Tufts Professor of Economics and environmental policy expert Gilbert Metcalf on June 1 was tapped as the new head of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's energy office, replacing former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment and Energy William Pizer.
The role of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment and Energy entails piloting the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Environment and Energy, according to Metcalf.
"My office supports environmentally friendly and energy−conscious policies. We also focus on the international negotiations over climate finance, including those in support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the development of a Green Climate Fund," Metcalf said in an email to the Daily.
His office also focuses on the development of domestic energy and environmental policy initiatives, he noted.
Metcalf expressed enthusiasm for his new role in the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
"I am tremendously excited to have the opportunity to serve in the Obama administration in a position that draws on my expertise and interests," he said. "Not only am I pleased to have the opportunity to serve my country, I truly believe that experiences like this one will make me a better teacher and scholar."
Now on unpaid leave from Tufts, Metcalf expects to return to the university after his term at the department.
"I expect to be back in a Tufts classroom in September 2013," Metcalf said.
As a scholar of tax and fiscal policy, Metcalf said that his understanding of both economics and energy issues, as well as his experience working with government officials made him an good candidate for his new position.
"I have been actively involved in energy and environmental research for many years," Metcalf said. "In addition, I have some familiarity with Washington, having testified before congressional committees several times on energy−related matters and worked with many policy experts in Washington."
Department of Economics Chair Enrico Spolaore emphasized that Metcalf's new government appointment affirmed the latter's achievements as an economist.
"He's a very well−known scholar. He's one of the leading experts in taxation policy and energy," Spolaore said.
Metcalf played an integral role in shaping the Department of Economics during his 17−year tenure at Tufts through research, teaching and service, according to Spolaore.
"He's been a leader within the department since he arrived at Tufts," Associate Professor of Economics Thomas Downes, who joined Tufts' Department of Economics the same year as Metcalf in 1994, said. "While he was chair, we did some extensive revisions particularly with the undergraduate program but we also made substantial changes in the graduate program."
Metcalf added several courses to the department, including the upper−level course "Economics of Energy Markets."
Metcalf hopes that the work he does in the public sector will bring real meaning to the phrase "active citizenship" for students.
"I hope that by integrating my experiences in government in the curriculum, I can help students see how they too can use their Tufts education to put themselves in the forefront of critical national and international issues," Metcalf said.
Spolaore echoed Metcalf's sentiment, noting that Metcalf's appointment reflects positively on the Department of Economics.
"Professor Metcalf's appointment is a very positive sign that our department is playing an active role in policy, especially policy that is connected with research. I think that it is in concert with Tufts' mission of active citizenship," Spolaore said.
