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Energy Innovation used the U.S. Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) to model the climate and energy provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. The analysis finds that the IRA would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create over a million jobs, and provide substantial public health benefits, despite emissions increases from required oil and gas leasing.

This policy brief by Energy Innovation argues that floating offshore wind is a critical, untapped resource for decarbonizing the Western United States. While the U.S. currently lags behind other nations in offshore wind capacity, the authors contend that scaling this technology can diversify energy resources, reduce land-use conflicts, and provide reliable power during peak evening demand. The document outlines the economic potential for job creation and port revitalization, specifically highlighting projects in California, and provides policy recommendations for federal tax credits, infrastructure investment, and transmission planning to achieve net-zero emissions by midcentury.

This briefing discusses how hybrid clean energy systems—combining local renewable resources like solar with baseload resources like geothermal—can address energy and climate injustices in marginalized communities. It highlights the disproportionate impact of extreme heat and aging gas infrastructure on low-income communities of color and evaluates policy interventions and technical models, such as a geothermal pilot in Massachusetts, to improve energy security and resilience.

This report evaluates the operational feasibility and reliability of California achieving an accelerated interim target of 85% clean electricity by 2030. Using production cost modeling (PLEXOS) and capacity expansion modeling (RESOLVE), the study stress-tests three resource portfolios—Base Case, Diverse Clean Resources, and High Electrification—against various stressors including extreme weather, gas and coal retirements, and import constraints. The findings indicate that an 85% clean target is reliably achievable, provided there is sufficient battery storage and a strategic retention of some natural gas capacity or access to regional imports.

This report by Energy Innovation analyzes the monthly ownership costs of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to gasoline equivalents in the United States. It finds that for many models and states, EVs are cheaper to own on a monthly basis from the start of the loan term, primarily due to fuel and maintenance savings, provided the $7,500 federal tax credit is available.

Research using the Oregon Energy Policy Simulator evaluates the impact of current and potential climate policies on emissions, GDP, and employment in Oregon.

This policy brief by Energy Innovation outlines the building electrification and energy efficiency provisions within the House version of the Build Back Better Act (BBBA). It details $12.5 billion in incentives for residential and commercial building decarbonization, alongside significant investments in affordable housing, workforce training, and the adoption of zero-energy building codes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consumer costs.

This policy brief by Energy Innovation analyzes the electric vehicle (EV) incentives proposed in the Build Back Better Act (BBB), arguing that these provisions are essential for decarbonizing the transportation sector, boosting domestic manufacturing, and improving public health.

This briefing by Energy Innovation analyzes the projected impacts of the methane fee included in the Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376). The analysis indicates that the fee would significantly reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions, stimulate job growth, and increase U.S. GDP with minimal financial impact on the oil and gas industry's profitability.

Energy Innovation used the Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) to model the impacts of the Build Back Better Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The analysis finds that these bills could help the U.S. meet its 2030 NDC of 50-52% emissions reductions, potentially avoiding 4,600 to 7,000 deaths and creating up to 638,000 jobs. The most critical driver is the Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP) combined with clean energy tax credits, while the methane fee and EV incentives also provide significant reductions. However, funding for building electrification was found to be insufficient for a full sector transformation.

This report presents a meta-analysis of 11 studies published since 2020 regarding the feasibility and impact of achieving approximately 80 percent clean electricity in the United States by 2030. The analysis concludes that such a transition is affordable, feasible, and critical for meeting national climate goals, while providing significant public health and economic benefits without compromising grid reliability.

This policy brief meta-analyzes eight studies to demonstrate that achieving approximately 80% clean electricity in the U.S. by 2030 is feasible and beneficial. The analysis finds that such a transition would result in minimal wholesale electricity cost changes, create up to 1 million net new jobs annually, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and premature deaths, while relying primarily on the deployment of wind, solar, and battery storage.

The report 'COAL COST CROSSOVER 2.0' analyzes the economic viability of the United States coal fleet compared to new wind and solar energy. It finds that a vast majority of existing coal capacity is now more expensive to operate than building new nearby renewable projects, a trend that is accelerating faster than previous forecasts.

This executive summary outlines policy priorities to achieve 100 percent electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United States by 2030-2035. It argues that this transition, paired with a 90 percent clean grid by 2035, would save consumers $2.7 trillion, avoid 150,000 premature deaths, and create over 2 million net jobs by 2035. Key recommendations include implementing strong national fuel economy and tailpipe standards, providing means-based incentives, investing in charging infrastructure, and enacting 'Made in America' policies for domestic battery and vehicle manufacturing. The report emphasizes that these policies must be designed with input from frontline communities and those in historically redlined neighborhoods to ensure environmental justice.

This research note uses the Virginia Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) to evaluate the impact of the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) and proposes additional policy pathways to align the state with a 1.5°C warming limit. While the VCEA significantly decarbonizes the power sector, the authors argue that comprehensive policies across transportation, buildings, and industry are necessary to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

This report summarizes a 2020 workshop on the barriers to electric vehicle (EV) charging access in California's multi-unit dwellings (MUDs). It identifies key obstacles such as outdated electrical infrastructure, split incentives between landlords and tenants, and restrictive parking zoning. Proposed solutions include 'make-ready' utility investments, updated building codes, and the adoption of lower-cost Level 1 charging to ensure equitable access for low- and moderate-income residents.

This briefing by Energy Innovation compares 2019 securitization legislation passed in Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico. These laws allow utilities to issue ratepayer-backed bonds to refinance investments in early-retired electric generation plants, primarily coal, to reduce consumer costs by replacing high-cost corporate finance with low-cost debt.

This briefing by Energy Innovation examines the role of offshore wind in achieving zero-emissions climate goals, focusing on cost reductions, technological advancements like floating turbines, and policy recommendations for the United States to scale its capacity.

This report argues that establishing a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) in the Southeast U.S. could reduce electricity costs by 29% and emissions by 37% by 2040. It recommends a combination of full market restructuring, the adoption of all-source procurement, and the integration of distributed energy resources to achieve these goals. The authors also emphasize the need for 'just transition' policies to support coal-impacted communities by leveraging the fact that most coal plants have cheaper renewable alternatives within 35 miles.

This briefing explores "solar for coal swaps," a private-sector financial model where third parties purchase and retire uneconomic coal assets from utilities in exchange for providing new solar generation. The document argues that this approach can accelerate the clean energy transition, particularly for municipal and cooperative utilities, by leveraging private capital to bypass utility inertia and reduce consumer costs.