--Introduction to Energy Policy--
Spring 2008 Course Calendar, Wednesday, 12:30, Professor Chris Gadomski (draft)

 

1. January 23rd—Introduction, discussion of semester project, class objectives and discussion of U.S. and global energy policies and issues as they relate to energy security and global climate change.  Introduction to energy technologies and the carbon issue.
http://www.energytomorrow.org/index.html energy quiz

2. January 30th—Setting the stage geopoliticallyÉUnderstanding where the US is now and how we got here, U.S. policy review since WWII. What the U.S. thinks about Energy. The first driver: Pricing. Read: Harris Report.  White House Statement Assigned Reading: Baer, Chapters 1-7.

 

3. February 6th—The second driver: energy security. 
U.S. energy policy on the global stage and how it relates to the rest of the world..
Examining International Global Energy Use—Why It Matters.
Discussion:  Is the Iraq War an extension of U.S. Energy Policy?  

Assigned Reading:  Baer, Chapters 8-Epilogue
Gadomski, U.S. Energy Policy: http://www.smidirect.net/news/mps%201.pdf

 

4. February 13th—The third driver: Global Warming. Is climate change fact or fiction? What does 550 ppm mean?  How will public sentiment affect government policy?  Will national energy policies make any difference?  Why U.S. states are taking the lead on policy initiatives.  Assigned Reading:  Roberts, Part One,  pages 1-140, Review: Climate Change Primer. Formulate an opinion regarding Climate Change and be prepared to discuss in class. What about China? Read: Brookings ReportAssignment Due: One page country proposal for term project.

 

5. February 20th—Beyond Oil—An Introduction to LNG and Renewables—a quick look ahead.  Are we replacing foreign oil with ethanol and foreign natural gas?  Is a big financial commitment to ethanol and LNG a good global investment?  What happens when the LNG runs out? What role can renewable energy play? Where does renewable energy development stand in the world?  Why Brazil is a global leader in renewable (ethanol) technology?  What government policies have led to this?  Who is the richest man in China? Assigned Reading for Class: Roberts, Part Two and Three, pp143-341 See also info on EPACT 2005:

http://www.energy.ca.gov/lng/index.html,  http://www.nrel.gov/

 

6. February 27th—LNG as a short-term solution for U.S. Energy Policy.  What are the other natural gas options?  How real are other gasification options like IGCC and pulverized clean coal technology?  What is the role of government policy in promoting/supporting different technology options? Assigned Reading: Caldicott, p1-106, also, American Energy Now, Worldwatch Institute.

 

7. March 5th— Nuclear Energy—Fact or Fiction. 

An in depth discussion on the pros and cons of nuclear power based on CaldwellÕs book.  Is she for real?  Are her arguments valid?  LetÕs take a first look at the private development/public sector development debate. 
Assigned Reading: Caldwell, pp107-183

8. March 12th— Double or Nothing on Nuclear Energy? 
What to do with nuclear waste?  An visit to Yucca Mountain, or do we blast it into outer space.  What about reprocessing waste? Read: Nuclear Energy Today, pp 1-87
 

March 19th—No class/Spring Break

 

9. March 26th— Midterm Test (date pending)

                        This test will be a take home exam that will go live on the NYU blackboard at 5:00 PM on April 5th and will be due in the drop box by 10:00 PM the same day.  Even though you have five hours to write the exam, the exam will be structured so that you can complete it within the 2.5 hours of ÒclassÓ time. This essay exam will cover relevant topics discussed during class and the assigned readings.

 

10. April 2nd— The Transportation Sector—The American love affair with the car. Can we do better?  Are there lessons for China and India?  What does the Energy Policy Act of 2007 say about CAFƒ standards.

Assigned Readings: Plug-in Hybrids, Chapters 1-4 

 

11. April 9th—What about ethanol and hydrogen?  Are they se the solutions for transportation and power generation?  Final set of Class Presentations on Country Energy Policy. Assigned Reading for Class: Rifkin, pp 124-255

 

12. April 16th—What about renewables?  Student presentations.

Understanding these technologies further.  Are the technologies a panacea?  Are they an end-around oil, terrorism, and environmental challenges?  If they are, how should government energy policy best promote them?  Should the market decide their fate?  Presentations on Country Energy Policy.

Assigned Reading for Class:  Boschert, Chapters 5-11, Komor, Renewable Energy Policy, Gadomski, http://www.smidirect.net/published/gimmeshelter.htm

Gadomski, http://www.smidirect.net/published/catchthecredits.htm

 

13. April 23rd—Natural Gas and Oil as Energy Policy Tools/Student presentations.
A look at Russia and Eastern Europe, Iran and the Middle East.  How can energy resources influence regional/global politics?  How can national energy policies insulate countries?  What are there better/smarter alternatives to energy dependence?  How real is energy independence?  Research the issue of natural gas as a policy weapon for Russia and Iran. What solutions exist for European countries, what solutions exist for countries affected by Iran?  What steps have been taken? Make sure you are prepared to discuss in class.

 

14. April 30th—Wrap up/Review discussion/Student presentations.