Feb 25, 2025

Critical minerals provide the building block to many technologies, including electric vehicles and renewable energy sources, and are thus a keystone to a clean energy transition. However, achieving a sustainable approach to mining these minerals - from an environmental, economic, and social perspective – will be key to ensuring that the transition to clean technologies is cost-effective and contributes to a vibrant economy and community wellbeing, both locally and worldwide.

Join Resources for the Future (RFF) for the "Lessons in Mining Sustainability in Latin America" webinar on Tuesday, February 25. We will explore advances in sustainability around mining and community engagement in Latin America, some of the challenges in achieving these improvements, and what the rest of the world can learn from the Latin American experience.

Panelists included: 

• Rómulo Mucho Mamani, former Minister of Mining and Energy; Peru 

• Ulrike Broschek, Assistant Manager of Sustainability; Fundación Chile

• Jimena Sologuren, Assistant Manager of Social Responsibility and Communications; Compañia Minera Poderosa S.A.

• Martín Obaya, Vice Director; Centro de Investigaciones Para La Transformación (CENIT) and Researcher; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)

• Vinio Floris, Director of Health, Safety and Environmental Quality; AXIOS Industrial Group (Moderator)

• Beia Spiller, Resources for the Future 

See more information at the workshop webpage.

June 6, 2024

The growing demand for electric vehicles has increased the need to invest in critical mineral extraction and processing, yet mineral resources across the globe tend to be located in near proximity to Native lands and local, diverse communities who are often left out of decisionmaking processes. Without careful precautions, this increase in extraction could cause undue harm to local communities. To that end, effective and equitable engagement with local communities will be needed to reduce potential harms, compensate local communities for risks (including environmental, social, and economic), and reduce opposition delays.

On June 6, 2024, Resources for the Future (RFF) hosted “Critical Minerals, Critical Stakeholders: Engaging Local Communities in Mineral Resource Collaboration,” as part of our Exposure 2024 Event Series on environmental justice. This webinar covered issues such as what effective, meaningful, and equitable engagement looks like; challenges that often emerge in the engagement process; how to deal with competing community interests; the role for compensation agreements and how to best structure these; and opportunities that can arise from community engagement. The webinar also covered policies that can be enacted to improve collaborative outcomes between communities and mining companies and discuss the role for research in this space.

Panelists included: 

• Carolyn Burns, RESOLVE

• Aaron Malone, Colorado School of Mines

• Jason Prno, Jason Prno Consulting Services

• Beia Spiller, Resources for the Future (Moderator)

See more information at the workshop webpage.

March 12, 2024

As more electric vehicles (EVs) are produced and purchased, demand for the critical minerals required to create EV batteries will increase. This increased demand creates a variety of challenges, from geopolitical concerns about mineral availability to mineral price volatility. Without technological innovation, these issues could lead to higher battery costs and vehicle prices that slow down EV adoption and, by extension, emissions reductions.

On Tuesday, March 12, Resources for the Future (RFF) hosted “Digging Deep: Critical Minerals, Electric Vehicles, and the Role of Innovation.” In this webinar, we presented some of the challenges associated with critical mineral markets and how these connect to broader EV adoption. Then a panel of experts discussed the role that technological innovation could play in mitigating the challenges caused by growing EV demand; potential limits to innovation; and policies that can help support innovation and make critical mineral markets more resilient.

Panelists included: 

• Diana Bauer, US Department of Energy

• Roderick Eggert, Colorado School of Mines

• Michael Maten, General Motors

• Beia Spiller, Resources for the Future (Moderator)

See more information at the workshop webpage.

