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RMI supports state-level policymakers, advocates, and researchers by developing credible, rigorous, and accessible analysis to help drive informed climate action. We also support US states in building a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future for their residents while reducing emissions in line with science-based targets to limit warming to 1.5°C.
US national climate policy must encompass all levels of government and civil society if we are to decarbonize the economy at the speed and scale necessary to limit warming to 1.5°C. States are critical to subnational climate action, including:
In partnership with Energy Innovation, we are developing and releasing open-access, state-level versions of the Energy Policy Simulator, a web-based policy planning tool that allows users to design policy scenarios and model economic, emissions, and health outcomes. We engage a diverse and inclusive network of stakeholders in each state to support use of the tools and co-create solutions that advance economy-wide deep decarbonization.
The State Policy Analysis and Modeling initiative is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. In addition to partnering with Energy Innovation on development of the Energy Policy Simulator (see above), we work with a diverse network of policymakers and advocates at the state-level to support their analytical needs.
This calculator allows users to estimate the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) induced annually as a result of adding general-purpose, high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV), or high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane miles to roadways managed in Colorado’s urbanized areas. It also allows users to estimate the subsequent emissions impact.
The Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) is an open-source model for estimating the environmental, economic, and human health impacts of hundreds of climate and energy policies.
Colorado plans to expand highways by almost 200 new lane-miles over the next decade. RMI analysis suggests this could increase driving and pollution at the scale of adding 70,000 more cars to Colorado roads every year, running counter to Colorado’s robust climate and transportation policy goals.
As we enter the spring of 2021, we are already well into the decisive decade. By 2030, the United States needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50–65 percent below 2005 levels to limit climate change to 1.5°C of warming. Fortunately, after four years of a leadership vacuum at the federal level, the Biden-Harris administration is already moving to enact sweeping federal policies to rapidly drive down emissions.
