Partnership Formed on Climate, Energy Work

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2010
CONTACT: Erin McKenzie
(919) 613-3652
erin.mckenzie@duke.edu

DURHAM N.C.-- Goldman Sachs’ Center for Environmental Markets (CEM) will partner with Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions on work to maximize policies that limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Focused initially on four existing policy options at the state and federal levels, the project, funded by CEM, will identify effective strategies for the policies to be used to reduce these emissions and spur investment in new economical, environmentally efficient technologies.

“The nation continues to face enormous energy challenges,” said Jonas Monast, senior policy associate at the Institute. “Without meaningful action, greenhouse gas emissions are projected to rise significantly in the coming years. Our work will focus on how lawmakers can best design an effective energy policy system that is politically viable in the short-term, while also laying a foundation for a comprehensive, long-term energy strategy.”

The partnership will be led by Tim Profeta, director of the Nicholas Institute, and involve other Institute staff; Etan Gumerman; Monast; David Hoppock as well as Nicholas School of the Environment faculty member Dalia Patino-Echeverri.

Through a series of case studies, stakeholder meetings, research and policy analysis they will develop a specific scenario for how federal energy policy, the Clean Air Act, market-based strategies at the state and regional levels and state-based utility regulations could best be used to further investments in low carbon solutions.

The 15-month study builds on earlier work by Institute staff related to climate policy, and the EPA’s regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.

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The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
Founded by Duke University in 2005, the Nicholas Institute helps decision makers in government, the private sector and the nonprofit community address critical environmental challenges. Since its inception, it has earned a distinguished reputation for its innovative approach to developing viable solutions to these challenges through programs in key areas, which include climate and energy, water, ocean and coasts, corporate sustainability and ecosystem services.

Goldman Sachs Center for Environmental Markets
The Goldman Sachs Center for Environmental Markets (CEM) conducts independent research with partners to explore and develop public policy options and tools for furthering market-based solutions to environmental challenges. CEM partners with corporate clients, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations to bring diverse perspectives and complementary skills together, and shares its findings through publications, research papers, conferences, tools and targeted outreach to clients, investors and policy experts. We leverage our role in the global capital markets and our position as an advisor, financier, co-investor and market maker to convene leading thinkers and create solutions that have a constructive impact on environmental issues.