Workshop V: Energy Market Consequences of an Emerging U.S. Carbon Management Policy

The Energy Forum of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy is hosting a fifth and final workshop examining the consequences of potential greenhouse gas emissions regulations for the U.S. energy market. We are considering the influence of a wide range of scenarios, including the adoption of a national carbon management initiative, as well as regulations and subsidies to support alternative energy sources. The modeling work is the foundation of research toward the release of a major energy study titled "Energy Market Consequences of an Emerging U.S. Carbon Management Policy" in September 2010.

Utilizing its world gas trade model, the Baker Institute will present at this January seminar new research findings on how different carbon management schemes will influence energy demand, supply and pricing in the United States and abroad, as well as overall trends in the North American energy market. We will also present further work on the relationship between R&D public spending trends and technological innovation.

The purpose of the workshop is to present these preliminary modeling results for review and discussion. Topics to be discussed will include: the effect of various carbon policies and new technologies on natural gas and energy demand, the effect of wind generation on the load curve for electricity, and the impact of R&D spending on realized innovation.

The study was made possible through the generous support of ConocoPhillips Foundation and the Baker Institute Energy Forum.

Event Agenda and Presentations

9:00 am  Welcoming Remarks and Introduction
Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D., James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics, Baker Institute

9:15 am  Morning Session I

 "Innovation, Renewable Energy, and Macroeconomic Growth: A Progress Report"
Ted Temzelides, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Economics, Rice University

 "More on Wind Generation in the U.S."
Peter Hartley, Ph.D., Baker Institute Rice Scholar, George and Cynthia Mitchell Professor of Economics, Rice University

10:45 am  Coffee Break

11:00 am  The Effects on CO2 Constraints on Energy Markets - Critical Drivers

 "The Impacts of Cap-and-Trade, RPS, and Electric Vehicles on the North Americans Natural Gas Market"
Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D., James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics, Baker Institute