WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Richard G. Newell began service Aug. 3 as the administrator of the Energy Information Administration (EIA).  

As EIA's seventh administrator, Newell is responsible for directing the nation's primary energy statistical and analytical agency. 

"Richard Newell is widely recognized as a leading expert on the economics of energy and environmental markets, policies, and technologies. We are pleased to have him lead the indispensable work of EIA at this crucial time," said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. 

Newell is on leave from his position as the Gendell associate professor of energy and environmental economics at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University.

Earlier, he served as the senior economist for energy and environment on the President's Council of Economic Advisers. Prior to that, he was a senior fellow at Resources for the Future. 

Newell has published widely on the economics of markets and policies for energy, the environment, and related technologies, particularly alternatives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving other energy and environmental goals. He has served on expert committees related to energy, environment, and innovation for the National Academy of Sciences and other organizations, as well as on numerous advisory and editorial boards.

Newell received a Ph.D. in environmental and resource economics from Harvard University, an M.P.A. from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and a B.S. and B.A. from Rutgers University.