James Bushnell

James Bushnell is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of California, Davis, and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research. Prior to UC Davis, he served as Research Director of the University of California Energy Institute and Cargill Chair in Energy Economics at Iowa State University. He has been a member of the California Independent System Operator's Market Surveillance Committee since 2002 and advised the California Air Resources Board on emissions trading.

• Ph.D., Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, UC Berkeley (1993)
• M.S., Operations Research, UC Berkeley (1990)
• B.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison (1989)

His research focuses on energy economics, environmental economics, industrial organization, regulation, and energy policy. Recent work analyzes electric vehicle adoption, climate policy uncertainty, and the economic implications of full electrification.

Recent publications (2021–2025) examine EV energy demand, climate policy modeling, freight transportation rebound effects, and electricity market reforms. Key themes include energy transition economics, market efficiency, and regulatory frameworks.

• Teaches intermediate microeconomics, energy economics, and graduate industrial organization