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About ERG

Our Mission The mission of the Energy and Resources Group is a sustainable environment and a just society. ERG is a col­lab­o­ra­tive com­mu­nity of grad­u­ate stu­dents, core fac­ulty, nearly 200 ... Continue Reading »

Who We Are

A Brief History of ERG For thirty years, the Energy and Resources Group (ERG) at the University of California, Berkeley has provided its outstanding graduate students and exceptional faculty the ... Continue Reading »

Financing Your Education

COST OF ATTENDANCE Please see the UC Berkeley Registrar’ Fee Schedule for the current cost of attendance in UC Berkeley graduate academic programs. ERG is an academic program and does ... Continue Reading »

Courses

All Course Offerings Please note: This is a full list of ERG course offerings; not all courses are offered each term. For current course offerings, please refer to the online ... Continue Reading »

Give to ERG

Your donation to ERG provides critical funding and academic opportunities for our graduate students. ERG has a 50-year history of outstanding research, teaching, policy advice and scholar-activism. ERG has researched ... Continue Reading »

Core Faculty

The faculty of ERG currently consists of 10 core professors of Energy and Resources and nearly 200 affiliated faculty and researchers holding appointments in a wide range of departments across ... Continue Reading »

Programs

ERG Program Directory The information below is a directory of ERG programs. Please read through and contact us at erggrad@berkeley.edu for graduate program questions and ergdeskb@berkeley.edu for all other questions.  ... Continue Reading »

Renewable & Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL)

RAEL is engaged in projects to develop the science, technology, policy needs and to foster engagements that explore the future of energy, specifically the transition to a low-cabon, environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable energy system.

Analysis & Control (EMAC) Energy Modeling

The Energy Modeling, Analysis and Control (EMAC) group addresses the engineering and techno-economic challenges to decarbonizing electric power systems. Our work ranges from applied to theoretical. Much of our work focuses on building new control and optimization frameworks to facilitate the operation of low carbon grids.

Harte Lab: Ecology & Global Change

Ecology and global change are the primary topics of research in the Harte Lab. Among the goals are: to characterize ecological feedbacks to climate change, to predict effects of global change on biodiversity, and to develop fundamental theory that predicts the structure of ecosystems across spatial scales.

Faculty by Primary Interest

Areas of Interest Climate ChangeEcologyEnergyGovernanceWaterInternational Climate Change ERG CORE David Anthoff David Anthoff is an environmental economist who studies climate change and environmental policy. He co-develops the integrated assessment model ... Continue Reading »

Concurrent Degree Program (MPP/MA or MPP/MS)

Public Policy & Energy Resources Group Energy and Resources Group (ERG) and the Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) offer a concurrent degree program that integrates the strengths of public policy ... Continue Reading »

ERG Admissions FAQ

Below is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) we receive and their answers. If you don’t find what you need on this page, please email us at erggrad@berkeley.edu. [bs_collapse ... Continue Reading »

Master’s Degree Curriculum Requirements (MA or MS)

The purpose of the ERG Master’s program is to educate the next generation of interdisciplinary leaders. Specifically, students are taught the range of methods and subjects they should be able ... Continue Reading »

Environment & Economics Lab Society

The Society, Environment and Economics Lab works on the economics of a wide range of environmental, energy and resource issues. Our work spans theoretical, empirical and numerical modeling approaches. We engage in rigorous academic research and actively participate in current policy debates.

Sustainability Summer Minor and Certificate

The Minor and Certificate in Sustainability provides a comprehensive understanding of the most pressing issues facing the world today. ERG’s Minor/Certificate program offers a practical and relevant interdisciplinary approach at ... Continue Reading »

Summer Instructors

The Energy and Resources Group summer instructors understand the complex and interdisciplinary nature of sustainability. All have significant experience teaching and/or professional experience in the subject areas of their courses. ... Continue Reading »

Equity Diversity

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at ERG Equity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission to provide education and research for a sustainable and just society. We aspire ... Continue Reading »

Student Spotlight: Christian Miller

“My background has allowed me to not only consider the typical ‘best’ case when examining different policy and technical variables but also all the little shades where ‘solutions’ won’t work ... Continue Reading »

Affiliated Faculty

ERG has a small core faculty but a much larger group of affiliated faculty. Affiliated faculty are based in other departments on campus or at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, ... Continue Reading »

Undergraduate Minor in Energy and Resources

The Minor in Energy and Resources offers under­grad­u­ates basic knowl­edge and skills to address issues arising from the inter­ac­tion of social, eco­nomic, polit­i­cal, tech­ni­cal, and envi­ron­men­tal fac­tors shaping our world. ... Continue Reading »

