Jonathan A. Lesser

Credentials

Ph.D. Economics, University of Washington (1989)¹
M.A. Economics, University of Washington (1982)²
B.S. Mathematics and Economics, University of New Mexico (1980)³

Background

Jonathan A. Lesser is the president of Continental Economics, Inc. According to his CV, Lesser has “over 35 years of experience “working for regulated utilities, governments, and as an economic consultant.”⁴

Lesser is an adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research (MI), a free market think tank that has received millions of dollars in funding from the fossil fuel industry. ⁵ While associated with MI, Lesser has published a range of reports criticizing electric vehicles⁶ and related commentary in news outlets including The Hill and Politico

According to his profile page on the Manhattan Institute website, “Lesser has prepared expert testimony and reports for utility commissions in numerous states; for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; for international regulators; and for commercial litigation cases. He has testified before Congress and many state legislative committees on energy policy and regulatory issues. Lesser is the author of numerous academic and trade-press articles and is a contributing columnist and editorial board member of Natural Gas & Electricity.”⁷

Stance on Climate Change

May 15, 2018

In a Politico op-ed, Jonathan Lesser claimed that switching to electric cars would not do enough to lower greenhouse gas emissions to justify their sticker prices:⁸

“…As for greenhouse-gas emissions, my analysis shows that electric vehicles will reduce them compared to new internal combustion vehicles. But based on the [Energy Information Agency’s] projection of the number of new electric vehicles, the net reduction in CO₂ emissions between 2018 and 2050 would be only about one-half of one percent of total forecast U.S. energy-related carbon emissions. Such a small change will have no impact whatsoever on climate, and thus have no economic benefit.”

In a response to Lesser’s op-ed, David Pomerantz noted in a May 21, 2018 post on the Energy and Policy Institute website that Lesser’s argument had been scientifically debunked “over and over.” Noting that Lesser and the Manhattan Institute had a lengthy history of climate change denial, Pomerantz observed that Lesser had switched from outright climate denial to ‘a cleverer way to attack electric vehicles. He constructed a bogus argument with a catchy headline, and Politico unfortunately took the bait. Lesser and the Manhattan Institute’s benefactors from the oil industry will no doubt be pleased.'”⁹

February 2014

In an opinion column in Natural Gas & Electricity, titled “Global Temperatures Have Not Risen for Past 15 years,” Jonathan A. Lesser wrote:¹⁰

“The inability of current climate models to explain the lack of warming over the past 15 years, plus predictions that the sun may be entering a prolonged period of low activity, suggest that much more analysis must be done before we impoverish ourselves by choking off economic growth.

“Nevertheless, rather than admit to problems with the climate models, those who insist global warming is real and taking place suggest that the missing heat is hiding in the oceans.”

April 2007

In an opinion column for Natural Gas & Electricity titled “Goldilocks and the Three Climates,” Jonathan Lesser claimed:¹¹

“Although many scientists view global climate change as a serious problem, many others continue to express doubt regarding both its magnitude and causes. Clearly, the Earth’s climate has changed continuously throughout its history and long before mankind was mucking about.”

Key Quotes

February 8, 2019

Writing on the Manhattan Institute website, Jonathan A. Lesser and Robert Bryce, made criticized the proposed Green New Deal:¹²

“The non-binding resolution for a ‘Green New Deal,’ which was released by Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (D, NY) and Sen. Markey (D-MA) reads like a teenager’s ‘Dear Diary’ entry for a perfect world, where everyone is entitled to all the ice cream they want, and a pony to boot. As my recent column in The Hill discussed, moving to a wind and solar-based, greenhouse-gas free economy by 2030, or anytime in the foreseeable future is impossible, barring Star-Trek like discoveries of new energy technologies.”

January 22, 2019

In an op-ed for The Hill titled “Green dreams and energy reality,” Jonathan Lesser wrote:¹³

“To meet U.S. energy needs with wind and solar power would require staggering quantities of materials, causing extensive environmental damage, while covering huge swaths of the country with wind turbines and solar photovoltaics. It would require building thousands upon thousands of miles of high-voltage transmission lines — environmentalists hate those, by the way — to deliver all of that power to cities and towns. And it would necessitate gigantic quantities of battery storage, costing many trillions of dollars, to deal with two pesky realities: The wind doesn’t always blow and the sun has an annoying tendency to disappear at night.”

January 9, 2019

In an op-ed for the New York Post, Jonathan Lesser described New York’s zero carbon goal as “insane”:¹⁴

“If they cared to look, the politicians in Albany could easily see that achieving the CCPA’s [Climate and Community Protection Act] impossible goal will cost trillions of dollars, crater the state’s economy and have no effect on climate. Of course, when has reality ever stood in the way of green virtue-signaling and spending taxpayer money?”

