By Thomas J. Donohue and Gen. James L. Jones (Ret.)

Our nation must have an affordable, diverse, and growing supply of energy to sustain economic prosperity, create good American jobs, ensure our national security, and exercise positive global leadership in a changing world.

Despite energy’s overriding importance, the United States is without a comprehensive energy strategy. Lawmakers, regulators, courts, states, businesses, consumers, and the international community have become increasingly fragmented in their attitudes toward energy acquisition, power generation, infrastructure, and the closely related issue of global warming.

 

There is a lack of public understanding about the sources of our fuel and power, the delivery systems that are needed to move energy to consumers, and the extent to which various energy alternatives can realistically meet future needs.

 

An array of restrictions on energy use and development, often in pursuit of well-meaning environmental objectives, is being advanced without a clear-eyed examination of their potential for success or their unintended impacts.

 

These issues are too important to our economy, security, and the environment to be driven by fear, emotion, or ignorance. It is our hope that by putting a set of basic facts on the table, we can begin a rational conversation about the energy choices and challenges facing America and the world.

 

That is the goal of this report. We welcome your comments and ideas.

 

Yet identifying the facts is a beginning, not an end. Recently, the U.S. Chamber announced a plan to take its record of action and leadership on critical energy issues to the next level. Based on an organizational design perfected by the Chamber and its Institute for Legal Reform, we have announced the creation of the U.S. Chamber Institute for 21st Century Energy.

 

Drawing on its own assets as well as those of the Chamber and its federation, the Institute will conduct research, run events, lobby governments, educate the public, engage opinion leaders, mobilize grassroots activists, and work in the regulatory agencies, courts, states, and the international arena to advance its purpose.

 

That purpose is clear: affordable, clean, and secure energy— for our economy, our environment, and our national security. The Chamber and the Institute for 21st Century Energy invite all citizens, organizations, industries, and governments to join us in this critical mission.

 

Thomas J. Donohue

President & CEO

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

 

Gen. James L. Jones (Ret.)

President & CEO

U.S. Chamber Institute for 21st Century Energy