How Does Electric Transmission Benefit You?: Identifying and Measuring the Life-Cycle Benefits of Infrastructure Investment

London Economics International LLC (LEI) conducted this comprehensive analysis of two hypothetical, inter-regional transmission projects in two separate locations in the United States by utilizing the REMI PI+ model. The two projects were chosen to reflect common commercial drivers for transmission investments, which included accommodating delivery of lower cost and cleaner energy resources to consumers and increasing market efficiency through additional trade of electricity. LEI implemented the PI+ model into this evaluation to calculate how infrastructure spending and electricity cost savings impact local employment and regional economies, as well as how local spending for the construction and installation of new power infrastructure and the electricity cost savings from said infrastructure impact the broader economy. The benefits from both hypothetical projects (Eastern Interconnect & Western Interconnect) were quantified and categorized into short-, medium-, and long-term benefits in order to accurately display the ways in which well-conceived transmission can provide quantifiable, substantial, widespread, and long-lasting impacts.

London Economics International LLC – How Does Electric Transmission Benefit You?: Identifying and Measuring the Life-Cycle Benefits of Infrastructure Investment [full PDF]

Analysis of Proposals to Enhance and Extend the Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction

The Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction (Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code) was enacted by Congress to promote energy independence as it directs investors toward the proper allocation of incentives in the real estate development process. This REMI assessment evaluated the economic impact of three prospective approaches to the Section 179D deduction: strengthening and modernizing Section 179D, extending Current Law Section 179D plus expanding to non-profits and tribal governments, and extending Current Law Section 179D. Strengthening and enhancing the Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction provides assistance to industries involved in designing, building, and operating commercial buildings, as well as benefits the broader economy as it creates jobs and helps diversify the nation’s economy.

Regional Economic Models, Inc. – Analysis of Proposals to Enhance and Extend the Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction [full PDF]

REMI TranSight in the Tampa Bay Area: Project Analysis and Planning for Resiliency

The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council used the REMI TranSight model to forecast the countywide impacts of construction and system performance, develop a “narrative” of likely sub-area economic impacts, and create a project alternative fiscal impact forecast for community redevelopment agencies. Researchers analyzed three separate scenarios (No Further Action, Construction & Non-Tolled Express Lanes, Construction & Tolled Express Lanes) for their corresponding community and economic impacts. This assessment also included combining their travel model with content found in literature and a second case study that looked into the impacts of inundation restricting critical transportation networks. This resiliency analysis was focused on the Tampa Bay Transportation Management Area that encompasses Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties.

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council – REMI TranSight in the Tampa Bay Area: Project Analysis and Planning for Resiliency [full PDF]

The Economic Impact of Medicaid Expansion in Montana

Expanding Medicaid in Montana generates a significant amount of money for the state economy and this study conducted by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana used the REMI model to analyze the economic impacts associated with this policy change. The first two years of Medicaid expansion provided over $800 million in healthcare, with the majority of that money unlikely to have been spent in the state without enhanced health coverage. The REMI model found that expanding Medicaid would lead to the creation of approximately 5,000 jobs and increase personal income by $270 million each year. Reduced crime, improved public health, and decreased state debt were also discovered during this analysis of Medicaid expansion, which translates into less burden on public services and increased economic activity in Montana.

Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana – The Economic Impact of Medicaid Expansion in Montana [full PDF]

Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana – The Economic Impact of Medicaid Expansion in Montana: Updated Findings (Jan. 2019) [full PDF]

Macroeconomic Impact of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination Strategies For An Outbreak in the Midwestern United States: A Computable General Equilibrium

Texas A&M University-Commerce used the REMI PI+ model to simulate various responses to a hypothetical outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Midwestern United States. Researchers compared fifteen separate vaccination protocols over a 10-year study period in order to calculate the impacts on gross domestic product and employment totals. Their results can be utilized by policy makers when considering vaccination strategies to combat the spread of FMD. The study discovered that responses relying solely on animal depopulation could lose approximately 677,000 jobs while losing $47 billion in GDP. The Sales industry, in particular, would face the highest job loss totals in the event of an FMD outbreak under all vaccination scenarios, followed by the construction and transportation sectors.

Texas A&M University-Commerce – Macroeconomic Impact of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination Strategies for an Outbreak in the Midwestern United States: A Computable General Equilibrium [full PDF]