Sheila M. Olmstead
University Fellow
Sheila Olmstead is a Professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin (UT), a University Fellow at Resources for the Future (RFF) in Washington, DC, and a Senior Fellow at the Property and Environment Research Center in Bozeman, MT. From 2016-2017, she served as the Senior Economist for Energy and the Environment at the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. Before joining UT in 2013, Olmstead was a Senior Fellow (2013) and Fellow (2010-13) at RFF, as well as Associate Professor (2007-10) and Assistant Professor (2002-07) of Environmental Economics at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Olmstead has served as Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists. She is currently an Editor of the Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, and in the past has served as Associate Editor of Water Resources Research, Co-editor of Environmental and Resource Economics, Book Review Editor of Water Economics and Policy, and Editorial Council member for the Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists. She holds a PhD in Public Policy from Harvard University (2002), a Masters in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin (1996), and a BA from the University of Virginia (1992).
Olmstead is an environmental and resource economist. Her current and recent research projects focus on adaptation to the water resource implications of climate change, economic valuation of reductions in nutrient pollution in urban coastal areas, the impact of drought on global economic activity, environmental impacts of unconventional oil and gas development, the influence of federal fire suppression policy on land development in the American West, and free-riding in dam placement and water withdrawals in international river basins.
Education
- PhD, Public Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 2002
- MA in public affairs, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin, 1996
- BA, Political and Social Thought, with High Distinction, University of Virginia, 1992
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Common Resources — Aug 18, 2023
The Future of the Waters of the United States after Sackett v. US Environmental Protection Agency
In the ruling of the recently decided court case Sackett v. US Environmental Protection Agency, the Supreme Court has scaled back water protections under the definition of “waters of the United States” in the Clean Water Act.
Resources Radio — Dec 15, 2020
Navigating Challenges to the Clean Water Rule, with Sheila Olmstead
Sheila Olmstead discusses a report she coauthored, which takes issue with the economic logic behind a recent rollback of Clean Water Act protections.
Journal Article — Jun 8, 2020
Trends in Nutrient-related Pollution as a Source of Potential Water Quality Damages: A Case Study of Texas, USA
Trends in Nutrient-related Pollution as a Source of Potential Water Quality Damages: A Case Study of Texas, USA
Journal Article — Mar 18, 2020
Hydroeconomic Modeling of Resource Recovery from Wastewater: Implications for Water Quality and Quantity Management
Hydroeconomic Modeling of Resource Recovery from Wastewater: Implications for Water Quality and Quantity Management
Journal Article — Jun 8, 2020
Trends in Nutrient-related Pollution as a Source of Potential Water Quality Damages: A Case Study of Texas, USA
Trends in Nutrient-related Pollution as a Source of Potential Water Quality Damages: A Case Study of Texas, USA
Journal Article — Mar 18, 2020
Hydroeconomic Modeling of Resource Recovery from Wastewater: Implications for Water Quality and Quantity Management
Hydroeconomic Modeling of Resource Recovery from Wastewater: Implications for Water Quality and Quantity Management
Working Paper — Aug 14, 2015
Damming the Commons: An Empirical Analysis of International Cooperation and Conflict in Dam Location
Damming the Commons: An Empirical Analysis of International Cooperation and Conflict in Dam Location
Journal Article — Jul 3, 2015
Characterization and Analysis of Liquid Waste from Marcellus Shale Gas Development
Characterization and Analysis of Liquid Waste from Marcellus Shale Gas Development
Common Resources — Aug 18, 2023
The Future of the Waters of the United States after Sackett v. US Environmental Protection Agency
In the ruling of the recently decided court case Sackett v. US Environmental Protection Agency, the Supreme Court has scaled back water protections under the definition of “waters of the United States” in the Clean Water Act.
Resources Radio — Dec 15, 2020
Navigating Challenges to the Clean Water Rule, with Sheila Olmstead
Sheila Olmstead discusses a report she coauthored, which takes issue with the economic logic behind a recent rollback of Clean Water Act protections.
Resources Magazine — Jan 7, 2016
Dam Construction on International Rivers
Countries tend to overdevelop shared rivers if they can pass on some of the costs of dams to their downstream neighbors.
Common Resources — Nov 5, 2014
Should we all take a bit of lithium?!
You might have seen the September 13, 2014, New York Times op-ed titled "Should we all take a bit of lithium?" which was the Times' 7th most emaile...
Media Highlight — Apr 2, 2015
Here's How California Expects Its Citizens to Save 400 Billion Gallons of Water
Here's How California Expects Its Citizens to Save 400 Billion Gallons of Water
Media Highlight — Feb 19, 2015
Shale Economics Bullish If 'Dark Side' Addressed, Wyoming Report Says
Shale Economics Bullish If 'Dark Side' Addressed, Wyoming Report Says
Media Highlight — Feb 15, 2015
UW’s Mason Explores Benefits, Costs of Hydraulic Fracturing
UW’s Mason Explores Benefits, Costs of Hydraulic Fracturing
Media Highlight — Nov 27, 2014
Costs, Benefits of Shale Gas Development Outlined in New Discussion Paper
Costs, Benefits of Shale Gas Development Outlined in New Discussion Paper