Minor/Certificate in Sustainability — Courses

Summer 2022 Curriculum ERG’s minor and certificate require a minimum of five courses and 15 total units of coursework, completed over one or two summers (or for a UC Berkeley ... Continue Reading »

Open Positions

Join the ERG Team The Energy and Resources Group is a col­lab­o­ra­tive com­mu­nity of grad­u­ate stu­dents, core fac­ulty, nearly 200 affil­i­ated fac­ulty and researchers across the cam­pus, and over 600 ... Continue Reading »

ERG’s Anthoff and Alum Errickson Promote Utilitarian Approach to Global Climate Policy

September 27, 2021

ERG Professor David Anthoff and Frank Errickson, PhD '20, ERG, recently published in Nature Climate Change, proposing a practical way of measuring how different nations should reduce carbon emissions in order to maximize well being in the world. (Photo by Stuart Rankin)

housing policy is climate policy Kammen and Senator Wiener: For America’s cities

March 25, 2019

In an op-ed today in the New York Times, professor Dan Kammen and state Senator Scott Wiener are blunt: “To solve the climate crisis, we have to solve the housing crisis.”

What Environmental Policy Options Does the U.S. Have in 2018?

January 16, 2018

In a Knowledge @ Wharton public policy podcast, Dan Kammen joins Eric Orts, legal studies and business ethics professor, and director of the school’s Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership. Kammen and ... Continue Reading »

ERG Professor Emeritus John Holdren on Trump Administration Climate Policy

February 5, 2017

ERG Professor Emeritus John Holdren is featured in the Cape Cod Wave.

ERG Alumnus Peter Gleick Pushes for New Water Conservation Policy

July 2, 2016

“I think the state board is going to have to reconsider this strategy in light of what apparently is a complete abandonment of urban conservation efforts.” - Peter Gleick

BBC interviews ERG PhD Lara on Costa Rica Energy Policy

February 23, 2016

ERG PhD student José Lara was interviewed for BBC on Costa Rica and its green energy policy.

New Climate Policy Course at ERG

November 17, 2014

In Spring 2015, ERG offers an interdisciplinary, graduate-level survey of historical & current efforts to regulate GHG emissions in the US.

Upcoming Certificate Course on Economic Impact of Climate and Energy Policy

August 13, 2014

3-day cer­tifi­cate course Oct 3-5, offer­ing a prac­ti­cal per­spec­tive on the eco­nomic effects of cli­mate and energy policy.

Advocating for Women on World Water Day

March 22, 2023

New commentary published in the Lancet on World Water Day (March 22) calls on researchers, policy makers, and professionals to strengthen their commitment to addressing gender inequities in global water delivery systems. Co-authored ... Continue Reading »

ERG’s Esther Shears Co-Author of New Study Examining Government Investment in Energy Innovation

September 12, 2022

ERG PhD candidate Esther Shears is a co-author of a paper recently published in Nature Energy, which offers insight into the trajectory of energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) that ... Continue Reading »

New Study by Coalition of ERG Researchers Reveals True Social Cost of Carbon

September 1, 2022

Researchers from Rausser College’s Energy and Resources Group (ERG) and Resources for the Future (RFF) have released a new estimate that the social cost of carbon (SCC), a key metric ... Continue Reading »

ERG’s Salma Elmallah on Justice Implications of Solar and Wind Energy Projects

July 26, 2022

ERG PhD student Salma Elmallah has recently been published in the Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning with an article that explores the drivers of solar and wind project siting ... Continue Reading »

ERG’s Nica Campbell on Consumer Preference During COVID-19 for Sustainability and Safer Working Conditions

May 3, 2022

ERG masters student Nica Campbell has recently been published in Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy with a paper examining evidence collected during COVID-19 to explore consumer preference for sustainability and ... Continue Reading »

Report ERG Alumni at Pacific Institute California Drought is Increasing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

September 30, 2021

ERG alumni Peter Gleick (PhD ’86) and Julia Szinai (PhD ’21) of the Pacific Institute research group discussed in a recent article on The Hill how the findings of their ... Continue Reading »

Transforming Africa’s Energy Sector

August 10, 2021

Dan Kammen and co-authors argue in the journal Science that a major transformation is needed to meet the needs of Africa's growing population.

Equity Matters in Calculating the Social Cost of Methane Say Anthoff and Errickson

April 22, 2021

ERG assistant professor David Anthoff and alumnus Frank Errickson recently published a report on Nature finding that "by accounting for economic inequalities between countries and regions, the social cost of methane drops by almost a factor of 10 in sub-Saharan Africa and jumps by almost a factor of 10 for industrialized countries, such as the United States."

