Gilbert E. Metcalf
University Fellow
Gilbert E. Metcalf is the John DiBiaggio Professor of Citizenship and Public Service and a Professor of Economics at Tufts University. In addition, he is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a University Fellow at Resources For The Future. Metcalf's primary research area is applied public finance with particular interests in taxation, energy, and environmental economics. His current research focuses on policy evaluation and design in the area of energy and climate change. His book, Paying for Pollution: Why a Carbon Tax is Good for America, was published by Oxford University Press in 2019.
Metcalf has frequently testified before Congress, served on expert panels for the National Academies of Sciences and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and served as a consultant to numerous other organizations. During 2011 and 2012, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment and Energy at the U.S. Department of Treasury where he was the founding U.S. Board Member for the UN based Green Climate Fund. He has published extensively in academic journals and books on various topics including energy and tax policy.
Education
- PhD in economics, Harvard University, 1998
- MS in environmental economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1982
- BA in mathematics, Amherst College, 1976
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Journal Article — Jul 24, 2023
The Fiscal Implications of the US Transition away from Fossil Fuels
An article published by the Review of Environmental Economics and Policy finds that, between 2015 and 2020, fossil fuels generated roughly $138 billion each year for US localities, states, tribes, and the federal government.
Media Highlight — May 16, 2022
Associated Press: "In US, States Struggle to Replace Fossil Fuel Tax Revenue"
This widely syndicated story features findings from a January 2022 working paper about the fiscal implications of the energy transition and quotes the paper's lead author, Fellow Daniel Raimi.
Media Highlight — Mar 26, 2022
Bloomberg: "US Oil Boom Towns Risk Ghost Town Futures"
This feature story cites RFF research several times in a story about the effect of the energy transition on Texas oil towns.
Media Highlight — Feb 22, 2022
Ohio Road Budget Could Run Out of Fuel as Drivers Switch to Electric Vehicles
The Energy News Network published a story detailing an RFF report about the fiscal implications of the US energy transition.
Journal Article — Jul 24, 2023
The Fiscal Implications of the US Transition away from Fossil Fuels
An article published by the Review of Environmental Economics and Policy finds that, between 2015 and 2020, fossil fuels generated roughly $138 billion each year for US localities, states, tribes, and the federal government.
Working Paper — Jan 13, 2022
The Fiscal Implications of the US Transition Away from Fossil Fuels
This working paper estimates the fiscal risk posed by the energy transition for governments dependent on fossil fuels, while examining policies to address this risk to revenues.
Working Paper — May 26, 2021
The Macroeconomic Effects of a Carbon Tax to Meet the US Paris Agreement Target: The Role of Firm Creation and Technology Adoption
The Macroeconomic Effects of a Carbon Tax to Meet the US Paris Agreement Target: The Role of Firm Creation and Technology Adoption
Working Paper — Aug 27, 2020
The Macroeconomic Impact of Europe's Carbon Taxes
The Macroeconomic Impact of Europe's Carbon Taxes
Workshop — Mar 13, 2020
Adding Mitigation Certainty to a US Carbon Tax: A Workshop on the REEP Symposium (Postponed)
Adding Mitigation Certainty to a US Carbon Tax: A Workshop on the REEP Symposium (Postponed)
RFF Live — Mar 6, 2019
The Future of Carbon Pricing
Opportunities and challenges facing carbon pricing during the next few years, and lessons learned from carbon pricing around the world.
Resources Radio — Jun 22, 2021
Do Carbon Taxes Hurt the Economy?, with Gilbert Metcalf
Gilbert Metcalf describes how a modest carbon price could impact GDP, employment, and companies’ willingness to invest in clean energy.
Resources Magazine — Oct 22, 2020
Carbon Taxes Do Not Harm Jobs or Economic Growth
Results from two recent analyses suggest that implementing a carbon tax has no discernible detrimental effects on employment and GDP growth.
Resources Radio — Aug 13, 2019
Paying for Pollution, with Gilbert Metcalf
Daniel Raimi and Gilbert Metcalf discuss the benefits and drawbacks of carbon policies.
Resources Radio — Jan 22, 2019
Paying For Pollution, with Gilbert Metcalf
Gilbert Metcalf talks about his new book and why he thinks that a carbon tax is the smartest way to deal with the problem of climate change.
Media Highlight — May 16, 2022
Associated Press: "In US, States Struggle to Replace Fossil Fuel Tax Revenue"
This widely syndicated story features findings from a January 2022 working paper about the fiscal implications of the energy transition and quotes the paper's lead author, Fellow Daniel Raimi.
Media Highlight — Mar 26, 2022
Bloomberg: "US Oil Boom Towns Risk Ghost Town Futures"
This feature story cites RFF research several times in a story about the effect of the energy transition on Texas oil towns.
Media Highlight — Feb 22, 2022
Ohio Road Budget Could Run Out of Fuel as Drivers Switch to Electric Vehicles
The Energy News Network published a story detailing an RFF report about the fiscal implications of the US energy transition.
Press Release — Jan 13, 2022
US Revenues from Fossil Fuels, Responsible for $138 Billion Annually, Expected to Fall Regardless of Climate Action
Fossil fuels provide substantial revenue to the US federal government and many states, tribes, and localities—but changes to government tax policies can help replace declining revenue and help communities adapt.