NEW YORK — The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs announced today that Erin Blanton has joined CGEP as a Senior Research Scholar. Blanton will lead the natural gas research initiative and will conduct research focused on the role of natural gas in the energy transition, energy markets and geopolitics. Blanton will also manage collaborative projects that contribute to the University’s wider research and engage with public and private sector leaders, journalists and students.

“Global natural gas markets are in the midst of a major transformation. Investors, regulatory agencies and policymakers are working to understand the economic, environmental and geopolitical impacts of this transformation,” said Jason Bordoff, Professor of Professional Practice in International and Public Affairs and Founding Director of CGEP. “Erin can speak fluently on everything from the impact of increased LNG flows on Russia’s leverage over European gas buyers to the environmental implications of natural gas methane leakage and flaring. We are confident she will help us continue to drive our work in this space ahead successfully. Her deep expertise in energy markets will help bring into context the impact this transformation will have on global trade, energy security and efforts to address climate change.”

“The natural gas industry has made a case that gas can be a critical factor in the ongoing energy transition as a bridge fuel, primarily by displacing more-polluting coal in the energy system,” said Blanton. “But methane leaks, flaring and venting — which are receiving steadily greater attention in recent years — all have the potential to undermine the role of the industry in this transition and their profitability moving forward. I’m excited to join the team at CGEP and am looking forward to engaging the industry on the importance of the environmental, social and governance aspects of transforming the sector.”

About Erin Blanton

Before joining the Center, Blanton spent 16 years at Medley Global Advisors, an independent macro-policy research firm. Blanton was a managing director and led natural gas and renewable coverage as part of the firm’s energy team. Her clients consisted of the world’s leading hedge funds, asset managers and investment banks. Blanton has a master’s degree in Energy Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Cornell University.

The Center on Global Energy Policy’s Women in Energy program and NYU’s Center for Global Affairs are excited to invite you to tour the Arthur Kill Natural Gas Plant at Staten Island. This event is being hosted and led by NRG Energy. Please see the full details below.  Transportation to and from the facility will provided.  Pick-up & drop-off location: NYU’s Center for Global Affairs – Woolworth Building, 15 Barclay Street Pick-up time: 8:00am. We will leave no later than 8:00am and will not wait for latecomers. Please arrive at the pick-up location by 7:45am.  Drop off time: 1:30pm Arthur Kill Gas Plant Tour Details The NRG facility runs on three units. The first, AK2 is a gas-fueled steamboiler (348MW) and was built in 1959. It was originally designed for coal, oil, and gas, but now only performs gas, front-fire boiler and simple steam. The CT-1, built in 1969, is gas only, but oil capable with a simple cycle gas turbine. The AK3, also built in 1969, was originally coal only but was modified for oil in 1972. In 1991, it was modified again to be a gas-only, tangentially-fired boiler, simple steam unit. Sustainability The plant has been actively involved in sustainability efforts since its founding. It has participated in several replanting initiatives and, in 2012, developed a sunflower planting as well as a water conservation project to help replenish surrounding areas. Arthur Kill manages water conversation and a bio-diversity project. The latter project helps replenish the local population of osprey, or sea hawk, by building nests. The facility has also partners with the Harbor School, supporting the Billion Oyster Project, which endeavors to help rebuild the protective reef in New York Harbor. This event is open only to current female grad students.  Space is extremely limited therefore please register only if you can commit to attending the site visit. No-show’s will not be permitted to participate in WIE events through the end of the calendar year. If you RSVP and can no longer attend, please email me at least three days in advance. If you have any questions, please contact: jem2245@sipa.columbia.edu 

India’s energy challenges are diverse and compounded by a growing global commitment to climate change, which has serious implications for India’s reliance on cheap coal to power its cities and villages alike. On this episode, host Jason Bordoff talks with Sunita Narain, Director General of the Center for Science and Environment, one of India’s leading environment NGOs based in Delhi, and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People for her work on climate change and the poor. They discuss: The role energy access and energy poverty play in India’s energy narrative; How to prevent fossil-fuel addiction among India’s citizens; The challenge of transitioning India off of cheap coal and the role of natural gas in the developing world; The need for smart fuel subsidies; Whether the Paris Agreement is a good deal for India and other developing nations.