ERG’s Dan Kammen Enthusiastic for Berkeley Scholars to Join Biden Administration

January 4, 2021

Recently, President-elect Joe Biden has nominated UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) faculty member Jennifer Granholm to lead the U.S. Department of Energy and Haas School of Business Professor Emeritus Janet Yellen to serve as secretary of treasury. Two campus alumni are also expected to serve within the administration, with Alejandro Mayorkas selected to lead the Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, and Adewale Adeyemo picked for deputy treasury secretary. ERG professor Dan Kammen expressed enthusiasm for the candidates in multiple news sources, stating that “The Department of Energy is going to be central to almost everything in the Biden-Harris plan, from energy transformation to re-entering the Paris Climate Accords. We’re also going to need a huge infusion of attention and effort to be put into creating jobs. That fits Jennifer Granholm to a T. I’m just so impressed that they made this choice. I think she’s ideal for the job at this time.” Read the Berkeley News article on Jennifer Granholm here, the San Francisco Chronicle article here, and the Daily Californian article on all four Berkeley scholars here.

Dan Kammen Captures Media Attention on Green Stimulus Plan Coronavirus and Climate Change

April 22, 2020

ERG Professor Dan Kammen has recently been featured on various news media sources, including The Guardian, KQED, San Francisco Chroncicle and more to discuss how Covid-19 has emphasized the need to fight climate change.

ERG PhD Student Gorman Cautions Against Rapid Development of Hybrid Power Plants

April 6, 2020

ERG PhD student Will Gorman recently published an article titled "Hybrid Power Plants Are Growing Rapidly, But Are They a Good Idea?" on Green Tech Media. He discusses how though hybrid power plants can have several benefits, there are many limitations and drawbacks to using such technology.

Creating a Green Solution⁠— Kammen Contributes to Proposed Coronavirus Bill

March 25, 2020

ERG professor Dan Kammen has recently joined a group of progressive policymakers to create green policy proposals that includes an economic stimulus package. The bill aims to help the nation recover from the coronavirus pandemic while simultaneously combating climate change.

ERG PhD Student Szinai and Alumnus Gopal Link Grid Costs to Electric Vehicle Charge Management

March 9, 2020

ERG PhD student Julia Szinai, ERG Alumnus Anand Gopal, and two other co-authors from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab have recently published a collaborative research paper on ScienceDirect.

ERG Zeke Hausfather Warns Normalizing “Worst Case” Climate Change

February 10, 2020

In a recent article published by Nature, ERG Alumnus Zeke Hausfather suggests that using a more-realistic baselines for emissions would make for better policy in fighting global warming.

ERG’s Lara and Kammen on Potential for Biomass Feedstock from Drought

January 23, 2020

ERG student José Daniel Lara and ERG professor Daniel Kammen, in collaboration with forest researchers in UC Berkeley's department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, recently published "Characterization of the woody biomass feedstock potential resulting from California’s drought" in Nature, Scientific Reports.

Kammen and RAEL Address the Racial Inequalities in Solar Deployment on The Beam

November 25, 2019

ERG’s Dan Kammen and RAEL investigate how the benefits of solar energy is not distributed equally among individuals, and how there are racial disparities especially in rooftop solar PV deployment ... Continue Reading »

ERG Alum Jonathan Mingle Examines Air Pollution in the New York Review of Books

September 25, 2019

Jonathan Mingle, an ERG Alumni, published his work reviewing five different publications concerning the critical issue of air pollution.

ERG Alumnus Patrick Gonzalez Speaks to Congress on Climate Change

June 27, 2019

ERG alum, Dr. Patrick Gonzalez presents scientific findings to Representative Mike Quigley and other members of the U.S. House of Representatives Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Members in the U.S. Capitol

Alumnus Jim Williams Speaks at Vatican Climate Change Meeting

June 25, 2019

ERG alumnus and University of San Francisco Professor Jim Williams (MS '86, PhD '95) presented his findings on decarbonization pathways, joined by ERG core faculty member and alumna Professor Margaret Torn (MS '90, PhD '94).

