James M. Sallee

James M. Sallee is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and the Energy Institute at Haas. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Michigan (2008) and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Macalester College (2001). His research focuses on public economics, with an emphasis on energy policy, environmental regulation, taxation, and consumer behavior.

Key areas of research include the design and evaluation of policies addressing energy consumption, vehicle emissions, fuel economy standards, and equity in environmental taxation. He has published extensively on topics such as strategic responses of firms to regulatory policies, consumer perceptions of future energy costs, and the efficiency of corrective taxes and subsidies.

• Affiliations: UC Berkeley, NBER, Energy Institute at Haas
• Education: Ph.D., University of Michigan (2008); B.A., Macalester College (2001)

His work frequently bridges theory and empirical analysis, with a focus on real-world policy implications. Notable contributions include studies on the Atkinson Award-winning paper analyzing automaker strategies under fuel economy policies and innovative frameworks for evaluating tax incidence and regulatory loopholes.

Recent policy engagements include analyses of dynamic electricity pricing, equitable decarbonization, and congestion pricing. He has authored influential reports on California’s energy transition and the design of environmentally sustainable policies.

• Awards: 2015 Atkinson Award (Journal of Public Economics Best Paper)
• Grants/Advising: Extensive contributions to energy policy design and evaluation, often collaborating with institutions like the Energy Institute at Haas and NBER.

His research lab and teams focus on interdisciplinary approaches to climate policy, combining economics with environmental science and behavioral insights.