Experts in the News

“Texans will turn out to vote when they have a competitive election,” said political science fellow Mark Jones. “But when Texas mobilizes … at least in this election, it didn’t turn that much bluer.”

“More forceful political opposition [will] come if a South Korean or Japanese energy transition were to drive electricity prices as high as those paid in Germany," which are well above those paid by industrial customers anywhere in East Asia, said energy fellow Gabriel Collins.

"Most people expect that if the industry goes through a consolidation, bigger players will certainly realize some efficiencies but they are not likely to drill as aggressively as smaller independents," said energy fellow Mark Finley. "The business model was ‘drill baby drill.’ It was all about growth. The business model going forward is not going to be about growth, it’s going to be about returns and efficiency.”

Rice faculty scholar Dan Wallach expected election misinformation to worsen after the polls closed. “I can see many countries deciding that it’s worth it for them to manipulate us,” he said.

“Efforts to dampen early voting among Democrats failed,” said political science fellow Mark Jones.  “Any problems on Election Day will now probably work against Republicans, and not in their favor.”