Yanjun (Penny) Liao
Fellow
Yanjun (Penny) Liao is an economist and Fellow at Resources for the Future. Her current research focuses on issues of natural disaster risk management and climate adaptation. In a series of ongoing projects, she investigates how flood risk and the design of flood insurance program affect housing markets, the mortgage system, and location decisions of households with different demographics. She has also studied the impacts of disasters on local government budgets, housing markets, and demographic changes. In a secondary research agenda, Liao studies consumer behavior regarding the adoption of clean technology in the electricity and transportation sector.
Liao is also a research fellow at the Wharton Risk Center, where she conducted her postdoctoral research during 2019-21. Before that, she earned her PhD in economics from UC San Diego in 2019.
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Resources Magazine — Oct 4, 2023
As Sea Levels Rise, So Does Wastewater
Sea level rise poses a threat for waste disposal infrastructure. In houses with septic systems, rising wastewater can cause unhygienic overflows and system failures. More funding and community involvement can help address this expensive, growing problem.
Testimony and Public Comments — Sep 12, 2023
Comments on the National Strategy for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
This comment to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy responds to a request for information on the National Strategy for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
Media Highlight — Aug 7, 2023
Newsweek: "Florida Could Soon Become Uninsurable—and Other States Will Likely Follow"
RFF Fellow Penny Liao is quoted several times in an article about the increasing risks of insuring properties that often face the brunt of climate-related disasters.
Media Highlight — Jun 21, 2023
New York Times: "Why California and Florida Have Become Almost Uninsurable"
RFF Fellow Penny Liao is quoted in this column about recent decisions by homeowner insurance companies to curtain business in Florida and California.
Testimony and Public Comments — Sep 12, 2023
Comments on the National Strategy for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
This comment to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy responds to a request for information on the National Strategy for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
Journal Article — Jun 15, 2023
Flood Insurance Reforms, Housing Market Dynamics, and Adaptation to Climate Risks
In this journal article, RFF Fellow Penny Liao and her coauthors examine how two reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program have affected flood insurance and property markets.
Journal Article — Jun 14, 2023
Data Practices for Studying the Impacts of Environmental Amenities and Hazards with Nationwide Property Data
RFF Penny Liao and coauthors evaluate challenges present in the use of nationwide property data for valuing environmental amenities in this journal article.
Working Paper — May 4, 2023
Jobs at Risk: Sea Level Rise, Coastal Flooding, and Local Economies
This study assesses the exposure of local economies to tidal flooding in the Chesapeake Bay region, finding that nearly 50% more jobs will be exposed to 100-year flooding in 2050.
Resources Magazine — Oct 4, 2023
As Sea Levels Rise, So Does Wastewater
Sea level rise poses a threat for waste disposal infrastructure. In houses with septic systems, rising wastewater can cause unhygienic overflows and system failures. More funding and community involvement can help address this expensive, growing problem.
In Focus — Jun 1, 2023
In Focus: Post-Hurricane Resilience
This video marking the beginning of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season shares insights about how coastal communities can rebuild in the wake of devastating storms, with RFF Fellow Yanjun (Penny) Liao.
Common Resources — May 4, 2023
Climate-Smart Economies: Coordinating Economic Development with Resilience Planning
Coordinating policies that spur job creation and improve community resilience can help mitigate the impacts of climate change on local infrastructure, jobs, and economies in the Chesapeake Bay region.
Resources Radio — Feb 21, 2023
How Can Disasters Damage Local Budgets?, with Yanjun (Penny) Liao
Yanjun (Penny) Liao discusses how natural disasters affect local tax revenues and the ability of local governments to provide community services.
Media Highlight — Aug 7, 2023
Newsweek: "Florida Could Soon Become Uninsurable—and Other States Will Likely Follow"
RFF Fellow Penny Liao is quoted several times in an article about the increasing risks of insuring properties that often face the brunt of climate-related disasters.
Media Highlight — Jun 21, 2023
New York Times: "Why California and Florida Have Become Almost Uninsurable"
RFF Fellow Penny Liao is quoted in this column about recent decisions by homeowner insurance companies to curtain business in Florida and California.
Media Highlight — May 16, 2023
Marketplace: "Flood Insurance Program Updates Hit Homeowners Hard"
RFF Fellow Penny Liao is quoted in a highly syndicated piece about rising flood insurance costs.
Media Highlight — May 15, 2023
Public News Service: "Report: Rising Sea Levels to Impact Chesapeake Bay Region's Economy"
A piece syndicated across Virginia radio stations discusses a new RFF report about job loss due to Chesapeake Bay sea level rise.