Jerry Taylor

Jerry Taylor is an American environmental activist and policy analyst, best known as the co-founder and former president of the Niskanen Center, a think tank based in Washington, D.C. He was born on August 2, 1963, and has had a significant impact on energy policy over the past two decades.

Education and Early Career

Taylor attended the University of Iowa, where he majored in political science. He became involved in conservative activism during his college years, serving as an editor for a conservative student newspaper and founding a conservative activist group.

Professional Background

Before establishing the Niskanen Center in 2014, Taylor spent 23 years at the Cato Institute. There, he held various roles including director of natural resource studies, senior fellow, and vice president. His early career was marked by skepticism about climate change; however, he later shifted his views to advocate for market-based environmental solutions, including carbon taxes to combat global warming.134

Key Contributions

• Niskanen Center: Founded to promote libertarian principles in environmental policy.
• Publications: Authored numerous policy studies and has been featured in major publications like The Washington Post and The New York Times.
• Testimonies: Has testified before Congress on energy issues.

Controversies

Taylor's tenure at the Niskanen Center ended in September 2021 when he resigned amid allegations of domestic violence against his ex-wife. Although he denied the accusations, he faced significant public scrutiny after being placed on administrative leave.25

Personal Interests

In addition to his work in policy analysis, Taylor is also a board game designer, known for creating several wargames.

Overall, Jerry Taylor represents a complex figure in contemporary environmental discourse, having transitioned from climate skepticism to advocating for proactive climate policies.