Applied Economics Clinic

Valuing Our Future Health and Safety: The Discount Rate Matters — Applied Economics Clinic Lowered by the Obama Administration, raised by Trump, lowered by Biden, raised by Trump—the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) social discount rates place less value on the future benefits of env...

Today’s children will pay the price when higher social discount rates are used, which devalue health and safety benefits of current policies that occur in the future. Read more: bit.ly/4320gVx

Valuing Our Future Health and Safety: The Discount Rate Matters — Applied Economics Clinic Lowered by the Obama Administration, raised by Trump, lowered by Biden, raised by Trump—the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) social discount rates place less value on the future benefits of env...

In a new blog post, AEC examines the true cost of higher social discount rates currently used by the federal government: a healthy, livable future for today’s children. Read more: bit.ly/4320gVx

The Unequal Energy Burden Across U.S. Cities — Applied Economics Clinic For many low-income households, the cost of keeping the lights on or heating their homes consumes a far larger share of income than it does for wealthier families. This imbalance, referred to as energ...

Household #energyburdens create difficult trade-offs between paying utility bills and affording other essentials like food, rent, or healthcare. In a new blog, AEC explores @aceee.org's research on inequitable energy burdens across U.S. cities: bit.ly/4nXmuQD

Accounting for Indirect Fiscal Impacts in Connecticut’s Legislative Review — Applied Economics Clinic Client: Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs (CRCJ) Authors: Jordan Burt, PhD, Elisabeth Seliga, and Joshua R. Castigliego August 2025 On behalf of the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate an...

Omitting indirect fiscal impacts in #legislative fiscal notes can result in the rejection of beneficial proposals or the passing of flawed legislation. AEC evaluates the cost of such misestimations in #Connecticut and recommends solutions in a new policy brief: bit.ly/3I0T70t

Accounting for Indirect Fiscal Impacts in Connecticut’s Legislative Review — Applied Economics Clinic Client: Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs (CRCJ) Authors: Jordan Burt, PhD, Elisabeth Seliga, and Joshua R. Castigliego August 2025 On behalf of the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate an...

In #Connecticut, the process for preparing #legislative fiscal notes excludes indirect fiscal impacts, resulting in a misestimation of a bill’s impact on the state’s budget. AEC identifies the key limitations in capturing the full extent of a bill’s impact through fiscal notes in #CT: bit.ly/3I0T70t

Clean and Resilient: How a Solar Microgrid Powers a Small Town in North Carolina — Applied Economics Clinic The promise of reliable, clean energy for communities is rapidly becoming a reality, and this is reflected in the growth of the North America microgrid market , projected to reach $13.05 billion in m...

A solar-plus-battery #microgrid powers the town of Hot Springs, #NorthCarolina during outages, cutting #emissions and keeping lights on. A new blog from AEC notes a market shift toward #gridresilience: bit.ly/45Lp7xk

Coal Plant Retirements Dominate U.S. Power Sector Shift — Applied Economics Clinic More than 93 GW of U.S. power plant capacity is set to retire by 2030. Coal plant closure is expected to make up two-thirds of all retiring capacity during 2022-2030. This shift has important implicat...

More than 93 GW of U.S. #powerplant capacity is set to retire by 2030. Read about the power sector shift away from #coal in a new blog: bit.ly/3UGmDLQ

Coal Plant Retirements Dominate U.S. Power Sector Shift — Applied Economics Clinic More than 93 GW of U.S. power plant capacity is set to retire by 2030. Coal plant closure is expected to make up two-thirds of all retiring capacity during 2022-2030. This shift has important implicat...

When retired #coalplants are replaced with #cleanenergy alternatives, nearby communities benefit from reduced #airpollution and public health benefits. A new blog explores the U.S. power sector shift away from #coal: bit.ly/3UGmDLQ

Amicus Curiae in the Case of Genesis B. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency — Applied Economics Clinic Author: Liz Stanton, PhD July 2025 Principal Economist Elizabeth A. Stanton led AEC Staff in drafting an amicus curiae brief submitted on appeal from the United States District Court for the Cent...

“50, 100, and 150 years from now, today’s children and their children and grandchildren will benefit from #environmental policies enacted today or will suffer the effects of Defendants’ failure to stem environmental harms.” Read more from the amicus curiae in the case of #GenesisvEPA: bit.ly/46yq7Hs

Alabama Power’s Plant Miller: An Economic Assessment of Alternative Portfolios — Applied Economics Clinic Client: Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) Authors: Joshua R. Castigliego, Jordan Burt, PhD, and Tyler Comings July 2025 On behalf of the Southern Environmental Law Center, Senior Resear...

Among power plants, Alabama Power’s Plant Miller is the top emitter of #greenhousegases in the US. Despite #emissionreduction goals set forth by parent company Southern Company, Alabama Power has no retirement plans for any of Plant Miller’s #coal-fired units. Read our report: bit.ly/4lI8eKk

Alabama Power’s Plant Miller: An Economic Assessment of Alternative Portfolios — Applied Economics Clinic Client: Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) Authors: Joshua R. Castigliego, Jordan Burt, PhD, and Tyler Comings July 2025 On behalf of the Southern Environmental Law Center, Senior Resear...

