Jonathan Rubin, professor of economics at the University of Maine, will speak on "Low Carbon Transportation Fuels: Climate Change and Energy Security," Friday, April 5 at 3 p.m. in North Lounge Billings. His talk, part of the Burack President's Distinguished Lecture Series, is free and open to the public.

A national low carbon fuel standard has been proposed as a way to lower the carbon intensity of the nation's transportation sector, while still providing for economic growth and mobility. An important method for lowering
the carbon intensity of transportation is to substitute lower carbon alternative fuels such as advanced biofuels, electricity, compressed natural gas and hydrogen. This talk will discuss the economic implications of different designs for a national low-carbon fuel standard in terms of economic costs and energy security impacts.

Rubin’s work spans the disciplines of economics, agriculture and public policy. He is active with the National Academy of Science’s Transportation Research Board as chair of the Committee on Transportation Energy. Rubin’s academic research investigates low-carbon transportation fuels, biofuel pathways, and
the potential economic and environmental impacts from trading greenhouse gases and fuel efficiency credits for automobiles and light-duty trucks. In 2011-12, he traveled to the University of Botswana's Clean Energy Research Centre as a Fulbright Scholar.

The talk is sponsored by the UVM Transportation Research Center. A reception will immediately follow.

Information: (802) 656-3946.