Energy Markets Education for Professionals and Executives
October 1, 2025
Severin Borenstein and James Bushnell created the first Energy Institute executive education course in 2003, with support from the California Energy Commission. The intensive 2-day course on policies and strategies in energy markets was developed for energy policymakers and professionals. The course was so popular that it quickly sold out and was subsequently offered twice a year. Interest in the course is still strong, demonstrating a continued demand for training in energy markets and environmental regulation among professionals.
The motivation for offering the course then, and today, is to explain the fundamental economic concepts behind energy and environmental markets and regulation. With a focus on reaching policymakers and regulators, a key element has been to offer reduced pricing to government and non-profit organizations. Over the years, the course syllabus has evolved as the critical issues facing the industry have changed. California energy markets have been the incubator for many innovative and progressive policies, which are reflected in many of the topics. This approach has attracted attendees from all over the world.
Prior to COVID the course was taught as a two-day, in-person event at locations in California, Oregon, and Canada. The “Economics of Energy and the Environment” course has since been taught virtually over four days with screencast videos sent to participants to review in advance. During the two-hour daily online sessions, Borenstein and Bushnell leverage the material from the videos to explore current policy issues. The live session each day is followed by an optional 30-minute “ask me anything.” With a mix of attendees from different regulatory agencies, energy producers and distributors, non-profits and government organizations, the discussions cover a wide range of topics and perspectives.
The next online course will be offered in Spring 2026. Subscribe to our email list for future registration announcements.