EEC 350 Energy Economics, Environment & Policy Course Syllabus MWF 1:00 1:50 Room 314 Quinn Hall Fall 2011

Transcription

1 EEC 350 Energy Economics, Environment & Policy Course Syllabus MWF 1:00 1:50 Room 314 Quinn Hall Fall 2011 INSTRUCTORS Dr. James Opaluch Professor & Dept. Chair, Env & Natural Resource Ecn. 207 Kingston Coastal Inst. (401) Dr. Marion Gold Director, URI Outreach Center & Energy Programs Mallon Outreach Center (401) COURSE ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE The course is broad in scope, and has an essentially interdisciplinary nature. Our vision for the class is to create a participatory learning process that will combine your active involvement in lectures and discussions with an individual project that will provide an opportunity for in- depth exploration of an energy issue. The class will intersperse energy lectures and readings with examples of the real time energy issues we are grappling with at the local, state, national and global level. Leaders in federal, state and local energy policy, as well as private sector energy representatives, will be invited to address the class on a regular basis. The main texts for the course are Energy Policy in the U.S.: Politics, Challenges and Prospects for Change by Laurence Geri and David McNabb, available at the book store, and Sustainability without the Hot Air by David MacKay, available online at no charge ( Additional articles and reports will be assigned as required readings and posted on the Sakai site. We will also assign weekly problem sets of 4 6 questions designed to encourage you to review and connect ideas, to consider the reading material in different contexts and to practice using new knowledge. COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES In this course you will learn about: 1. The potential role of various renewable and non- renewable energy sources in fulfilling our energy demands, and the associated environmental impacts; 2. The operation/regulation of energy markets; 3. How economics can be used to analyze energy issues, and especially the potential for green markets to help us transition to a new sustainable society; -1-

2 4. How energy policy is formulated at the local, regional and national levels, and how to influence energy policy. COURSE ASSIGNMENTS Problem Sets Problem sets will be assigned based on the readings, and will include 4 6 questions that serve as the jumping off point for classroom activities. The problem sets are a central part of this class, and it is essential that everyone complete them. The problem sets will help you review and connect ideas, engage you in active reading, and link the readings to the class discussion. The problem sets will be assigned on Friday, and will be due before class on the following Wednesday typed and submitted on Sakai. We will allow time in class (usually on Wednesday) to discuss the problem sets. We are not looking for long answers on problems set questions, but nor are we looking for responses of just a few words. Appropriate responses will vary for different questions, but we are looking for thoughtful responses that are typically 1 to 3 paragraphs for each question. Problem sets submitted late will be penalized by 3 points/day and only will be accepted up through the Friday following the original due date (except for exceptional circumstances). Midterm and Final Exams There will be a take- home midterm exam. The purpose of the exam is to provide an opportunity for reflection on the readings and lecture materials and to facilitate integration of the course concepts. Students are welcome to use the course texts, readings and lecture notes to complete the exams but MUST work independently on the exam. Project A core component of this class will be your energy policy project. The goal of the project is to build your critical thinking, problem- solving and communication skills while also connecting you to real- world energy challenges and solutions. Each student will define an energy policy problem of interest and provide: 1) a one page summary of the policy issue with identification of the key analytical questions; 2) a short (2-5 minute) presentation to the class to introduce the topic; 3) submission of a draft report so that we can provide feedback you can use to develop the final report; 4) a final presentation to the class (10 minutes); 5) a final paper (7 10 pages) describing the issue, potential solutions and necessary work going forward to address the selected energy challenge. Project Assignment Schedule: 9/30 Project topic due (title & very brief description) 10/7 Project summary due 10/14 Introductory presentations 10/17 Introduction presentations 11/9 Draft Report Due 11/28 12/12 12/16 Final Reports Due -2-

