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JOB OPENINGS1. Graduate Student Research Positions: Summer 2008 & Fall 2008 2. Funding for MEM/MP Research for the 2008-2009 Academic Year Graduate Student Research Positions: Summer 2008 & Fall 2008 The Climate Change Policy Partnership (CCPP) has openings for 3 students for the summer '08 and 5 students for the fall '08. Based on performance, fall students will be invited to continue their research for the spring semester '09. Project work will focus on a specific, predetermined research topic (see below), but may change as needed. Research will be carried out under the guidance of CCPP staff and possibly faculty. Summer researchers are expected to contribute approximately 40 hours per week, researchers during the fall and spring semester approximately 10 hour per week to the project. The positions pay $15/hour. Potential Research Projects detailed descriptions below Energy and Climate
Biofuels
Offsets
Qualifications: Coursework in climate, energy or agriculture/forestry focusing on policy, science and/or economics depending on the specific project area. Strong research, analytical and writing skills are a must. Applications due by March 14, 2008 should include: We plan to select interview candidates by March 20, hold personal interviews the week of March 24th and communicate our final selections by April 2nd. For application submission and questions: Funding for MEM/MP Research for the 2008-2009 Academic Year The Climate Change Policy Partnership (CCPP) announces the availability of funding opportunities for MEM students working on specific masters projects (MPs) during the 2008/2009 academic year. The funding will be competitively awarded in the amount of $2,000 per semester. Research Proposals: Potential Research Projects detailed descriptions below Energy and Climate
Biofuels
Offsets
Proposals Due by March 24, 2008 should include: For application submission and questions: Selection: Funding: Role of the CCPP: Qualifications: Detailed descriptions of projects mentioned above Energy and Climate Future Generating Capacity and Demand for Electricity: This project would evaluate where and by how much electricity demand is likely to grow over the next 30 years. The analysis would also include an evaluation of likely electricity generating pant retirements. Projections for new capacity would be based on a combination of demand forecasts and expected retirements. Finance of CCS and Nuclear Plants under Regulated and Restructured Electricity Markets: This project would examine the barriers to financing large capital-intensive CCS and nuclear plants in regulated and restructured electricity markets and would suggest policy options to remove those barriers. Legal Aspects of Carbon Sequestration. What is the current legal framework for carbon stored in underground reservoirs? Who is responsible for a leak, both from a health/safety and an environmental regulatory liability perspective? Public perception of Carbon Capture and Storage: Will there likely be NIMBY issues with citing carbon pipelines and storage facilities? Economic Implications of High Natural Gas Prices: How will high natural gas prices, coupled with a carbon cap and trade system, affect the economy? What is the global demand and supply for LNG? What is the potential for LNG imports into the United States - are LNG terminals feasible? Advanced Energy Efficiency: What is the technical and economic potential of the latest advances in energy efficient lighting, appliances and motors? How much can efficiency save in carbon emissions and at what cost? Renewable Resources on Public Lands: What are the rules regarding building wind and solar facilities on public lands? Would the government own renewable facilities or would concessions be auctioned to private operators? What policy changes are needed to take full advantage of renewable resources on public lands? Energy Storage Technology: This project would evaluate the current state of large-scale energy storage technology suitable for utility-scale electricity generation that can be used in conjunction with renewable resources. What are the technological roadblocks that need to be overcome? What is the appropriate level of R&D support? What are the projected costs and timetable for commercially available storage technologies? Renewable Energy and Transmission: This project requires GIS experience and will work with renewable energy mapping data and transmission system data to determine optimal sites for new renewable electricity generating technologies and new transmission lines. Biofuels Lock-in Potential of Corn Ethanol: Despite the potential for advanced alternative fuels such as cellulosic ethanol to come online in the near future, current investment in corn-based ethanol infrastructure may prevent switch over and adoption by consumers. This project would examine the costs of retrofit, public perception, and other barriers that may limit transition away from corn-based ethanol and to more advanced alternative fuels. Efficiency of Regional and National Renewable Fuels Targets: Because of feedstock availability, transportation infrastructure, and other factors, biofuel production and distribution may be significantly cheaper in some areas of the country than others. Despite this fact, numerous states have instituted renewable fuel mandates. Using GIS-based analysis to determine those areas where production and distribution is cheapest, this project would examine the relative efficiencies of meeting numerous individual state-based renewable fuels mandates versus a single national target. Offsets Road test of Forest Management Protocols: Several protocols now exist through which landowners may store and market carbon through forest management. The protocols vary substantially in scope and detail. This project would conduct a "road test" of the various protocols, examining the burden associated with implementing each, the amount of allowable carbon sequestered under each, and other various attributes such as error. Treatment of Forest Products under an Offsets Program: Numerous protocols exist to track the sequestration of carbon in the forest products chain, but the inclusion of forest products under an offsets program remains controversial. This project would examine the various protocols for tracking carbon in wood products and evaluate inclusion into a possible federal offsets program, addressing such issues as additionality, double-counting, transferability, and recordkeeping. Necessary Policy Shifts in U.S. Conservation Programs: With the establishment of a federal offsets program and likely increasing demand for biofuels, changes in the management of U.S. conservation programs will likely be necessary. This project will evaluate the implications of offsets and biofuels on major U.S. conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and recommend policy changes (rental payments, allowable activities, enrolled acreages, etc.) that will be necessary to continue meeting conservation policy objectives. Role of Public Lands in an Offsets Market: This project would examine the potential roles that public lands in the U.S. could play under a federal offsets and/or climate policy. The analysis would likely address such topics as the potential for private citizens to generate offsets through activities on federal lands (timber contracting, grazing, etc.), federal carbon management mandates, research objectives, etc., including any policy changes that may be needed. ©2008 Center on Global Change |