Agenda

Day 1:

2pm Introduction/welcome 

2:05–2:35 Fireside chat with Richard Newell (RFF) and Chris Smith (Ford Motor Company)

2:35–3:20 Distributional and equity concerns 

Moderator: Mehri Mohebbi

Panelists: Erich Muehlegger, Regan Patterson, Suzanne Russo 

3:20–3:30 Coffee Break 

3:30–4:15 Charging station network development and investments 

Moderator: Nafisa Lohawala

Panelists: Mehrnaz Ghamami, Shanjun Li, Katalin Springel 

4:15–5:00 Electric regulatory decision making 

Moderator: Beia Spiller

Panelists: Severin Borenstein, Peter Cappers, Elizabeth Stein

5:00 Close out, summary of first day

Day 2:

11am: Welcome back

11:05–11:35 Fireside chat with Rory Christian (Chair and CEO of NY State Public Service Commission) and Dr. Barbara Kates-Garnick (Tufts University)

11:35–12:30pm Electric loads, grid impacts, and environmental outcomes

Moderator: Karen Palmer

Panelists: Debapriya (Priya) Chakraborty, Alan Jenn, Kara M. Kockelman, Steve Letendre

12:30–1 Lunch break

1–1:55 Vehicle demand and supply

Moderator: Josh Linn

Panelists: Benjamin Leard, Kenneth Gillingham, Margaret Mann, Anna Spurlock

1:55-2 Close out

With funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and in coordination with the Institute for Policy Integrity at NYU School of Law, I have organized a series of webinars bringing together Sloan grantees in the electricity transmission and distribution space. These webinars presented the work done by the researchers, and discuss the implications of the work for advancing policy. The webinars were held during 2021-2022. Below is a description of each with links to the associated blogs and event recordings. For more information, see the main webpage here.

1. Energy Justice and the Just Transition in the Power Sector- New Research and Policy Opportunities

This panel explored research conducted by Dr. Sidortsov on the energy justice implications of repurposing underground mines for energy storage, and by Dr. Sims on the environmental justice implications of distributed solar adoption and utilization. Raya Salter's policy expertise framed the policy discussion currently being had in NY and beyond around energy justice and the just transition.

October 26, 2021. Watch event recording

Moderator: Lauren Navarro (EDF)

Panelists: Raya Salter (WE ACT), Dr. Roman Sidortsov (Michigan Technological University), Dr. Charles Sims (University of Tennessee- Knoxville).

Associated blog link.

2. Public Acceptance and Governance Topics in Energy Policy

This panel explored research conducted by Dr. Heikkila on policy conflicts and concord among key stakeholders related to the siting of energy infrastructure, by Dr. Konisky on public perception surveys and public finance research on the siting of energy infrastructure, and by Dr. Konschnik on the role of regional transmission organizations and independent systems operators in electricity markets. Dr. Wilson's policy expertise on this topic provided the framework for understanding the broader context of this research.

December 16, 2021. Watch event recording

Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Wilson (Dartmouth)

Panelists: Dr. Tanya Heikkila (CU Denver), Dr. David Konisky (Indiana University), Dr. Kate Konschnik (Duke University), and Amanda Ormond (Western Grid).

Associated blog link

3. Energy Market Design: New Research and Policy Approaches

Energy market design is key to efficiently decarbonizing the power system. This panel focused on ongoing policy discussion on the topic and the latest research on how different market designs could affect clean energy outcomes.

February 3, 2022. Watch event recording

Moderator: Sarah Ladin (Institute for Policy Integrity).

Panelists: Catherine Hausman (Univ. of Michigan), Chiara Lo Prete (Penn State), Valerie Teeter (FERC).

Associated blog link

4. Distributed Energy Resources and Distribution Network Impacts

What are the challenges and opportunities created by Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)? How can policies help or hinder outcomes? Are there ways to improve both adoption and functionality of DERs? Find out in this conversation between leading research and policy experts.

March 4, 2022. Watch event recording

Moderator: Elizabeth Stein (Environmental Defense Fund).

Panelists: Jim Bushnell (UC Davis), Anamika Dubey (Washington State University), Alan Jenn (UC Davis), and Michelle Rosier (Minnesota Public Utilities Commission).

Associated blog link

5. Is the Price Right? Valuing and Compensating Distributed Energy Resources

This webinar brought together leading research and policy experts to discuss ways to value and compensate distributed energy resources for their services, how these different approaches affect outcomes of interest, and where the policy discussions are headed.

May 27, 2022. Watch event recording

Moderator: David Brown (University of Alberta).

Panelists: Michael Caramanis (Boston University), Beia Spiller (RFF), Burçin Ünel (Institute for Policy Integrity at NYU School of Law), and Paul Phillips (California Public Utility Commission).

