Energy Security & Resilience
Global research and analysis on energy risks ranging from climate change to resource competition to population and demand growth to governance and infrastructure investment
Global research and analysis on energy risks ranging from climate change to resource competition to population and demand growth to governance and infrastructure investment
Nearly two billion people around the world live in areas and regions that suffer from conflict violence and instability. As we design new energy systems in the developing world, there are energy security and resilience challenges unique to each local environment. This is also true in developed nations that are now going through energy transitions and are creating infrastructure with new renewable energy options. The optimal electrification mix is sensitive to each local environment.
The Payne Institute is recognizing these sensitivities by connecting the breadth of engineering experience across the energy system at the Colorado School of Mines with the public policy world making decisions on energy infrastructure. By taking a comprehensive look at environmental, economic, political and other elements in each local environment, The Payne Institute is supporting the design and creation of secure and resilient energy systems throughout the globe.
NEWS
The mining executive order needs creative financial support to achieve its goals 3/31/2025
The mining executive order needs creative financial support to achieve its goals
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian and Payne Institute Energy Finance Lab Program Director Brad Handler write about how the Trump Administration’s recently released executive order to speed up and support new mining and processing development projects would benefit from sourcing funds from private lenders and investors instead of public funding alone. March 31, 2025.
U.S. Delegation Visits Greenland Amid Trump Pressure Campaign 3/28/2025
U.S. Delegation Visits Greenland Amid Trump Pressure Campaign
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian contributed to this article about how U.S. President Donald Trump’s yearslong obsession with acquiring Greenland sparked fresh and intense backlash this week as he sent a high-profile delegation of top U.S. officials to the island—even as Greenland made clear they weren’t welcome. Vice President J.D. Vance is the highest-ranking U.S. official to ever travel to the island. March 28, 2025.
Greenland’s Minerals Won’t Secure the U.S. Supply Chain 3/26/2025
Greenland’s Minerals Won’t Secure the U.S. Supply Chain
Emily J. Holland, Payne Institute Fellow Joshua Busby, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how Greenland’s minerals are drawing renewed U.S. interest, but Arctic conditions, local opposition, and processing and refining challenges make near-term gains unlikely. March 26, 2025.
Hill looks to bolster Trump on minerals executive order 3/26/2025
Hill looks to bolster Trump on minerals executive order
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian contributes to this article about how President Trump’s executive order last week – citing the national energy emergency – directs agencies to submit mineral projects that could get priority for accelerated permitting. It authorizes the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. – created to fund projects abroad – and other agencies to finance mineral developments using the Defense Production Act. March 26, 2025.
US in ‘Final Stages’ of Agreeing to Ukraine Minerals Deal 2/24/2025
US in ‘Final Stages’ of Agreeing to Ukraine Minerals Deal: Kyiv
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian contributes to this article about how Kyiv and the United States are in the final stages of negotiating a minerals deal. Ukraine has Europe’s largest reserves of titanium, used in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries, as well as uranium, the primary fuel source for nuclear power reactors and weapon production. February 24, 2025.
Colorado School of Mines, UNSA announce third phase of sustainable mining research partnership 2/20/2025
Colorado School of Mines, UNSA announce third phase of sustainable mining research partnership
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Paul Santi is featured in this article about how the Colorado School of Mines and Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa (UNSA) in Peru announce a third phase of collaborative research on sustainable mining. New research projects funded through the Center for Mining Sustainability will tackle topics ranging from rare earth minerals and sustainable aquifer management, to nature-based water treatment and the reuse and repurposing of mine tailings. February 20, 2025.
Mines professor testifies before U.S. House on critical role of domestic mining in national security 2/6/2025
Mines professor testifies before U.S. House on critical role of domestic mining in national security
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian testified before the U.S. House Natural Resources Energy & Minerals Subcommittee, delivering key insights on the intersection between domestic mining, national security and economic sustainability. February 6, 2025.
Bigger than the Berlin Airlift: How NATO’s natural gas shut down a key Russian pipeline 1/29/2025
Bigger than the Berlin Airlift: How NATO’s natural gas shut down a key Russian pipeline
Payne Institute Director, Accelerated Methane Reduction Initiative Simon Lomax, Director Morgan Bazilian, and Deputy Director Greg Clough write about how on January 10, the US Treasury Department announced the most significant sanctions on Russian oil since 2014. And on January 1, over the objections of Moscow, a contract allowing for pipeline deliveries of Russian natural gas across Ukraine and into the European Union expired. This is an astonishing achievement, both in technical and economic terms. January 29, 2025.
The U.S. Military Risks Mineral Shortages in a U.S.-China War 1/23/2025
The U.S. Military Risks Mineral Shortages in a U.S.-China War
Payne Institute Fellow Gregory Wischer writes about how today, the U.S. military is at a greater risk of severe mineral shortages if a U.S.-China war were to unfold: the United States has limited mineral stockpiles; low domestic mineral production; and heavy mineral import reliance, including from its great power rival, China. January 23, 2025.
Electrification of the joint force: Challenges and opportunities for competition in the Pacific and Arctic theaters 1/17/2025
Electrification of the joint force: Challenges and opportunities for competition in the Pacific and Arctic theaters
Joshua D. Simulcik, Fabian E. Villalobos, and Payne Institute Director Morgan D. Bazilian write about how the US Department of Defense will have to find ways to expand the portfolio of its energy sources, continue to refine its supply chains and delivery mechanisms for energy services, improve efficiency across systems, and maintain a focus on costs to increase growing demand for energy services on the battlefield. January 17, 2025.
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For more information about the Energy Security & Resilience Research Area at the Payne Institute for Public Policy, please contact our Deputy Director, Gregory Clough, at gclough@mines.edu.