Next Steps in U.S. and State Energy Portfolios

How will shifts in federal policy affect the composition of our national and state energy portfolios? Will solar and wind markets collapse without government incentives? In this session Stephen Bird, Director of the Carsey School of Public Policy and energy policy scholar, described a variety of factors affecting energy policy and markets including subsidies, tariffs, and current actions at both the state and national level. He presented current and past trajectories for different energy sources and discuss current concerns for energy affordability, security, sustainability, and the energy transition.

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Next Steps in U.S. and State Energy Portfolios

Stephen Bird is the Director of Carsey School of Public Policy and a professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire. He is also a research professor (courtesy) at the Institute for Sustainable Environment at Clarkson University where he was formerly a full professor of political science. In addition, he's a faculty Research Affiliate with the Positive Energy Project at the University of Ottawa.

Stephen's work examines all aspects of energy policy and regulation broadly, with a deep focus on impacting the energy transition. Engagements and research awards have included New York’s Energy Research Authority, the U.S. State Department, the European Commission, National Resources Canada, a 2016 Fulbright Research Chair, and the National Science Foundation. Corporate partnerships have included the NY Power Authority, GE, National Grid, AMD, the US Green Building Council, and IBM.

His current research and engagements focus on energy conflict & polarization, drivers of energy acceptance (fracking, solar, wind), split incentives and smart housing, and energy technology governance & implementation (microgrids, green data centers).

Stephen completed his PhD at Boston University and his Masters at Harvard University.