February 20, 2017

Murray reappointed as Interim Director of Energy Initiative

Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

Dr. Brian Murray will serve for a second year as Interim Director of the Duke University Energy Initiative in 2017. As in 2016, Murray will retain a half-time appointment with the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, where he is the Director of the Environmental Economics Program. Murray is also a Research Professor with the Nicholas School of the Environment.

The search for a full-time permanent Director of the Energy Initiative will launch in the spring, with a target appointment date of January 1, 2018.  

"The director position may be in flux," notes Murray, "but we are continuing to make bold advances in energy education, research and engagement at Duke. I can't say enough about the commitment of our staff and our faculty and student advisory councils. Together, we're accomplishing a steady stream of successes, from the first-ever Energy Week at Duke to the Energy Research Seed Fund program that has generated nearly three times the value of funds that we've invested in interdisciplinary research teams."

Murray is working with Duke Provost Sally Kornbluth, Vice-Provost for Interdisciplinary Studies Ed Balleisen and faculty from across campus to craft a vision document for the future of Duke's approach to energy education, research and engagement. Designed to complement the university's strategic plan (under development), the document will identify focal areas and strategic priorities for energy work at Duke.  

Murray is widely recognized for his work on the economics of energy and climate change policy. This includes the design of price-based policy mechanisms such as emissions trading ("cap-and-trade"), carbon taxes, and renewable energy adoption incentives.  Murray is among the original designers of the allowance price reserve approach for containing prices in carbon markets that was adopted by California and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) cap-and-trade programs and has served on panels of the National Academy of Sciences and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to connect research findings to policy guidance.

He holds both a doctoral and master's degree in resource economics and policy from Duke University and a bachelor's degree in economics and finance from the University of Delaware.

For more information: Contact Braden Welborn, Associate Director for Communications at the Duke University Energy Initiative.