Research that Informs Business and Public Policy
Last week’s EPA decision adds insult to injury for our already vulnerable communities. Perhaps you missed it. There’s a lot going on right now. But amidst all the COVID-19 headlines … Continue Reading What Just Happened to the Mercury Rule?
A utility bill moratorium could put extra money into the pockets of business owners and households during the pandemic. Utility services – like electricity, water and natural gas – are … Continue Reading Can We Stop Paying Utility Bills for a Bit?
Backers see job creation, but I see high costs for ratepayers. “The project workforce has reached an all-time high with approximately 9,000 workers now on site. With more than 800 … Continue Reading The High Cost of Nuclear Jobs
In 1960 only 2% of U.S. homes were heated with electricity. Today it’s 38%. U.S. households burn vast amounts of fossil fuels on-site for home heating: 2.7 trillion cubic feet … Continue Reading Electrification? We Are Already On The Way
It won’t reduce energy use much, but it can fundamentally alter where that energy comes from. A decade ago, there seemed to be a Kumbaya trend in climate policy. Politicians … Continue Reading What Can Carbon Pricing Do?
U.S. energy-efficiency requirements for air conditioners illustrate the inherent limitations of standards. This was a hot summer. July 2019 was the hottest month ever recorded globally. Even in temperate Oakland, … Continue Reading Limitations of Standards
Saving energy and saving the climate are not the same thing. A couple years ago I took Severin’s advice and proactively replaced many of my still-working incandescent light bulbs with … Continue Reading Redirecting Energy Efficiency Policies for the Climate
Is Berkeley’s newest initiative paving the way for an all-electric future? I like economics. But I love cooking. I recall making jams using berries from the garden with my mom at … Continue Reading Outlawing Gas
Policymakers have options to reduce price impacts and save lives. I left the place where bad weather was invented – Northern Bavaria – in my youth to migrate West. I … Continue Reading High Wintertime Energy Prices Kill People
With more engaged consumers we may find we need less. It’s a golden age for natural gas in the US. Production is soaring. In 2017 the country became a net … Continue Reading Do We Really Need All This Natural Gas Infrastructure?
Environmental damages from U.S. power plants are down $100+ billion annually since 2010. Remember 2010? It was not so long ago. Obama was President. The iPhone 4 was introduced. The … Continue Reading U.S. Power Plant Emissions Down 45% Since 2010
First consumers “Cut the Cord.” Now will they “Plug the Pipe”? It’s getting cold outside. Of course that’s the moment that all furnaces take a turn for the worst. Mine … Continue Reading Electricity Makes a Run at Home Heating
Could California’s ambitious zero carbon electricity policy make it harder to cut greenhouse gasses overall? Sometimes two ideas that seem joined at the hip end up butting heads. A couple … Continue Reading 100% of What?
U.S. oil and gas executives are “paid-for-luck,” with executive compensation increasing with oil prices. (Today’s post is co-authored by Catherine Hausman, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan and … Continue Reading Are Oil and Gas Executives Overpaid?
A recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision illustrates the complicated dance between states and the federal government on climate policy. According to some energy aficionados, natural gas is the “blue … Continue Reading It’s Not Easy Being Blue
Time for Washington to become the first U.S. state with a carbon tax. How often do you have an opportunity to change history? The Washington State legislature does right now. … Continue Reading The Evergreen State’s Golden Opportunity to Lead on Climate
