News

Here at The Center for Growth and Opportunity, we have a unique way of confronting challenges. Relentless optimism. Bold commitment. Fearless innovation. We want to leave the world a better place than when we got here. Whether it’s our award-winning students, or our world-class researchers, we look to work together to find creative solutions to today’s most pressing issues. We’re committed to turning ideas into action.

Op-ed: The ethanol mandate has failed in its original purpose

A multibillion-gallon mandate needs strong justification, but the environmental record for corn-based ethanol provides just the opposite.

Op-ed: The problem with metering solar energy customers

New Hampshire, Arizona, Maine, and several other states are making changes to their net metering policies for solar energy.

Op-ed: Landowners can help save endangered species

Lawmakers proposed amendments to the Endangered Species Act, or ESA, by better engaging landowners in species conservation.

USU President Noelle Cockett Welcomes new cohort of CGO Fellows

At a gathering of the newest cohort of CGO, USU President challenged students to embrace questions, be inclusive, and reach out to others.

Image of Chris Koopman participating in panel

Koopman Participates in Panel on Regulation of Emerging Aerial Tech

Christopher Koopman joined the discussion to consider how lawmakers can best foster innovation while protecting our safety and privacy.

Op-ed: Reexamining presidential power over national monuments

The Antiquities Act of 1906 gives power to presidents over national monuments. Is it time to reexamine the Act?

Op-ed: Improving wildfire policy is good for more than just the environment

The West is burning more this summer than ever before. Across California alone, there are three separate record-breaking fires burning.

Amy Rees Anderson Sponsors New Program for Female Academic Entrepreneurs

For Amy Rees Anderson, academic entrepreneurship is crucial for success in any field.And she knows something about entrepreneurship.

Op-ed: A Texas price-gouging law is backfiring

After Hurricane Harvey, a case of bottled water selling for nearly $43 quickly became the target of social media outrage.

Op-ed: Moratorium on soda taxes puts California on the right track

California recently banned future local soda taxes until 2031 as part of a compromise bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Op-ed: The risk of risk aversion at the Federal Aviation Administration

We're on the cusp of a revolution in aviation, and the next generation will radically change our airspace. But this future is not guaranteed.

Op-ed: Replacements for plastic straws have their own problems

Under a new law passed in California, in July, restaurant employees can face misdemeanor charges for handing out plastic straws to customers.

Op-ed: ESA and Cooperative Conservation in the West

The current ESA framework for creating cooperation between conservation actors should be updated to give species the best chance at thriving.

Op-ed: Conservative Media Skew Story on ‘Dreamer’ Arrests

Unfortunately, these reports lack both context and accuracy. Dreamers are actually less likely to be arrested than U.S. citizens.

Op-ed: How Banning Plastic Straws Could Make Pollution Even Worse

Banning plastic products would hurt small business owners and have little effect on ocean pollution, while costing more in fossil fuels.

Op-ed: How Pork-Barrel Spending Shapes the Ideological Composition of Congress

As evidenced by the news wars and through surveys, American politics has been trending strongly toward greater ideological polarization.

Shughart Discusses Applied Microeconomic Theory and Public Choice on Podcast

William F. Shughart II, Senior Editor at the Center for Growth and Opportunity, is interviewed by Hayek Program scholar Jayme Lemke.

Op-ed: Hydro Projects Get Lost in Red Tape

Logan faces federal barriers to update its aging hydropower project. After six years, the city is finally nearing the Third Dam restoration.

Op-ed: Ineffectiveness of Renewable Portfolio Standards

Renewable portfolio standards may not achieve their environmental ends in a cost-effective manner, writes Josh Smith.

Smith Discusses Renewal Portfolio Standards on Podcast

Josh T. Smith, Research Manager at the Center for Growth and Opportunity, takes part in a discussion on Renewal Portfolio Standards (RPS)

Image of Megan Jenkins participating in public lands panel

Jenkins Participates in Public Lands Discussion

Megan Jenkins joins other panelists from The Heritage Foundation and SUU at a Public Lands Discussion featuring Senator Mike Lee.

Op-ed: Energy Markets Serve National Security Better than Favoritism

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli The Trump administration proposed a policy aimed at helping suffering coal and nuclear power plants by requiring utilities to purchase electricity from these plants. CGO researchers, Camille Harmer and Josh T. Smith, write about the