William A. Pizer
President and CEO, Resources for the Future
Billy Pizer is the President and CEO of Resources for the Future (RFF), an independent, nonprofit research institution that improves environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions through impartial economic research and policy engagement. He was previously the Susan B. King Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research at the Sanford School of Public Policy, where Dr. Pizer served on the faculty for ten years. From 2008 to 2011, he was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment and Energy at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, overseeing Treasury’s role in the domestic and international environment and energy agenda of the United States. Dr. Pizer was previously a Fellow at RFF, a senior economist for energy and environment on the President's Council of Economic Advisers, and a senior economist at the National Commission on Energy Policy. He has previously served as a member on two committees for the National Academy of Science (on the social cost of greenhouse gases and on deep decarbonization), a lead author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a peer reviewer for the government’s 2023 revision to cost-benefit guidelines, and a member of multiple government advisory committees. He currently serves on the Climate-related Financial Risk Advisory Committee to the Financial Stability Oversight Council. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in economics from Harvard University and a B.S. in physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
His research examines different choices in the design of policies to drive towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, how those choices affect both aggregate costs to society and the distribution of those costs among different members of society, and the interaction of national policies both across countries and with international negotiations. His work also examines how we value the future benefits of climate change mitigation. Dr. Pizer was involved in the creation of an environmental program at Duke Kunshan University in China and engaged in US-China climate policy dialogues for more than a decade. He has written more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
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Common Resources — Nov 21, 2024
Injecting Reality Into Debates About Solar Radiation Modification
Notes from a recent workshop on mitigating the effects of climate change through the global geoengineering strategy of solar radiation modification.
In Focus — Sep 20, 2024
In Focus: Priorities for Climate Policy
This video discusses priorities in climate policy such as permitting reform, building community resilience against the impacts of climate change, and equity, with RFF President and CEO Billy Pizer.
RFF Live — May 2, 2024
Reducing Power Plant Pollution: An Overview of EPA’s Recent Emissions Rules
A virtual fireside chat and panel discussion about EPA's April 2024 rulings on power plants, notably section 111 of the Clean Air Act.
Common Resources — Apr 17, 2024
After the Pause: Understanding the Economic, Environmental, and Geopolitical Implications of Increased US Liquefied Natural Gas Exports
As the Biden administration temporarily pauses approvals for building new export facilities that transport liquefied natural gas, we’ve assembled a primer on the national and global implications of the US increasing exports of this important fuel.
Report — Oct 10, 2023
Carbon Border Adjustments: Design Elements, Options, and Policy Decisions
This report identifies key design elements in carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) and considers options available to policymakers, especially in the United States and European Union.
Testimony and Public Comments — Aug 8, 2023
Updated Estimates of the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases for Usage in Regulatory Analysis Related to EPA Emissions Guidelines from Existing Fossil Fuel-Fired Generating Units
This comment to the Environmental Protection Agency provides an overview of the best available science on the social cost of carbon related to the agency's proposed revisions to section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.
Testimony and Public Comments — Aug 3, 2023
Individual Peer Reviewer Comments on Proposed OMB Circular No. A-4, "Regulatory Analysis"
Billy Pizer, RFF's Vice President for Research and Policy Engagement, shares his thoughts on Circular A-4 as part of the Office of Management and Budget's peer-review process.
Testimony and Public Comments — Jun 1, 2023
Comments to OMB on the Proposed Revisions to Circular A-4
To the Office of Management and Budget on proposed revisions to Circular A-4.
RFF Live — May 2, 2024
Reducing Power Plant Pollution: An Overview of EPA’s Recent Emissions Rules
A virtual fireside chat and panel discussion about EPA's April 2024 rulings on power plants, notably section 111 of the Clean Air Act.
RFF Live — Jun 27, 2023
Policy Road Map to Accelerate Responsible BECCS Deployment
An event hosted by EFI Foundation and Resources for the Future reviewing the future of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage
RFF Live — Feb 15, 2023
Exploring the New Baseline for Electricity in the Presence of the Inflation Reduction Act
An RFF Live event exploring how the electricity sector is expected to transform in the coming decades as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
RFF Live — Nov 14, 2022
US Climate Policy: The Road Ahead
US Climate Policy: The Road Ahead
Common Resources — Nov 21, 2024
Injecting Reality Into Debates About Solar Radiation Modification
Notes from a recent workshop on mitigating the effects of climate change through the global geoengineering strategy of solar radiation modification.
In Focus — Sep 20, 2024
In Focus: Priorities for Climate Policy
This video discusses priorities in climate policy such as permitting reform, building community resilience against the impacts of climate change, and equity, with RFF President and CEO Billy Pizer.
Common Resources — Apr 17, 2024
After the Pause: Understanding the Economic, Environmental, and Geopolitical Implications of Increased US Liquefied Natural Gas Exports
As the Biden administration temporarily pauses approvals for building new export facilities that transport liquefied natural gas, we’ve assembled a primer on the national and global implications of the US increasing exports of this important fuel.
Common Resources — Mar 15, 2024
Climate and Trade in a World of Resurgent Industrial Policy
Geopolitical realities and current climate goals may require an overhaul of global trade.
Media Highlight — Apr 9, 2024
POLITICO: “Biden’s $200 Billion Energy Loan Juggernaut Faces a Trump-Sized Threat”
RFF‘s incoming president and CEO, Billy Pizer, is quoted in this story about the fate of the US Department of Energy‘s Loan Programs Office.
Media Highlight — Mar 25, 2024
Marketplace: “How Is the White House Shaping Clean Energy Supply and Demand?”
RFF Vice President for Research and Policy Engagement Billy Pizer shares his thoughts on how to balance supply and demand for fossil fuels.
Media Highlight — Mar 14, 2024
E&E News: “Environmental Think Tank Announces Next CEO”
This article shares the news that Billy Pizer, RFF‘s Vice President for Research and Policy Engagement, will become the next president and CEO of RFF.
Press Release — Oct 10, 2023
Reimagining the Connection between International Trade and Climate Policy: What Are the Options?
Following the launch of the European Union’s landmark carbon tariff, a new RFF report dives into the pros, cons, and considerations for similar policies.