energy and environment

News

Rabe cautions climate setbacks under Trump administration

Nov 11, 2024

Ford School political economist Barry Rabe shares his outlook on the anticipated climate impacts of the Trump administration with the media, including on the Inflation Reduction Act, COP29 climate conference, and electric vehicle tax credits:“COP29...

News

Ford School and Brookings Institution scholars look to the future of US climate policy

Oct 24, 2024

Climate change is projected to cause 250,000 deaths per year from 2030 to 2050; its effects have already cost 3 trillion dollars and resulted in 100 million people falling into poverty worldwide. The Brookings Institution partnered with the Ford...

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In the Media

Rabe argues a Trump presidency could reverse IRA funds for Michigan

Oct 14, 2024 Bridge Michigan

The Inflation Reduction Act, a climate spending law, granted Michigan billions towards green efforts in the state. Ford School's Barry Rabe has raised concerns regarding statements from presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, and his...

News

Hausman encourages updating electrical grids with modern technologies, including AI

Sep 27, 2024

Increases in extreme weather conditions have been burdensome for utility companies. The New York Times reported, "Utility companies [have]’ increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events that are becoming more common and more intense under...

News

Rabe argues voter economic concerns are shaping Harris's stance on climate policies

Sep 26, 2024

Recently, Ford School Barry Rabe was highlighted on E&E News and Politico for his insights on Kamala Harris's climate policies during her campaign. Rabe focused on some of the conflicts Harris would face running on a "green dream" campaign."Harris’...

News

Understanding the Barriers to Electricity Transmission–Catherine Hausman on Resources Radio

Sep 20, 2024

The United States’ struggle to build electricity transmission capacity connecting low-cost producers has environmental and economic consequences for energy companies. Ford School Associate Professor Catherine Hausman spoke to Resources Radio about...

News

2024 Pitch Competition: Bridget Corwin at the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association

Sep 16, 2024

Eleven talented students showcased what they learned during their summer internship at the Ford School 7th Annual Policy Pitch Competition. Undergraduate and graduate students spent three minutes sharing their key deliverables, policy impacts, and...

Bridget Corwin Policy Pitch presentation

News

STPP brings interdisciplinary, historical perspectives to public interest technology issues

Sep 12, 2024

Many of the research projects housed at the Science, Technology and Public Policy program (STPP) in the Ford School focus on climate issues for a simple reason, explains Managing Director Molly Kleinman. "None of this technology operates without...

Publication

Rabe highlights need for U.S.-China cooperation on Methane Emissions

Sep 3, 2024

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, the United States and China have the opportunity to collaborate on reducing methane emissions, a critical greenhouse gas significantly contributing to about 30 percent of global warming.Ford School political...

Publication

Support for carbon capture positive overall, but varies by group and aspect of technology

Aug 22, 2024

A range of technical and policy approaches are being considered to mitigate global climate change. Whether and how these approaches are prioritized or abandoned often depends directly on public approval.For one such technology—carbon capture and...

News

Kaitlin Raimi addresses climate migration on Core Conversations podcast

Aug 8, 2024

As climate-induced migration increases in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world, what are the potential policies to help communities adapt and support residents?In a new Core Conversations podcast, Kaitlin Raimi explores how Americans view climate...

Publication

More Michigan communities developing renewable energy goals, CLOSUP survey finds

Jul 17, 2024

The percentage of Michigan local governments that say they have or are considering renewable energy goals has doubled since 2019.Local officials also report that a variety of energy issues, such as energy infrastructure zoning and planning for...

Publication

Most local officials support rooftop solar, a majority opposes nuclear power

May 22, 2024

Michigan’s local leaders overwhelmingly support adding rooftop solar infrastructure in their communities, while a majority strongly oppose developing nuclear power.Those are among the key findings in the latest Michigan Public Policy Survey...

Publication

More local officials see relevance of electric vehicle planning

May 2, 2024

Local officials across Michigan increasingly view electric vehicle infrastructure planning as relevant for their governments, though many cite too few public charging stations and costs associated with adding them as barriers to expansion.The...

Gray Electric Car Parked on a Charging Bay

News

Bold Challenges awards $700K for eight research teams

May 1, 2024

Eight interdisciplinary teams from across the University of Michigan have received more than $700,000 from the Bold Challenges’ Accelerate Program to explore innovative research projects that address a wide range of societal challenges ranging from...

