Research and Reports

Biocarbon Briefs

The biocarbon paradigm aims at leveraging plant growth and rich soils to halt the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and then to achieve a global turnaround. By making nature a climate ally humanity can actually begin to draw down carbon dioxide toward levels that prevailed before we began massively consuming fossil fuels. This is a series of briefings on biocarbon, specially focused on how the Pacific Northwest can mount regional initiatives to accelerate biocarbon progress:

Carbon-Free Prosperity

In Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025 we highlight how Oregon and Washington can create green jobs, deliver energy security, and thrive in the global clean-tech marketplace. In a fiercely competitive environment, the Northwest is already leading in a number of critical and emerging clean-energy segments.

Global Warming

By burning fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas – and cutting down forests, we are releasing gases that are thickening a heat-trapping blanket around the Earth. Learn more about how fossil fuel use is affecting our planet.

Harvesting Clean Energy

A huge new agricultural market for clean energy products is within reach, opening tremendous opportunities for rural economic renaissance. Bioenergy, windpower and other renewable energies are emerging as competitive solutions to the growing problems of fossil fuels – volatile and rising prices, insecure overseas supplies and climate-disrupting pollution. A niche producer of clean energy today, agriculture could grow to supply 20-25 percent of U.S. energy needs over the next two decades. The reports in this section highlight these topics.

Poised for Profit

The reports in this section examine global markets for clean energy and prospects for developing a competitive, export-oriented clean energy industry in the Pacific Northwest.

Poised for Profit II

The Poised for Profit II project, follow-on research for the first Poised for Profit report, produced a series of reports containing critical information for investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers. These tools include: Research and analysis to pinpoint the largest and best opportunities Surveys of investor and utility plans Directories to research reports, related companies and helpful resources.

Securing Idaho's Energy Future

The future of energy in Idaho is critical to the overall health and economic well-being of the state. Idaho has traditionally benefited from a strong, lower-cost energy portfolio. But the state now faces a serious threat to its economy in the form of rising energy costs and energy security issues associated with its heavy reliance on out-of-state imports of natural gas, coal and petroleum. At the same time, Idaho is rich in untapped natural resource and energy efficiency opportunities that could serve important roles in meeting the state’s energy needs.

Smart Grid

A host of new smart energy devices and systems are emerging that can take pressure off overloaded grid infrastructure and power costs,dramatically improve grid reliability and security,and accelerate the growth of cleaner power generation. Smart energy is the application of digital information technology to optimize the electrical power system

Sustainable Biofuels

Cellulosic biofuels offer tremendous environmental and economic sustainability advantages. They can be produced from organic residues that are now often a waste management and pollution problem.

Annual Reports

 

Frank Luntz, The Language of a Clean Energy Economy

Right-wing pollster Frank Luntz has found unequivocally bipartisan support for building America's clean economy.