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The report examines how grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) can address interconnection bottlenecks in the PJM region, potentially enabling 6.6 GW of new solar, wind, and storage projects by 2027 and providing approximately $1 billion in annual production cost savings.

The policy brief advocates for 'clean repowering'—the strategy of siting new renewable energy projects at existing or retiring fossil fuel plant interconnection points—to reduce interconnection times from nearly five years to less than one year. RMI's analysis indicates this approach could enable 250 GW of new renewable energy without transmission upgrades, resulting in average national savings of $12.7 billion annually from 2025 to 2035. The brief highlights the role of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) program in making these projects financially viable and provides specific recommendations for regulators to ensure these savings reach customers through integrated resource planning and oversight.

The policy brief examines how Low-Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) can complement federal hydrogen investments by directing clean hydrogen toward high-priority sectors. It analyzes existing programs in California, Oregon, and Washington, providing four lessons for other states: regulating intrastate aviation fuel to move beyond biogenic feedstocks, phasing in maritime fuel regulation, managing biogenic feedstock demand to prevent indirect land use change, and implementing rigorous emissions accounting to avoid loopholes for blue and grey hydrogen.

The aluminum industry accounts for approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to coal-fired electricity used in bauxite ore processing. To align with a 1.5°C pathway, emissions must decrease by 77% by 2050, even as demand is projected to rise by 50% to 80%. Decarbonization requires a dual approach: transitioning primary production to renewable energy and increasing the global use of post-consumer scrap from 21% to 46% by 2050. RMI is addressing these challenges by providing GHG emissions reporting guidance to increase transparency for buyers and financial institutions, supporting the estimated $1 trillion in investment needed for the transition.

The 'Sharing the Power' project, supported by the Dutch Postcode Lottery and implemented by RMI and Nayo Tropical Technology Ltd., has upgraded a solar minigrid in Mokoloki, Ogun State, Nigeria. The project addresses capacity shortfalls caused by a 60 percent population increase and rising diesel costs by increasing battery capacity from 190 kWh to 316 kWh and switching to a DC coupled system. Central to the model is 'inclusive energy governance,' where the Mokoloki community holds an 11 percent stake in the project, granting them voting rights through a Community Power Association (CPA) and 11 percent of net revenues to fund communal projects such as roads, schools, and health centers.

Danone has pledged to reduce methane emissions from its fresh milk supply by 30 percent by 2030. To achieve this, the company employs a systems approach involving farmer training, research funding for feed additives, and policy advocacy. Danone is a member of the Dairy Methane Action Alliance and the First Movers Coalition for Food to drive industry-wide reporting and demand for low-emissions agricultural solutions.

The policy brief outlines 17 principles for the advancement of virtual power plants (VPPs), focusing on expanding the distributed energy resource (DER) asset base, optimizing VPP design, ensuring equitable compensation, improving customer experience, and defining the roles of utilities and system operators. It argues for technology-neutral policies, open communication standards, and fair market access to allow VPPs to compete with traditional grid solutions while maximizing benefits for all ratepayers.

The report identifies methane emissions from the oil and gas sector as a critical near-term climate risk and opportunity. It proposes a strategic framework based on emissions visibility, policy action, market activation, and accountability to drive the industry toward 'near-zero' leakage. Key recommendations include the adoption of low-methane procurement standards by governments and utilities, the use of third-party certifications like MiQ, and the implementation of policies to plug marginal wells. The document highlights recent regulatory moves in the U.S. and EU, and international initiatives like the MMRV and CLEAN frameworks, as essential steps to tip global gas markets toward low-emissions supplies.

The report identifies four global municipal solid waste (MSW) management archetypes—Build the Basics (BtB), Build the Basics Plus (BtB+), Move up the Hierarchy (MuH), and Close the Circle (CtC)—and proposes specific abatement strategies for each. It emphasizes that diverting organic waste from landfills and dumpsites is the most significant opportunity for methane reduction. The authors recommend a combination of source-separated organics (SSO) programs, improved landfill gas collection and control systems (GCCS), and enabling policy frameworks, such as landfill taxes and organic waste bans, to align waste management with the waste hierarchy and limit global warming.

The report examines the integration of community benefits into the US DOE's Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, emphasizing the shift from one-way notification to meaningful two-way engagement. It highlights the role of Community Benefits Plans (CBPs) and Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) in mitigating social opposition and ensuring that 40% of benefits flow to disadvantaged communities under the Justice40 Initiative. Through case studies of failed projects in Wisconsin and the Midwest, the document illustrates how a lack of transparency, misalignment with local visions, and insufficient engagement can lead to project cancellation or significant delays.

