Environmental Economics, Natural-Resource Economics, and Sustainability

Through years of research covering a wide variety of analytic and policy challenges across the United States, ECONorthwest has helped reframe the discussion and enhance the understanding of the economics of natural-resource management and environmental quality.

ECONorthwest works to bridge the gap between economic theory and practical application in natural-resource and environmental economics. Our team of economists and policy analysts employs rigorous and impartial economic theory and methods to issues of local, regional, and national significance. Our efforts enable natural-resource managers, policy makers, citizens, courts, and other interested parties to set aside political rhetoric and, instead, to focus on the economic underpinnings of the complex relationship between environmental quality and economic well-being.

Meet our key environmental and resource economics consultants:

Ed Whitelaw, Senior Economist
Ernie Niemi, Vice President and Senior Policy Analyst
Mark Buckley, Project Manager and Senior Economist
Ted Helvoigt, Project Manager and Senior Economist
Kristin Lee, Project Manager and Senior Policy Analyst
Ed MacMullan, Project Manager and Senior Economist
Bryce Ward, Project Manager and Senior Economist
View all of ECONorthwest's Personnel

Explore our areas of expertise in this field:

River flowing through a forest

Water and Riparian Resources

ECONorthwest has extensive experience addressing the economic dimensions of water and riparian resources. We have analyzed the economic tradeoffs associated with water quality and water quantity challenges... Read More

Download: Water and Riparian Resources Selected Project Experience
Case Study: Competition for Water

Waves Crashing on Beach

Coastal Resources

ECONorthwest has analyzed coastal issues throughout the United States, and in an international context. Much of our work in this area over the last 30 years has focused on the impacts of contamination from oil and chemical spills... Read More

Download: Coastal Resources Selected Project Experience
Case Study: Human Dimensions of Oil Spills

Grazing caribou

Fish and Wildlife Resources

ECONorthwest is a leader in analyzing the economic benefits and costs of policies to protect or improve fish and wildlife populations, especially salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest... Read More

Download: Fish and Wildlife Resources Selected Project Experience

Deciduous forest in the fall

Forest Resources

ECONorthwest has pioneered efforts to trace the complex relationships between forests and regional economies. We have looked beyond the timber industry to examine... Read More

Download: Forest Resources Selected Project Experience
Case Study: Valuing Ecosystem Services

Glaciers covering mountain range

Environmental Quality

ECONorthwest excels in examining the relationship between environmental quality and economic growth. Much of our work focuses on the benefits that residents receive from a region's high-quality environmental resources... Read More

Download: Environmental Quality Selected Project Experience
Case Study: Human Dimensions of Oil Spills

Freighter in shipping channel

Regional Economic Impacts

ECONorthwest assesses the economic impacts of environmental policies on local communities and industries. This work focuses on economic transitions related to changes in the use of natural resources... Read More

Download: Regional Economic Impacts Selected Project Experience

Windmills generating wind power

Sustainability

ECONorthwest has analyzed the economic dimensions of sustainable business practices, such as the elimination of the use of toxins and the reduction of the wasteful consumption of energy... Read More

Download: Sustainability Selected Project Experience
Case Study: Low Impact Development

Smokestacks emitting carbon dioxide and pollution

Climate Change

ECONorthwest brings thirty years of experience helping clients adapt to changing economic and environmental situations. Addressing the impacts of climate change requires exactly this kind of problem-solving expertise... Read More

Download: Climate Change Selected Project Experience