China is on the verge of launching what is expected to be the world’s largest carbon dioxide
(CO2) emissions trading system (ETS). When fully implemented, this program will likely
double the share of the world’s greenhouse gases covered by cap and trade.1 Under current
plans, the facilities covered by the program will eventually account for over 50 percent of China’s
GHG emissions. Internationally, much seems to be riding on this program. If perceived
as successful, it could serve as a model for other countries wishing to implement an ETS. If
viewed as a failure, it could impede the adoption of emissions trading programs in many parts
of the world.
The Impact of Efficient Carbon and Gas Pricing on the Russian Electricity Market
The paper examines the possible interactions of various policy proposals to introduce carbon taxation, adjust the domestic price of gas to export parity and build a major electricity interconnector, and their impact on carbon emissions and the fuel mix of the Russian electricity supply industry. Without raising gas prices, a carbon tax of €25/tonne CO2 reduces emissions by 13% and the output of coal-fired plant by nearly 50%, with the major impact at €6.3-12.5/tonne. Moving gas prices to export parity substantially offsets this effect, and requires higher carbon taxes to reduce emissions by the same amount, as does building the prospective interconnector “Ural-Siberia”.
Keywords: Carbon tax, Russian electricity industry, Gas tariffs, Export parity
Evaluation of the Winter Pollution Mitigation Policy in China
Rapid industrialization in China has come with substantial increases in local air pollution. This paper quantifies the health benefits of the Winter Pollution Mitigation Policy of 2017. We estimate that this policy caused an 18% reduction in fine particulate concentration levels, resulting in 19,400 deaths avoided in 2017 due to pollution exposure in Beijing, Tianjin,…
Are energy performance certificates a strong predictor of actual energy use? Evidence from high-frequency thermostat panel data
This paper examines the extent with which Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) reflect observed energy used for heating. We use high-frequency smart thermostat panel data in combination with building characteristics and hourly weather information. We exploit variations in boiler operation in the neighborhood of a steady state indoor temperature to elicit the predictive power of an…
The Texas Deep Freeze of February 2021: What Happened and Lessons Learned?
Although various factors were blamed for the extended power outage on the ERCOT electricity grid in February 2021, no single problem fully explains the calamity. All forms of generation experienced capacity deratings, but failure to identify and address risks along fuel supply chains was a major contributor. Moreover, most proposed remedies do not fundamentally address…
Book Reviews
Do Investments in Clean Technologies Reduce Production Costs? Insights from the Literature
In response to growing environmental concerns, governments have encouraged innovation and adoption of green or clean technologies through various policy measures. At present more than half a trillion US$ is being invested annually in clean technologies. This study analyzes if investments in clean technologies increase productivity and reduce production costs based on the existing literature….
The (indirect) Effects of Windfall Funds on Sustainability Behavior: Insights for Carbon Fee Dividends
Motivated by proposed Carbon Dividend legislation in the U.S., we test the impacts of a monetary windfall on sustainability behavior under information conditions about the source of the funds. We find that windfall funds, particularly when presented as a refund, positively impact stated intent to engage in transportation-related sustainable behaviors. Evidence suggests that participants are…
Ownership Unbundling of Electricity Distribution Networks
Traditional restructuring of power markets has focused on legally separating monopolistic transmission and distribution infrastructure with sufficient regulatory oversight to ensure non-discriminatory access to networks, and transparent and cost-reflective tariffs. There is consensus that ownership separation for transmission assets is beneficial for competition and transparency. However, at the distribution level the benefits of going beyond…
OPEC’s Pursuit of Market Stability
We investigate attempts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to stabilize the price of oil during the past fifty years. We first develop a novel decomposition of shifts in global demand and non-OPEC supply. This decomposition provides a fresh perspective on the debate over the relative importance of demand versus supply factors as…