The logistics sector is projected to grow from US$8.9 trillion to US$18.2 trillion by 2030, yet it currently accounts for 10 percent of global emissions. RMI proposes that G20 nations, which represent 80 percent of global CO2 emissions, lead the transition to sustainable logistics by implementing eco-driving and efficient packaging, establishing multi-level government regulatory frameworks, developing zero-emissions trucking corridors, and utilizing public-private partnerships and multilateral development organization financing to manage high capital risks.

The report identifies a 250 GW potential for 'clean repowering' in the United States, where new clean energy projects are sited at existing interconnection points to bypass interconnection delays and leverage Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives. It highlights two primary pathways: 'Surplus Interconnection Service' for adding capacity to operating plants and 'Generator Replacement' for replacing retiring plants. These strategies aim to reduce interconnection timelines from years to months while supporting energy communities through tax credits and loan guarantees.

The document introduces resource adequacy (RA) as a planning concept to minimize blackouts while balancing costs, specifically focusing on India's new Resource Adequacy Planning Framework released in June 2023. It details the metrics used for reliability, such as loss of load probability (LOLP) and normalized energy not served (NENS), and outlines the roles of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), National Load Dispatch Center (NLDC), and distribution utilities (Discoms) in executing national and state-level plans. The guide emphasizes that adopting integrated resource planning (IRP) best practices and advanced planning tools will help Discoms manage peak demand and integrate renewable energy more effectively.

The report identifies heat pumps as an energy-efficient, low-emissions solution for home heating in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, where over 20 million residents currently lack heating systems. It projects a significant increase in heating demand by 2030 and provides recommendations to overcome barriers to scaling heat pump adoption.

The City of San Antonio has approved a deal with Big Sun Solar to install approximately 13 MW of solar capacity across 42 city-owned facilities and parking lots. This project is notable for being among the first to use the 'direct pay' (Elective Pay) mechanism established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of August 2022, which allows tax-exempt entities to receive tax credits to reduce upfront costs. The project is expected to offset about 11 percent of electricity consumption for City operations and generate net savings of $7–$11 million over 25 years. The guide outlines four lessons for other cities: aggregating small projects for economies of scale, leveraging tax credit bonuses for low-income or energy communities, planning for the time lag in receiving direct pay refunds, and maintaining flexibility in procurement to compare different financial structures using net present value.

The guide outlines how to leverage the $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, specifically the $4.6 billion in competitive implementation grants. It recommends two high-impact strategies to improve EPA scoring metrics: e-bike programs and targeted EV incentives for 'superusers'—high-mileage drivers who often have lower incomes. The author argues these approaches offer clear equity advantages, straightforward emissions calculations, and address gaps in existing federal legislation.

The report advocates for a strategic shift in US state transportation policy, moving away from highway expansion toward the reduction of vehicle miles traveled (VMT). It highlights that while vehicle electrification is progress, it is insufficient on its own to meet climate goals. RMI analysis suggests that a 20% reduction in per-capita VMT by 2050 could prevent 6,000 annual fatalities, save $259 billion in annual costs, and avoid 2.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The document urges states to utilize funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for transit, micro-mobility, and 'complete streets' rather than projects that induce more traffic.

OK Produce has transitioned from diesel-powered transport to a fleet that currently includes 10 electric trucks, three electric terminal tractors, and 12 electric cars, with seven more electric trucks planned. To ensure these vehicles are fully zero emissions, the company expanded its solar capacity from an initial 231 kW system in 2001 to 3.8 MW, which now powers 90 percent of its facilities. After two decades of incremental pollution reduction via biodiesel and efficiency upgrades, the company began experimenting with electric trucks in 2020. OK Produce also participated in the late 2023 Run on Less – Electric Depot event to share data on charging infrastructure, truck performance, and total cost of ownership to accelerate industry-wide electrification.

An analysis of 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey data reveals that extremely low-income US households—those earning less than 30% of the state median income—face a disproportionately high average energy burden of 14%, exceeding the 10% threshold for energy poverty. The report highlights that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could save American families approximately $38 billion on electricity bills through technology upgrades and rebates. It identifies successful state-level interventions, such as California's percentage of income payment plans (PIPPs) and Colorado's low-income community solar programs, as models for alleviating energy poverty. The analysis further notes that extremely low-income households in southern states experience the highest energy burdens, often correlating with higher income inequality and diversity indices. The document concludes that states can simultaneously pursue decarbonization and energy affordability, citing Colorado and Washington as examples of states integrating specific energy affordability policies into their climate targets.

Stora Enso, a Finnish company, shifted its business model from paper production to renewable materials in response to declining demand for newsprint. The company focuses on packaging, building solutions, and biomaterials, utilizing strategic partnerships and innovation programs to drive system-wide change in the food and construction sectors. Key initiatives include the 4evergreen Alliance and a partnership with Tetra Pak to expand carton recycling capacity, starting with a facility in Poland in June 2023. Despite these strategic pivots, the company has recently faced financial challenges leading to layoffs and leadership changes.