RMI

From starting state energy efficiency programs to coordinating with wholesale market operators, US governors have multiple avenues to address rising energy costs for households in their states.

As governors design affordability packages and tackle the challenge of balancing near-term relief with long-term affordability, they can consider the timing of impact, the size of benefits, and the persistence of relief provided by different policies.

RMI’s analysis explores insights from 37 states and provides a blueprint for promoting energy affordability through governor action. https://ow.ly/7TxS50Z2jJJ

Electric vehicles (EVs) and conventional cars and trucks share a common challenge: Both perform best in moderate temperatures and lose range in very cold or very hot weather. That’s a key reason why weather plays such a big role in aggregate power demand to charge growing numbers of EVs. Grid-wide, seasonal temperature shifts can have big implications for grid planning.

RMI’s latest update to the GridUp EV load forecasting tool examines how seasonal changes affect EV charging demand. When temperatures move away from that middle range, EVs use more energy for heating or cooling, leaving less for travel.

Thus, for utilities and regulators, there’s a big difference between planning for an average day versus another day in frigid January or sweltering August. Real-world conditions put more pressure on the grid.

The tool’s new seasonal scenarios are designed to help planners better understand and prepare for these patterns. As EV adoption grows, factoring in how extreme weather amplifies charging demand will be key to making smart, cost-effective infrastructure decisions.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/5VVo50Z2XBo

The United States needs more grid hardware to meet surging electricity demand, integrate new energy generation resources, and upgrade aging poles and wires. Lead times and prices for transformers, switchgear, and power cables have soared in recent years, which is already impacting electricity bills, threatening reliability, and stalling critical projects.

Manufacturing more grid components in the US can help reduce supply chain risk while creating jobs, supporting economic growth, and improving energy security and affordability: https://ow.ly/sk6F50Z2cRR

On a global scale, the estimated 81 million metric tons of methane that the oil and gas industry squanders annually through venting and leaking its gas has an estimated economic value today of $20 billion to $50 billion a year, depending on highly variable gas prices.

Taking action to stop methane leaks helps bolster energy, economic, and environmental security: https://ow.ly/4ECN50Z0kGp