The Political Economy of Electricity: Progressive Capitalism and the Struggle to Build a Sustainable Power Sector (Energy Resources, Technology, and Policy)

New
Hardcover
2017
$127.27

Providing critical insights that will interest readers ranging from economists to environmentalists, policymakers, and politicians, this book analyzes the economics and technology trends involved in the dilemma of decarbonization and addresses why aggressive policy is required in a capitalist political economy to create a sea change away from fossil fuels.

* Presents comprehensive and understandable reviews of more than 200 recent empirical studies of market imperfections in the energy efficiency and climate change literature, providing a basis for targeting policies at the most important causes of poor market performance
* Argues that aggressive action to induce change and overcome resistance, using targeted policies rather than broad-based taxes, is the strategy that will create movement towards a decarbonized economy and world
* Provides a logical decision-making framework and portfolio analysis that enables policymakers and regulators to choose, explain, and defend their decisions, objectively and transparently

Synopsis

Providing critical insights that will interest readers ranging from economists to environmentalists, policymakers, and politicians, this book analyzes the economics and technology trends involved in the dilemma of decarbonization and addresses why aggressive policy is required in a capitalist political economy to create a sea change away from fossil fuels.

* Presents comprehensive and understandable reviews of more than 200 recent empirical studies of market imperfections in the energy efficiency and climate change literature, providing a basis for targeting policies at the most important causes of poor market performance

* Argues that aggressive action to induce change and overcome resistance, using targeted policies rather than broad-based taxes, is the strategy that will create movement towards a decarbonized economy and world

* Provides a logical decision-making framework and portfolio analysis that enables policymakers and regulators to choose, explain, and defend their decisions, objectively and transparently

$127.27

Quantity

20+ in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 472
Publisher: Praeger
Published: 30 Apr 2017
ISBN 10: 1440853428
ISBN 13: 9781440853425
Book Overview: If a 30-year track record of being right about public interest trends in energy and telecommunications as well as the shortcomings of U.S. utility regulatory policy were a route to riches, Mark Cooper would be taking Bill Gates to lunch. Instead, he has written a comprehensive and sensible review of where we are and where we could go in healing the climate, enhancing a clean economy, putting the customer in charge, and taking energy policymaking out of the stultifying hands of regressive fossil and nuclear power interests. This optimistic book describes a progressive capitalist path to the energy future that the world must soon embrace. -- Peter Bradford, Author and law professor; former chair New York and Maine utility regulatory commissions; former commissioner, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission In this thought-provoking and exhaustively researched book, Mark Cooper makes a strong case for what he calls 'progressive capitalism.' Cooper correctly identifies the electricity sector as key to decarbonization, and explores analytical tools and philosophical concepts needed for society to manage the transition to a sustainable economy. This book is a 'must-read' for those thinking deeply about how to enable such a transition. -- Jonathan Koomey, PhD, Lecturer in Earth Systems in the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences at Stanford University, and author of Cold Cash, Cool Climate: Science-Based Advice for Ecological Entrepreneurs

Author Bio

Mark Cooper is Senior Fellow for Economic Analysis at the Institute for Energy and the Environment at Vermont Law School.