Current Issues in Energy Policy

The purpose of this course is: (1) to familiarize participants with seven current issues in energy policy, (2) to better understand the interplay of policy and political factors that guide public sector decision-making, and (3) to improve skills for drafting memoranda to senior policymakers. The class will focus on U.S. energy policy, but explore policies in other countries as well. Sub-national, national and international issues will be examined. The seven topics studied will be: 1. Climate change legislation in the U.S. Congress; 2. Chinese coal policies; 3. Critical minerals and the clean energy transition; 4. California solar policies; 5. Energy and climate change implications of crypto currencies; 6. Vehicle-grid integration; and 7. Food and climate change.