energy and environmental policy

News

Rabe analyzes Americans’ strong support for carbon tariffs on imports

Nov 15, 2024

Political hurdles in the U.S. have prevented a national carbon tax or cap-and-trade-system, but would the American public support tariffs linked to climate policy?University of Michigan political scientist Barry Rabe, in collaboration with Chris...

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...

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

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

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...

State & Hill

Anne Coglianese: Public servants advancing the public good

Apr 24, 2024

In October 2023, Anne Coglianese launched Jacksonville’s first ever resilience strategy, which outlines 45 actions and 90 subactions to implement over the next 50...

Anne Coglianese presenting to stakeholders

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...

State & Hill

Nicole Fernandes: Public servants advancing the public good

Apr 24, 2024

NOAA provides authoritative data, tools, products, and services to build a more weather-ready and climate-ready nation. My job is to understand the policy, political, environmental, and social landscape across the U.S. and try to take a holistic...

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

Faculty news, spring 2024

Apr 24, 2024

Kamissa Camara chaired the Bipartisan Senior Study Group for the Sahel at the U.S. Institute of Peace. The study group’s comprehensive report critically assesses opportunities for peace, security, and economic development in the Sahel.Charlotte...

(Top row, left to right) Fullerton Rico, Hills, Holz, Jacob, and Leiser (Bottom row, left to right) Morenoff, Raimi, Shipan, Spencer, and Stevenson

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...

Publication

What's stopping U.S. climate policies from working effectively?

Jan 30, 2024

The United States recently passed major climate change laws, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), and the CHIPS and Science Act, which allocate funding with a goal of expanding...

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

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

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

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

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

Rabe examines developments in carbon border adjustments globally

Nov 5, 2023

The interplay between domestic and international climate politics "is a multilevel game," stated Barry Rabe, the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy at the Ford School. At a panel discussion for the Niskanen Center, Rabe...

News

Corwin (MPP/SEAS '25) increases residential participation in energy efficiency programs

Nov 1, 2023

Bridget Corwin (MPP/SEAS ‘25) was chosen to be one of nine 2023 Catalyst Leadership Circle Fellows, an annual program that provides Michigan communities statewide the resources needed to be able to tackle environmentally focused projects they...

News

Air pollution a long-term risk for low-income countries' prosperity - Hausman

Oct 22, 2023

Catherine Hausman, associate professor at the Ford School, asserts that air pollution in low-income countries is one major symptom of environmental inequality. In a BBC article, she is quoted and highlights that air pollution will be a long-term...

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...

News

Ford School teams receive Boost support from U-M Bold Challenges Initiative

Sep 6, 2023

Three research teams with Ford School affiliations have been selected among eight programs across the U-M campus to participate in the first cycle of the Bold Challenges Initiative's newly-launched Boost program. The Boost program supports new...

News

Will courts limit the use of climate-combatting technologies?

Aug 30, 2023

Ford School professor Barry Rabe is concerned about how a set of recent court decisions mean for new climate technologies. In a commentary piece for Brookings, Rabe notes that while the U.S. has been a world leader in accelerating the transition...