Alum Chris Jones Featured on Berkeley Talks Podcast

April 10, 2019

As part of April’s Cool Campus Challenge, ERG alumnus Chris Jones (MS ’05, PhD ’14), now director of the CoolClimate Network, sat down with student reporters from the Goldman School ... Continue Reading »

ERG Alum Patrick Gonzalez Testifies Before Congress as Expert Witness

February 21, 2019

During a recent House Natural Resources Committee event titled “Climate Change and Public Lands: Examining Impacts and Considering Adaptation Opportunities,” ERG alumnus Patrick Gonzalez (PhD ’97) provided testimony as an ... Continue Reading »

Governor Newsom Appoints ERG Alum Carla Peterman to New Wildfire Recovery Commission

January 31, 2019

Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has released three appointments to the new Commission on Catastrophic Wildfire Cost and Recovery, which includes ERG alumna Carla Peterman (PhD ’17). Peterman served as a ... Continue Reading »

Study finds racial inequality in the deployment of rooftop solar

January 10, 2019

A new study by researchers at UC Berkeley and Tufts University shows fewer rooftop solar photovoltaics installations exist in African-American and Hispanic-dominant neighborhoods than in white-dominant neighborhoods, even when controlling ... Continue Reading »

ERG’s Kammen Comments on ‘Yellow Vest’ Protests in New York Times

December 7, 2018

“So while President Macron has highlighted the need for funds to invest in clean energy, that is not actually what was planned,” Mr. Kammen said.

Campus and Alumni Mourn the Passing of ERG Professor Gene Rochlin

November 28, 2018

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to pass on the news that University of California Berkeley Energy and Resources Group (ERG) core faculty emeritus Gene Rochlin passed away this weekend. 

Energy by Whom? With ERG Alumna Nikky Avila

November 26, 2018

Nikky Avila (PhD ’18) was recently featured on the podcast “Somebody Call a Doctor.” Avila discusses how distributed energy technologies are disrupting conventional electricity planning paradigms and enabling social innovation. She ... Continue Reading »

ERG Alum and Lyft Sustainability Director Q&A With Sam Arons

November 14, 2018

GreenBiz recently caught up with Mike Masserman and ERG’s own Sam Arons (MS ’07) to discuss their respective roles as the first Head of Social Impact and Director of Sustainability ... Continue Reading »

Carbon Loopholes: Report by ERG Student Cecilia Springer in New York Times

September 6, 2018

In an article examining the costs of carbon pollution "outsourcing" this week, The New York Times featured a report co-authored by ERG student Cecilia Springer.

The Fundamentals of a Clean(er) Economy – Dan Kammen

April 25, 2018

ERG Chair Dan Kammen wrote an Op-Ed piece for the Daily Californian this week, outlining the stark global reality of climate change in 2018 and the need for collective action. ... Continue Reading »

Patrick Gonzalez Selected to be a Lead Author of IPCC’s Next Major Climate Change Report

April 17, 2018

ERG alumnus Patrick Gonzalez (PhD ’97) has been selected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to be a lead author for a chapter about freshwater ecosystems in their ... Continue Reading »

Zeke Hausfather Cited by the Washington Post on 2017’s Concerning Temperatures

January 25, 2018

Recently, scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that 2017 was among the warmest years in history. While the two agencies approach global temperature measurements differently, both ... Continue Reading »

Dan Kammen Featured in Fall 2017 Breakthroughs Magazine

November 30, 2017

In the Fall 2017 issue of the College of Natural Resources’ Breakthroughs magazine, Dan Kammen is spotlighted for the innovative ways in which he has merged science with environmental policy. ... Continue Reading »

ERG Professor David Anthoff Receives Hellman Faculty Award

September 7, 2017

David Anthoff joins previously awarded ERG Professors Isha Ray and Duncan Callaway as a 2017 Hellman Fellowship recipient for his work on the Social Cost of Carbon Estimation for Climate Policy. ... Continue Reading »

Adds Plug for Impeachment Kammen Resigns State Department Science Envoy post

August 23, 2017

ERG Professor Dan Kammen resigned as US State Department Science Envoy on Wednesday morning, August 23. His letter is attached below. Read more about his resignation at the following links: ... Continue Reading »

ERG Professor Emeritus John Holdren and Alum Nicky Sundt Comment on the EPA’s Proposed Red-Team/Blue-Team Exercise

August 18, 2017

In a Climate Science & Policy Article co-authored by Nicky Sundt, an ERG alum (MA ’79), former ERG chair John Holdren criticizes the “red-team/blue-team” exercise proposed by EPA Administrator Scott ... Continue Reading »

Paper Authored by PhD Candidate Noah Kittner and Professor Dan Kammen Published in Nature Energy

August 16, 2017

Noah Kittner and Dan Kammen's new paper, "Energy stor­age deploy­ment and inno­va­tion for the clean energy tran­si­tion," was published in Nature Energy on July 31, 2017

New ERG Chair Daniel M. Kammen

July 25, 2017

We are pleased to announce the appointment of the new Energy and Resources Group Chair, Professor Daniel M. Kammen. His appointment began July 1, 2017. Daniel Kam­men is a Pro­fes­sor of Energy with ... Continue Reading »

Kammen and Hausfather of ERG Respond to Withdrawal from Paris Agreement

June 22, 2017

ERG Professor Dan Kammen and graduate student Zeke Hausfather respond to President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement

ERG Postdoctoral Researcher Cohen – Water Treatment Methods in Rural China

February 1, 2017

ERG postdoctoral researcher Alasdair Cohen (Ph.D. '16) is featured in Thriving Earth Exchange on his collaboration with government health researchers to better understand water treatment methods in rural China.