December 4, 2018

Lesser wrote an op-ed in Investor’s Business Daily calling for the end of electric vehicle subsidies, citing his prior debunked report for the Manhattan Institute. He also repeated a common industry talking point that “EV subsidies have primarily benefitted the wealthy.”¹⁵

October 26, 2018

Jonathan A. Lesser wrote in an op-ed for The Hill that “the U.S. doesn’t need a carbon tax. And even if it imposed one, it wouldn’t make a difference to global climate.”¹⁶

July 1, 2018

In a commentary for Power magazine, Jonathan Lesser denounced electric vehicle subsidies and claimed:¹⁷

“It is true that EVs will reduce GHG emissions compared with the same number of new ICVs. But the difference will be minimal, about 0.5% of all U.S. energy-related GHG emissions by 2050. Such a small reduction will have no measurable impact on world climate. By comparison, the GHG emissions difference will be far less than the now-moribund Clean Power Plan, which the EPA itself admitted would have no impact on climate.”

May 15, 2018

Writing at Politico, Jonathan A. Lesser claimed that “widespread adoption of electric vehicles nationwide will likely increase air pollution compared with new internal combustion vehicles. You read that right: more electric cars and trucks will mean more pollution.” Lesser cited his own recent Manhattan Institute report, “Short Circuit: The High Cost of Electric Vehicle Subsidies,” to support the claim.¹⁸

¹⁹

A DeSmog analysis noted that while criticizing subsidies for EVs, Lesser ignored the fact that taxpayers had been paying billions of dollars in oil and gas industry subsidies and preferential tax policies for the past century. ²⁰

The Energy and Policy Institute noted that Lesser had failed to acknowledge a range of peer-reviewed studies that found electric vehicles would significantly reduce air pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen oxide pollution, as well as carbon dioxide emissions, especially when considering coal-fired power plant retirements.²¹

June 17, 2016

In an Investor’s Business Daily op-ed, Jonathan A. Lesser argued against the idea of “climate insurance” — investing in climate policies as a form of insurance against the worst possible outcomes:²²

“[B]ecause the models that link CO2 emissions to changes in climate and world economic growth are so speculative, it’s impossible to know how much buying climate insurance will reduce the risks of those future, undefined catastrophes, if at all. After all, neither the Clean Power Plan nor the vaunted Paris Agreement will have any measurable impacts on world climate.”

February 2014

In a report criticizing Ohio’s Electricity Usage Reduction Mandate, Jonathan Lesser described the mandate as a “’free lunch’ paid for by Ohio Consumers.”²³ According to the Energy and Policy Institute, Lesser’s report was funded by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business-Ohio, and Industrial Energy Users-Ohio.²⁴

August 2008

Jonathan Lesser wrote an op-ed for Natural Gas & Electricity criticizing New Source Review (NSR) regulations under the Clean Air Act, which target pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide – both precursor emissions to fine particle pollution. “Even with the EPA’s new rule, NSR remains an anachronism that serves little purpose, other than to raise further the cost of electricity.” ²⁵

July 2007

In an op-ed for Natural Gas & Electricity, Jonathan A. Lesser lamented the U.S. Supreme Court’s finding, in Massachusetts v. EPA, that the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act:²⁶

“Far be it for an economist to question legal dictum, but it seems odd to equate CO2 —something every human being releases into the atmosphere as a consequence of breathing—with the more noxious stuff that trains, planes, and automobiles emit. Perhaps the government will figure out a way to tax the air we breathe after all.

“The EPA could ban all forms of motor transport henceforth. The effect on global warming still would be negligible.”

Key Actions

August 2017

Jonathan Lesser wrote a report for the Manhattan Institute criticizing clean energy programs in New York as “symbolic environmentalism.” In the report, Lesser claimed that New York’s Clean Energy Standard was “unrealistic, unobtainable, and unaffordable … while providing scant, if any, measurable benefits.”²⁷

June 2016

The Manhattan Institute released a report by Jonathan Lesser titled ”Missing Benefits, Hidden Costs: The Cloudy Numbers in the EPA‘s Proposed Clean Power Plan.” Lesser claimed that the “the EPA’s cost-benefit analysis significantly overestimated the direct benefits of CO2 reductions” under the plan, which would not result in “any measurable impact on world climate.”²⁸

February 2014

Jonathan Lesser wrote a report criticizing Ohio’s Electricity Usage Reduction Mandate, describing it as a “’free lunch’ paid for by Ohio Consumers.”²⁹ The Energy and Policy Institute reported that Lesser’s report was funded by The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business-Ohio, and Industrial Energy Users-Ohio.³⁰

