John A. “Skip” Laitner is an institutional and international resource economist who leads a team of consultants, the Economic and Human Dimensions Research Associates based in Tucson, Arizona. He is the Past President of the Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS), an independent interdisciplinary professional association in higher education. Laitner specializes in the macroeconomic and jobs assessment of energy efficiency, clean energy, resource productivity and sustainability strategies. Address: Tucson, Arizona, United States
Climate protection policy and its analysis are pursued in the context of other societal goals, am... more Climate protection policy and its analysis are pursued in the context of other societal goals, among them the maintenance of economic growth and high employment. Too often, however, analysis of energy and climate policy does not realistically reflect technological conditions and the dynamics of technological change. This tendency unnecessarily associates the decline in energy consumption or carbon emissions with the
The potential applications of solar energy and the development of other energy sources in the Mid... more The potential applications of solar energy and the development of other energy sources in the Midwest are discussed. Solar heating applications are considered economical in the Midwest because of the long and cold winters. Wind power and biomass conversion are also considered feasible sources of energy. The DOE has funded the Mid-American Solar Energy Complex to serve the 12 state region. So far, the agency has not been considered a success. Applications of solar energy and other technologies in the Midwest are cited and include a salt-gradient solar pond, solar space heating in a zoo, swimming pool heating, passive solar heated houses, the business district of a town, a summer camp, agricultural applications of solar energy, and biomass systems.
Marilyn Brown, Professor, Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology Visiting Distinguished S... more Marilyn Brown, Professor, Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology Visiting Distinguished Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Marilyn A. Brown joined Georgia Tech in 2006 after a distinguished career at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. At ORNL, she held various leadership positions and led several major energy technology and policy scenario studies. Dr. Brown remains affiliated with ORNL as a Visiting Distinguished Scientist. Dr. Brown has authored more than 200 publications including a recently published book on Energy and American Society: Thirteen Myths. Her research interests encompass the development and deployment of sustainable energy technologies and issues surrounding the commercialization of new technologies and the evaluation of energy programs and policies. Dr. Brown serves on the board of directors of the Alliance to Save Energy, the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
The lesson to be gleaned from this strategic concept is that resource utilization, in all of its ... more The lesson to be gleaned from this strategic concept is that resource utilization, in all of its dimensions, should be viewed as a pillar of a state's development policies. Moreover, when used in conjunction with a community-based strategy, resource management issues can become a ''win-win'' tool which supports the local goals as they are articulated by local businesses and residents. The term used in the Energy Office that best describes this approach is ''infragrowth''-the strengthening of local economies from within through the efficient use of locally available resources. Opportunities for energy efficiency improvements are huge. It's been estimated that our economy operates at only a 10% efficiency level when all losses are accounted for. But the ''infragrowth'' concept extends well beyond energy consumption.
Four communities have been selected to participate in a Sierra Club Community Energy Project desi... more Four communities have been selected to participate in a Sierra Club Community Energy Project designed to bring together diverse groups of citizens to assess current and future energy needs. Plans will be formulated which emphasize conservation and renewable energy resources. The four communities are Claremore, Oklahoma, Missoula, Montana; Iowa City, Iowa; and Hanover, New Hampshire. (JMT)
This report discusses the employment effects of Michigan’s auto industry shifting from internal c... more This report discusses the employment effects of Michigan’s auto industry shifting from internal combustion engine vehicle manufacturing to electric vehicle manufacturing, with a focus on supporting a just transition for workers and communities. Using economic modeling from 2024 to 2040, the report highlights the importance of Michigan seizing the opportunities electrification presents. Additionally, it presents policy recommendations to help Michigan attract and retain good jobs, support workers and ensure local communities benefit from the transition.
This paper analyzes long-term growth in a closed economy with human as well as physical capital. ... more This paper analyzes long-term growth in a closed economy with human as well as physical capital. The human capital corresponds to general education. Private utility maximization determines each child's schooling. Costs of educating a given individual are convex. Although self-sustaining growth is not possible, steady states with per capita output growing faster than the underlying rate of technological progress do emerge and the magnitude of some comparative-static results is increased. Section 3 attempts to pin down the degree of growth-rate amplification implied in practice, concluding with estimates of 30-50 percent.
