Western's Phil Thompson to discuss U.S. energy markets and prices May 2

Western Washington University Assistant Professor of Economics Phil Thompson will give a presentation titled “Some Observations on U.S. Energy Markets and Prices” at 4 p.m. May 2 in Western’s Biology Building Room 212.

The presentation is part of Western’s Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series and free and open to the public.

In his talk, Thompson will describe the basic features of U.S. energy markets and past energy policies, emphasizing the role of incentives and prices in the decisions made by energy producers and energy users.

Thompson got his doctorate in Economics from the University of Arizona in 1988. After teaching at Texas A&M for two years, he became Chief Economist for the Missouri Office of the Public Counsel, a state agency representing residential and small business ratepayers in proceedings before the Missouri Public Service Commission.

In this role, he analyzed utility issues and testified in utility cases involving electric, gas, telecommunications, and water companies. His teaching interests are microeconomics and related areas, and his current research areas are energy efficiency, gasoline markets, and the socioeconomic impacts of casinos.

Thompson has taught at Western since 2009.

Anyone interested in these topics is encouraged to come and participate. The presentation will include a question and answer period.

The speaker series is held by Western's Huxley College of the Environment to bring together the environmentally minded community and other interested members of the Western and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

For more information, please contact the main office of Huxley College of the Environment, at (360) 650-3520.