, and provides case studies from the US and international examples to demonstrate how PSS can be trialed on real-world projects.

The "Electrify Your Community" guide by RMI provides a five-step framework for local governments and community-based organizations to implement residential heat pump deployment programs. The guide focuses on scaling air-source and ground-source heat pumps and heat pump water heaters to reduce residential greenhouse gas emissions, leveraging federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

This case study examines the transition of the Sherburne County Generating Station (Sherco) in Minnesota from a coal-fired power plant to a clean energy hub. It details how Xcel Energy, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and local stakeholders utilized federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), along with a 'generator replacement' process to bypass interconnection queues, to replace coal capacity with solar and battery storage while supporting the local workforce and economy.

This briefing by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the prevalence, health impacts, and regulatory landscape of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the United States as of 2024. It details the contamination of drinking water and soil, the associated cancer and endocrine risks, and the multi-level government efforts—including the EPA's 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation—to mitigate these 'forever chemicals'.