James E. McMahon

Background

About James E. McMahon

I am an independent science- and economics-based researcher, forecaster, and policy analyst, focusing on mitigation of climate change through energy and water efficiency, including technologies, policies (national, leading states, cities), and behaviors (institutional and individual). For over 40 years, I have led or conducted research and policy analysis, mostly regarding energy efficiency standards and labels, to: 1) identify the feasibility and cost of engineering design changes that could increase energy or water efficiency for a wide range of specific products in buildings and industry, from clothes washers to distribution transformers; 2) analyze scenarios quantifying future economic and climate impacts associated with adoption of these technologies or changes in how they are used; and 3) assess potential impacts on key market elements including consumers, manufacturers, utility companies, governments, countries, and the environment. Specialties: Energy efficiency technologies, their markets and related state and national policies, especially energy performance standards and labels. Energy-water nexus, urban energy-water-carbon linkages. Long-term forecasts of energy and water demand by end use. Distributional analysis of consumer life cycle costs. Risk or uncertainty analysis associated with technology adoption and usage.