Experts in the News

In Texas, the shale “boom” has coincided with one of the worst droughts in recent history. Katherine R. Zodrow, postdoctoral research associate at the Center for Energy Studies, lists several policies that Texas policymakers should consider in order to maintain a stable economy that is highly dependent on water resources.

Lower oil prices change the competitive margin for U.S.-sourced gas, says Kenneth B. Medlock, senior director of the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies.

Mark P. Jones, fellow in political science, comments that Houston could become the leading port for shipping U.S. farm products to Cuba, if Congress repeals the embargo.

Last week Congress included in a funding bill a rider prohibiting the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from “writ[ing] or issu[ing]” listing rules for four species of sage-grouse. Regina M. Buono, Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs, examines the legal consequences of the rider.

The new EPA proposal for the reduction of CO2 emissions from the electricity generation sector requires state-specific reduction in power plant emissions that could achieve up to 30 percent in national-level CO2 emission, annually. Ghasideh Pourhashem, postdoctoral research fellow for the Center for Energy Studies, explains how exploring innovative approaches to CO2 emissions reduction can help minimize the cost of compliance with pending and future regulations.