Kyle Meng
@kylemeng.com
Professor at UCSB Bren School and Econ Dept. Climate and Energy Director at emLab. Former White House CEA Senior Climate Economist. Associate at @nber.org @csis.org. Board member @ucsusa.bsky.social. Personal views. www.kylemeng.com
Governor Newsom just reauthorized California’s centerpiece climate policy - cap and invest - for the next two decades, reducing pollution and electricity prices in the world’s 4th biggest economy. This is now the US’ most important climate policy.
September 19, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Governor Newsom just reauthorized California’s centerpiece climate policy - cap and invest - for the next two decades, reducing pollution and electricity prices in the world’s 4th biggest economy. This is now the US’ most important climate policy.
California Assembly and Senate just passed AB 1207, extending and strengthening the state’s centerpiece climate policy - cap and invest- for the next 20 years. Now onto the governor’s signature!
#climatesky #energysky
#climatesky #energysky
September 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
California Assembly and Senate just passed AB 1207, extending and strengthening the state’s centerpiece climate policy - cap and invest- for the next 20 years. Now onto the governor’s signature!
#climatesky #energysky
#climatesky #energysky
US EPA proposes end to mandatory greenhouse gas reporting reut.rs/3JYUgq4
US EPA proposes end to mandatory greenhouse gas reporting
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed on Friday a rule to end a mandatory program requiring 8,000 facilities to report their greenhouse gas emissions - an effort the agency said was burdensome to business, but which leaves the public without transparency around the environmental impact of those sources.
reut.rs
September 12, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Dr. Kyle Meng, UC Santa Barbara: “This is the most important U.S. climate policy for the foreseeable future. These bills send a signal that California is doubling down on its climate commitments for the next two decades with a practical approach that meets both climate and affordability goals.”
What they’re saying: Overwhelming support for historic climate and energy affordability legislation | Governor of California
www.gov.ca.gov
September 12, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Dr. Kyle Meng, UC Santa Barbara: “This is the most important U.S. climate policy for the foreseeable future. These bills send a signal that California is doubling down on its climate commitments for the next two decades with a practical approach that meets both climate and affordability goals.”
Reposted by Kyle Meng
Hey, #EconSky! Got a policy-relevant paper that you want folks in DC to see? Present & publish it with NBER's Environmental and Energy Policy and the Economy.
Submission deadline is Oct 20.
Conference is in DC on May 21, 2026.
More details below.
conference.nber.org/confsubmit/b...
Submission deadline is Oct 20.
Conference is in DC on May 21, 2026.
More details below.
conference.nber.org/confsubmit/b...
Submission: 8th Annual NBER Environmental and Energy Policy and the Economy Conference, Page 1 of 2 - MyNBER
conference.nber.org
September 11, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Hey, #EconSky! Got a policy-relevant paper that you want folks in DC to see? Present & publish it with NBER's Environmental and Energy Policy and the Economy.
Submission deadline is Oct 20.
Conference is in DC on May 21, 2026.
More details below.
conference.nber.org/confsubmit/b...
Submission deadline is Oct 20.
Conference is in DC on May 21, 2026.
More details below.
conference.nber.org/confsubmit/b...
Today marks a major development in U.S. climate policy.
Gov. Newsom, the CA Assembly & Senate just released the final cap-and-trade—now called cap-and-invest—reauthorization bill: AB 1207. 1/
#climatesky #energysky
Gov. Newsom, the CA Assembly & Senate just released the final cap-and-trade—now called cap-and-invest—reauthorization bill: AB 1207. 1/
#climatesky #energysky
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
September 10, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Today marks a major development in U.S. climate policy.
Gov. Newsom, the CA Assembly & Senate just released the final cap-and-trade—now called cap-and-invest—reauthorization bill: AB 1207. 1/
#climatesky #energysky
Gov. Newsom, the CA Assembly & Senate just released the final cap-and-trade—now called cap-and-invest—reauthorization bill: AB 1207. 1/
#climatesky #energysky
Reposted by Kyle Meng
The big story here is of an agency of dedicated statisticians and public servants working tirelessly to improve economic data in a climate of budgetary cuts to data collection. They have been very innovative in meeting that mandate. But we should also just fund our economic infrastructure.
