Introduction The two principal goals of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are to protect imperiled species and encourage their recovery. Because habitat loss is the leading cause of species extinction,the statute provides for critical habitat to be designated for listed species. Such designations can encompass any habitat that is “essential for the conservation of the […]
A Clear Process Will Improve Transparency and Trust among Important Stakeholders The primary goal FWS cites for the proposed rule is “to provide greater transparency and certainty for the public and stakeholders” regarding the process by which an area may be excluded from a critical habitat designation. By clarifying the process for excluding areas of […]
Introduction Critical habitat under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA) is one of the most controversial aspects of the law, leading to very polarized views about the utility of the tool for conservation and its socioeconomic effects on landowners. On the one hand, proposals to eliminate or severely curtail critical habitat designations usually ignore the […]
On August 4, 2020, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively referred to as the Services) proposed a rule to define “habitat” as used in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. Authors Megan Jenkins and Jonathan Wood draw on their expertise and previous research in concluding that the proposed rule is likely to benefit both landowners and endangered species.
In this research-in-focus piece, authors Jennifer Morales and Megan Hansen review the existing literature that measures the economic impacts of various types of federal land on nearby communities and provide a framework for research going forward.
Ostrom studied the management of shared environmental resources. Her work focused on how human beings come together to solve social dilemmas such as how a resource held in common should be managed.
New technologies are changing the relationship that electricity consumers have with their utility providers. What began as a one-way interaction of providing power to consumers is increasingly a two-directional relationship.
On January 10, 2020, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed to update its regulations implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
In this policy paper, Jenkins, Dougher, and Garlick begin by examining how the maintenance backlog was created and why it has persisted over time. They then outline several solutions that could be adopted to address the maintenance backlog.
This policy paper points out a number of reasons why smart thermostats have been more effective at reducing energy use than smart meters rolled out under SGIG.
This comment evaluates the likely effects of proposed rule changes on competition in the electricity industry.
This research analyzes data to examine the effect of hydraulic fracturing on local water availability and the tendencies of producers when reporting details on their water use.
The EPA seeks comment on changes to rules governing sales of E15, a gasoline blend with up to 15% ethanol.
This research examines the effects of renewable portfolio standards (RPS) on electricity prices.
This policy paper analyzes surveys of private landowners to better understand factors that deter them from engaging in conservation efforts and to identify policy changes that could increase engagement.
Drawing on previous research, the authors evaluate likely outcomes of the proposed rule change.
Drawing on previous research, the authors evaluate likely outcomes of the proposed rule change.
This research explores the environmental consequences of mandating ethanol in greater detail and makes recommendations for how to mitigate these impacts.
How Electricity Markets Work Most consumers get their electricity from a utility, which is a regulated public or private entity that sells electricity to energy consumers. Historically, a utility owned, operated, and maintained electricity generation, transmission, and distribution systems, the physical infrastructure of which generally consists of generating stations, wires, poles, transformers, meters, and control […]