March 24, 2021 - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Eastern Time (ET)

Climate Policy under
the Biden Administration:
A Panel Discussion

Event Description:

This webinar will explore the likely paths forward for meaningful climate change policy under the Biden administration, drawing on perspectives across the political spectrum. A panel of experts will draw on their deep experience with federal policy making to comment on the emerging cornerstones of U.S. climate change policy over the next four years. In particular, the webinar will explore the following questions:

  • Is the goal for net-zero emissions by 2035 (in the power sector) or 2050 (economy-wide) a realistic goal or just aspirational?
  • If it is a realistic goal, what needs to happen, and by when, to make it a reality?
  • What is it likely to cost the Federal government and the states to meet these targets, and who will be responsible for these costs?

Participants

Panelist:
George David Banks
Bipartisan Policy Center

Dave Banks is an economist, political analyst, and policy advocate, focusing on climate change, energy, and trade. He is Chief Strategist for the Republican side of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Banks has published peer-reviewed articles, reports, and opinion editorials on a variety of issues, including climate change, civil nuclear power, and energy markets and trade.
Panelist:
Ana Unruh Cohen
U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis

Dr. Ana Unruh Cohen is staff director on the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Previously, she was managing director of government affairs for the Natural Resources Defense Council and the NRDC Action Fund. During nearly two decades of policy experience, including more than 14 years on Capitol Hill, she has served as the director of energy, climate, and natural resources for Senator Edward J. Markey; deputy staff director of the Natural Resource Committee Democratic staff; deputy staff director and chief scientist of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming; and as a legislative assistant in then-Representative Markey’s personal office. In addition to her time in Congress, Unruh Cohen was also the first director of environmental policy at the Center for American Progress.
Panelist:
Richard Schmalensee
MIT

Richard Schmalensee served as the John C Head III Dean of the MIT Sloan School of Management from 1998 through 2007. He was a member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers from 1989 through 1991 and served for 12 years as Director of the MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research. Professor Schmalensee is the author or coauthor of 11 books and more than 120 published articles, and he is co-editor of volumes 1 and 2 of the Handbook of Industrial Organization. His research has centered on industrial organization economics and its application to managerial and public policy issues, with particular emphasis on antitrust, regulatory, energy, and environmental policies. He has served as a consultant to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, and numerous private corporations.
Moderator:
John Deutch
MIT

John Deutch is an emeritus Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Deutch has been a member of the MIT faculty since 1970, and has served as Chairman of the Department of Chemistry, Dean of Science and Provost. Mr. Deutch has published over 140 technical publications in physical chemistry, as well as numerous publications on technology, energy, international security, and public policy issues. John Deutch has served in significant government and academic posts throughout his career. In May 1995, he was sworn in as Director of Central Intelligence following a unanimous vote in the Senate, and served as DCI until December 1996. In this position, he was head of the Intelligence Community (all foreign intelligence agencies of the United States) and directed the Central Intelligence Agency. From March 1994 to May 1995, he served as the Deputy Secretary of Defense. From March 1993 to March 1994, Dr. Deutch served as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions and Technology.