Benjamin Deitchman earned his PhD from Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy in 2014.  Now just a few years later, Deitchman has published his first book, Climate and Clean Energy Policy: State Institutions and Economic Implications. Having used his School of Public Policy doctoral degree to earn a position a position as a Utilities Analyst at the Georgia Public Service Commission – a position which he still holds – Deitchman says that he believes this book project could provide many positive influences, even outside of the academic world. 

“I’ve been working in state-level climate and clean energy policy in one form or another since 2009 and it’s my passion,” he commented. “I am hopeful that my analysis can influence readers to further consider or reconsider the politics and economics of subnational climate and energy actions, decisions, and regulations to best protect the public and the planet.”

In explaining what the book was about, Deitchman alluded to the book’s web page. In doing so, he specifically cited the comment that aptly explained the publication’s purpose. 

“The rigorous analysis of the politics of state level institutions and economic implications of subnational climate and clean energy actions offers researchers, students, and policymakers with practical information to advance their understanding of these options in the policy process,” it reads. 

To promote the release of his book, Deitchman says he has continued a monthly column for PATIMES, the most recent of which can be found here. In his own words, the column series has aimed to “explain some of the book’s relevance in the contemporary policy dialogue, as well as in other policy domains.”

Since accomplishing the impressive feat of publishing such a book, Deithcman fully understands how demanding taking of a project of this scale can be. In reflection, he was able to provide some words of wisdom on what he learned from the experience. 

“Always save your work and back-up your files constantly,” Deitchman half-jokingly preached. “Perhaps more on point, although writing a single authored book appears to be a very individual pursuit, the completion of this effort was only possible through the support of friends, family, colleagues, mentors, reviewers, editors, and countless others through the policy community.”

Despite the extraordinary discipline and intellect required to write a book like this, Deitchman is not void of applying a clever sense of humor to his work – or trying to, at least. He shared that some of the proposed titles for his book included 50 Shades of State Energy Policy, The Hunger Games: Catching Wind, and Harry Potter and the Energy Efficiency Resource Standard, but the publisher, Routledge, rejected them. 

“I won’t be dethroning J.K. Rowling any time soon,” he joked. 

Deitchman believes that Routledge’s no-nonsense approach will help the book’s success in the long run, though. 

“Routledge is a global academic publisher and pushed for the book to appeal to a global academic audience, even though the content is heavily focused on the United States,” he said. 

Benjamin Deitchman’s path to Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy started several states away from the historic Downtown Atlanta campus. After graduating with a BA in History from Johns Hopkins University in 2005 and an MPA from George Washington University in 2007, the suburban New York City native stayed in the Mid-Atlantic by starting his career with the National Association of State Energy Officials in Arlington, VA. He says that ended up choosing Georgia Tech’s SPP for his PhD because of its, “Great program, great faculty, great city, and great opportunities.”

Despite his notable achievements, Deitchman still feels a close connection to the doctoral program that has helped launch him down that path. 

“Although I am physically rarely on campus and do other things, to some degree I feel like I’ve never left – in a good way,” he said. “I work on many of the same issues with some of the same people and I am constantly in touch with classmates and other people from the school.”

To learn more about Deithcman and his book, be sure to check out the book’s website at https://www.routledge.com/Climate-and-Clean-Energy-Policy-State-Institu…;