Public Investments in Energy Technology

Michael P. Gallaher, Director, Environmental, Technology, and Energy Economics Program, RTI International, US, Albert N. Link,Virginia Batte Phillips Distinguished Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, US and Alan C. O’Connor, Senior Economist, Environmental, Technology, and Energy Economics Program, RTI International, US

Escalating energy demand may be the most important issue facing the United States and the world today. There is little disagreement that research and development (R&D) is needed to develop new energy technologies for the future; however, there is less agreement over the specific research agenda to be pursued and how that agenda is funded. This book addresses the social importance of new energy technologies, illustrates policy-relevant applications of evaluation techniques and proposes new perspectives for a US energy investment strategy.