Energy Industry Testimony

According to Jonathan Lesser’s CV, he has been an expert witness in lawsuits involving the power generation, pipeline, and oil industries, such as:³¹

Primary Group Listed	Companies Involved	Governing Body	Docket or Case	Subject
Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound	Cape Wind Associates, LLC.	Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities	D.P.U. 10-54	Approval of Proposed Long-Term Contracts for Renewable Energy With Cape Wind Associates, LLC.
Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corp.	Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation	Oklahoma Corporation Commission	03-088, 05-006-U, 02-24-U	Analysis and development of recommendations for the appropriate return on equity, capital structure, and overall cost of capital.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.	Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.	Maryland Public Service Commission	9099	Standard Offer Service pricing. Testimony focused on factors driving electric price increases since 1999, and estimates of rates under continued regulation
Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.	Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.	Maryland Public Service Commission	9073	Stranded costs of generation. Testimony focused on analysis of benefits of competitive wholesale power industry.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.	Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.	Maryland Public Service Commission	9063	Optimal structure of Maryland’s electric industry. Testimony focused on the benefits of competitive wholesale electric markets. Presented independent estimates of the benefits of restructuring since 1999.
BP Canada Marketing Corp.	Northern Border Pipeline Company	FERC	RP06-072-000	Natural gas supplies, economic lifetime, and depreciation rates.
Brookfield Energy Marketing, LLC	New England Power Generators Association, ISO New England, Inc.	FERC	ER10-787-000, ER10-50-000, EL10-57-000 – Consolidated	Proposed forward capacity market payments for imported capacity into ISO–NE.
Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd.	Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd.			Rebuttal report on weighted average cost of capital methodology and recommendations for Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd.
Central Illinois Lighting Company	Central Illinois Lighting Company	Illinois Commerce Commission	02-0837	Analysis and development of recommendations for the appropriate return on equity, capital structure, and overall cost of capital.
Citizens Utilities Corp.	Citizens Communications Company	Vermont Public Service Board	6596	Analysis of the prudence and economic used-and-usefulness of Citizens’ long-term purchase of generation from Hydro Quebec, including the estimated environmental costs and benefits of the purchase.
Coaltrain Energy	Coaltrain Energy, L.P., et al	FERC	IN16-4-000	Alleged market manipulation in the PJM energy market
Constellation Energy Commodities Group, LLC	Ameren Energy Marketing Company, Ameren Energy, Inc.	FERC	ER07-169-000, ER07-170-000	Analysis and testimony on appropriate “opportunity cost” rates for ancillary services, including regulation service and spinning reserve service. Case settled prior to testimony being filed.
Constellation Energy Group	Maryland Public Utility Commission, PJM Interconnection, LLC,	FERC	EL08-67-000	“Just and reasonableness” of PJM’s Reliability Pricing Mechanism.
Constellation New Energy Inc. and Exelon Generation Company, LLC	Columbus Southern Power Company, Ohio Power Company	Ohio Public Utilities Commission	12-3254-EL–UNC	Design of competitive auction process and rate blending for AEP Ohio.
Cottonwood Energy, LP	Kelson Transmission Company, LLC	Public Utility Commission of Texas	Docket No. 34611, SOAH Docket No. 473-08-3341	Benefits of transmission capacity investments.
Dogwood Energy, LLC	Aquila, Inc, Aquila Networks, Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.	Missouri Public Service Commission	EO-2008-0046	Cost-benefit analysis to determine whether Aquila should join either the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) or the Southwest Power Pool (SPP).
Duke Energy North America, LLC	Devon Power, LLC	FERC	ER03-563-030	Appropriate market design for locational installed generating capacity in the New England market to ensure system reliability.
Dynegy LNG Production, LP	Dynegy LNG Production Terminal, LP	FERC	CP01-423-000	Analysis of market power impacts of proposed LNG facility development.
Dynegy Power Marketing, LLC	KeySpan-Ravenswood, LLC, New York Independent System Operator, Inc.	FERC	EL05-17-000	Estimation of damages accruing to Dynegy arising from a failure by the NYISO to accurately calculate locational installed capacity requirements in NYISO during the summer of 2002.
Eastern Massachusetts Consumer Owned Systems	Belmont Municipal Light Department, et al, Central Maine Power	FERC	EL16-64-002	Allowed rate of return for New England Transmission Owners
Electric Power Supply Association	Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.	FERC	ER07-1182-000	Critique of cost-benefit analysis by MISO Independent Market Monitor concluding that permanent establishment of Broad Constrained Area mitigation was appropriate.
Electric Power Supply Association	PJM Interconnection, LLC	FERC	EL03-236-002	Analysis and critique of proposed pivotal supplier tests for market power in PJM identified load pockets.
Empresa Eléctrica de Guatemala	Empresa Eléctrica de Guatemala	Comisión Nacional de Energía Eléctrica		Rate of return for an electric distribution company
Energy Michigan	Consumers Energy Corporation	Michigan Public Utilities Commission	U-17429	Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for Consumers Power combined-cycle generating plant.
Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, LLC	Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee	Vermont Public Service Board	6812	Analysis of the economic benefits of nuclear plant generating capacity expansion as required for an application for a Certificate of Public Good.
EPIC Merchant Energy, LLC, et al.	Ameren Services Company, Midwest Independent System Operator, Inc	FERC	EL07-86-000, EL07-88-000, EL07-92-000 – Consolidated	Allocation of revenue sufficiency guarantee costs.
Exelon Corporation	Exelon Corporation	New Jersey Board of Public Utilities	EO-11050309	PJM Capacity Market, Capacity Procurement, and Transmission Planning
Exelon Corporation	PJM Interconnection, LLC	FERC	ER15-623-000	Redesign of PJM forward capacity market to incorporate Capacity Performance resources.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission	Federal Energy Regulatory Commission	FERC		Analysis of proposal to revise RTO capacity market design developed by the American Forest and Paper Association.
Financial Marketers	Black Oak Energy, LLC, PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.,	FERC	EL08-014-002	Allocation of surplus transmission line losses under the PJM tariff.
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.	AEP Ohio	Ohio Public Utilities Commission	11-346-EL–SSO, 11-348-EL–SSO	Revised AEP Ohio energy security plan, benefits of retail market competition.
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.	AEP Ohio	Ohio Public Utilities Commission	10-2929-EL–UNC	Appropriate price for commercial retail electric suppliers to be charged by AEP Ohio for installed capacity under the PJM Fixed Resource Requirement tariff option.
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.	Dayton Power & Light Co.	Ohio Public Utilities Commission	12-426-EL–SSO	Dayton Power & Light Co., Electric Security Plan; financial integrity, anticompetitive cross-subsidization and need for structural separation
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.	Duke Energy Ohio	Ohio Public Utilities Commission	12-2400-EL–UNC	Just and reasonableness of Duke Energy Ohio cost-recovery mechanism for capacity resources.
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.	Indiana & Michigan Power Co.	Michigan Public Service Commission	U-17032	Indiana & Michigan Power Co. proposed capacity charges for customers taking retail electric service.
Government of Belize, Public Utility Commission	Belize Electricity Limited.	Belize Public Utility Commission		Arbitration and Independent Expert’s report, in dispute between the Belize PUC and Belize Electricity Limited in an annual electric rate tariff review, as required under Belize law.
Green Mountain Power Corp.	Department of Public Service	Vermont Public Service Board	5980, 5983	Analysis of distributed utility planning methodologies and environmental costs.
Green Mountain Power Corp.	Green Mountain Power Corporation	Vermont Public Service Board	6107	Analysis of the appropriate discount rate, treatment of environmental costs, and the treatment of risk and uncertainty as part of a major power-purchase agreement with Hydro-Quebec.
IGI Resources, LLC and BP Canada Energy Marketing Corp.	Gas Transmission Northwest Corporation	FERC	RP06-407-000	Natural gas supplies, economic lifetime, and depreciation rates.
Independent Power Producers of New York	New York Independent System Operator, Inc	FERC	ER08-283-000	Revisions to the installed capacity (ICAP) market demand curves in the New York control area, which are designed to provide economic incentives for new generation development.
Independent Power Producers of New York	New York Independent System Operator, Inc.	FERC	ER11-2224-000	Reasonableness of the proposed installed capacity demand curves and cost of new entry values proposed by the New York Independent System Operator.
Indicated Shippers of California	Pacific Gas and Electric Company	California Public Utilities Commission	13-12-012, 14-06-016	Risk management procedures for PG&E’s natural gas transmission facilities and reasonableness of revenue requirement
Industrial Energy Users – Ohio	AEP Ohio	Ohio Public Utilities Commission	08-917-EL–SSO	Determination of cost associated with “provider-of-last-resort” (POLR) service and AEP Ohio’s use of option pricing models.
Industrial Energy Users – Ohio	Ohio Power Company	Ohio Public Utilities Commission	14-1693-EL–RDR	Reasonableness of nonbypassable rider associated with a long-term proposed purchase power agreement between AEP Generation and AEP Ohio.
Kansas City Board of Public Utilities	Great Plains Energy Incorporated, Kansas City Power & Light Company, Westar Energy, Inc	FERC	16-KCPE-593-ACQ, EC16-146-000	Financial risk and hold-harmless provisions for the proposed merger between Great Plains Energy and Westar
Kern River Pipeline Company	Kern River Pipeline	FERC	RP17-248-000	Depreciation study prepared for Kern River as part of rate settlement proceeding
Keyspan-Ravenswood, LLC	KeySpan-Ravenswood, LLC, New York Independent System Operator, Inc.	FERC	EL05-17-000	Estimation of damages arising from a failure by the NYISO to accurately calculate locational installed capacity requirements in New York City during the summer of 2002.
M-S-R Public Power Agency	Southern California Edison Co.	FERC	ER09-187-000, ER10-160-000	Allowed rate of return for construction work in progress (CWIP) expenditures for certain transmission facilities
Mainline Shippers Group	Gulf South Pipe Line Company, LP	FERC	RP15-65-000	Allowed rate of return and capital structure.
Maryland Public Service Commission	FirstEnergy Corporation, Allegheny Energy, Inc.	Maryland Public Service Commission	9233	Proposed merger between FirstEnergy Corporation and Allegheny Energy. Testimony described the structure and results of a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether the proposed merger met the state’s positive benefits test, and included analysis of market power and merger synergies.
