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April 1, 2009

Upcoming Events

Renewable Energy Mandates:  Costs, Benefits, and Alternatives

Many believe that renewable energy is essential to addressing our environmental and energy security challenges.  Others suggest that other technologies, including energy efficiency, have a crucial role to play and that rigid mandates preclude more cost-effective approaches.  Twenty-eight states have already adopted a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), and Congress is currently considering national RPS proposals that would require up to 25 percent of electricity be generated by wind, solar, or other renewable resources by 2025.  Getting from today’s share of renewables of 2.5 percent to 25 percent would require a major increase in the construction of renewable generation and associated transmission facilities.  This seminar will consider the benefits and costs of the RPS approach and how to improve it by introducing greater flexibility.

May 8, 8:30-11, National Press Club

ICANN at a Crossroads:  Privatization, Reform, Both, or Neither?

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) controls extremely important aspects of the Internet.  Since 1998, it has operated under various agreements with the U.S. Department of Commerce.  The current agreement expires later this year.  Before then, a public policy decision must be made about ICANN’s future.  ICANN would like to be fully “privatized,” but that decision raises significant questions about ICANN’s structure, mission, and performance.  Does ICANN’s governance structure provide sufficient accountability?  If not, what type of structure would, and to whom should ICANN be accountable?  How should reforms address ICANN’s status as a de facto regulator?  How should reforms address the intellectual property issues associated with domain names?  This conference will discuss these issues and a recent TPI study on the subject coauthored by TPI president Thomas Lenard and NYU Stern School of Business economics professor Lawrence J. White.

Speakers to be announced

To Register: Please use the online form for Renewable Energy Mandates and ICANN at a Crossroads, contact Ashley Creel at 202-828-4405 or events@techpolicyinstitute.org  to register.

The Technology Policy Institute

The Technology Policy Institute is a think tank that focuses on the economics of innovation, technological change, and related regulation in the United States and around the world. TPI produces independent, rigorous research and sponsors educational programs and conferences on major issues affecting information technology and communications policy. TPI is a 501(c)(3) research and educational organization.   More information is available at http://www.techpolicyinstitute.org/ 

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