Energy Facts We Can All Agree On
Facts, Choices, and Challenges
Today’s energy debate generates plenty of heat but precious little light. This is unfortunate because those with a voice, stake, or expertise in this debate might find that they actually agree upon many fundamental energy realities facing our nation.
If politicians and the public could come to understand and embrace such realities, we could more productively address one of the most urgent tasks of our time: How to increase America’s supply of fuel and power while protecting national security and improving the environment.
Thus, we begin by asking and answering the following questions: What are the fundamental energy facts on which most Americans could agree? What energy realities face us as a result of these facts?
We need a growing supply of energy to ensure our prosperity and quality of life…
Without a secure, affordable, and diverse supply of fuel and power, the American economy will falter, prices will rise, and we will lose jobs and industries to other countries. The free, mobile way of life we have enjoyed will be at risk.
Energy is clearly linked to national security and global stability…
Most of America’s total energy supply comes from domestic sources, with rich reserves remaining for future use. Yet we are heavily reliant on foreign oil, which poses a risk to our economic and national security. To reduce our dependency on foreign oil, we should find ways to responsibly develop more domestic energy from all sources.
As total energy demand continues to grow, we must become more energy efficient…
Additional strides in energy efficiency are critical and achievable at home and abroad. Technologies to achieve this efficiency offer an important leadership opportunity for America. Yet even with increased efficiency, national and global energy demand will continue to grow as populations and economies expand.
We need to diversify our energy supply, while recognizing that traditional sources will still prevail…
America should invest in a more diverse supply of affordable, clean energy. The development of alternative and renewable energy sources, fuels, and technologies holds significant promise—as does the expansion of clean, safe nuclear power.
Yet even with these alternatives, the world’s major economies, including our own, will continue to depend largely on fossil fuels—oil, gas, and coal.
There are abundant supplies of oil, gas, and coal that we must continue to use while also addressing the climate change risk…
Large supplies of oil, gas, and coal remain untapped at home and abroad, although these fuels are subject to many government restrictions. The fact that fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide (CO2), which is believed to contribute to global warming, further challenges their access and use. We must find ways to manage the climate change risk without unduly restricting access to our primary sources of fuel and electricity.
Technology has great potential to effectively address many of our energy and environmental challenges…
To meet our energy needs and address environmental concerns, there should be a major emphasis on new technologies that enable us to use traditional energy more cleanly, improve efficiency, and diversify our mix of fuel and power. These technologies must be realistic and viable in the marketplace and not be mandated for use before they actually exist.
We must not overlook the need to improve, modernize, and expand our energy infrastructure…
Our fuel delivery infrastructure and power generation systems are every bit as critical as the resources used to make fuel and power. It is time to address the policies that unnecessarily restrict the construction of new, cleaner, and more efficient refineries, pipelines, transmission lines, liquefied natural gas ports, and both coal and nuclear power plants.
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