Matanuska Electric	Matanuska Electric	Regulatory Commission of Alaska	U-04-102	Analysis of the reasonableness of Chugach electric’s depreciation study.
Missouri Gas Energy Corp.	Kansas Pipeline Corporation	FERC	RP99-485-000	Gas supply analysis to determine pipeline depreciation rates as part of an overall rate proceeding.
New York Association of Public Utilities	Niagara Mohawk Power Co.	FERC	EL14-29-000, EL12-101-000	Allowed rate of return and capital structure
New York Regional Interconnect, Inc.	New York Regional Interconnect, Inc.	New York Public Service Commission	06-T-0650	Analysis of economic and public policy benefits of a proposed high-voltage transmission line.
Occidental Chemical Corporation	Westar Energy, Inc.	FERC	ER07-1344-000	Compliance of wholesale power sales agreement with FERC standards
Paiute Pipeline Company	Paiute Pipeline Company	FERC	RP14-540-000	Natural gas supplies and depreciation rates for transmission, storage, and general plant accounts.
Pemex-Gas y Petroquímica Básica		Comisión Reguladora de Energía		Expert report in a rate proceeding. Presented analysis before the Comisión Reguladora de Energía on the appropriate rate of return for the natural gas pipeline industry.
Pipeline shippers	Northern Natural Gas Company	FERC	RP03-398-000	Gas supply analysis to determine pipeline depreciation rates as part of an overall rate proceeding.
Pipeline Shippers	Venice Gathering System	FERC	RP16-975-000	Testimony on depreciation and rate of return analysis.
Portland Natural Gas Shippers	Northern Border Pipeline Company	FERC	RP10-729-000, RP08-306-000	Natural gas supplies, economic lifetime, and depreciation rates.
Public Service Company of New Mexico	Public Service Company of New Mexico	New Mexico Public Regulation Commission	10-00086-UT	Load forecast for future test year, residential price elasticity study.
Redbud Energy, LP	Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Corporation Commission	Oklahoma Corporation Commission	PUD 200700418	Reasonableness of PSO’s 2008 RFP design.
Shell Energy North America, LP	Rockies Express Pipeline, LLC	FERC	RP11-1844-000, RP12-399-000	Economic appropriateness of roll-in treatment of “lost and unaccountable” fuel
Sierra Pacific Power Corp.	Paiute Pipeline Company	FERC	RP05-163-000	Depreciation analysis, negative salvage, and natural gas supplies. Case settled prior to filing expert testimony.
Southwest Gas Corporation	El Paso Natural Gas Company	FERC	RP10-1398-000	Development of risk-sharing methodology for unsubscribed and discount capacity costs.
Southwest Gas Corporation and Salt River Project	El Paso Natural Gas Company	FERC	RP08-426-000	Analysis of proposed capital structure and recommended capital structure adjustments.
Southwestern Electric Cooperative	Midwestern ISO, Ameren Illinois	FERC	ER11-2777-002	Allowed rate of return and capital structure
State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities	Public Service Enterprise Group, Exelon Corporation	State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities	BPU Docket No. EM05020106, OAL Docket No. PUC-1874-050	Proposed merger between Exelon Corporation and PSEG Corporation. Testimony described the structure and results of a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether the proposed merger met the state’s positive benefits test, and included analysis of market power, value of changes in nuclear plant operations, and merger synergies.
Summit Metro Parks	New Summit Hydro LLC	FERC	P-14612-000	Application of Summit Hydro LLC for development of a proposed pumped-storage hydroelectric facility in Norton, Ohio.
The NRG Companies	ISO New England Inc., New England Power Pool	FERC	ER08-1209-000	Compensation of Rejected De-list Bids Under ISO–NE’s Forward Capacity Market Design
Transmission Agency of Northern California	Pacific Gas & Electric Company	FERC	ER09-1521-000, ER08-1318-000, ER07-1213-000, ER06-1325-000, ER05-1284-000, ER03-409-000, ER03-666-000	Analysis of appropriate return on equity, capital structure, and overall cost of capital. Case settled prior to filing expert testimony.
United Illuminating Company	United Illuminating Company	Connecticut Department of Public Utility	99-03-04	Development and application of dynamic programming models to estimate nuclear plant stranded costs.
Utah Industrial Energy Consumers	Rocky Mountain Power Corporation	Utah Public Service Commission	13-035-184, 13-034-196	Revenue requirement, cost allocation, and design of back-up service rates
Utah Industrial Energy Users Coalition	Rocky Mountain Power Corp.	Utah Public Service Commission	U-11035-200	Appropriate methodology for embedded cost allocation for Rocky Mountain Power.
Vermont Department of Public Service	Central Vermont Public Service Company	Vermont Department of Public Service	6867	Analysis and development of recommendations for the appropriate return on equity, capital structure, and overall cost of capital.
Vermont Department of Public Service	Green Mountain Power Corp.	Vermont Department of Public Service	7175, 7176	Cost of capital and allowed return on equity under cost of service regulation, as well as under a proposed alternative regulation proposal.
Vermont Department of Public Service	Green Mountain Power Corporation	Vermont Department of Public Service	6866	Analysis and development of recommendations for the appropriate return on equity, capital structure, and overall cost of capital.
Vermont Department of Public Service	Shoreham Telephone Company	Vermont Department of Public Service	6914	Analysis and development of recommendations for the appropriate return on equity, capital structure, and overall cost of capital.
Vermont Department of Public Service	Vermont Electric Power Company	Vermont Department of Public Service	6860	Development of a least-cost transmission system investment strategy to analyze the prudence of a major high-voltage transmission system upgrade proposed by the Vermont Electric Power Company.