Important to remember that thanks to the dedicated public servants at BLS, employment estimates have become MORE accurate over time
And the final version of the preliminary revision reported today will probably be smaller when it is incorporated early next year
And the final version of the preliminary revision reported today will probably be smaller when it is incorporated early next year
The preliminary benchmark revision of -911K amounts to -0.6% to March 2025 payroll employment. Combined with 2-month revisions, recent total revisions are big but hardly unprecedented, & smoothed over the business cycle the payroll survey has gotten more accurate over time.
September 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The big story here is of an agency of dedicated statisticians and public servants working tirelessly to improve economic data in a climate of budgetary cuts to data collection. They have been very innovative in meeting that mandate. But we should also just fund our economic infrastructure.
California has a little over 24 hrs to release legislative language on cap & trade reauthorization.
Hard to imagine the most significant U.S climate policy in the foreseeable future with such stakeholder and political support is cutting it this close.
#climatesky #energysky
Hard to imagine the most significant U.S climate policy in the foreseeable future with such stakeholder and political support is cutting it this close.
#climatesky #energysky
September 9, 2025 at 4:01 AM
California has a little over 24 hrs to release legislative language on cap & trade reauthorization.
Hard to imagine the most significant U.S climate policy in the foreseeable future with such stakeholder and political support is cutting it this close.
#climatesky #energysky
Hard to imagine the most significant U.S climate policy in the foreseeable future with such stakeholder and political support is cutting it this close.
#climatesky #energysky
Reposted by Kyle Meng
I'm hiring predocs to work with me on econ policy research projects starting in Summer 2026. Topics include healthcare, consumer finance, energy markets, housing, and childcare.
You'll be part of an awesome community of @siepr.bsky.social predocs.
Details here:
siepr.stanford.edu/programs/sie...
You'll be part of an awesome community of @siepr.bsky.social predocs.
Details here:
siepr.stanford.edu/programs/sie...
September 9, 2025 at 3:04 AM
I'm hiring predocs to work with me on econ policy research projects starting in Summer 2026. Topics include healthcare, consumer finance, energy markets, housing, and childcare.
You'll be part of an awesome community of @siepr.bsky.social predocs.
Details here:
siepr.stanford.edu/programs/sie...
You'll be part of an awesome community of @siepr.bsky.social predocs.
Details here:
siepr.stanford.edu/programs/sie...
Reposted by Kyle Meng
Our comment on the DOE CWG report is done. It tips the scales at 439 pages, approx. 3x longer than the DOE report.
This is related to Brandolini's law: The amount of energy needed to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than that needed to produce it.
Example: refuting one sentence.
This is related to Brandolini's law: The amount of energy needed to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than that needed to produce it.
Example: refuting one sentence.
August 28, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Our comment on the DOE CWG report is done. It tips the scales at 439 pages, approx. 3x longer than the DOE report.
This is related to Brandolini's law: The amount of energy needed to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than that needed to produce it.
Example: refuting one sentence.
This is related to Brandolini's law: The amount of energy needed to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than that needed to produce it.
Example: refuting one sentence.
Recent CA Assembly movement in cap-and-trade bill may have propped up permit prices in today's CARB auction.
But CA still losing revenue from C&T uncertainty: today's revenue could have been ~$300M more under last year's prices.
CA policymakers need to reauthorize C&T.
#energysky #climatesky
But CA still losing revenue from C&T uncertainty: today's revenue could have been ~$300M more under last year's prices.
CA policymakers need to reauthorize C&T.
#energysky #climatesky
Press Release: Sluggish Auction Results — Market Still Waiting for Leadership to Recommit to California’s Cap and Trade Program — Clean and Prosperous California
CAP California Press Release on August 2025 Auction Results
www.cleanprosperousca.org
August 27, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Recent CA Assembly movement in cap-and-trade bill may have propped up permit prices in today's CARB auction.
