Overview
Gale Boyd is an Associate Research Professor in the Social Science Research Institute & Department of Economics. He was the Director of the Triangle Federal Statistical Research Data Center from 2006-2020. Prior to joining Duke University, Gale was an economist at Argonne National Laboratory. His career has been primarily in area of industrial energy/environmental economics.
His recent work includes using the non-public Census micro-data and other non-pubic data from industry and trade associations on energy, environmental, and productivity related issues for industrial energy efficiency and related energy/environmental policy research. His research includes preparing statistical benchmarks of energy performance in manufacturing plants, or Energy Performance Indicators (EPI), is supported by the EPA ENERGY STAR program and is used by industry for energy management and public recognition from ENERGY STAR. Studies of the implications of management practices and environmental policy on industry energy efficiency and total factor productivity are in progress.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Scholarly Works
The impact of industrial opt-out from utility sponsored energy efficiency programs
Journal article Energy Economics · September 1, 2026 In the United States (US), industry accounts for approximately one-third of energy consumption. Rate of return demand-side management and energy efficiency programs are potential tools for regulated utilities to reduce energy use. However, many large custo ... Full text CiteIs the industrial sector hard to decarbonize or hard to model? A comparative analysis of industrial modeling and net zero carbon dioxide pathways
Journal article Energy and Climate Change · December 1, 2025 This paper examines the results of the Energy Modeling Forum Study 37 on Deep Decarbonization & High Electrification Scenarios for North America (EMF 37), with specific focus on industrial decarbonization pathways. Broadly, industrial decarbonization can b ... Full text CitePolicy Implications of Net-Zero Emissions: A Multi-Model Analysis of United States Emissions and Energy System Impacts.
Journal article Energy and climate change · December 2025 Many countries, subnational jurisdictions, and companies are setting net-zero emissions goals; however, questions remain about strategies to reach these targets, policy measures, technology gaps, and economic impacts. We investigate the potential policy im ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
NR CANADA
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Natural Resources Canada · 2021 - 2024Energy Star: Building Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Industrial Sector
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by ICF, Inc. · 2020 - 2023What Policies Drive Entrepreneurship? An Exploration Using Microdata
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Wake Forest University · 2019 - 2022View All Grants