Kevin Rennert
Fellow; Director, Comprehensive Climate Strategies Program; Director, Federal Climate Policy Initiative
Kevin Rennert is a fellow and directs the Comprehensive Climate Change program as well as the Federal Climate Policy Initiative at Resources for the Future. His current research focuses on federal policies to advance low-carbon energy sources and domestic manufacturing, address barriers to energy infrastructure, and enhance US competitiveness and reduce emissions through trade measures. Rennert previously co-led a multi-institutional, multidisciplinary research effort to estimate the economic effects of greenhouse gas emissions, whose results and open-source model were adopted by the US, Canadian, and multiple state governments to support their official regulatory analyses. Rennert’s work has been published in Nature, Science, and the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, among others.
Prior to his arrival at RFF in 2017, Rennert served as Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy at the US Environmental Protection Agency. He previously served as Senior Advisor on Energy for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, advising Chairman Wyden on a wide range of topics related to clean energy, efficiency, and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. From 2008 to 2014, he worked on energy and climate legislation as senior professional staff for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, including leading development of Chairman Bingaman’s proposed Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012.
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- Editorial
- News
Common Resources — Feb 18, 2025
When Put to the Test, Higher Social Cost of Carbon Stands Firm
A recent analysis of the social cost of carbon—the cost to society of an additional ton of carbon dioxide emissions—ultimately supports a higher estimate of this metric.
In Focus — Jan 17, 2025
In Focus: New Federal Priorities for Climate Policy
This video shares insights about potential priorities for the new presidential administration and US Congress, with RFF Fellow Kevin Rennert.
Journal Article — Jan 9, 2025
Impacts of EPA’s Finalized Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Standards
Emissions reductions may be met with relatively small costs.
Press Release — Jan 9, 2025
EPA Power Plant Rules Could Reduce Emissions, Speed Up Coal Plant Retirements
A new article in the journal Science finds that the US Environmental Protection Agency’s May 2024 rules limiting emissions from power plants could reduce US power-sector carbon emissions by 73 to 86 percent below 2005 levels by 2040.
Journal Article — Jan 9, 2025
Impacts of EPA’s Finalized Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Standards
Emissions reductions may be met with relatively small costs.
Working Paper — Dec 9, 2024
Accounting for Biodiversity Loss Raises the Social Cost of CO2
In this working paper, the authors examine how climate change contributes to biodiversity loss and incorporate its nonuse value into the Social Cost of Carbon, emphasizing its role in guiding more comprehensive climate policies.
Report — Sep 5, 2024
Modeling Obstacles to Energy Infrastructure for Improved Policy Analysis
This report summarizes key takeaways from a series of workshops convened to identify and find solutions to energy infrastructure deployment challenges.
Issue Brief — Jul 10, 2024
The US Department of the Treasury’s Proposed Guidance for the Tech-Neutral Tax Credits
This issue brief outlines the questions answered by the US Department of the Treasury's guidance on technology-neutral tax credits, as well as those that have yet to be addressed.
RFF Live — Jan 29, 2025
Big Decisions 2025
On Wednesday, January 29th, RFF and leaders across government, business, philanthropy & media gathered to discuss the big decisions anticipated in 2025.
RFF Live — Jan 24, 2024
Big Decisions 2024
RFF's annual event exploring big decisions in climate, energy, and the environment in the year ahead.
RFF Live — Jul 31, 2023
The 45V Hydrogen Tax Credit: Considerations for US Treasury Guidance
The 45V Hydrogen Tax Credit: Considerations for US Treasury Guidance
RFF Live — Feb 15, 2023
Exploring the New Baseline for Electricity in the Presence of the Inflation Reduction Act
An RFF Live event exploring how the electricity sector is expected to transform in the coming decades as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Common Resources — Feb 18, 2025
When Put to the Test, Higher Social Cost of Carbon Stands Firm
A recent analysis of the social cost of carbon—the cost to society of an additional ton of carbon dioxide emissions—ultimately supports a higher estimate of this metric.
In Focus — Jan 17, 2025
In Focus: New Federal Priorities for Climate Policy
This video shares insights about potential priorities for the new presidential administration and US Congress, with RFF Fellow Kevin Rennert.
Resources Radio — Jan 7, 2025
2024 Year in Review on Environmental Economics, with Karen Palmer, Kevin Rennert, and Margaret Walls
Karen Palmer, Kevin Rennert, and Margaret Walls discuss notable stories from 2024 in energy and the environment and look ahead to what may play out in 2025 for insurance markets, the future of the Inflation Reduction Act, and more.
Resources Magazine Articles — Oct 7, 2024
Elections Matter. So Does Policy Research.
As the presidential election nears, and regardless of outcome, researchers at Resources for the Future continue to pursue work that will inspire interest, bipartisan coalitions, and progress on policy issues, given the political resilience of the topics.
Press Release — Jan 9, 2025
EPA Power Plant Rules Could Reduce Emissions, Speed Up Coal Plant Retirements
A new article in the journal Science finds that the US Environmental Protection Agency’s May 2024 rules limiting emissions from power plants could reduce US power-sector carbon emissions by 73 to 86 percent below 2005 levels by 2040.
Media Highlight — Nov 21, 2024
The Hill: “What Trump’s Win Means for Renewable Energy”
RFF Fellow Kevin Rennert comments on uncertainty surrounding clean energy buildout under the new federal administration.
Media Highlight — Oct 10, 2024
NJ Spotlight News: “Congress Mulls Changes in Permitting Process, Could Mean Lower Electricity Prices”
RFF Fellow Kevin Rennert is quoted in this story about the federal government's appetite for energy permitting reform.
Press Release — Dec 6, 2023
New Report Compares Recent International Climate and Trade Policies
With the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) putting a spotlight on international climate policy, a new RFF report compares three climate and trade policies and analyzes each one’s unique goals, structures, and international repercussions.