RAND Experts Available on Hydraulic Fracturing, Alternative Energy Sources

The Obama administration today said it will issue standards to control air pollution from gas wells that are drilled using hydraulic fracturing.

RAND Corporation experts are available on a variety of issues related to domestic energy production, including the use of coal mine drainage for hydraulic fracturing, the future of coal-to-liquids and oil shale technologies, and the benefits and risks associated with carbon-based and alternative energy sources.

James Bartis is a senior policy researcher focusing on energy and national security issues, particularly development prospects for coal-to-liquids and oil shale. He is the author of "Assessing a Coal-to-Liquids Fuel Industry in the United States."

Aimee Curtright is a physical scientist with expertise in coal mine drainage and hydraulic fracking. She is co-author of the just-published conference proceedings, "Coal Mine Drainage for Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Extraction: Proceedings and Recommendations from a Roundtable on Feasibility and Challenges."

Lauren Fleishman is an associate policy researcher whose work explores both the social and technical sides of environmental and energy-related risk.

David Ortiz is a senior engineer at RAND and an expert in energy systems and fuel technologies. He is co-author of "Near-Term Opportunities for Integrating Biomass into the U.S. Electricity Supply."

Constantine Samaras is an engineer whose research focuses on how policy actions, research and development investments, and decision-making affect energy use. He is a co-author of the report "Characterizing the U.S. Industrial Base for Coal-Powered Electricity."

Henry Willis is a senior policy researcher with expertise in environmental and health risk assessment, risk communication, and risk management. He is a co-author of "Incorporating Uncertainty Analysis Into Life Cycle Estimates of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Biomass Production" and "Prioritizing Environmental Health Risks in the UAE."

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Joe Dougherty at RAND's Office of Media Relations at jdougher@rand.org or (703) 413-1100, ext. 5137.