Associated blog: link

July 15-16, 2020

Co-hosted with Resources for the Future and Duke's Nicholas School, this two-day virtual workshop brought together individuals from all over the US, and from different sectors, including local governments, non-governmental organizations, stakeholder and community groups, industry, and academics, to discuss innovative policy solutions to achieving a clean transportation system.

View the full forum agenda and highlights.

Read the associated blog post

March 31, 2015

Co-hosted with the New York Department of Public Service and New York University’s Institute for Policy Integrity, the full-day forum, “On the REV Agenda: The Role of Time-Variant Pricing,” brought together more than 150 regulators, utility executives, academics, and other stakeholders to explore how residential time-variant pricing works, what it can accomplish, and how best to implement it.

View the full forum agenda

Read the associated blog post

Watch videos of the panels:

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

• Environmental Justice in Regulatory Decisionmaking
  Virtual webinar, October 2024

• The Road to Equitable and Sustainable EV Infrastructure
  Environmental Law Institute, Washington DC, October 2024 

• Community Engagement and Social Justice in Mining Extraction
  Missouri S&T, Rolla MO, August 2024 

• Prioritizing Equity in Environmental Economics Research and Teaching
  AERE summer conference, Washington DC, June 2024

• Race, Place and Pollution: Environmental and Social Inequality in the United States
  AERE@ASSA, San Antonio TX, January 2024

• The Electric Vehicle Rebound Effect
  AERE@ASSA, New Orleans Jan 2023

• The Electric Vehicle Rebound Effect
  Empirical Methods in Energy Economics, Yale Jan 2023

• Panel Discussion: What are the implications for electricity demand and grid integrity for a range of EV scenarios?
  The Future of Electric Vehicles- Challenges and Opportunities, University of North Carolina, February 2023

• Charging Stations and the City
  International Conference on Social and Environmental Justice, Fordham University, May 2023

• The Electric Vehicle Rebound Effect
  Seminar at US EPA NCEE, May 2023

• The Electric Vehicle Rebound Effect
  Seminar at Manhattan College, May 2023

• Charging Stations and the City
  AERE Summer Conference, Portland, Maine, June 2023

• Community Engaged Research for the Clean Energy Transition
  Economics of Low-Carbon Markets, Oldenburg, Germany, August 2023

• EV Charging Networks: Equitable Access to Charging Infrastructure
  MOVE America 2023, Austin, Texas, September 2023

• Opportunities for Transportation Decarbonization
  USAEE, Chicago, November 2023

• Community Engaged Research for the Clean Energy Transition
  Universidad Torcuato di Tella, Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 2023

• Impacts of Tariffs on Medium and Heavy Duty EV Fleet Adoption
  PLMA Load Management Leadership, Electric Transportation Interest Group, Hot Topics Webinar. August 2022

• The Electric Vehicle Rebound Effect.
  AERE Summer Conference, Miami, FL, June 2022.

• The Electric Vehicle Rebound Effect.
  AERE @ EEA, Jamaica. May 2022.

• Residential Electricity Tariffs: Impacts on DER Adoption and Use
  Is the Price Right? Valuing and Compensating Distributed Energy Resources. Virtual Webinar, May 2022. Slides.

• Mortality Risk from PM2.5: A Comparison of Modeling Approaches to Identify Disparities across Racial/Ethnic Groups in Policy Outcomes
  Society for Benefit Cost Analysis Annual Meeting. Virtual, March 2022. Slides.

• Philanthropy to Save the World: Insights For and From Environmental Charities
  Science of Philanthropy Initiative, University of Chicago. Video available here. Virtual, March 2022.

• Time Varying Pricing and Electric Truck/Bus Fleets
  Resources for the Future Conference: Research and Policy Workshop on Pricing, Automation and Data. Virtual, December 2021.

• Incorporating Equity in Energy Policy
  Rethinking Energy, the Economy, and Governance. Environmental Law Institute. Video available here. Virtual, November 2021.

• Effect of Reconciliation Tax Credits on Payback Periods for Electric Trucks
  Resources for the Future Conference. Driving Decarbonization: Examining Electric Vehicles and Low-Carbon Fuels in US
  Reconciliation Efforts. Video available here. Virtual, October 2021.

