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208 results
RMI Statement on U.S. Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
A statement from RMI expressing disappointment over President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, while asserting that subnational actions and the global energy transition will continue.
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Document type: Statement
Why We Still Need To Discuss Grid Defection
This statement by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) defends its 2014 research on 'grid defection'—the economic viability of customers disconnecting from utilities in favor of on-site solar and battery systems—against interpretations of a subsequent study by the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). RMI argues that while full grid defection may currently only be economical in Hawaii, the downward trajectory of distributed energy resource (DER) costs creates a systemic risk of stranded utility assets and empowers customers to influence the pace of decarbonization and grid investment.
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Document type: Statement
HOW TO SCALE HOME ENERGY FINANCING PRODUCTS
This briefing by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) analyzes the landscape of home energy financing in the United States, identifying barriers to scaling both traditional and nontraditional lending products. It argues that the ease of origination and the timing of home improvements are more significant drivers of consumer choice than interest rates or loan terms.
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Document type: Briefing
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF GRID MODERNIZATION
This research paper by Energy Innovation outlines a five-step framework for state regulators to design grid modernization programs that maximize benefits for customers. The authors emphasize the use of outcome-oriented metrics across three primary goals—affordability, resilience, and environmental performance—and suggest tying utility revenue to performance against these targets to align incentives.
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Document type: Research paper
CLEAN ENERGY JOBS GROWTH IN THE UNITED STATES
This World Resources Institute fact sheet provides data on employment growth within the United States clean energy economy, focusing on solar, wind, energy efficiency, and alternative fuel vehicle sectors as of early 2016 and 2017.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Eight Areas of Electricity Innovation to Watch in 2017
This briefing from RMI outlines eight priority areas for electricity innovation in 2017, based on a survey of the Electricity Innovation Lab (eLab) network. The document focuses on the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), the evolution of utility business models, and the need for improved customer engagement to transform the U.S. electricity system.
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Document type: Briefing
Ontarios coal plant phase-out produced many health and environmental benefits
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) issued a statement responding to a Fraser Institute report, arguing that the phase-out of coal-fired power plants in Ontario provided significant health and environmental benefits. CAPE asserts that coal plants were major contributors to sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury, and greenhouse gas emissions, and that their closure contributed to measurable declines in air pollution and related health burdens.
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Document type: Statement
So You Want to Work in Sustainable Finance? RMI Provides Insight
This guide from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) outlines the growing opportunities for professionals in the field of sustainable finance across the public sector, private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It highlights the diverse backgrounds of practitioners and provides advice for those seeking to transition into the field.
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Document type: Guide
CLIMATE: HOW TO WIN
This policy brief by Energy Innovation argues that avoiding catastrophic climate change requires the 20 largest carbon-emitting countries to rapidly implement a specific set of well-designed, sector-specific energy policies. The author emphasizes that the next 15 years are crucial to prevent irreversible damage and runaway feedback loops, suggesting that the use of 'Best Practice Networks' (BPNs) can provide the technical expertise necessary for countries to design and implement these policies effectively.
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Document type: Policy brief
DESIGNING A PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE MECHANISM FOR PEAK LOAD REDUCTION: A STRAW PROPOSAL
This white paper proposes a Performance Incentive Mechanism (PIM) to encourage utilities to prioritize peak load reduction over capital-intensive infrastructure expansion. The author recommends using an outcome-oriented metric—specifically percentage reduction in peak load—and a sloped, symmetrical compensation structure with upper and lower caps to align utility incentives with system efficiency and customer value.
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Document type: Report
CIEL statement on US AGs announcement of Climate Action Coalition and investigation into fossil fuel companies
A statement by CIEL President Carroll Muffett regarding the announcement of a Climate Action Coalition by US Attorneys General and their investigations into fossil fuel companies, specifically Exxon, for climate deception and fraud.
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Document type: Statement
NUCLEAR WASTE CONSENT AND NON-CONSENT: A BRIEF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
This briefing, presented at Stanford University on March 9, 2016, provides a historical analysis of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) attempts to site nuclear waste repositories and storage facilities. The author argues that the DOE has a history of failing to keep promises and ignoring 'non-consent,' leading to a pattern of litigation and failure in establishing long-term high-level waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF) solutions.
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Document type: Briefing
Offshore Wind
This fact sheet provides a comprehensive overview of the global offshore wind energy sector as of early 2016, contrasting the established European market with the emerging industry in the United States. It details the technical advantages of offshore wind over onshore wind, current installation capacities, key market players, and the economic and environmental impacts of the transition.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Offshore Wind: Can the United States Catch up with Europe?
As of 2016, Europe dominated the global offshore wind market, with the UK, Germany, and Denmark leading in installed capacity. The United States, while possessing vast potential (over 4,000 GW), was in the early stages of deployment with its first commercial project at Block Island. The document highlights the technical advantages of offshore wind—such as stronger winds and proximity to coastal population centers—and notes the significant job creation potential in the EU sector.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Getting the most from your green: An approach to using public money effectively through green banks and other low-carbon financing
This briefing outlines the Climate Policy Initiative's (CPI) framework for evaluating the efficiency of public financial interventions, such as green banks, in supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. It focuses on identifying financial barriers and determining the most effective risk-bearing mechanisms and implementing institutions to address them.
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Document type: Briefing
COMMUNITY ENERGY RESOURCE GUIDE
The Community Energy Resource Guide, published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in December 2015, provides a comprehensive roadmap for U.S. communities to develop energy action plans. It outlines a collaborative planning process, methods for analyzing energy landscapes, and specific tactics across the buildings, electricity, transportation, and industry sectors to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
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Document type: Guide
3 Ways Wind and Solar Can Continue To Grow In a 21st-Century Grid
This briefing by RMI argues that concerns regarding the economic limitations of wind and solar growth—specifically the 'merit order effect' where variable renewables depress wholesale prices—are based on static models that ignore supply-side evolution, demand flexibility, and storage technologies.
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Document type: Briefing
Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
This fact sheet by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) surveys employment data for the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors globally and within the United States. It compiles data from various sources, including the U.S. Department of Energy and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), noting that inconsistent research methodologies and job definitions make direct comparisons difficult.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Fuel Cells
This fact sheet provides an overview of fuel cell technology, detailing its operational mechanisms, various types, and its comparative advantages over internal combustion engines and batteries. It examines the technical and economic barriers to widespread adoption—specifically cost, hydrogen production, and infrastructure—while outlining current applications in portable, stationary, and transportation sectors. The document also analyzes the role of U.S. federal and state policies, including Department of Energy (DOE) initiatives and state-level incentives, in driving the commercialization and deployment of fuel cells.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
This 2015 fact sheet by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) compiles employment data for the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors in the United States and globally. It highlights significant job growth in U.S. green building and solar sectors, while identifying China as the global leader in renewable energy employment. The report notes challenges in data consistency due to varying methodologies and the cessation of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Green Careers program.
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Document type: Fact sheet