AEC evaluates alternative portfolios to demonstrate that continued business-as-usual operation of Alabama Power’s Plant Miller is uneconomic and not in the best interest of customers. Alabama Power could provide customers with #costsavings by investing in #cleanenergy resources: bit.ly/4lI8eKk

Basin Electric's Coal Fleet: Risks to Continued Operation and Opportunities for Replacement — Applied Economics Clinic Authors: Bryndis Woods, PhD, Joshua R. Castigliego, Jordan Burt, PhD, Elisabeth Seliga Client: Western Organization of Resource Councils June 2025 On behalf of the Western Organization of Reso...

Basin Electric’s #coal-fired generation emits #pollution known to cause a variety of negative #healthimpacts for residents within and beyond its service territory, including #respiratory and #cardiovascular illness. We outline opportunities for replacement with #cleanenergy resources: bit.ly/3SXIFsu

Basin Electric's Coal Fleet: Risks to Continued Operation and Opportunities for Replacement — Applied Economics Clinic Authors: Bryndis Woods, PhD, Joshua R. Castigliego, Jordan Burt, PhD, Elisabeth Seliga Client: Western Organization of Resource Councils June 2025 On behalf of the Western Organization of Reso...

Basin Electric is one of the most coal-dependent power producers in the country, with #coal-fired plants accounting for approximately two-thirds of Basin’s total #fossilfuel capacity. AEC evaluates the risks associated with continued operation of Basin’s coal-fired units: bit.ly/3SXIFsu

The Road Ahead: How Congestion Pricing Could Reshape How New York City Moves — Applied Economics Clinic In January 2025, New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) implemented congestion pricing (required by New York State legislature), charging most vehicles a fee to enter Manhattan ...

In #NewYorkCity, a new #congestionpricing system is expected to raise more than $15 billion annually while reducing #traffic and cutting #emissions. Learn more: bit.ly/43CYR8I

The Road Ahead: How Congestion Pricing Could Reshape How New York City Moves — Applied Economics Clinic In January 2025, New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) implemented congestion pricing (required by New York State legislature), charging most vehicles a fee to enter Manhattan ...

With average #Midtown speeds under 7 mph, #NYC has implemented #congestionpricing to ease gridlock, improve #airquality, and modernize the City’s aging subway system. Read our latest blog: bit.ly/43CYR8I

Assessing U.S. Electric Grid Operators' Governance: Transparency, Accessibility, Accountability — Applied Economics Clinic Authors: Bryndis Woods, PhD, Deja Garraway, Alicia Zhang, PhD, Sagal Alisalad, Sumera Patel Client: Slingshot May 2025 On behalf of Slingshot (and their participation in the broader, grassro...

An assessment of U.S. electric grid operators’ #transparency, #accessibility, and #accountability finds that, overall, they fail to provide #languageaccessibility or participation assistance for public interest entities and many also fail to make Board meetings accessible. Read more: bit.ly/4mfIsOJ

Assessing U.S. Electric Grid Operators' Governance: Transparency, Accessibility, Accountability — Applied Economics Clinic Authors: Bryndis Woods, PhD, Deja Garraway, Alicia Zhang, PhD, Sagal Alisalad, Sumera Patel Client: Slingshot May 2025 On behalf of Slingshot (and their participation in the broader, grassro...

"There isn't any effort to translate any documents into any other languages [besides English]." An assessment of the seven U.S. electric grid operators grading #transparency, #accessibility, and #accountability assigned ISO #NewEngland the lowest overall grade of an F. Read more: bit.ly/4mfIsOJ

Clean Energy Expansion: Recommendations for Georgia Power — Applied Economics Clinic Authors: Tanya Stasio, PhD, Jordan Burt, PhD, and Elisabeth Seliga May 2025 Senior Researcher Tanya Stasio, PhD, Researcher Jordan Burt, PhD, and Assistant Researcher Elisabeth Seliga prepared ...

In #Georgia, there are currently no mandated statewide #climatetargets or #cleanenergy standards. Despite voluntary #emissionsreductions plans set by parent company #SouthernCompany, #GeorgiaPower continues to delay the retirement of #fossilfuel -fired units. Read our new report: bit.ly/4m8tGcB

Clean Energy Expansion: Recommendations for Georgia Power — Applied Economics Clinic Authors: Tanya Stasio, PhD, Jordan Burt, PhD, and Elisabeth Seliga May 2025 Senior Researcher Tanya Stasio, PhD, Researcher Jordan Burt, PhD, and Assistant Researcher Elisabeth Seliga prepared ...

Nearly 30% of #GeorgiaPower’s #electric generating capacity is fired by #nuclear resources, while #solar and other #renewable energy sources comprise only a small fraction of the energy fleet. AEC provides recommendations to expand Georgia Power’s #cleanenergy program offerings: bit.ly/4m8tGcB

Communities with higher #energyburdens can benefit from projects that reduce #greenhousegas #emissions at existing #fossilfuel facilities through partial or full replacement with #cleanenergy resources.

