PA 395 Energy Policy
Syllabus


PA 395 / 3 Credits
Summer term
Enroll by: May 4
Enrollment Limit: 16


Instructor:
Gary Flomenhoft, Research Associate,Gund Institute/Lecturer, CDAE
617 Main St.
gary.flo@uvm.edu
802-656-2996
cv: http://www.uvm.edu/giee/about/Gary_Flomenhoft_cv.html

Office Hours:
Fri 9-12
I believe an important part of teaching is being accessible to students. I am usually in the office every day from 9-5. Call before coming to my office, then feel free to stop by and ask questions at any time.


Course Description:   
Debates rage about remaining oil reserves, much of it in the volatile Middle East. Is climate change a reality and does it require a policy response? The US has withdrawn from the Kyoto protocol, citing unacceptable impacts on the US economy. The price of energy is crucial to the economy, so few things are more critical than energy policy. International agreements, national Legislation including the National Energy Policy Act, and statewide energy legislation will be reviewed. Students will get a sense of the history of energy policy within the US; gain an understanding of the major actors in energy policy; and explore the implications for energy policy from local to global levels. A specific focus will be placed on energy issues as they pertain to Vermont.    

Prerequisites: None. Some policy analysis, economics, statistics useful                  

Schedule:
The course will be divided into three sections corresponding to the three weeks of the course:
Week One: International Energy and Environmental Policy-(Reading: The Party's Over, Heinberg)

Week Two: US National Energy Policy and the Energy Policy Act-(Energy for Sustainability)

Week Three: Vermont Energy Policy and recent debates (We will plan to attend current energy hearings, Readings: Various) PSB hearing schedule website

We will also read short essays from three categories of writers on energy policy:

1. "Cornucopians", or "Panglossians" who are generally free-market, "neo-classical" economists who base their understanding on prices as the determinant of scarcity or surplus, and who often believe that energy supplies are limitless and abundant, based on historical price trends and technical innovation. They support the status quo and count on technical innovation to solve energy problems.

2. "Cassandras", Petroleum geologists and other scientists who assess the physical and technical limits of energy resources, and make assessments of remaining fossil fuel reserves, and energy rates of return on production of energy. They suggest using the precautionary principle to preserve declining oil reserves.

3. Environmentalists and ecologists who are concerned about the effect of burning fossil fuels on the buildup of greenhouse gasses, pollution of air, water, and soil, and concern for the future, and who believe that fossil fuels are leading to the destruction of the earth. They promote the use of renewable energy

Readings

Grading:
Three 5 page policy papers: 20% each
Oral presentation
One final paper 12-15 pages: 40%
      

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I reserve the right to make necessary changes and additions to this syllabus and to the Course Outline throughout the course. These changes or additions will be announced in class. It is your responsibility to obtain all materials, handouts, class notes, etc. and to be aware of any announcements made in class, whether you are in class or not on the days the announcements are made or material is presented.