Parkville, MD – Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, John A. “Skip” Laitner, MA is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for his contributions to Energy Policy Innovation and Economic Sustainability.
John A. “Skip” Laitner, MA, stands at the forefront of energy economics as principal of Economic and Human Dimensions Research Associates. With a career spanning decades, Mr. Laitner develops forward-thinking policy initiatives focused on energy productivity and environmental sustainability. Through his consulting firm, he has supported federal and state agencies, nonprofit, and private sector clients in designing effective policies that promote innovation, reduce waste, and create meaningful employment.
A prolific researcher and communicator, Mr. Laitner has co-authored over 340 technical papers, book chapters, reports, and other peer-reviewed publications. His work has been cited in key national reports and used to inform legislative and regulatory actions on clean energy and carbon reduction. He is particularly known for promoting the idea of “energy productivity”—a measure of how effectively economic output is generated per unit of energy consumed as a central pillar of modern economic policy.
In addition to his research and consulting work, Mr. Laitner has served in academic roles, teaching graduate courses in economics at Virginia Tech and the University of Arizona. He is also an advisor to national research projects, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Multiple Non-Energy Benefits Project and initiatives at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
A longtime resident of Tucson, Arizona, Mr. Laitner holds a Master of Arts in resource economics from Antioch University and completed undergraduate coursework at Simpson College. His early career was influenced by the mentorship of, and collaboration with, mathematical physicist and economist, Dr. Robert U. (“Bob”) Ayres, a pioneer in industrial ecology and energy systems. Among his awards, he received the EPA Gold Medal for his work and modeling with a team of economists on the 1997 Kyoto Protocol as it sought to reduce international greenhouse gas emissions.
Looking forward, Mr. Laitner intends to expand his focus on biological scaling and systems thinking to further advance energy and economic resilience in the face of global climate and resource challenges. He remains committed to empowering decision-makers through thoughtful research, encouraging cross-sector collaboration, and asking the kinds of questions that lead to long-term solutions.
His guiding principle—“ask good questions and be thoughtful in your beliefs” continues to shape a career built on curiosity, evidence, and a deep commitment to the public good.
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