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News Tip: Experts Available to Comment on What Obama Should Tell Congress in State of the Union

Climate change, health policy and immigration among expected topics

President Obama on Tuesday night will deliver the State of the Union address. Climate change and energy, health care policy and immigration are among the topics these Duke experts would like to hear him address.Climate/EnergyJonas MonastDirector, Climate and Energy Program, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke Universityjonas.monast@duke.eduhttp://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/about/people/jonas-monastTim ProfetaDirector, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University.tim.profeta@duke.eduhttp://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/about/people/timothy-profetaResearch by Profeta and Monast focuses on cost-effective options for using existing energy policies – including the Clean Air Act -- to meet the nation's goals for technology innovation and environmental protection. Their research is viewable at http://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/special-projects/clean-air-act. Quote-Monast:"The Obama administration is making a deliberate effort to link environmental protection and energy innovation goals. On the one hand, the administration is taking steps to limit greenhouse gas emissions, while on the other hand promoting new technologies to meet the country's energy needs. This level of coordination is encouraging." Quote-Profeta:"At this point in his administration, I expect the president will be focused on using his existing suite of authorities to address climate change, rather than pushing for a legislative solution. Unfortunately this requires the use of several square pegs to fill round holes, but with some permissible bending of the statutory language these holes could be filled."Richard NewellProfessor of energy and environmental economics at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment; director of the Duke University Energy Initiative.richard.newell@duke.eduhttp://energy.duke.edu/initiative/leadership-staffNewell served as the head of the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the agency responsible for official U.S. government energy statistics and analysis, from 2009 to 2011. He is a university fellow and member of the board of directors at Resources for the Future, and a research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research.Quote-Newell:"The president will need to explain how an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy can succeed in practice. How can we harness the value of the unconventional gas and oil revolution safely for the economy, while at the same time making progress on a longer-term energy transition that addresses climate change?"Health Care PolicyDonald Taylor Jr.Associate professor, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke Universitydon.taylor@duke.eduhttp://fds.duke.edu/db/Sanford/dtaylorTaylor conducts research on aging and comparative health systems, including Medicare, long-term care and health policy. He laid out what he views as a grand bargain between the two parties that centers on a health reform deal in his recent book, "Balancing the Budget is a Progressive Priority." Taylor blogs about health care policy at http://donaldhtaylorjr.wordpress.com/.ImmigrationJacob VigdorProfessor, Sanford School of Public Policy; professor of economics, Duke University.jacob.vigdor@duke.edu;http://fds.duke.edu/db/Sanford/jacob.vigdorVigdor specializes in immigration and migration, and racial and ethnic segregation. His most recent research on immigration can be viewed here: http://www.renewoureconomy.org/issues/american-cities/Quote:"I'd like to hear the president say it's time to get the job done on immigration reform. It's time to reach out to the 11 million people who work on our behalf, who help sustain our communities with their spending, and tell them we'd like to give them a chance to straighten things out, to make amends for the circumstances of their arrival in this country. It's time to ensure we maintain America's status as the destination of choice for people with big ideas and grand ambitions, no matter how humble their origin."                                                                                                                                                                               _        _        _        _Duke experts on a variety of other topics can be found at http://newsoffice.duke.edu/resources-media/faculty-experts.