Affiliations

Note:The following information regarding Jonathan Lesser’s professional experience has been taken from his CV, and has not been independently confirmed by DeSmog.

Manhattan Institute — Adjunct fellow³²
Continental Economics, Inc. — President (2009 – present)³³
Bates White, LLC — Partner, Energy Practice (2004 – 2009)³⁴
Vermont Department of Public Service — Director of Planning (2003 – 2004)³⁵
Navigant Consulting — Senior Managing Economist (1998 – 2003)³⁶
Green Mountain Power Corporation — Manager, economic analysis (1993 – 1998)³⁷
Washington State Energy Office — Energy policy specialist (1986 – 1993³⁸
Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee — Energy economist (1984 – 1986)³⁹
Idaho Power Corporation — Load forecasting analyst (1983 – 1984)⁴⁰

Other Affiliations

University of New Mexico — Adjunct lecturer, Department of Economics (2016)⁴¹
University of Vermont — Adjunct lecturer, School of Business (1996 – 1998)⁴²
Saint Martin’s College — Adjunct lecturer, Department of Business and Economics (1990 – 1993)⁴³

Jonathan Lesser on Linkedin

Publications

According to his CV, Lesser has published articles relating to economics in peer-reviewed journals, which he lists as the Journal of Regulatory Economics, Journal of International Arbitration, Regulation, Energy Law Journal, Energy Policy, The Energy Journal, Contemporary Policy Issues, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Land Economics, Geothermics, Energy, Natural Resources Journal, Energy Systems and Policy, and Research in Law and Economics.⁴⁴

A search of Google Scholar for Jonathan A Lessor and the phrase “climate change” primarily returns results from Natural Gas Electricity,⁴⁵“the monthly journal for producers, marketers, pipelines, and end users.” It also lists several of his articles with the Manhattan Institute.⁴⁶

Natural Gas & Electricity (ISSN: 1545-7893) now redirects to the Climate and Energy journal, published by Wiley, which is focused on “the energy industry’s most current and compelling topics.”⁴⁷ According to Climate and Energy‘s author guidelines, articles are approved by the editor, however it does not explicit list peer review as part of the publication process.⁴⁸ An archive of the Natural Gas & Electricity journal, also published by Wiley, suggested that all articles were approved and reviewed by the associate publisher. Peer review was not mentioned.⁴⁹

Manhattan Institute Reports

Lesser has written a number of reports for the Manhattan Institute, where he is an adjunct fellow. Some samples below:⁵⁰

