Kevin Rennert
Fellow; Director, Comprehensive Climate Strategies Program; Director, Federal Climate Policy Initiative
Kevin Rennert joined RFF as a visiting fellow in 2017. Prior to his arrival at RFF, Rennert served as deputy associate administrator for the Office of Policy at the US Environmental Protection Agency. Leading up to his appointment in the Office of Policy, he worked as senior advisor on Energy for the Senate Finance Committee. In that role, Rennert advised the committee’s Chairman, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), 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 Committee. In that capacity, Rennert led the development of the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012 (S. 2146), a presidential priority that would use market mechanisms to double the amount of electricity generated in the US from low or zero carbon sources by 2035. In 2010 and 2011, Rennert also taught graduate courses in energy policy as adjunct faculty in the Department of Strategic Management and Public Policy at George Washington University.
Education
- PhD in atmospheric science, University of Washington, 2007
- BS in physics, Grinnell College, 1997
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- Editorial
- News
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.
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.
Resources Magazine — 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.
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.
Report — Jun 27, 2024
Regulatory Options for an Enforceable Cap-and-Invest Program in Maryland
This report outlines options for designing an economywide cap-and-invest program in the state of Maryland.
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.
RFF Live — Jan 18, 2023
Big Decisions 2023
RFF's annual event exploring big decisions in climate, energy, and the environment in the year ahead
Resources Magazine — 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.
Common Resources — Jun 7, 2024
Resources for the Future Evaluates First Set of Climate Policies under Carbon Scoring Project
Resources for the Future (RFF) has released its first assessment—called a “carbon score”—of key federal climate policies and their effects on US emissions. This carbon score sets a baseline for future assessments by RFF’s Carbon Scoring Project.
Common Resources — Jan 23, 2024
Bill That Would Help Track Emissions Associated with Traded Goods Receives Bipartisan Support
A new bill passed recently by a US Senate committee would require the federal government to study the greenhouse gas emissions associated with products from selected industries and US trade partners.
Common Resources — Oct 16, 2023
Achieving the Paris Agreement Temperature Targets Would Yield Major Global Economic Benefits
New modeling from Resources for the Future shows that accelerating cuts to greenhouse gas emissions in the near future will produce major economic benefits and other long-term positive outcomes.
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.
Press Release — Nov 6, 2023
RFF Scholars Analyze New Bill That Introduces a Fee on High-Carbon Imports
A new RFF analysis provides a detailed, early look at the new policy proposal that could inform US industrial policy in the decades to come.