Beyond technology: Tulane policy expert on how human decisions shape energy’s future

When people think about the future of energy, they often picture the latest technological breakthroughs: towering wind turbines or solar panels built from advanced materials.

Tulane University economist Gary "Hoov" Hoover sees something different.

"The real story," he said, "is how people make decisions."

The public policies derived from those decisions and how the markets respond to them are Hoover's top concern as executive director of the Murphy Institute and a professor of economics at Tulane. In his view, the relationship between public policy and the market shapes everything from housing and healthcare to education - and increasingly, the energy sector.

"Technology gets the focus, but policy is what dictates offshore wind farm development or whether a city adds electric vehicle charging infrastructure," Hoover said. "Can homeowners afford rooftop solar panels, and will a business be incentivized to invest in cleaner technologies? These decisions are the heart of energy policy."

Hoover describes policymakers and markets as being in constant conversation. Governments establish the rules under which markets operate, while businesses and consumers respond to those rules. That relationship, he says, is guided by institutions, laws and ethics.

For example, tax incentives can encourage companies to invest in cleaner energy technologies, while utility regulations can influence how quickly new power sources are added to the electric grid. Consumers, in turn, respond through the cars they buy, the appliances they choose and the amount of energy they use.

"Policymakers and markets are constantly communicating, and that is what shapes the energy landscape of the future," Hoover said. "The question is how that communication happens."

Those conversations should also include the people most affected by energy decisions, Hoover said. Whether the issue is building new infrastructure, investing in emerging technologies or determining how energy resources are allocated, communities should have a meaningful voice in the process. Artificial intelligence is likely to add another layer of complexity. As AI use continues to grow, so will the technology's demand for electricity, raising new questions about where energy investments should be made and who benefits.

Ultimately, Hoover believes energy discussions are really conversations about people and priorities. "We invest our energy in ways that will enhance the lives of others," Hoover said. "The question is whether those investments benefit many people or just a few."

This article is part of a series highlighting Tulane University energy experts and energy industry professionals ahead of the 2026 Future of Energy Forum hosted by Tulane University. For more information, visit energyforum.tulane.edu .