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Kurt Stephenson

Professor
Kurt Stephenson
250 Drillfield Dr.
307 Hutcheson Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Kurt Stephenson's research interests include market-based environmental policies, water resource economics and policy, and the role of economic analysis in public policy. His current work focuses on environmental trading programs (water quality trading, carbon offset and credit programs, wetland mitigation, etc), evaluation of agricultural nonpoint source policies, and the design of payment for environmental service programs. To learn more about Professor Stephenson's work, click on the information below.

Expertise:

Aquaculture; energy and public economics; environmental and natural resource economics

Education

Ph.D., Economics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, August 1994.

M.S., Agricultural Economics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, July 1988.

B.S., Economics, Radford University, June 1986.

My extension/outreach is directed largely at supporting public policy decision-making in the area of water resources.  I have served on numerous water quality policy and regulatory advisory committees at the state, regional and federal levels.

Selected Service

Selected Outreach Publications/Reports

Stephenson, K., C. Hershner, B. Benham, Z. Easton, J. Hanson, S. Julius, and E. Hinrichs. 2018. “Consideration of BMP Performance Uncertainty in Chesapeake Bay Program Implementation.” STAC Publication Number 18-003, Edgewater, MD. 33 pp.

Bott, C., M. Brush, E. Canuel, M. Johnston, P. Kangas, S. Lane, P. May, W. Mulbry, M. Mulholland, D. Sample, K. Sellner, and K. Stephenson. 2015. “Nutrient and Sediment Reductions from Algal Flow-way Technologies: Recommendations to the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Water Quality Goal Implementation Team from the Algal Flow-way Technologies BMP Expert Panel” October 21, 2015. Chesapeake Bay Program, Annapolis MD. 

Stephenson, K. D. Parker, C. Abdalla, L. Shabman, J. Shortle, C. Jones, B. Angstadt, R. Rose, D. King, D. Hansen. 2009. Evaluation Framework for Water Quality Trading Programs in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. 33pp. Report to the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, Chesapeake Bay Program, Annapolis, MD

Current Research Focus

  • Pay for performance incentives for agricultural nonpoint source programs.
  • Incentives to address legacy nutrient sources.
  • Evaluation of cost-effectiveness of nonpoint source programs
  • Evaluation of carbon sequestration offset practices and policies.

Courses taught

  • AAEC 1005 Economics of the Food and Fiber System
  • AAEC 4314 Environmental Economic Analysis and Management
  • AAEC 5144 Resource and Environmental Economics

Experience

  • Professor, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech. June 2008 - Present.
  • Associate Professor, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech. June 2001 - 2008.
  • Assistant Professor, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech. November 1995 - June 2001.
  • Senior Research Associate, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech. October 1994 - October 1995.
  • Research Associate, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech, 1989-1990.
  • Research Associate, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Kentucky, 1988-1989.

Awards

2005 Certificate of Teaching Excellence, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech

Best Theory-Oriented Paper for 2000, Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. Leonard Shabman and Kurt Stephenson “Environmental Valuation and Its Economic Critics.”  Selected by Environmental & Water Resources Institute Planning and Management Council, American Society of Civil Engineers. 

Selected recent publications