This paper establishes an evaluation index system for resources-exhausted cities in China, which is used to score their transformation performances, applies hierarchical linear regression to study the internal drives and external factors. Operating environment is one key factor. Marketization level and capital investment impose a notable influence, but the third industry plays a negative role in urban transformation in the short term, positive in the long term. Influencing factors vary with regions and resources types. Resources-exhausted cities should plan their future developing paths according to their localities and predominance to avoid convergence.

This paper uses DEA and input/output model to study their overall energy efficiency, variance and causes among 23 resourcesexhausted cities based on their 2010-2014 data, with results showing a general energy efficiency, but variable with areas. Energy efficiency is positively related to economy, high in developed area. In 2014, 50% of the resourcesexhausted cities are at rising their return stage, leaving big room to improve their energy use efficiency. Some cities bear input redundancy, which need to improve their energy efficiency.

A rising demand for bioenergy which is made of crops will lead to a surging conflict with land for crops. Using marginal land for planting bioenergy crops may be one solution.This paper, from marginal land potential, economy, environment and policy, reviews the researches regarding using marginal land to plant bioenergy crops and concludes that the research is only starting, most concentrating on land potential, only a little on marginal land use.Due to lack of experimental data and mode, quantitative analysis is little. The existing research implies marginal land is of much potential, but the feasibility, environmental impact, direct and indirect land change and policies need further study.