Date: Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Time: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Location: In Person EER 3.646 or Stream Online (via Zoom or YouTube)

UT Energy Symposium

Bio:

Jackson Dorsey is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Texas at Austin. He was previously an Assistant Professor at Indiana University Kelley School of Business and completed his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Arizona in 2018. His research focuses on environmental economics, energy economics, and industrial organization. His recent work aims to understand the market impacts of clean energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles, and energy storage. This includes investigating the determinants of energy technology adoption and drawing implications for public policy.

Abstract:

Reducing carbon emissions from the electricity sector is a necessary step towards mitigating future damages from climate change. Recent innovations in renewable energy, electricity storage, and carbon capture provide promising pathways to decarbonization. However, a successful path to decarbonization requires maintaining affordable energy costs and ensuring electricity reliability.

This presentation will delve into why market forces alone are insufficient for solving the carbon pollution problem. We will examine current clean energy policies and evaluate the role of renewable energy in the energy transition. We will discuss the advantages and shortcomings of current policies and consider who will bear the financial burden of the transition. We will consider strategies for increasing policy effectiveness and balancing emission reductions with energy affordability and reliability to maximize societal welfare.