Daniel Shawhan
Fellow
Much of Daniel Shawhan’s research focuses on predicting and estimating the effects of electricity policies, including environmental ones. He has played a leading role in developing a new set of capabilities for simulating how power grids, power plants, and pollution levels will respond to potential changes in policy. The same simulation capabilities can be used to evaluate the effects of potential new power plants and transmission lines. In related statistical work, Shawhan has examined whether power plant startups and ramping greatly increase emissions, whether windfarms really reduce emissions from fuel-burning power plants, and whether the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative cap-and-trade program has increased emissions in the neighboring coal-rich state of Pennsylvania. He also works on electricity market design and environmental policy design. Shawhan has helped state governments craft electricity market reforms and first-in-the-nation policies for hybrid vehicles, energy efficiency, green buildings, and renewable energy.
Education
- PhD in applied economics and management, Cornell University, 2008
- BA in economics, with honors, Grinnell College, 1995
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Journal Article — Nov 30, 2023
Power Sector Impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
This paper investigates potential impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on the power sector, which is the focus of many of the law's core provisions.
Press Release — Sep 13, 2023
When Communities Shape Climate Policy, Disadvantaged New Yorkers See Better Air Quality Outcomes
A new report finds that New York’s most vulnerable communities benefit from greater air quality improvements under environmental justice stakeholders’ suite of recommendations.
Report — Sep 13, 2023
Prioritizing Justice in New York State Climate Policy: Cleaner Air for Disadvantaged Communities?
This report, produced in partnership with the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, examines air quality improvements in two options for implementing New York State's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Working Paper — Jul 17, 2023
How Clean Is Your Capture? Co-Emissions from Planned US Power Plant Carbon Capture Project
This working paper uses information from the public engineering studies of six planned power plant CO2 capture retrofit projects to interpret and summarize their expected emission rates of four co-emission types.
Journal Article — Nov 30, 2023
Power Sector Impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
This paper investigates potential impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on the power sector, which is the focus of many of the law's core provisions.
Report — Sep 13, 2023
Prioritizing Justice in New York State Climate Policy: Cleaner Air for Disadvantaged Communities?
This report, produced in partnership with the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, examines air quality improvements in two options for implementing New York State's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Working Paper — Jul 17, 2023
How Clean Is Your Capture? Co-Emissions from Planned US Power Plant Carbon Capture Project
This working paper uses information from the public engineering studies of six planned power plant CO2 capture retrofit projects to interpret and summarize their expected emission rates of four co-emission types.
Working Paper — Jan 3, 2023
What Are the Climate, Air Pollution, and Health Benefits of Electric Vehicles?
This working paper models the climate and health benefits of plug-in vehicles under five different policy and market scenarios.
RFF Live — Sep 13, 2022
Pathways toward Grid Decarbonization
New modeling illuminates opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the US electric power sector
RFF Live — Jan 13, 2023
Plugging In: How Much Will Electric Vehicles Drive Decarbonization?
A conversation on the environmental benefits of plug-in electric vehicles and issues related to policies, markets, and the power sector
Advanced Energy Technologies Series — Jul 30, 2021
Clean Energy Innovation: How Beneficial is Government Funding?
Clean Energy Innovation: How Beneficial is Government Funding?
Conference — May 30, 2018
Economic Approaches to Understanding and Addressing Resilience in the Bulk Power System
Economic Approaches to Understanding and Addressing Resilience in the Bulk Power System
Common Resources — Jan 3, 2023
What Are the Benefits of Electric Vehicles for Climate, Air Pollution, and Health?
Resources for the Future scholars Joshua Linn and Daniel Shawhan review some of the findings from their new study, which investigates the benefits and costs of plug-in electric vehicles for climate, air pollution, and health.
In Focus — Nov 2, 2022
In Focus: Renewable Energy Growth
This video shares insights on the growing use of renewable energy and what governments can do to speed clean energy adoption, with RFF Fellow Dan Shawhan.
Resources Radio — Jun 15, 2021
The Dollar Value of Energy Innovation, with Daniel Shawhan
Daniel Shawhan explains why investments in advanced energy technologies can produce benefits that far outweigh the costs.
Common Resources — Jul 6, 2020
A Close Look at the New Report from the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
RFF researchers dig into the new congressional action plan for solving the climate crisis and share their impressions of the report.
Press Release — Sep 13, 2023
When Communities Shape Climate Policy, Disadvantaged New Yorkers See Better Air Quality Outcomes
A new report finds that New York’s most vulnerable communities benefit from greater air quality improvements under environmental justice stakeholders’ suite of recommendations.
Press Release — Jan 3, 2023
Environmental Benefits of Plug-In Vehicles Depend on Public Policy and Market Forces
A new paper by scholars at Resources for the Future shows how the climate and health benefits of plug-in electric vehicle adoption depend on public policies and market forces.
Media Highlight — Sep 16, 2022
InsideEPA: "RFF Study Finds Grid Upgrades, Market Expansion Are Key IRA Complements"
This story breaks down a new report from RFF and the Clean Energy Buyers Institute about pathways to decarbonize the power sector.
Press Release — Sep 13, 2022
New Study Finds That Complementary Policies Can Reduce Costs While Accelerating Emissions Reductions
New Study Finds That Complementary Policies Can Reduce Costs While Accelerating Emissions Reductions