Michael Smolens: Clean energy politics heat up for GOP, but it’s not about climate change
Republican senators seek to reverse cuts in renewable energy tax credits that could hurt their states as global warming continues apace.
Current Access Level “I” – ID Only: CUID holders, alumni, and approved guests only
This website uses cookies as well as similar tools and technologies to understand visitors’ experiences. By continuing to use this website, you consent to Columbia University’s usage of cookies and similar technologies, in accordance with the Columbia University Website Cookie Notice.
Our work is committed to independent and nonpartisan research that meets the high standards of academic integrity and quality at Columbia University.
Our initiatives and programs are designed to address critical needs in key focus areas around energy and climate policy.
Explore our expert insights and analysis in leading energy and climate news stories.
Republican senators seek to reverse cuts in renewable energy tax credits that could hurt their states as global warming continues apace.
Get the latest as our experts share their insights on global energy policy.
President Donald Trump's first official foreign policy trip, as in his first term, was to Saudi Arabia earlier this month, with additional stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Hear in-depth conversations with the world’s top energy and climate leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society.
In today's polarized political landscape, energy policy has become increasingly partisan. States rich in both fossil fuels and renewable resources must confront growing electricity demand and aging infrastructure....
Find out more about our upcoming and past events.
On May 23, President Donald Trump signed four executive orders that aim to reform the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, streamline National Laboratory processes for reactor testing, advance...
We are the premier hub and policy institution for global energy thought leadership. Energy impacts every element of our lives, and our trusted fact-based research informs the decisions that affect all of us.
Overview
The Center on Global Energy Policy is committed to independent and nonpartisan research that meets the high standards of academic integrity and quality at Columbia University.
What We Do
We advance smart, actionable, and evidence-based energy and climate solutions through research, education, and dialogue.
Our Team
Meet our staff and senior energy experts from government, academia, industry, and nongovernmental organizations.
Former Special Assistant to President Obama for Energy and Environment
Ron Minsk is former Special Assistant to President Obama for Energy and Environment at the White House’s National Economic Council. He joined the Center after serving until April, 2015 as Special Assistant to President Obama for Energy and Environment at the White House’s National Economic Council. Ron served in a similar position from 1998 to 2001 in the Clinton White House, where he served as a Director to the National Economic Council and Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy.
Prior to returning to the White House, Ron Minsk served as Senior Vice President at Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE), a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization committed to reducing America’s dependence on oil and improving U.S. energy security in order to bolster our national security and strengthen the economy. In that position, Ron was responsible for the development of energy policies dedicated to enhancing the United States’ energy security. Among other papers, he was a contributing author of A National Strategy for Energy Security, a 120 page blueprint for reducing the United States’ dependence on oil and the Electrification Roadmap, and other policy papers.
After the end of the Clinton Administration, Ron was counsel in the Energy Practice Group at the Washington office of Alston & Bird where he represented investor-owned electric utilities, large regional independent system operators, and independent transmission companies before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Ron previously worked as a policy analyst at the White House Office of Management and Budget. He is a graduate of New York University (B.S. 1987), Harvard University (M.P.P. 1989) and the University of Pennsylvania (J.D. 1996).
Growth in US oil production has created substantial economic and energy security benefits for the nation.
Putting a price on carbon is a critical part of a low-cost strategy for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and a national carbon tax is a rare example of a climate change policy that has found bipartisan support in the United States.
Get the latest news and research on energy & climate policy.
"(required)" indicates required fields