The dynamics of recent innovations of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and others... more The dynamics of recent innovations of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and others is better captured by the complex systems theory than traditional innovation systems theory. The analysis based upon complex systems theory leads us to distinct and more positive future prospects and cost-effective policy implications for mitigating global warming. Massive emission cut of greenhouse gas will be possible through the policies that promote innovation and economic development.
Climate protection policy and its analysis are pursued in the context of other societal goals, am... more Climate protection policy and its analysis are pursued in the context of other societal goals, among them the maintenance of economic growth and high employment. Too often, however, analysis of energy and climate policy does not realistically reflect technological conditions and the dynamics of technological change. This tendency unnecessarily associates the decline in energy consumption or carbon emissions with the
The potential applications of solar energy and the development of other energy sources in the Mid... more The potential applications of solar energy and the development of other energy sources in the Midwest are discussed. Solar heating applications are considered economical in the Midwest because of the long and cold winters. Wind power and biomass conversion are also considered feasible sources of energy. The DOE has funded the Mid-American Solar Energy Complex to serve the 12 state region. So far, the agency has not been considered a success. Applications of solar energy and other technologies in the Midwest are cited and include a salt-gradient solar pond, solar space heating in a zoo, swimming pool heating, passive solar heated houses, the business district of a town, a summer camp, agricultural applications of solar energy, and biomass systems.
Marilyn Brown, Professor, Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology Visiting Distinguished S... more Marilyn Brown, Professor, Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology Visiting Distinguished Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Marilyn A. Brown joined Georgia Tech in 2006 after a distinguished career at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. At ORNL, she held various leadership positions and led several major energy technology and policy scenario studies. Dr. Brown remains affiliated with ORNL as a Visiting Distinguished Scientist. Dr. Brown has authored more than 200 publications including a recently published book on Energy and American Society: Thirteen Myths. Her research interests encompass the development and deployment of sustainable energy technologies and issues surrounding the commercialization of new technologies and the evaluation of energy programs and policies. Dr. Brown serves on the board of directors of the Alliance to Save Energy, the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
The lesson to be gleaned from this strategic concept is that resource utilization, in all of its ... more The lesson to be gleaned from this strategic concept is that resource utilization, in all of its dimensions, should be viewed as a pillar of a state's development policies. Moreover, when used in conjunction with a community-based strategy, resource management issues can become a ''win-win'' tool which supports the local goals as they are articulated by local businesses and residents. The term used in the Energy Office that best describes this approach is ''infragrowth''-the strengthening of local economies from within through the efficient use of locally available resources. Opportunities for energy efficiency improvements are huge. It's been estimated that our economy operates at only a 10% efficiency level when all losses are accounted for. But the ''infragrowth'' concept extends well beyond energy consumption.
Four communities have been selected to participate in a Sierra Club Community Energy Project desi... more Four communities have been selected to participate in a Sierra Club Community Energy Project designed to bring together diverse groups of citizens to assess current and future energy needs. Plans will be formulated which emphasize conservation and renewable energy resources. The four communities are Claremore, Oklahoma, Missoula, Montana; Iowa City, Iowa; and Hanover, New Hampshire. (JMT)
This report discusses the employment effects of Michigan’s auto industry shifting from internal c... more This report discusses the employment effects of Michigan’s auto industry shifting from internal combustion engine vehicle manufacturing to electric vehicle manufacturing, with a focus on supporting a just transition for workers and communities. Using economic modeling from 2024 to 2040, the report highlights the importance of Michigan seizing the opportunities electrification presents. Additionally, it presents policy recommendations to help Michigan attract and retain good jobs, support workers and ensure local communities benefit from the transition.
This paper analyzes long-term growth in a closed economy with human as well as physical capital. ... more This paper analyzes long-term growth in a closed economy with human as well as physical capital. The human capital corresponds to general education. Private utility maximization determines each child's schooling. Costs of educating a given individual are convex. Although self-sustaining growth is not possible, steady states with per capita output growing faster than the underlying rate of technological progress do emerge and the magnitude of some comparative-static results is increased. Section 3 attempts to pin down the degree of growth-rate amplification implied in practice, concluding with estimates of 30-50 percent.
The dynamics of recent innovations of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and others... more The dynamics of recent innovations of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and others is better captured by the complex systems theory than traditional innovation systems theory. The analysis based upon complex systems theory leads us to distinct and more positive future prospects and cost-effective policy implications for mitigating global warming. Massive emission cut of greenhouse gas will be possible through the policies that promote innovation and economic development.
Uploads