Kevin Kennedy

Deputy Director, U.S. Climate Initiative

Bio

Kevin is deputy director of the U.S. Climate Initiative in the Global Climate Program. He directs the research and manages the staff of the Initiative, which is working to make the economic, technical, and political case for deep emissions reductions in the U.S. in the coming decades.

Prior to joining WRI, Kevin led the Office of Climate Change as Assistant Executive Officer at the California Air Resources Board (CARB). In this role, he oversaw implementation of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), including development of California’s cap-and-trade program and the range of other measures the state is using to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Before joining CARB, Kevin worked for the California Energy Commission, including time as Special Advisor to Energy Commission Chairman Joseph Desmond and then to Commissioner Jeffrey D. Byron. While at the Energy Commission, he also managed the 2005 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) proceeding, which provided a comprehensive review of California’s energy situation. In the IEPR, the Commission adopted recommendations for policies to increase California’s energy supplies, reduce energy demand, broaden the range of alternatives to conventional energy sources, and improve the state’s energy delivery infrastructure.

Mr. Kennedy holds a Ph.D. from the Energy and Resources Group at University of California, Berkeley, and has more than 20 years experience in energy and environmental policy.

Blog Posts

Carbon Dividend Coalition Grows, Raising Hopes for Rapid Emissions Cuts
by Kevin Kennedy - June 20, 2017
Many prominent U.S. corporations, opinion leaders and NGOs have announced their support of the Climate Leadership Council’s “carbon dividends” proposal. The proposal includes a tax on carbon dioxide emissions, the return of tax revenues to all Americans in the form of monthly dividend payments, and the rollback of some climate regulations, among other elements.
5 Reasons Why US Climate Progress Will Continue Long After Paris
by Kristin Igusky and Kevin Kennedy - November 18, 2015
While the United States has received criticism in the past for lackluster climate action, recent evidence shows the country is ramping up its ambition—progress that will likely last well beyond COP 21 in Paris.
What to Look for in the New US Climate Plan (INDC)
by Taryn Fransen and Kevin Kennedy - March 27, 2015
As the world’s second largest emitter, an ambitious and comprehensive INDC from the US could help inspire greater climate action internationally. Here's a closer look at what the US is likely to propose.
After SOTU, it’s Time to Make Good on US Climate Action Commitments
by Kevin Kennedy - January 21, 2015
President Obama reiterated his commitment to combating climate change during this week's State of the Union address.

Mitigating these impacts means turning the many climate commitments of 2014 into tangible action in 2015.
3 Reasons Why the EPA Should Do More to Reduce Carbon Pollution from Power Plants
by Michael Obeiter and Kevin Kennedy - December 03, 2014
The U.S. EPA has proposed standards to limit power sector emissions, which, once adopted, are expected to reduce carbon pollution from power plants by 25 percent by 2020. But as we recently noted in our public comment on the proposal, increasingly cost-effective efficiency and renewable energy opportunities mean that the EPA can and should require even greater emissions reductions.
What Does the Clean Power Plan Mean for Meeting U.S. Climate Goals?
by Kevin Kennedy and Michael Obeiter - June 06, 2014
On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced its Clean Power Plan, the first time the United States has set standards to limit carbon pollution from existing power plants. The Plan sets emissions reduction goals for individual states; once the goals are finalized next year, states will develop plans to achieve the necessary reductions. EPA’s modeling indicates that the standards will reduce national carbon pollution from power plants by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
EPA’s New Clean Power Plan Is Both Achievable and Economically Beneficial
by Michael Obeiter and Kevin Kennedy - June 04, 2014
The EPA's proposed rule to cut carbon pollution from power plants is a critical step in avoiding the worst consequences of global warming. Without significant reductions from the power sector—America’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions—the country cannot meet its goal of reducing its emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. EPA’s proposal provides a flexible framework that puts those reductions within reach.

Here’s a look at how the proposed rule would impact states and the future of U.S. climate action.
Power Plant Rules Are Critical for Curbing U.S. Emissions
by Kevin Kennedy and Sara-Katherine Coxon - May 30, 2014
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will soon unveil its first-ever emissions standards for existing power plants. These rules represent the most significant component of the U.S. Climate Action Plan—and moreover, they’re an essential step for overcoming the climate change challenge.
National Climate Assessment Reveals How Climate Change Impacts Your Neighborhood
by Kevin Kennedy and C. Forbes Tompkins - May 06, 2014
The National Climate Assessment, released today, is the most comprehensive assessment of U.S. climate impacts to date.

Here’s a look at how communities across the country are already being affected—as well as steps we can take at the local, state, and federal levels to rein in future warming.
After State of the Union Address, U.S. Should Pursue Ambitious Power Plant Emissions Standards
by Kevin Kennedy - January 29, 2014
In the State of the Union address last night, President Obama called to make this “a year of action.” Addressing climate change will require his administration to make that call a reality.

The most important task the administration can take is to set greenhouse gas emissions standards for existing power plants—a move that the President highlighted in his speech last night. Ambitious power plant standards are a critical starting point if the United States is to rise to the climate change challenge.

Making Big Ideas Happen™

Donate to WRI

Other Sites

Menu

Topics

You are here

Kevin Kennedy

Carbon Dividend Coalition Grows, Raising Hopes for Rapid Emissions Cuts

5 Reasons Why US Climate Progress Will Continue Long After Paris

What to Look for in the New US Climate Plan (INDC)

After SOTU, it’s Time to Make Good on US Climate Action Commitments

3 Reasons Why the EPA Should Do More to Reduce Carbon Pollution from Power Plants

What Does the Clean Power Plan Mean for Meeting U.S. Climate Goals?

EPA’s New Clean Power Plan Is Both Achievable and Economically Beneficial

Power Plant Rules Are Critical for Curbing U.S. Emissions

National Climate Assessment Reveals How Climate Change Impacts Your Neighborhood

After State of the Union Address, U.S. Should Pursue Ambitious Power Plant Emissions Standards

Putting a Price on Carbon

A Handbook for U.S. Policy Makers

Stay Connected

Donate to WRI

Get Involved

Making Big Ideas Happen™

Donate to WRI

Other Sites

Menu

Topics

Search

You are here

A Handbook for U.S. Policy Makers

Stay Connected

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS

Donate to WRI

Get Involved

Follow WRI