WWU to Host Talk by Christopher James on China’s Energy Policies Jan. 21

Western Washington University will host a talk by Christopher James, principal at Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21 in the Communications Facility Room 110 as part of the WWU Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series.

The event is free and open to the public and the presentation will include a question-and-answer period.

James’ lecture “How Can China Achieve Blue Skies and Prevent Further Rises in Greenhouse Gas Emissions When it is Building New Coal Plants?” will discuss China’s environmental and energy policies as well as how China will achieve clean air and reduce GHG emissions.

Although coal consumption has been decreasing in China, 155 new coal plants were approved for construction in China during 2015. Newly strengthened Air Law requires Chinese cities and counties to develop and begin to implement air quality management plans by 2017. However, wind and solar generation has been reduced due to ancestral rights of existing coal plants resulting in extra costs and fuel consumption.

James has a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a master’s in environmental studies from Brown. He currently works as an advisor on how to reduce greenhouse gas, criteria, and toxic pollutants as well as serves as principal at RAP, a non-partisan team of energy experts who help energy and air regulators and NGO’s navigate power sector policy, regulation, and markets.

The Huxley College Speaker Series is sponsored by Western’s Huxley College of the Environment in order to bring together environmentally-minded members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

For more information, please contact Jen VanderWeyden, Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment marketing coordinator, at (360) 650-2554.