Albany, NY — James E. Hanley has joined the Empire Center for Public Policy as a senior policy analyst, focusing on energy and environmental policy.

Hanley has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Oregon, and was Associate Professor of Political Science at Adrian College before joining the Empire Center. He has published in the American Political Science Review and the Journal of Private Enterprise along with other academic journals, and has written for the Foundation for Economic Education, the Liberty Fund, and the American Institute for Economic Research, where he recently served as an E. C. Harwood Visiting Fellow.

“New York State is embarking on a radical transformation of our economy in its transition to the use of alternative energy sources. Such a shift requires an independent voice to look out for the interests of working people who could be harmed by such a transition. I’m thrilled that James will be leading our efforts to analyze these new proposals through an objective, expert lens,” Tim Hoefer, President and CEO of the Empire Center, said.

Hanley will lead the Center’s work on energy and environment issues. That will include closely monitoring how the state proposes to implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), making sure the true costs are known, and suggesting alternative ways to achieve some of those goals.

“I look forward to scrutinizing New York’s energy and environmental policy alongside some of the best minds in the state,” said Hanley. “I’m proud to help the Empire Center expand its areas of expertise and work towards protecting both the economy and the environment.”

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The Empire Center, based in Albany, is an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan think tank dedicated to promoting policies that can make New York a better place to live, work and raise a family.