: Environment Policy Environment policy research focuses on:
- Examining the policy, managerial and technical complexities of converting gasoline dependent public fleets to alternative fuel vehicles; and
- Assessing the energy and carbon efficiency of electric power plants.
Current Projects |
Agricultural GeneticsThis project is designed to assist in the development of a trade facilitative regime for genetic resources, as access to GRFA is central to achieving these AFRI objectives. Our goal is to develop knowledge about the access and use of genetic materials in ways that contribute to the policy relevant understanding about competitiveness and sustainability of US food and agriculture systems domestically and in foreign markets. The proposed research would be conducted during the period before and shortly after the CBD Conference of the Parties adopts the international ABS regime. Thus, the findings will be available to US Government negotiators and stakeholders during the period when working policies would likely be developed to implement the ABS regime. We will focus on a subset of genetic resources in specific industries for this project: microorganisms used in food processing, food safety, animal and plant health, insects, and aquatic animal germplasm. |
| National Biosolids Management Study This study explores environmental practices of public sewage and wastewater treatment facilities, particularly related to their management of biosolids products, especially as they relate to Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Specifically it seeks to understand: (1) the predictors of voluntary EMS adoption in the public sector, and (2) the effect that EMS adoption has on environmental management practices of public sewage and wastewater treatment facilities. |
Previous Projects |
| Assessing Effectiveness of Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fleet Replacement in Local Government Although recent legislation and policy has encouraged the use of alternative fuel vehicles in public fleets, full scale AFV adoption is still a new phenomenon. Past studies have examined select aspects of environmental impacts and purchase behavior for specific types of AFVs, a simultaneous comparison of implementation and effectiveness of different fuel types and engine technologies within a single fleet over time has not been undertaken. This project assesses the implementation and effectiveness of an ongoing mandatory AFV fleet replacement policy in DuPage County Forest Preserve (DCFP) in Illinois, which has adopted a self mandate to entirely replace its fleet with AFVs over a 10 year time span. |
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