Energy Systems and Transitions

Keystone convenes multi-stakeholder groups to adapt energy systems to respond to changing human and environmental needs. Our recent work includes:

  • Connecting energy sector leaders to identify key trends and issues for energy, environment and socioeconomic policies.

  • Developing multisector, comprehensive policy recommendations from agriculture, power and transportation leaders to phase out carbon emissions throughout our economy.

  • Supporting planning for just economic transitions for coal communities.

  • Developing advisory group policy recommendations for oil and gas siting and renewable energy standards.

  • Enhancing Tribal engagement energy resource issues.

Featured Projects

Decarbonization Dialogue

Keystone partnered with Great Plains Institute to convene leaders from the power, transportation, and agriculture sectors to develop comprehensive policy recommendations to phase out carbon emissions throughout the economy. The recommendations were developed by stakeholders with diverse interests and reflect months of dialogue between and among sector-specific working groups. They have bipartisan, cross-sectoral support, priming them to be advanced by lawmakers in Congress. Learn More

Keystone Energy Board

The Keystone Energy Board is a long-standing forum for representatives across the energy sector to learn about and discuss current energy issues and examine the linkages among energy, environmental and economic policies.

The Board is comprised of roughly 55 individuals who represent different perspectives on energy policy, including expertise from industry, technology, environment, consumer advocacy, and state and federal government. Learn More

Colorado Greenhouse Gas Roadmap

Between April and June 2022, Keystone partnered with Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment, Energy Office, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, and Air Quality Control Commission to meet with communities and get their input on the state’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap and related policies. The effort engaged historically underrepresented communities to share information about how the state is working to reduce greenhouse emissions; discuss participants’ hopes and concerns related to climate change; and listen as participants shared their experiences and recommendations for priority action to address climate change.

Just Transitions for Coal Communities

Market forces, aging infrastructure, and environmental regulations to modernize the electric grid are contributing to the closure of coal plants and mines across the country. The coal industry is often an economic engine for host or adjacent communities, especially in rural or sparsely populated areas, so “just transition” considers and works to mitigate the impact of coal plant or mine closures on workers, communities, and the environment. In 2019, Keystone partnered with Just Transition Fund to hold a convening for 15 utilities from all over the country to discuss best practices and lessons learned when it comes to the utility role in transitions in coal-dependent communities.

Past Projects and Reports

Colorado Oil and Gas Task Force

Advisory Committee to the Director of the Colorado Energy Office on the Effectiveness of SB13-252

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