CONS 425/POLI 351 – Sustainable Energy: Policy and Governance

Term 2 2011-2012

Tuesday, Thursday 2:00-3:30
FSC 1005

Professor: George Hoberg
george.hoberg@ubc.ca

Teaching Assistants:
Andrea Rivers andrea.e.rivers@gmail.com
Geoff Salomons geoff.salomons@gmail.com

Simulation Participation Marks here POL1351-CONS425_ Participation marks_AR

PDF of syllabus (on line version through tab will be official): cons 425 syllabus 2012 Jan

For how to use your iClicker go here and download first day of classes PPT along right side

This course examines sustainable energy policy and governance from a western Canadian perspective. It focuses on the question of how policies and institutions should be changed to pursue a more sustainable energy path. It develops the argument that our current energy path is unsustainable, and that a shift to a more sustainable path is impossible without significant policy intervention. We examine the policy tools available for promoting this transition, and the governing structures and processes for selecting and implementing those tools.

The course contains three sections. First, it will analyze energy as a policy problem, focusing on demand, supply, and environmental constraints. The global and Canadian energy context will be surveyed briefly. Second, the governance framework for energy policy will be explored by examining alternative policy instruments, the division of powers, the National Energy Plan and its aftermath, and the continental energy pact embodied in NAFTA. The remainder of the course focuses on prominent issues in Western Canadian energy policy:
  • the oil sands, including the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline to take oil sands products to Asian and US markets;
  • filling the electricity supply gap in BC, including the relative contributions of conservation and energy efficiency and renewables.
The course will provide students a substantive understanding of energy policy in the context of policy analysis and Canadian politics. Specific learning objectives include:
  • A basic understanding of regional, national, and global energy systems
  • Concepts of energy sustainability
  • Alternative policy instruments relevant to energy policy
  • Governing institutions for Western Canadian energy policy
  • Interests, resources, and strategies of energy policy actors
  • Multiple criteria analysis
  • Environmental assessment
  • Attributes of energy alternatives

Assignments

  • midterm exam (20%) (February 16)
  • simulation of multistakeholder consultation on energy controversy (30%) – this year’s cases with be the Site C Dam and the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline.
  • final exam (50%)

a place of mind, The Univeristy of British Columbia

Faculty of Forestry
2424 Main Mall,
Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
Tel: 604.822.2727
Email:
George Hoberg
2037 - 2424 Main Mall,
Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4,
Tel: 604.822.3728
Email:

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