3 Participating in Class Discussions Active participation in the class is mandatory. Over the course of the semester, we will have a number of guest speakers, all of whom are active leaders in the energy field. You will be responsible for developing thoughtful questions for guest speakers. But you will have an opportunity to prepare for these sessions in the homework assignments and the following class discussions. In addition, each student will be responsible for sharing at least one news article on an energy topic of interest at some point in the semester. Ideally, your article should be related to your project. We will allocate a few minutes at the beginning of most classes to energy in the news. Field Trips/Outside Lectures We will schedule one or more field trips during class time, most likely including a visit to a net zero home under construction in a neighborhood near the University. In addition, each student will be required to attend at least one outside energy meeting or event and submit a short ( ) word summary of the event including several insights about energy issues you gleaned from the event. Eligible meetings/events include, but are not limited to: 1) Renewable Energy Siting Partnership Stakeholder meetings or field trips; 2) Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council Meetings; and 3) Public lectures on energy related topics. Students who attend and report on more than one event will receive extra credit (50 points/event up to a maximum of 100 extra points). GRADING Course Grading Problem Sets 50 pts) 30% (300 points) Midterm Exam 15% (150 points) Class Participation incl. sharing at least 1 news event 20% (200 points) Attend an Energy Event outside class 5% (50 points) Class Project (see below) 30% (300 points) TOTAL 100% (1000 points) Class Project Grading Introductory Presentation 10% (30 points) Final Presentation 40% (120 points) Final Paper 50% (150 points) TOTAL PROJECT 100% (300 points) COURSE POLICIES Reading and Assignments, Attendance Policy Our class environment will be designed to promote open discussion and critical analysis of energy issues. In order for our time to be well spent, please come to class having carefully read the assigned texts and turn in completed assignments BY the date listed on the syllabus. Please bring readings to -3-

4 class. We will not formally take attendance but repeated absences will be both notable and detrimental to your overall grade. Academic Honesty Academic honesty is an imperative in this class. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Below we provide some guidance on plagiarism, and how to recognize and avoid it. This material below borrows heavily from various sources, including, but not limited to, the University manual and material from other class syllabuses that we have found useful. By putting your name on work, you are asserting that the ideas expressed are your own. At the same time, virtually no idea is completely original. Rather, our own ideas and views invariably include syntheses of information obtained from various sources. Therefore, plagiarism can be a complex subject, and it is sometimes difficult to differentiate among legitimate formulation of ideas and plagiarism. When you use an idea or you quote from a source, you need to acknowledge the source with a citation. You have an obligation to learn how to quote, paraphrase, summarize, or reference the work of others with integrity. The following are examples of academic dishonesty. Using material from published sources (print or electronic) without appropriate citation Claiming disproportionate credit for work not done independently Unauthorized possession or access to exams Unauthorized communication during exams Unauthorized use of another's work or preparing work for another student Taking an exam for another student, or having another student take an exam for you Altering or attempting to alter grades The use of notes or electronic devices to gain an unauthorized advantage during exams Fabricating or falsifying facts, data or references Facilitating or aiding another's academic dishonesty Submitting the same paper for more than one course without prior approval from the instructors. We also refer you to the following web sites for additional guidance on plagiarism. Technology Please turn off cell phones before coming to class. No phone or text messaging in class! Students with Disabilities Students with documented disabilities should contact us during the first week of class so that we may arrange appropriate measures to support your success in the course. As part of this process, please be in touch with URI s Office of Disability Services, located in Room 330 of the Memorial Union, Sports/Preexisting Obligations (University manual ) -4-

5 Students who expect to be absent from classes or examinations for University sanctioned events shall discuss this with the appropriate instructor(s) at least one week in advance of the sanctioned event(s). The instructor(s) concerned shall then offer the student an alternative listed in section For these purposes University sanctioned events shall be those events approved for class excuses by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, a Vice President, a Dean, or the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. No event shall be regarded as University sanctioned until the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs has been notified. Disagreements over the validity of an event being categorized as University sanctioned shall be mediated by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. If agreement cannot be reached, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs shall decide the matter and that decision shall be final. Dropping the Course (University manual ) Students not attending courses in which they enrolled have the obligation to drop those courses before the drop deadline. Names of students who are absent from the first and second class meetings of a course and who do not notify the course instructor of their intention to attend future class meetings may be submitted by the course instructor and/or the department chairperson to the Office of Enrollment Services for deletion from the class roster. If the instructor does not exercise this option, the student remains enrolled in the course unless s/he drops it through regular procedures. -5-