“Energy Poverty in New York: The Adverse Impacts of the State’s Green Power Mandates,” Manhattan Institute report, June 2022 Jonathan A. Lesser. ⁵¹
“Short Circuit: The High Cost of Electric Vehicle Subsidies,” Manhattan Institute report, May 15, 2018 Jonathan A. Lesser. ⁵²
New York’s Clean Energy Programs: The High Cost of Symbolic Environmentalism ,” Manhattan Institute report, August 22, 2017⁵³
“Missing Benefits, Hidden Costs: The Cloudy Numbers in the EPA‘s Proposed Clean Power Plan,” Manhattan Institute report, June 16, 2016⁵⁴
“Less Carbon, Higher Prices: How California’s Climate Policies Affect Lower-Income Residents,” Manhattan Institute report, July 30, 2015⁵⁵

Selected Op-Eds and Commentary

“Beneficial electrification’ doesn’t benefit consumers or environment,” City & State New York, April 19, 2019
“Green Dreams and Energy Reality,” The Hill, January 22, 2019
“The Drive to Make New York ‘Zero Carbon’ Is Insane,” New York Post, January 10, 2019
“It’s Time To End, Not Mend, Electric Vehicle Subsidies,” Investor’s Business Daily, December 5, 2018
“Flaw in UN Climate Report: China, India Will Never Impose Carbon Tax on Themselves,” The Hill, October 26, 2018
“The Only Thing ‘Poisonous’ About the Trump Fuel Economy Standards Is the Rhetoric,” Orange County Register, August 27, 2018
“Electric Vehicles — Subsidies for an Environmental Pretender,” POWER Magazine, July 2, 2018
“Are Electric Cars Worse for the Environment?,” POLITICO, May 15, 2018
“New York’s Climate Goal: Staggering Costs, No Benefits,” Crain’s New York Business, August 18, 2017
“Cuomo’s Pipeline Policy Could Leave New York in the Dark,” New York Post, April 13, 2017
“Hot Air: The Overblown Benefits and Hidden Costs of the EPA‘s Clean Power Plan,” The Hill, September 27, 2016
“False Security: Why Climate ‘Insurance’ Arguments Fall Flat,” Investor’s Business Daily, June 17, 2016
“Hot Air: The Overblown Benefits and Hidden Costs of the EPA‘s Clean Power Plan,” RealClearPolicy, Jun 16, 2016
“State Needs The Indian Point Plant,” Albany Times Union, June 8, 2015
“Hate Indian Point? Prepare to Swelter,” New York Daily News, July 28, 2013

Other Publications

Jonathan A. Lesser and Leonardo R. Giacchino. “Fundamentals of Energy Regulation,” Public Utilities Reports Inc., Reston, Virginia (2019)⁵⁶
Jonathan A. Lesser and Leonardo R. Giacchino, editors. “Public Utilities Reports guide : Principles of public utilities operations and management,” Public Utilities Reports Inc., Reston, Virginia (2018)⁵⁷
Leonardo R. Giacchino and Jonathan A. Lesser. “Principles of Utility Corporate Finance,” Public Utilities Reports Inc., Vienna, Virginia (2011)⁵⁸Jonathan A. Lesser, Daniel E. Dodds, and Rochard O. Zerbe Jr. “Environmental Economics and Policy,” Addison-Wesley (1997)

