Below are descriptions and researcher contact information for the six priority projects for 2007
- Reference guide to national carbon policy >
- CO2 allowance allocation >
- Opportunities for climate change legislation in Farm Bill >
- Analysis of federal policy needs for national carbon pipeline and storage system >
- Plug-in Hybrids: implications for the electricity sector and climate >
- Advanced Vehicle Technology Evaluation >
Reference guide to national carbon policy
Description: This is an introductory text designed to inform policy-makers
and others concerned with developing U.S. carbon policy. It includes
Volume I—Technology and Volume II—Policy; chapters deal with
energy efficiency, electricity generation technologies, carbon sequestration,
emission cap-and-trade systems, carbon tax systems, and policy options
to advance technology.
Experts: Tim Profeta, Rob Jackson, Christopher Galik, Eric Williams, Hallie Knuffman
Publications:
A Convenient Guide for Climate Change Policy and Technology
Contact: Eric Williams, e.l.williams@duke.edu, 919-613-8714
CO2 allowance allocation
Description: Cap-and-trade systems begin with an initial
allowance to parties to emit a certain number of tons of carbon dioxide.
Determining how to distribute the initial allowances is one of the most
difficult, politically-charged aspects of the cap and trade system. This
project is exploring implications of different allocation methods to inform
policy makers wrestling with this decision.
Experts: Brian Murray, Tim Profeta and Eric Williams
Contact: Eric Williams, e.l.williams@duke.edu, 919-613-8714
Opportunities for climate change legislation in Farm Bill
Description: The Farm Bill, with its myriad titles and programs,
is scheduled for reauthorization by the U.S. Congress in 2008. Some observers
see it as the first significant legislative vehicle to enact environmental
legislation. This project is examining opportunities for energy- and
emission-related titles or programs to add to the upcoming Farm Bill.
Experts: Christopher Galik, Tim Profeta
Contact: Christopher Galik, christopher.galik@duke.edu, 919-681-7193
Analysis of federal policy needs for national carbon pipeline and storage
system
Description: Coal combustion for electricity generation produces
carbon emissions; currently, those emissions are released and trapped in
the atmosphere. Advanced technologies can, however, capture the carbon
before it is released, transport it via pipelines, and inject it underground
for long-term storage. Before carbon capture and storage can be applied
on a large scale, policy needs to be developed to regulate pipeline and
storage site location, clarify risk and liability, and otherwise solidify
the operating environment. This project is analyzing policy options and
impacts on a national network of carbon pipelines and storage sites.
Experts: Eric Williams, Lincoln Pratson, Rob Jackson
Publications:
Carbon
Capture, Pipeline and Storage: A Viable Option for North Carolina Utilities? (March
2007)
Contact: Eric Williams, e.l.williams@duke.edu, 919-613-8714
Plug-in Hybrids:
implications for the electricity sector and climate
Description: Plug-in hybrids have been applauded for their low consumption
of gasoline; plug-in hybrids can achieve 100 miles per gallon of gasoline. As
such, their benefit to energy security is clear. Less clear is their benefit
to climate. Plug-in hybrids in regions with carbon-intensive electricity
generation may have a higher net carbon emission rate than regular hybrids. We
are using a dynamic electricity sector model to evaluate the impact of several
plug-in hybrid market adoption scenarios at the regional and national levels.
Experts: Eric Williams
Contact: Eric Williams, e.l.williams@duke.edu, 919-613-8714
Advanced Vehicle
Technology Evaluation
Description: We are doing a full technical-economic evaluation of
a number of advanced vehicle technologies. We are examining barriers
to entry, additional costs, potential carbon savings, infrastructure
needs, technological risk, and the probability of development.
Experts: Eric Williams
Contact: Eric Williams, e.l.williams@duke.edu, 919-613-8714