Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

The Decline of Greenhouse Emissions in RGGI States: Can Cooperation Solve Climate Change?

Date and Time
Thursday, September 4, 2014 - 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location
Desmarais Hall 12102, University of Ottawa, Institute of the Environment

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In the five years since the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) started, regional emissions have dropped sharply. As a consortium of Northeastern U.S. states to limit CO2 emissions from electricity generation, there’s compelling econometric evidence that GHG emissions have declined due to economic, energy market and policy factors. Brian Murray, director of the Environmental Economics Program at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, was one of the designers for the allowance price reserve approach aimed at containing prices in carbon markets, adopted by the RGGI and the California cap-and-trade programs. 

He will speak September 4 about the impact of RGGI, as well as implications for initiatives in Quebec, California and other jurisdictions. His talk will also consider the U.S. efforts to regulate existing electric power plants under the Clean Air Act. As the inaugural Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in the Environment and the Economy (2014-15),  Murray will be continuing his leading edge work this coming year at the University of Ottawa.