Evaluation of Green Energy Strategies and Markets

Catalog description

After an overview of the trends in renewable energy and the multitude of public policies and private initiatives, a conceptual framework to analyze the social costs and benefits will be developed and each policy compared in terms of achieving social goals. The perverse effects of combining policies like subsidies and mandates at both the state and federal levels will be emphasized, along with the interaction of renewable policies with regional cap and trade regimes, and regulations like fuel economy standards and EPA environmental regulations. The specific economic and technology issues facing renewable electricity versus biofuel markets will be addressed, providing students a detailed understanding of each market and the effects of public policies. The effects of biofuel policies on food commodity prices will be emphasized.