Nicholas Institute Economist Named to National Academies of Science Committee Focused on Emissions, Tax Code

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 4, 2011

CONTACT: Erin McKenzie
(919) 613-3652
erin.mckenzie@duke.edu

DURHAM, N.C. – Brian Murray, director for economic analysis at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, has been named to a committee tasked with exploring how the federal tax code could influence greenhouse gas emissions.

The 12-member National Academies of Science Committee on the Effects of Provisions in the Internal Revenue Code on Greenhouse Gas Emissions was formed at the request of Congress and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

The study is part of efforts by the federal government to identify existing tax provisions that could have a substantial effect on greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions. Within the next year and a half, Murray and other committee members are expected to issue a report that attempts to rank the magnitude of these effects as well as outline the principles and criteria for formulating climate-sensitive tax policy in the future.

“The committee and report come at a time when our government is dealing jointly with challenges posed by climate change and federal budget deficits,” said Murray. “I am honored to be selected by the Academy to help provide guidance to the Administration and Congress on these critical problems facing our country and the rest of the world.”

Murray is widely recognized for his work on the economics of climate change policy. His research has examined the economic effects of traditional command-based regulatory strategies for pollution control as well as market-oriented approaches such as cap-and-trade programs and emission taxes.

The National Academies were formed in 1863 to provide expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and the world.

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