State-Level Climate Policy
(current study)
Researchers include: J.R. DeShazo, Julien Gattaciecca, James Di Filippo, Kelly Trumbull, and Naseem Golestani
LCI is conducting a first-of-its-kind study to quantifiably estimate how the state’s approximately 50 climate policies and programs, such as the Renewable Portfolio Standard, are reducing GHGs and criteria pollutants. This includes an analysis of the avoided social costs of carbon emissions compared against the costs of the programs. We are also estimating changes in local air pollution and the associated public health impacts (including avoided morbidity and mortality) compared to the program costs.
(2016 report)
Authors: Julien Gattaciecca, Colleen Callahan, and J.R. DeShazo
LCI assessed the financial impacts on disadvantaged communities of California’s carbon Cap-and-Trade Program, which places the world’s first economy-wide cap on GHG emissions and establishes market mechanisms to price carbon allowances. The regulated entities are large emitters of GHGs, including electric utilities, natural gas utilities, and fuel distributors. LCI researchers analyzed Cap-and-Trade compliance costs that result from the regulated entities’ purchase of carbon allowances. The costs of these allowances create price signals that communicate to consumers the amount of GHG emissions associated with electricity, natural gas, and gasoline consumption. While allowing price signals to encourage lower GHG consumption choices, policymakers also want to ensure that the cost burden does not fall disproportionately on low-income Californians. The state has put in place many mitigation strategies that LCI researchers found to be financially protecting low-income households, in most cases, in the communities that the study analyzed.
(past and current projects)
Researchers include: Colleen Callahan, Gregory Pierce, Jason Karpman, and J.R. DeShazo
The above link takes you to LCI research focused on the climate programs funded by California Climate Investments.
Local-Level Climate Action Planning
(2014 report)
Authors: Colleen Callahan, J.R. DeShazo, Henry McCann, and Norman Wong
In response to then President Obama’s Climate Data Initiative, the UCLA Luskin Center and Environmental Defense Fund released the Los Angeles Solar and Efficiency Report (LASER) — a data-driven mapping tool designed to help communities identify opportunities to invest in projects that will save households money, create clean energy jobs, and strengthen climate resilience. The tool illustrates existing pollution and climate change impacts at a community level and illustrates “hot spots” ripe for rooftop solar investment and energy efficiency building potential at the parcel level.
(2012 report)
Authors: J.R. DeShazo and Juan Matute
This report is an assessment of local climate action planning in Southern California. It is based on the Southern California Climate Action Information Sharing Network, a resource that provides cities and stakeholders with access to city climate planning information and allows cities to take credit for actions they’ve taken. We list 10 cities whose climate performance stands out.
