David Rapson

Education

Ph.D., economics, Boston University; M.A., economics, Queen’s University

Summary of Experience

Professor Rapson is an industrial organization economist specializing in energy markets, climate policy, optimal pricing strategy, and decision making under regulatory uncertainty. His academic research combines economic theory and econometric models to study electricity pricing, transportation decarbonization, oil and gas markets, oil sanctions, maritime shipping, carbon offset programs, and pricing in capacity-constrained markets. Professor Rapson’s work frequently employs large-scale randomized field experiments and quasi-experimental methods to assess how prices, incentives, and information affect consumer behavior and the adoption of new technologies. He has consulted to electric utility companies and government agencies on policy design and market regulation, including the White House during the Biden Administration, the US Treasury, and California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office. He has also provided expert economic analysis in regulatory proceedings, including testimony before the California Public Utilities Commission. Professor Rapson’s research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as the American Economic Review, Science, Nature, and the Journal of Economic Perspectives. He serves as coeditor of The Energy Journal and treasurer of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists. Professor Rapson is co-director of the Davis Energy Economics Program and has held advisory roles with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, where he helped launch the Center for Energy and the Economy. He has presented his work at academic and policy conferences worldwide and has held academic and consulting roles focused on applied economic analysis, strategy, and regulatory decision making.