Identifying Priority Areas for Clean Energy Expansion and Emissions Reduction Opportunities — Applied Economics Clinic Authors: Tanya Stasio, PhD, Elisabeth Seliga, Elizabeth A. Stanton, PhD April 2025 Senior Researcher Tanya Stasio, PhD, Assistant Researcher Elisabeth Seliga, and Principal Economist Elizabeth ...

#Cleanenergy expansion in areas with lower incomes and higher shares of #BIPOC residents provides an opportunity to address historical #inequities. In a new white paper, AEC identifies priority areas for clean energy expansion and #emissionsreduction opportunities. Read more: bit.ly/3Y84mZP

Identifying Priority Areas for Clean Energy Expansion and Emissions Reduction Opportunities — Applied Economics Clinic Authors: Tanya Stasio, PhD, Elisabeth Seliga, Elizabeth A. Stanton, PhD April 2025 Senior Researcher Tanya Stasio, PhD, Assistant Researcher Elisabeth Seliga, and Principal Economist Elizabeth ...

Redeveloping #superfund sites into #cleanenergy facilities can be a cost-effective way to promote clean energy expansion while reducing the need for #fossilfuels. In a new white paper, we define #energy and economic criteria for identifying priority areas for clean energy expansion: bit.ly/3Y84mZP

Life in the Concrete Jungle: The Importance of Urban Biodiversity — Applied Economics Clinic Urban biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms—plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms—that exist within urban areas like cities and towns. These organisms coexist in both natural and buil...

#Greeninfrastructure can enhance #biodiversity within urban areas while providing essential services like #stormwatermanagement, #airpurification, and #heatmitigation. Learn more in our latest blog: bit.ly/3QLjNmN

Life in the Concrete Jungle: The Importance of Urban Biodiversity — Applied Economics Clinic Urban biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms—plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms—that exist within urban areas like cities and towns. These organisms coexist in both natural and buil...

Cities can host surprising levels of #biodiversity but #urban plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms are limited when natural habitats are destroyed or fragmented by development. Learn more about how thoughtful #urbanplanning and #greeninfrastructure can support urban #ecosystems: bit.ly/3QLjNmN

LG&E-KU’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan: An Assessment — Applied Economics Clinic Client: Mountain Association (MA), Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC), Kentucky Solar Energy Society (KYSES), and Metropolitan Housing Coalition (MHC) Authors: Joshua R. Castigliego, Elizabe...

In #Kentucky, LG&E-KU’s failure to facilitate a #stakeholder process in the development of their 2024 IRP left #ratepayers impacted by #utility planning decisions out of the conversation. Read about #IRP best practices in a new AEC white paper: bit.ly/43DtLhv @mtassociationky.bsky.social

LG&E-KU’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan: An Assessment — Applied Economics Clinic Client: Mountain Association (MA), Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC), Kentucky Solar Energy Society (KYSES), and Metropolitan Housing Coalition (MHC) Authors: Joshua R. Castigliego, Elizabe...

LG&E-KU’s #IRP is missing critical components and includes errors in #forecasting key assumptions. In a new white paper, AEC assesses LG&E-KU’s 2024 IRP in the context of industry best practices: bit.ly/43DtLhv #Kentucky #electric @mtassociationky.bsky.social

#Fossilfuel fired plants increase the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in surrounding communities. In #Massachusetts, the Pittsfield Generating Facility fossil fuel plant is within two miles of several #schools and #EJ populations.

#Fossilfuel fired #emissions from the Pittsfield Generating Facility are on the rise, putting the #health of local communities at higher risk.

A Community Assessment of Health Impacts from the Pittsfield Generating Facility on Local Communitie — Applied Economics Clinic Client: Massachusetts Clean Peak Coalition Authors: Jordan Burt, Elisabeth Seliga, Tanya Stasio, PhD, Lila McNamee, and Liz Stanton, PhD February 2025 On behalf of the Massachusetts Clean Pe...

#EJ communities living near the Pittsfield Generating Facility are exposed to #greenhousegas #emissions and co- #pollutants that increase their risk of adverse #health outcomes. Read more in our new report on behalf of the #Massachusetts Clean Peak Coalition: bit.ly/4gvLAlu

A Community Assessment of Health Impacts from the Pittsfield Generating Facility on Local Communitie — Applied Economics Clinic Client: Massachusetts Clean Peak Coalition Authors: Jordan Burt, Elisabeth Seliga, Tanya Stasio, PhD, Lila McNamee, and Liz Stanton, PhD February 2025 On behalf of the Massachusetts Clean Pe...

In a new report on behalf of the #MA Clean Peak Coalition, AEC finds that replacing the #fossilfuel fired Pittsfield Generating Facility with #cleanenergy resources can reduce #emissions and related negative #health impacts on local #EJ and other vulnerable communities. Read more: bit.ly/4gvLAlu