New Books in Economics Deborah Gordon, "No Standard Oil: Managing Abundant Petroleum in a Warming World" (Oxford UP, 2021)
Oct 20, 2025
Deborah Gordon, a senior principal at RMI and author of "No Standard Oil," dives into the complexities of oil and gas emissions. She debunks the myth of oil scarcity, highlighting the unique climate impacts of different fuels. Gordon introduces the innovative Oil Climate Index Plus Gas model and discusses how refining processes and government policies can significantly influence emissions. She shares actionable strategies for individuals and businesses while emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making for a sustainable energy future.
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Early Career Shaped Research Path
- Deborah Gordon began her career in a hydrogen catalysis lab and then worked in environmental permitting at Chevron.
- Her shift to public policy and curiosity about how the oil industry makes decisions launched her long-term research into oil and gas emissions.
Not All Oils Are The Same
- Oils and gases differ dramatically in chemistry and processing needs, producing large life-cycle emissions variation.
- Deborah Gordon finds some oils/gases emit two to three times more greenhouse gases than others across the supply chain.
California Heavy Oil Versus Wet Gas
- Gordon describes heavy tarry California oil that requires extra energy to refine and lighter wet gases that leak methane.
- She highlights that oil is often used to extract and process oil, adding significant upstream emissions.
