Beia Spiller
Fellow; Director, Transportation Program
Beia Spiller is a fellow and the director for RFF's Transportation Program. Prior to joining RFF, she was Lead Senior Economist at Environmental Defense Fund, where she worked for almost a decade. She is also a Board member for the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists. Spiller is an energy economist, with experience working on electricity and transportation issues. During her time at EDF, she participated in many electric utility proceedings in NY and CA, with a goal of ushering in a cleaner, more efficient and equitable energy system. She also has many years of experience working in the transportation sector. Her more recent efforts have focused around electric vehicles and environmental justice, exploring some of the most pressing issues around electric car, truck and bus adoption. Her publications range across the energy space, with a large focus on identifying environmental, community and health impacts of renewable energy resources and energy policies. During her free time, she loves riding her e-bike, hiking and rock climbing, making art, and baking gluten free treats.
Education
- PhD in Economics from Duke University
- Masters in Public Policy from Universidad Torcuato di Tella (Argentina)
- BS in Environmental Policy from University of California, San Diego
Featured Content
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Common Resources — Apr 22, 2024
Why Are Electric School Buses So Expensive?
Decarbonizing transportation is important for achieving climate goals. Electric school buses could help while also improving public health and student outcomes, but the high cost of buses may slow progress. What options can bring down these costs?
Common Resources — Mar 29, 2024
There’s a Better Way to Mine for Electric Vehicle Batteries
As demand for electric vehicles in the United States increases, innovative methods of obtaining the critical minerals that power electric vehicles can help mitigate social and environmental impacts on communities.
Common Resources — Mar 7, 2024
Critical Minerals for Electric Vehicles: What You Need to Know
A primer on the importance of critical minerals for electric vehicles and concerns about their availability and cost.
RFF Live — Mar 12, 2024
Digging Deep: Critical Minerals, Electric Vehicles, and the Role of Innovation
An RFF Live event exploring critical mineral markets, increased electric vehicle demand, and technological innovation
Report — Dec 7, 2023
Policy Challenges for Accessing Critical Minerals to Electrify Vehicle Transport
This report explores challenges to accessing the supply of critical minerals necessary for widespread vehicle electrification in the United States.
Journal Article — Aug 31, 2023
From Diesel to Electric: Overcoming Grid Integration Challenges in the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Sector
From Diesel to Electric: Overcoming Grid Integration Challenges in the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Sector
Report — Jul 20, 2023
Final Summary Report: Zero-Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Workshop
This report highlights major themes that emerged from RFF's June 2023 workshop, "Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Workshop: Research for Effective, Efficient, and Equitable Policy Implementation."
Testimony and Public Comments — Jun 5, 2023
Comments to the New York State Public Service Commission on Addressing Barriers to Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
To the New York State Public Service Commission on addressing barriers to medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
RFF Live — Mar 12, 2024
Digging Deep: Critical Minerals, Electric Vehicles, and the Role of Innovation
An RFF Live event exploring critical mineral markets, increased electric vehicle demand, and technological innovation
Workshop — Jun 12, 2023
Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Workshop: Research for Effective, Efficient, and Equitable Policy Implementation
An RFF workshop exploring zero-mission vehicle (ZEV) mandates and how they will change the transportation landscape in the United States.
Common Resources — Apr 22, 2024
Why Are Electric School Buses So Expensive?
Decarbonizing transportation is important for achieving climate goals. Electric school buses could help while also improving public health and student outcomes, but the high cost of buses may slow progress. What options can bring down these costs?
Common Resources — Mar 29, 2024
There’s a Better Way to Mine for Electric Vehicle Batteries
As demand for electric vehicles in the United States increases, innovative methods of obtaining the critical minerals that power electric vehicles can help mitigate social and environmental impacts on communities.
Common Resources — Mar 7, 2024
Critical Minerals for Electric Vehicles: What You Need to Know
A primer on the importance of critical minerals for electric vehicles and concerns about their availability and cost.
Common Resources — Jan 17, 2024
A Tale of Two Highway Plans
A planned renovation of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in New York City raises the opportunity to consider community input and environmental justice when implementing the major infrastructure project.
Media Highlight — Jan 1, 2024
Scientific American: “There’s a Better Way to Mine for Electric Vehicle Batteries”
RFF Fellow Beia Spiller and former RFF intern Sangita Kannan share their thoughts on improving critical mineral mining practices in their coauthored op-ed.
Press Release — Dec 12, 2023
Reliability of the Critical Minerals Supply Chain is Dependent on International Cooperation
A new report lays out the challenges and policy options associated with sourcing and processing these critical minerals.
Media Highlight — Oct 3, 2023
PBS: “Electric Cars—Pros and Cons”
Fellow Beia Spiller, who directs RFF's Transportation Program, discusses the benefits and costs of widespread EV adoption in two episodes of the series “Energy Switch.”
Media Highlight — Jul 29, 2023
Palabra: "Youth-Powered Science"
An article about research in New York City schools mentions a project co-led by RFF Fellow Beia Spiller, which involves New York students with air quality monitoring projects.