Other Resources

Resources

1
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
2
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
3
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
4
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
5
Jonathan A. Lesser,” Manhattan Institute. Archived April 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/pqqjj
6
“‘Short Circuit, The High Cost of Electric Vehicle Subsidies’ by Jonathan Lesser, Debunked,” DeSmog, April 29, 2018.
7
“Jonathan A. Lesser,” Manhattan Institute. Archived April 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/pqqjj
8
Jonathan Lesser. “Are electric cars worse for the environment?” Politico, May 15, 2018. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/jo2u4
9
“Climate denier attacks electric vehicles… for not doing enough to slow down climate change,” “Energy and Policy Institute, May 21, 2018. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/oozlC
10
Jonathan A. Lesser. “Outlook—Sunspot Data May Indicate End of Global Warming Trend” (PDF), Natural Gas & Electricity, February 2014. Retrieved from Continental Economics website. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
11
“Goldilocks and the Three Climates (PDF), Natural Gas & Electricity, April 2007. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
12
“Congressional Democrats Release ‘Green New Deal’ Plan,” Manhattan Institute, February 8, 2019. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/KWh4e
13
“Green dreams and energy reality,” The Hill, January 22, 2019. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/H7x5i
14
“The drive to make New York ‘zero carbon’ is insane,” The New York Post, January 9, 2019. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/U4G5B
15
“It’s Time To End, Not Mend, Electric Vehicle Subsidies,” Investor’s Business Daily, December 4, 2018. Archived May 1, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/ohdo1
16
“Flaw in UN climate report: China, India will never impose carbon tax on themselves,” The Hill, October 26, 2018. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/uxbtb
17
“Electric Vehicles—Subsidies for an Environmental Pretender,” Power, July 1, 2018. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/rQpi5
18
Jonathan Lesser. “Are electric cars worse for the environment?” Politico, May 15, 2018. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/jo2u4
19
“Short Circuit: The High Cost of Electric Vehicle Subsidies” (PDF), May 2018. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
20
“Short Circuit: The High Cose of Electric Vehicle Subsidies” (PDF), May 2018. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
21
“Climate denier attacks electric vehicles… for not doing enough to slow down climate change,” Energy and Policy Institute, May 21, 2018. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/oozlC
22
“False Security: Why Climate ‘Insurance’ Arguments Fall Flat,” Investor’s Business Daily, June 17, 2016. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/3ptcm
23
“Ohio’s Electricity Usage Reduction Mandate:The ‘Free Lunch’ Paid for by Ohio Consumers,” (PDF), Continental Economics, February 18, 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
24
Matt Kasper. “The repeated effort by Ohio ALEC members to end the state’s clean energy law,” Energy and Policy Institute, September 17, 2015. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/36JI9
25
“New Source Review Is Still Anything but Routine,” Natural Gas & Electricity, August 2008. Retrived from DocumentCloud.
26
“Goldilocks Chills Out” (PDF), Natural Gas & Electricity, July 2007.
27
“NEW YORK’S CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS: The High Cost of Symbolic Environmentalism” (PDF), The Manhattan Institute, August 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
28
“Missing Benefits, Hidden Costs: The Cloudy Numbers in the EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan” (PDF), Manhattan Institute, June 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
29
“Ohio’s Electricity Usage Reduction Mandate:The ‘Free Lunch’ Paid for by Ohio Consumers,” (PDF), Continental Economics, February 18, 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
30
Matt Kasper. “The repeated effort by Ohio ALEC members to end the state’s clean energy law,” Energy and Policy Institute, September 17, 2015. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/36JI9
31
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
32
“Jonathan A. Lesser,” Manhattan Institute. Archived April 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/pqqjj
33
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
34
Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
35
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
36
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
37
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
38
)“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
39
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
40
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
41
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
42
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
43
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
44
“Jonathan A. Lesser, Ph.D.” (PDF), Continental Economics, March 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
45
Google Scholar Search for “climate change” by author Jonathan A Lessor, performed September 29, 2023. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
46
Jonathan Lesser. “Energy and the environment: Talk is cheap: The UN’s Doha conference strikes out … again,” Natural Gas Electricity via Wiley Online Library, January 18. 2013. Archived September 29, 2023.
47
“Overview,” Climate and Energy at the Wiley Online Library. Archived September 29, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1BvFg
48
“Author Guidelines,” Climate and Energy via Wiley Online Library. Archived September 29, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/nk9C6
49
“Author Guidelines,” Natural Gas & Electricity via Wiley Online Library. Archived May 12, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/MZTXH
50
“Jonathan A. Lesser,” Manhattan Institute. Archived April 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/pqqjj
51
“Energy Poverty in New York: The Adverse Impacts of the State’s Green Power Mandates,” Manhattan Institute, July 30, 2015. Archived March 21, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/57pOQ
52
“Short Circuit: The High Cost of Electric Vehicle Subsidies,” Manhattan Institute, May 15, 2018. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive URL: web.archive.org/web/20190430035108/https://media4.manhattan-institute.org/sites/default/files/R-JL-0518-v2.pdf
53
Jonathan A. Lesser. “New York’s Clean Energy Programs: The High Cost of Symbolic Environmentalism,” Manhattan Institute, April 30, 2019. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive URL: http://web.archive.org/web/20190430035109/https://media4.manhattan-institute.org/sites/default/files/R-JL-0817.pdf
54
Jonathan A. Lesser. “Missing Benefits, Hidden Costs: The Cloudy Numbers in the EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan,” Manhattan Institute, June 16, 2016. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive URL: http://web.archive.org/web/20190430035113/https://media4.manhattan-institute.org/sites/default/files/R-JL-0616.pdf
55
Jonathan A. Lesser. ” Less Carbon, Higher Prices: How California’s Climate Policies Affect Lower-Income Residents,” Manhattan Institute, July 30, 2015. Archived April 30, 2019. Archive URL: http://web.archive.org/web/20190430035114/https://media4.manhattan-institute.org/pdf/eper_17.pdf
56
“Fundamentals of Energy Regulation,” WorldCat. Accessed March 21, 2023. URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/1125290725
57
“Public Utilities Reports guide: Principles of Public Utilities Operations and Management,” WorldCat. Accessed March 21, 2023. URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/1029063373
58
“Principles of Utility Corporate Finance,” WorldCat. Accessed March 21, 2023. URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/693750969

DeSmog

DeSmog