Energy and climate in the State of the Union
Last week’s State of the Union address emphasized gains made in the energy sector as well as future promises of development and change. Below are highlights of recent analysis by RFF researchers on the various policy ideas mentioned in President Obama’s address.
On energy independence:
- Joel Darmstadter and Roger Sedjo on the significance of achieving US energy independence.
On natural gas:
- Richard Morgenstern, Arthur Fraas, and Winston Harrington on the use of natural gas for light-duty vehicles.
- Stephen Brown and Alan Krupnick on natural gas as a bridge to a low-carbon future.
- Alan Krupnick on whether natural gas vehicles will become a fuel choice for America's vehicle fleet.
On fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks:
- Joshua Linn on how vehicle manufacturers respond to tightening fuel economy standards.
- Virginia McConnell on implications of the new CAFE standards and complementary policies (and the dual goals of reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions).
On renewable energy:
- Joshua Linn and Clayton Munnings on designing renewable electricity policies that reduce emissions.
- Results from a survey by RFF University Fellow Jon Krosnick on the public’s attitudes on climate change and clean energy.
On greenhouse gas regulations:
- Dallas Burtraw and Matt Woerman on the importance of flexibility in greenhouse gas regulation.
- Nathan Richardson on the impact of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s new source performance standards for coal plants.
- Dallas Burtraw, Joshua Linn, Karen Palmer, and Anthony Paul on analyzing the costs and consequences of regulating power plant emissions.
On climate change:
- Survey results from RFF, Stanford University, and USA Today on assessing American attitudes toward global warming.
- Brian Flannery on negotiating a post-2020 climate agreement.
On issues not mentioned in the speech:
- Joel Darmstadter and Alan Krupnick on the consequences of the Keystone XL rejection.
- Survey results from RFF, Stanford University, and USA Today on American opinions regarding the proposed Keystone pipeline.
