Recent Projects

Policy Integrity submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of a proposed rule that would prevent Internet-service providers from price discrimination. The comments argue that the presence of positive externalities, including the public good nature of information and network externalities, justify the regulation.

Policy Integrity submitted two sets of comments regarding the federal government’s proposed regulations to control the emissions and fuel economy standards of America’s fleet of light-duty vehicles (cars, SUV’s and pick-ups but not larger trucks).

Policy Integrity expanded on our initial comments on the New York State Energy Plan. In this version, more detail is offered on how the state could build efficiency incentives into its economic development programs.

Changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard program were proposed by EPA in response to directives from Congress—if adopted, the rules will require that a higher percentage of transportation fuel sold in the United States be derived from renewable sources, such as corn‐based ethanol or biomass‐based diesel.

Before leaving office in early 2009, the Bush Administration released a draft offshore drilling plan that is being taken up by the Obama Administration.

Policy Integrity submitted comments to EPA in support of the agency’s proposed findings that motor vehicle emissions of greenhouse gases contribute to dangerous air pollution. The comments also highlight some important issues for the agency to consider as it moves forward and call EPA’s attention to some legal obligations that will not be satisfied by the proposed endangerment findings alone.

New York State subsidizes the electricity bills for some companies as a way of encouraging them to keep their business here.

Within weeks of Congress allowing longstanding offshore drilling bans to lapse, oil prices took a nose dive, which quieted the calls to “drill here, drill now.” However, before leaving office, the Bush Administration released a draft drilling plan that is being taken up by the Obama Administration.

With litigation pending by ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the State of Connecticut and six other states against the physician conscience rule, the new Obama Administration proposed a rescission of the rule. Policy Integrity joined the coalition to submit comments in support of that action.

In September 2008, EPA’s National Center for Environmental Economics released a new draft of its Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses. In the past, that document has not only been a key resource for EPA’s consideration of regulatory costs and benefits, but it has also influenced the analytical processes used by state agencies and other federal agencies.