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Energy Consumption Central to Economic Growth

As gas prices continue to rise, the future of American energy policy is once again in the forefront of discussion. At a recent event, Michael Greenstone outlined the vital role that energy consumption and innovation play in driving economic growth in the United States and on a global scale.

He noted that in nations like India and China, which are growing at unprecedented rates, energy consumption has been a key driver of growth and has helped improve the standard of living in developing economies.

  • Portrait: Michael Greenstone

    Michael Greenstone

    Director

    Economic Studies, The Hamilton Project

    Michael Greenstone is the 3M Professor of Environmental Economics in the Department of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 2009-10 he served as the chief economist at the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers. His research is focused on estimating the costs and benefits of environmental quality and the consequences of government regulation.