Those interested in public policy, energy, and the environment can find information and alternative views in a policy brief produced by UT’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy.
Addressing Issues Concerning Energy and the Environment: A Short Course on Energy Policy Analysis is the first in a series of online policy briefs that will communicate the research findings and expertise of the Center and its affiliates.
The policy briefs are online reports that introduce readers to pressing topics of public policy and provide different views to facilitate dialogue on these issues. The briefs are designed to provide commentary and research on public policy. They are accessible to US and international audiences, and readers are encouraged to comment on them.
The first policy brief is coauthored by David Bjornstad, Baker Fellow and an economist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Alexandra Brewer, graduate student in political science at UT.
This brief provides readers with a look at energy and environmental policy, along with the opportunity to dig deeper by accessing links to additional sources of information.
“Policy topics evolve in response to public concerns. Four years ago, the presidential candidates debated carbon control using cap-and-trade tools,” said Bjornstad. “Today, the carbon dialogue has been replaced by discussions over how solar energy policy can promote new, green-energy jobs.”
Matthew Murray, director of the Baker Center, said the policy brief series will reflect the Baker Center’s fundamental philosophy of informed, nonpartisan discussion and debate.
“We are uniquely poised to contribute to the public policy discussion by drawing on the expertise of our affiliated researchers,” he said. “We hope that these reports will spark continuing discussion through comments and ideas that readers place on our website. We also hope policymakers and citizens will look to our policy briefs as trusted sources of unbiased information.”
The Baker Center is a nonpartisan institute devoted to education and research concerning public policy and civic engagement.
The first policy brief can be found here. Visit the Baker Center website for more information.
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C O N T A C T :
Nissa Dahlin-Brown (865-974-8681, nissa@utk.edu)
Matthew Murray 865-974-6098, (mmurray1@utk.edu)