• The Health Benefits of Solar Power Generation: Evidence from Chile
  AERE Summer Conference, Virtual 2021.

• How Utility Regulation and Market Design Fuels the “Dash to Gas”
  APPAM Conference, Virtual  November 2020

• The Health Benefits of Solar Power Generation: Evidence from Chile
  EAERE, Virtual June 2020

• The Health Benefits of Solar Power Generation: Evidence from Chile
  AERE @ EEA, Boston February 2020

• Estimating Pollution and Health Impacts of Renewable Energy: Evidence from Large Solar Generation Investments in Chile
  AERE Summer Meeting, Lake Tahoe May 2019

• The Future of Distribution Systems in a Clean Grid
  NBER Electricity Markets Workshop, Lake Tahoe May 2019

• Policy session: Smart grid for a carbon free energy future: the role of electricity pricing and distributed energy resources
  World Congress, Gothenburg July 2018

• Efficient Distribution Network Tariffs and DERs
  MIT Energy Conference, March 2016

• The Housing Market Impacts of Shale Gas Development NAREA Workshop on Non-Conventional Oil and Gas Energy
  West Virginia University, June 2014

• Electricity Tariffs and Residential Solar Investments
  Environment for Development Initiative 8th Annual Meeting, Tanzania, October 2014

• The Housing Market Impacts of Shale Gas Development Department of Economics Seminar
  University of Massachusetts, Amherst, November, 2013

• Shale Gas Development and the Costs of Groundwater Contamination Risk Association of Environmental & Resource Economists, Allied Social Science Association Meeting
  San Diego, CA January 2013

• The Effect of Gasoline Taxes and Public Transit Investments on Driving Patterns
  Urban Economics Association Conference, Ottawa, November 2012.

• The Heterogeneous Effects of Gasoline Taxes: Why Where We Live Matters
  Canadian Resource and Environmental Economics Conference, Vancouver, September 2012.

• Does the Quality of Public Transit Affect Commuters’ Response to Gasoline Price Changes?
  AERE Summer Meeting, Asheville, June 2012

• The Drill and the Bill: Shale Gas Development and Property Values
  AERE Summer Meeting, Asheville, June 2012

• The Distributional Concerns of Rising Gasoline Prices: Why Where We Live Matters
  The Ohio State University, May 2012.

• Regulations and Incentives for Alternative Fuels and Vehicles
  Symposium on Prospects for Flexible and Bi-Fuel Vehicles; MIT Energy Institute, April 2012

• Does the Quality of Public Transit Affect Commuters’ Response to Gasoline Price Changes?
  Arizona State University, March 2012

• Does the Quality of Public Transit Affect Commuters’ Response to Gasoline Price Changes? UC Santa Barbara Occasional Workshop
  Santa Barbara, CA February 2012

• Does the Quality of Public Transit Affect Commuters’ Response to Gasoline Price Changes? Association of Environmental & Resource Economists, Allied Social Science Association Meeting
  Chicago, IL January 2012

• Rural Communities and Gasoline Prices: The Welfare Impacts of Location Association of Environmental & Resource Economists, Allied Social Science Association Meeting
  Chicago, IL January 2012

• The Effect of Gasoline Taxes and Public Transit Investments on Driving Patterns
  Resources for the Future Seminar, Washington DC, December 2012

• How Gasoline Prices Impact Household Driving and Auto Purchasing Decisions: A Revealed Preference Approach EAERE XVIII
  Rome, Italy June 2011

• How Gasoline Prices Impact Household Driving and Auto Purchasing Decisions: A Revealed Preference Approach International Energy Workshop
  Stanford, CA July 2011

• How Gasoline Prices Impact Household Driving and Auto Purchasing Decisions: A Revealed Preference Approach Camp Resources XVII
  Wilmington, NC June 2010

• Research Sketch-- How Gasoline Prices Impact Household Driving and Auto Purchasing Decisions: A Revealed Preference Approach Camp Resources XVI
  Asheville, NC August 2009

• Research Sketch-- How Gasoline Prices Impact Household Driving and Auto Purchasing Decisions: A Revealed Preference Approach NBER Environmental and Energy Economics Summer Institute
  Cambridge, MA July 2009