Kammen highlighted in Scientific American

December 22, 2016

Daniel Kammen comments for Scientific American on the opportunities scientists think they can seize with the appointment of Trump's climate skeptics.

ERG Alum Listed as a Top Expert Against California’s Drought

July 21, 2016

"Meet nine top experts who are driving the conversation on California’s water policy." - News Deeply

ERG Professor Daniel Kammen Appointed as U.S. Science Envoy

March 31, 2016

ERG Professor Daniel Kammen has been appointed as one of five U.S. Science Envoys by the US State Department.

ERG Summer Courses Available

February 28, 2016

ERG is offering four of its most popular courses this summer! Enroll Today!

ERG PhDs: Making Powering Africa a Reality

January 28, 2016

ERG PhD students Ranjit Deshmukh and Grace Wu share their research on Africa's leap toward clean and affordable energy with World Policy.

ERG at the Paris Climate Talks

December 1, 2015

The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris has begun and will continue until December 11th. Energy and Resources Group faculty, students and alumni will be playing an active role at the conference and the many peripheral activities.

Energy and Environment- Understanding China’s non-fossil energy targets.

November 28, 2015

ERG student John Romankiewicz and ERG alumni Joanna Lewis share their research on China's energy targets and the transparency in international negotiations with Science.

Study: Volkswagen’s emissions cheat to cause 60 premature deaths in U.S.

November 6, 2015

ERG professor Daniel Kammen provides insight on recent research pertaining to the VW scandal.

CFCC15: ERG Students Present at Paris Conference

July 11, 2015

ERG & RAEL students present and engage at scientific conference “Our Common Future under Climate Change” ahead of COP21

Sarawak May See the End of Mega Dams

July 1, 2015

As an alternative to the current Baram Dam project, Professor Daniel Kammen presented the benefits of using renewable energy instead of mega hydro-dams at a press conference held at Kuch­ing, Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Golden Represents UC Berkeley in Sacramento

May 15, 2015

ERG graduate student advises state legislators about graduate research

Siegner finalist in Feeding the Planet’s Storyfest

May 3, 2015

Signer writes about the potential of urban foraging

Holdren: What Works at ERG Works

April 13, 2015

John Holdren's "tricks of the trade" presentation plus photos during the ERG Big Event.

A unique moment in history for “sustainable energy for all”

March 26, 2015

ERG team study showing how off-grid power can improve equality in energy access published in Nature Climate Change. Interview with lead author Peter Alstone.

Zoë Chafe leads new WHO Report

March 12, 2015

"We wanted to help policymakers and members of the general public understand that household heating with biomass is a complicated issue," says ERG PhD candidate Zoë Chafe.

ERG Grad Student Selected To Represent UC Berkeley in Sacramento

February 6, 2015

Rachel Golden will share her views in the state capital in April.

ERG Students Selected as Switzer Fellows

January 21, 2015

Lara Cushing and Rachel Golden among 20 selected as Environmental fellows.

Anthoff & Team in Science on Social Cost of Carbon Pizer

December 6, 2014

Which way forward for the social cost of carbon? Environmental economists explain next steps in Science Magazine.

Prof. John Harte Named AAAS Fellow

November 25, 2014

For distinguished contributions to environmental sciences

Brown Schwarzenegger

September 10, 2014

Kammen speaks at Schwarzenegger's climate pep rally where both parties agree that it's time to fight the dark side.

ERG Alum on the Executive Mansion’s Solar Installation

May 28, 2014

Watch White House scientists, including Dr. Cyrus Wadia (ERG MS'06, PhD'08), talk about the White House's shift toward renewables.

Microgrid Report by ERG scholars in Nature

March 30, 2014

Scholars from ERG and Carnegie Mellon report on the "vicious cycles" of rural microgrids.

Holdren Sets New Course for US Energy

March 20, 2014

President Obama's top science advisor and ERG Co-founder, John Holdren, is confident that America's next energy plan "will make a difference."

ERG Alum Greacen’s book on small power

January 18, 2014

From the bottom up : how small power producers and mini-grids can deliver electrification and renewable energy in Africa