RMI

As a non-partisan organization that has long worked with both Republican and Democratic administrations, we stand ready to work with the new administration and all newly elected officials to bolster energy security, clean energy technologies, and clean manufacturing jobs. Globally, RMI research shows rapid advances in the deployment of wind, solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles. In the US, historic investments are spurring a cleantech manufacturing boom nationwide that is bringing down costs for families and businesses, improving energy reliability, and creating employment and growth in both red and blue parts of the country. That’s why outside of Washington, states, cities, governments, citizens, nonprofits, and companies across the board are committed to working together for an equitable clean energy future that brings prosperity to all. RMI is committed, as it always has been, to partnering with a broad range of collaborators to advance the energy transition. That imperative is true both here in the U.S. and worldwide. https://lnkd.in/g-bW7p32

Cleantech and renewable energy are vital for slashing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These technologies rely on minerals and metals that must be extracted, used, and disposed of responsibly. To limit harmful pollution, warming emissions, excessive water use, and other damage to communities and ecosystems, we must manage these resources sustainably The minerals and metals used in cleantech provide an opportunity to do so, and move away from an entirely extractive energy economy: "Unlike fossil fuels, the materials used for batteries, solar cells and wind turbines offer enormous economic potential for reuse. Remarkably, the cumulative mass of materials needed to support the clean energy transition through 2050 is less than the amount of coal currently extracted each year," RMI CEO Jon Creyts told World Economic Forum. "By re-engineering material flows, we can keep scarce high-value resources in circulation and reduce our dependence on ongoing extraction." Learn more from 14 experts who spoke with WEF about how to responsibly use resources as the energy transition accelerates: https://bit.ly/4fOn1Ro

When organic waste – like food scraps, yard clippings, and cardboard – breaks down in landfills and dumpsites around the world, it creates methane, a climate super pollutant with over 80 times the near-term warming power of carbon dioxide. Thankfully, there are proven, cost-effective strategies to reduce and recycle organic waste and strengthen emission controls at disposal sites that could curb nearly 90 percent of methane emissions from solid waste. More than 30 countries at #COP29 signed on to set specific targets to reduce waste sector methane and develop new policies and programs to achieve those targets. Focusing on the waste sector is essential to achieve the Global Methane Pledge’s goal to cut methane by 30% below 2020 levels, by 2030, limit near-term temperature rise, and avoid dangerous climate tipping points. Quick action means benefits today: since methane is released alongside other harmful pollutants, addressing methane from organic waste will also protect public health, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice. https://bit.ly/4eIDuF9

Food waste is the single most landfilled material and causes nearly 60% of landfill methane emissions, the EPA reports. Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is generated when organic materials — such as food waste, yard waste, and paper — decompose in landfills without oxygen. As a result, landfills are the third largest source of methane in the United States with annual emissions equivalent to driving 66 million cars or operating 79 coal-fired power plants for an entire year. Stakeholders at every level can help cut methane emissions by preventing organic materials from ending up in landfills. Such "upstream strategies" include minimizing waste, donating excess food, and recycling residual organics into animal feed, compost, or biogas. "Downstream strategies" focus on improving landfill design, operations, and monitoring practices to increase methane capture and reduce methane leaks. Combining upstream and downstream efforts could slash waste methane emissions by 15% by 2030, according to the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland. Beyond the climate benefits, cutting methane emissions from waste can help address food insecurity, reduce health risks, improve the quality of life for nearby communities, create jobs, and produce valuable products, such as compost. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Zb9tIv

Did you know that replacing a gas furnace with a heat pump could reduce carbon pollution by 34–93 percent across all 48 contiguous states, depending on your region? City governments, home contractors, and community partners can collectively lead the charge on home energy upgrades through local “Electrify” programs that help lower costs and accelerate heat pump adoption. Our new “Five-Step Guide to Develop a Local Home Electrification Program” shares insights from 12 RMI-supported Electrify programs that engaged over 56,000 residents, mobilized more than 100 home contractors, and are projected to result in over 3,000 heat pump installations. The five key steps include: 1?? Developing a program team and goals 2?? Supporting local contractor engagement 3?? Designing incentive offerings 4?? Developing community education and outreach 5?? Launching and managing the program Learn more and take action in your community: https://bit.ly/3Zhorhl

Our existing fossil fuel energy system is surprisingly inefficient: It wastes about two-thirds of the primary energy that’s put into it. When you add up the numbers, that’s about $4.5 trillion in waste every year. Energy efficiency should be our "first fuel" to enhance the energy system. Greater efficiency can help us get more out of our existing energy infrastructure, which would strengthen energy security, lower costs, cut emissions, and ultimately speed the shift to lower-carbon energy sources. RMI CEO Jon Creyts joined The Energy Gang to discuss the need for leadership around the world to commit to improving energy efficiency: https://bit.ly/4eM91WL

2024 has been a year of substantial progress for RMI and the global energy transition. Together, with our donors and partners, we’ve tackled climate challenges, developed market-based solutions, and unlocked opportunities for everyone. Learn more about what we accomplished in our Annual Report: https://bit.ly/3Z1rRDw Clean, affordable energy isn’t just possible — it’s happening faster than many realize. Thanks to all of our supporters for being part of this journey. #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #ClimateAction

As traditional fossil fuel power plants approach retirement at the same time electricity demand is expected to grow, US regulators who are tasked with ensuring the affordability and reliability of the electric grid are focusing on resource adequacy — the ability of the grid to supply enough electricity to meet demand under a range of possible future conditions. Risks to resource adequacy in the Western United States are primarily driven by demand growth uncertainties, extreme weather and climate change, delays in the construction of planned power generating resources, and slow transmission expansion. By improving planning practices to reflect current drivers of risk, considering more types of resource adequacy solutions, and seeking reforms in utility business models, regulators can reduce the risk of future resource adequacy shortfalls while continuing to transition to a low-carbon grid that benefits customers and enables local economic development. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4fY0Kjr This work is made possible with support from the Heising-Simons Foundation.

As demand for electricity grows and the current grid system ages, the US needs to expand the capacity of its transmission infrastructure to effectively deliver electricity to end users. Recent spending on transmission lines in the United States has focused on lower-voltage local projects, which typically serve a single utility, instead of regional projects, which can meet multiple utilities’ needs at the same time. Relying on local projects and not coordinating with regional planning is more costly and inefficient for addressing overall grid upgrades. There is little oversight for local transmission projects because of a regulatory gap as a result of several factors at the state, regional, and federal levels. Our report lays out 11 recommendations to close the regulatory gap and help build the electricity grid of the future with better bang for the customer’s buck: https://bit.ly/3AYb7Fd #Transmission #Electricity #ElectricityGrid

While #COP29 fell short of delivering adequate finance for emerging markets and developing economies, we witnessed positive momentum shifts in areas like carbon markets, grids, storage, and some individual country commitments. Fortunately, global political alignment is not a prerequisite to progress, as there is increasing evidence that markets and economics are becoming the primary drivers of the energy transition at scale.