Land Conservation and the Clean Energy Transition
Meredith Fowlie, Professor
Agricultural and Resource Economics
Applications for Spring 2024 are closed for this project.
The clean energy transition will require a massive build-out of clean energy infrastructure. Because wind, solar, and associated transmission infrastructure are very land-intensive, the projected scale of infrastructure expansion (a doubling or tripling of capacity) could significantly impact areas with high conservation value.
Meanwhile, an estimated 1 million species are at risk of extinction. Biodiversity loss is being driven by loss of habitat, climate change, and other human-caused factors. To bolster resilience, the Biden administration has a goal to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. lands (and 30 percent of U.S. ocean areas) by 2030.
Can we accelerate the expansion of clean energy infrastructure and protect areas with high conservation value, at the same time? This research how renewable energy projects are currently being sited. We are particularly interested in understanding the extent to which conservation efforts/land protections are constraining this process. What kinds of land/habitat are getting protected? At what cost?
Role: Undergraduates will assist the primary investigators with a number of data-intensive tasks. These tasks include:
- Tracking local ordinances and regulations that encourage or limit local renewable energy siting.
- Working with NREL and ISO data to construct project-specific estimates of the economic value of electricity generation.
Qualifications: An active interest in energy and environmental economics (prior coursework in this field is a plus).
Some experience with Python/R is desirable but not essential
An interest in honing Python/R skills.
Hours: 3-5 hrs
Environmental Issues Social Sciences