State & Hill

It’s all about equity

Apr 24, 2024

The Biden administration wants electric vehicles (EVs) to comprise fifty percent of new vehicle sales in just six years. This has required massive investment in our charging infrastructure. And charging is not the only issue raised by the...

Liz Gerber interviewing Dr. Missy Stults

State & Hill

Discourse: Fordies in the news, spring 2024

Apr 24, 2024

“The most likely explanation for our findings is that Black—and to a lesser extent Hispanic—families were more concerned about the health risks associated with in-person schooling than white families. This is consistent with the fact that nonwhite...

Headshots of Jacob, Camara, Wolfers, Raimi, and Ivacko

State & Hill

Energy economist Catherine Hausman on stakeholders, regulation, and uncertainties

Apr 24, 2024

Choosing your favorite class to teach is a little like choosing your favorite kid. But near the top is an elective I offer most years, “Government Regulation of Industry and the Environment.” It’s a class where we aim to develop the tools and...

News

Javi Piñeiro (MPP/JD’24) participates in Next Milan Forum

Apr 16, 2024

I don't think if you had told me when I was a teenager growing up in a very rural small town in Puerto Rico that one day, still being young and a student, I would be in a position to go to a conference abroad and meet with people from all over the...

Javi Pinero standing with his conference badge at the NEXT Milan Forum in Italy organized by ISPI, Università Bocconi, and the OECD

Publication

Grappling with the grid: Expanding electricity transmission brings benefits, encounters barriers

Mar 13, 2024

Improving the U.S. electricity grid is necessary to lower costs, boost reliability and help tackle climate change, but it will take some serious soul searching by the leaders of entities that control the grid, according to a University of Michigan...

News

Stacey Abrams, other policymakers and leading scholars to join Ford School symposium

Mar 12, 2024

The Ford School of Public Policy is happy to announce the Dean’s Symposium, which will take place April 11 and 12 at Weill Hall, with the theme, “Policy Innovation for Our Times.” The two days will feature keynote appearances by voting rights...

News

Ford school faculty available to weigh in on 2024 elections

Jan 28, 2024

The University of Michigan has published an experts guide to the 2024 elections. Ford School faculty are available to offer insights on relevant issues impacting the elections, including the following: Economics Betsey Stevenson, professor of...

Red, white, and blue balloons and stars with a large white checkmark

Publication

Communicating about climate change more effective when stories about those displaced hit 'close to home'

Jan 9, 2024

Concern for climate change grows—along with support for policies to reduce emissions—when people read about Americans being forced to move within the U.S. because of it. That's in sharp contrast to learning about climate-induced moves to the...

News

Rabe comments on COP28 climate deal

Dec 14, 2023

At the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, nearly 200 nations approved a global pact that calls for transitioning away from fossil fuels—a first. The deal also calls for tripling the use of renewable energy, doubling energy efficiency and slashing...

News

Electric, autonomous vehicles offer promise, but broad-based benefits elusive without public role - Gerber

Dec 7, 2023

Autonomous and electric vehicles can be a positive force for people and the planet, but widespread gains require government incentives and investment to ensure access for users across the economic spectrum. That's a key finding of research by...

News

Ford School students attending COP28 in Dubai

Dec 6, 2023

Several Ford School students are among the sixteen University of Michigan students who will attend the two-week COP28 climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The students will observe the negotiations, attend side events and interact with...

News

Haverkamp comments on COP28 issues

Dec 6, 2023

Negotiators from nearly 200 countries have gathered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the two-week COP28 conference in an effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the worst ravages of climate change. University of Michigan experts are...

News

Rabe discusses the impact of environmental legislation on the political landscape

Nov 20, 2023

Barry Rabe, the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy at the Ford School, has been widely quoted on the significance of recent environmental legislation for domestic politics and politicians. Here are highlights from his...

News

Raimondo addresses labor market changes

Oct 24, 2023

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo addressed labor market challenges in a conversation with Ford School economics professor Betsey Stevenson. She noted the vast number of people and agencies within the Department of Commerce – nearly 47,000...

News

Rabe’s commentary on environment policy focus on EVs and climate action

Oct 9, 2023

The Ford School's professor Barry Rabe has been commenting on the many forces at work as the U.S. moves to tackle climate change, as well as introduce more eclectic vehicle (EV) manufacture and infrastructure. Here is a review of his recent...