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Monetary trade-offs: stability vs. renewables

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  • Lucchetta, Marcella

Abstract

This paper analyzes the spillovers of US monetary policy on renewable energy consumption (CRE) through financial stability channels, particularly through uncertainty amplification that reallocates resources from innovative green sectors. Using monthly data from January 1990 to June 2025, a VAR(4) model with Cholesky identification shows that federal funds rate hike shocks reduce CRE by up to -0.50 % in the near term, simultaneously dampening volatility (-0.45 VIX index points) and inflation (-0.22 %), but increasing uncertainty. Robustness checks, including sign restrictions, threshold VARs for nonlinearity, CRE disaggregation, and fiscal controls, confirm state-dependent effects moderated by financial development. Extending Cheng and Lin (2024), we highlight central bank dilemmas in green transitions, arguing for the need for targeted tools.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucchetta, Marcella, 2025. "Monetary trade-offs: stability vs. renewables," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:257:y:2025:i:c:s0165176525005269
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112689
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • Q42 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Alternative Energy Sources

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