But CA still losing revenue from C&T uncertainty: today's revenue could have been ~$300M more under last year's prices.
CA policymakers need to reauthorize C&T.
#energysky #climatesky
But CA still losing revenue from C&T uncertainty: today's revenue could have been ~$300M more under last year's prices.
CA policymakers need to reauthorize C&T.
#energysky #climatesky
The most important U.S. climate legislation over the next few years is out!
ASM Irwin's draft California Assembly Bill 1207 reauthorizes California's ground breaking GHG cap-and-trade (C&T) program.
Here are 5 key takeaways from AB 1207 1/
ASM Irwin's draft California Assembly Bill 1207 reauthorizes California's ground breaking GHG cap-and-trade (C&T) program.
Here are 5 key takeaways from AB 1207 1/
www.politico.com
August 23, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The most important U.S. climate legislation over the next few years is out!
ASM Irwin's draft California Assembly Bill 1207 reauthorizes California's ground breaking GHG cap-and-trade (C&T) program.
Here are 5 key takeaways from AB 1207 1/
ASM Irwin's draft California Assembly Bill 1207 reauthorizes California's ground breaking GHG cap-and-trade (C&T) program.
Here are 5 key takeaways from AB 1207 1/
www.politico.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The most important U.S. climate legislation over the next few years is out!
ASM Irwin's draft California Assembly Bill 1207 reauthorizes California's ground breaking GHG cap-and-trade (C&T) program.
Here are 5 key takeaways from AB 1207 1/
ASM Irwin's draft California Assembly Bill 1207 reauthorizes California's ground breaking GHG cap-and-trade (C&T) program.
Here are 5 key takeaways from AB 1207 1/
"As flaccid as a boned fish, Donald Trump crumpled quicker than even Vladimir Putin probably anticipated...The president’s thunderous demands — a 50-day deadline, a 10-day deadline, “severe consequences,” a ceasefire before negotiations — all were just noise."
Opinion | Now it is the Old World’s turn to rescue the United States
As Trump met with European leaders on Ukraine, Churchill’s words from days long ago came to mind.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 19, 2025 at 5:42 AM
"As flaccid as a boned fish, Donald Trump crumpled quicker than even Vladimir Putin probably anticipated...The president’s thunderous demands — a 50-day deadline, a 10-day deadline, “severe consequences,” a ceasefire before negotiations — all were just noise."
Reposted by Kyle Meng
"To avoid long-term geopolitical consequences, the United States must reassert its clean energy leadership or risk marginalizing itself from the future economic and geopolitical opportunities of global value chains."
Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/us-...
Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/us-...
August 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"To avoid long-term geopolitical consequences, the United States must reassert its clean energy leadership or risk marginalizing itself from the future economic and geopolitical opportunities of global value chains."
Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/us-...
Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/us-...
Reposted by Kyle Meng
📬 Registration is now open for the 22nd Occasional Workshop in Environmental and Resource Economics! Join us in beautiful Santa Barbara, October 24–25, 2025!
👉 Full list of speakers: occasionalworkshop.weebly.com/program.html
👉 Register here: occasionalworkshop.weebly.com/registration...
👉 Full list of speakers: occasionalworkshop.weebly.com/program.html
👉 Register here: occasionalworkshop.weebly.com/registration...
August 15, 2025 at 9:13 PM
📬 Registration is now open for the 22nd Occasional Workshop in Environmental and Resource Economics! Join us in beautiful Santa Barbara, October 24–25, 2025!
👉 Full list of speakers: occasionalworkshop.weebly.com/program.html
👉 Register here: occasionalworkshop.weebly.com/registration...
👉 Full list of speakers: occasionalworkshop.weebly.com/program.html
👉 Register here: occasionalworkshop.weebly.com/registration...
This made my day.
It's mid-August and the California ISO grid is using 25% less fossil gas in 2025 than from Jan 1-Aug 13, 2024 & 42% less than from Jan 1-August 13, 2023.