6 EEC 350: Energy Economics, Environment & Policy Course Outline Wed. Sept 7 Fri. Sept 9 Mon. Sept 12 Wed. Sept 14 Fri. Sept 16 Mon. Sept 19 Wed. Sept 21 Thurs. Sept 22 Fri. Sept 23 Mon. Sept 26 Wed. Sept 28 Fri. Sept 30 Mon. Oct 3 Wed. Oct 5 Fri. Oct 7 Mon. Oct 10 Wed. Oct 12 Fri. Oct 14 Mon. Oct 17 Wed. Oct 19 Fri. Oct 21 Week 1 Introductions and Overview Overview of Energy Supply and Demand & Economic Tools Marion Gold and Jim Opaluch Problem Set 1 distributed due Wed. Sept. 14 Week 2 Overview and Economic Tools Continued Marion Gold and Jim Opaluch Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air Video by David MacKay Problem Set 1 due Economic Tools to Shape a Greener Economy: Cost Benefit Analysis/ Externalities - Jim Opaluch Problem Set 2 distributed due Wed. Sept 21 Week 3 Economic Tools Policy Examples (Renewable Energy Credits, RGGI) Jim Opaluch Energy Policy Guest Speaker Kenneth Payne, Administrator of the RI Office of Energy Resources Problem Set 3 due No Impact Man author 3:30 and 7:00 pm Economic Tools Cap & Trade Jim Opaluch Problem Set 3 distributed due Wed. Sept 29 Week 4 Energy Policy in the US and RI Marion Gold Energy Policy Guest Speaker Peter Shattuck, ENE RGGI Problem Set 3 due Energy Efficiency Marion Gold Problem Set 4 distributed due Wed. Oct 5 Week 5 Energy Efficiency Guest Speaker Abigail Anthony, Policy Analyst ENE Fossil Fuels: The Long Dead, the Recently Dead and the Undead. Pt 1 Coal: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Jim Opaluch Problem Set 4 due Fossil Fuels Pt 2 Natural Gas Marion Gold Project Summary due No problem set Week 6 Columbus Day no class Guest Speaker Nicole Wilkinson, Environmental Engineer, Dominion Power Introductory Presentations on Projects Week 7 Introductory Presentations on Projects The Long Dead Continued: Petroleum Marion Gold TAKE- HOME MIDTERM - Due Mon. Oct 23-6-

7 Mon. Oct 23 Wed. Oct 25 Fri. Oct 28 Mon. Oct 31 Wed. Nov 2 Fri. Nov 4 Mon. Nov 7 Wed. Nov 9 Fri. Nov 11 Mon. Nov 14 Wed. Nov 16 Fri. Nov 18 Mon. Nov 21 Wed. Nov 23 Nov Mon. Nov 28 Wed. Nov 30 Fri. Dec 2 Mon. Dec 5 Wed. Dec 7 Fri. Dec 9 Mon. Dec 12 Fri. Dec 16 Week 8 Biofuels Guest Speaker Bob Cerio Review Midterm; Class Discussion The Undead: Nuclear Jim Opaluch Problem Set 5 distributed due Wed. Nov 2 Week 9 Solar Power Guest Speakers Danny Musher, Project Manager, URI Outreach Center RI Renewable Energy Siting Partnership and Kristina DiSanto, URI Energy Fellow Wind Power Guest Speaker Jen McCann, Director CRC Extension Programs Problem Set 5 due Hydro Power and Geothermal Energy Marion Gold No Problem Set work on class projects Week 10 The Hydrogen Economy Jim Opaluch Transportation Options Guest Speakers - Wendy Lucht & Al Dalhlberg Draft Report Due No class Veteran s Day Week 11 The Grid Smart Grid/Dumb Grid Energy Use in Buildings Guest Speaker JJ Jacobson or Ed Connelly Field Trip Net Zero Home near URI Problem Set 6 distributed due Wed. Nov 23 Week 12 Class Discussion Problem Set 6 due Thanksgiving Recess Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Class Project Written Report due -7-