A new research organization co-chaired by Mary Evans, Jerrine and Thomas Mitchell ’66 Professor of Environmental Economics and George R. Roberts Fellow at CMC, wants to ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency is working with the best economic science when making policy decisions.
The new External Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (E-EEAC) is a response to the 2018 dissolution of an EPA science advisory committee that operated for more than 25 years. The EPA is charged with protecting public health and the environment, and its policies on air pollution, climate change, and water have far-reaching effects on millions of Americans and businesses.
The E-EEAC will convene environmental economists to provide expert, independent advice to the agency. While it will operate outside the EPA, the E-EEAC similarly consists of economists who will apply their expertise to analyze the benefits, costs, and design of environmental policies.
“After the decision to retire the original committee, we felt a professional responsibility to do something, and we felt this structure made the most sense,” said Evans. “The members believe that advances in economic research remain crucial to achieving welfare-enhancing environmental policies.” Added J.R. DeShazo of UCLA and E-EEAC co-chair: “The E-EEAC is especially needed now given the large number of regulatory modifications that the EPA has, and will shortly, propose. These relate to signature elements of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Energy Independence and Security Act.”
The non-partisan organization is partially supported by The Sloan Foundation, and received in-kind support from the Roberts Environmental Center at CMC.
—Susan Price