WWS has supplied 57.5% of all demand in 2025 v 52.4% in 2024 and 48.3% in 2023
At this pace, CAISO will be 100% WWS 24/7/365 by 2033!
WWS has supplied 57.5% of all demand in 2025 v 52.4% in 2024 and 48.3% in 2023
At this pace, CAISO will be 100% WWS 24/7/365 by 2033!
August 15, 2025 at 2:40 AM
This made my day.
Reposted by Kyle Meng
America’s lowest-paid workers are suffering a sharper slowdown in wage growth than their richer peers, adding to the pressure on Donald Trump over inequality https://on.ft.com/3UbHZ3u
August 4, 2025 at 3:35 AM
America’s lowest-paid workers are suffering a sharper slowdown in wage growth than their richer peers, adding to the pressure on Donald Trump over inequality https://on.ft.com/3UbHZ3u
Reposted by Kyle Meng
What to make of POTUS's attempt to fire the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)?
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
August 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
What to make of POTUS's attempt to fire the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)?
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Reposted by Kyle Meng
Those are not “her” (BLS Commissioner’s) numbers. They’re constructed by career civil servants using data collected from thousands of businesses and government agencies.
August 4, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Those are not “her” (BLS Commissioner’s) numbers. They’re constructed by career civil servants using data collected from thousands of businesses and government agencies.
Reposted by Kyle Meng
Is sea level around the US accelerating? If you actually do the analysis, instead of just repeating talking points from decades ago, the answer is yes.
tamino.wordpress.com/2025/08/03/s...
tamino.wordpress.com/2025/08/03/s...
Sea Level Mis-information from DOE
Here in the USA, the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a report titled “A Critical Review of the Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the U.S. Climate.” It is a product of the …
tamino.wordpress.com
August 3, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Is sea level around the US accelerating? If you actually do the analysis, instead of just repeating talking points from decades ago, the answer is yes.
tamino.wordpress.com/2025/08/03/s...
tamino.wordpress.com/2025/08/03/s...
Reposted by Kyle Meng
Trump Fired America’s Economic Data Collector. History Shows the Perils.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/b...
Trump Fired America’s Economic Data Collector. History Shows the Perils.
www.nytimes.com
August 3, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Trump Fired America’s Economic Data Collector. History Shows the Perils.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/b...
Columbia’s Administrators Are Fooling Themselves www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/o...
Opinion | Columbia’s Administrators Are Fooling Themselves
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Columbia’s Administrators Are Fooling Themselves www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/o...
@mikegeruso.bsky.social and Dean Spears' book After the Spike is out!
One of the most thoughtful and thought-provoking books on population out there.
One of the most thoughtful and thought-provoking books on population out there.
So excited that this will be out in the world tomorrow! And grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.
July 11, 2025 at 4:07 AM
@mikegeruso.bsky.social and Dean Spears' book After the Spike is out!
One of the most thoughtful and thought-provoking books on population out there.
One of the most thoughtful and thought-provoking books on population out there.
Reposted by Kyle Meng
Our paper is officially out 🎉
We argue that climate clubs show promise:
- A climate club with coordinated penalties could curb 68% of excess emissions from free-riding
-Unilateral carbon tariffs? Not nearly as effective
We argue that climate clubs show promise:
- A climate club with coordinated penalties could curb 68% of excess emissions from free-riding
-Unilateral carbon tariffs? Not nearly as effective
We study how trade policy can reduce global emissions. Unilateral carbon border taxes have limited efficacy at cutting foreign emissions. By contrast, coordinated trade penalties under a climate club prove highly effective. buff.ly/NEE3Uy8
July 9, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Our paper is officially out 🎉
We argue that climate clubs show promise:
- A climate club with coordinated penalties could curb 68% of excess emissions from free-riding
-Unilateral carbon tariffs? Not nearly as effective
We argue that climate clubs show promise:
- A climate club with coordinated penalties could curb 68% of excess emissions from free-riding
-Unilateral carbon tariffs? Not nearly as effective