Researcher will support literature review and survey/interview research for the project 'Worker and Host Community Experience of Fossil Plant Closure Announcements (United States)' under Professor Emily Grubert in the Keough School's Pulte Institute. Primary tasks will be literature review work; support for IRB processes; support for survey distribution; survey data analysis (mixed quantitative/qualitative); possible interview data analysis (qualitative). Ability to continue work in the fall semester is preferred. Starting work in the spring semester is possible. Summer commitment of 20-40 hours/week. Position can be in-person, hybrid, or remote; travel possible but not required.
The project being supported is described below:
Background
Decarbonizing the US energy sector effectively requires retiring or radically retooling fossil fuel-based infrastructure that supports about 80% of marketed energy, including hundreds of fossil fuel-fired power plants. US fossil fuel-fired power plants (mostly burning coal or natural gas, with some petroleum-derived fuels) are relatively old, such that a 2035 deadline for full power sector decarbonization would only strand about 15% of capacity-years (active as of 2018) relative to typical lifespans (Grubert 2020). Just transition scholarship across sectors suggests that planning ahead for closures can promote less disruptive outcomes (Haggerty et al. 2018), yet US policy and funding focuses primarily on plants that have already closed - when impacts on labor, tax revenue, and other locally relevant outcomes have already occurred. Policies specifying closure deadlines to facilitate smoother transition have seen uptake internationally (e.g., Germany) and at the subnational level in the US (e.g., Illinois), but are not widespread in the US.
Approach
This project aims to characterize and evaluate how, and the degree to which, announced closure deadlines at fossil fuel-fired power plants in the US affects local planning and transition outcomes. The study will use interviews, surveys, and analysis of relevant datasets (e.g., EIA information; state policy records; local news) in at least three fossil-fired power plant host communities to ask: what expectations do or did residents and workers have for the longevity of the plant? What do or did they expect the closure process to look like? What suggestions do they have for improved transition? Host communities will be chosen to include at least one plant that closed on short notice (likely <1 year advance notice); at least one plant with an announced closure deadline at least 5 years away; and at least one plant with no specified closure date, but subject to an implied closure deadline at least 5 years away (e.g., through a legal requirement that the electricity sector reach zero emissions or similar). The specific plants will be chosen at the time of study initiation to ensure the most up-to-date information is available, and will likely include both coal and natural-gas fired power plants. This work builds on prior efforts to understand the social impacts of uncertainty related to energy infrastructure decisions (Grubert and Skinner 2017). In addition to this comparative case study, data from the project will potentially facilitate an unusual longitudinal analysis of host community experiences for sites where the plant has not yet closed.
current Notre Dame masters or PhD student; graduation date no earlier than Fall 2025
experience with survey and/or interview research; familiarity with human subjects research; CITI qualifications
About University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame was founded in November 1842 by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C., a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a French missionary order. It is located adjacent to South Bend, Indiana, the center of a metropolitan area with a population of more than 315,000. Chartered by the state of Indiana in 1844, the University was governed by the Holy Cross priests until 1967, when governance was transferred to a two-tiered, mixed board of lay and religious trustees and fellows.
Connections working at University of Notre Dame...Dedicated Local Driver ($1,350 Average Weekly Pay!!) We are looking for Class A, CDL drivers who can appreciate good consistent pay, excellent equipment, and a company that cares. Home Daily- 5 days on 2 days off AverageWeekly Pay - $1,350 Average Yearly Gross...
...Property Field Adjuster About Alacrity Solutions Alacrity Solutions is a full end-to-end provider delivering streamlined insurance claims, repair, and recovery solutions. As one of the largest independent providers of insurance claims services in North America,...
...Robotics Engineer for a Global Consumer Product Company in Cupertino, CA Responsibilities : You will be responsible for debugging robotic solutions, including robotic arms and other solutions that are built in-house You must know how robotics works and have an...
...check results required within 90 days of start. ~ OIG and EPLS searches required within 90 days of start. ~ Ohio FBI and BCI Fingerprint Attestations required within 12 months of start. Schedule Information Travelers must work every other weekend and holiday...
SCI, a Congruex Company, is looking for a Construction Laborer to join our construction team. Learn more about our operating unit at Who is Congruex Congruex designs and builds broadband and wireless communications infrastructure. The work we do enables everything in...