What Do You See as the Future of Federal Energy Policy?
Election Will Affect Agenda
DARREN SAMUELSOHN
POLITICO Senior Energy and Environment Reporter
“November's election is sure to shape the future of federal energy policy. If President Barack Obama wins a second term, look for him to keep pushing ‘green’ jobs and an agenda that tries to advantage the renewable energy industry against its fossil fuel competitors. A Republican in the White House likely means more domestic energy production policies and a repeat of the battles that President George W. Bush fought with environmentalists and Democrats. Whoever wins, there will be lots to do, including whether to pursue federal oversight of natural gas drilling operations and EPA climate and air pollution policies.”
Natural Gas Sets Tone
BILL LOVELESS
Platts Editorial Director, U.S. Energy Policy
Host, "Platts Energy Week"Inside Energy
“Predicting U.S. energy policy has always been a risky proposition. Remember claims in the 1970s that the nation was running out of natural gas, and the accompanying law (since repealed) that restricted gas use in electric power stations? Once again, natural gas is setting the tone for U.S. energy policy in a big way, with estimates of abundant shale resources and prices at 10-year lows. With that, and more regulation of emissions, gas seems well on its way to substantially increase its share of electricity generation and transportation, and provide a competitive edge to U.S. industries reliant on gas as a feedstock.”
Energy Independance a Focus
KATIE HOWELL
Deputy Editor, Greenwire
“Partisan gridlock and election-year politics have brought conversations about energy policy to a virtual standstill in Washington, D.C. In the short-term, energy conversations will revolve around campaign issues and gas prices, with Republicans calling for more domestic drilling and pushing back against Obama administration regulations, while Democrats urge scaled-back oil industry tax incentives and call for more investment in alternative energy. In the longer-term, conversations about energy will revolve around efforts to boost the United States’ energy independence, but the direction those conversations take will be driven by who wins control of the White House and Congress in November.”
Polarization Paralyzes Energy Future
DOUGLAS R.M. NAZARIAN
Chairman | Maryland Public Service Commission
“The future of federal energy policy is going to remain paralyzed unless and until the politics of energy in Washington become less polarized. Congress has made little or no progress in recent years on carbon policy, renewable energy policies, loan guarantees and energy-related tax policies, and the silence creates an overhang of uncertainty that leaves industry and policymakers understandably wary. States have filled the vacuum on their own ... But in the long run, these lost years will be remembered as lost opportunities to address the very real challenges the status quo presents for all of us, and will make the ultimate solutions harder and more expensive to achieve.“
Energy Policy Tied to Prosperity
TOM LUBNAU
Representative | Wyoming
Chair, CSG’s Energy and Environmental Task Force
2011 Toll Fellowe
“Energy policy is inextricably tied to economic prosperity. Countries that have access to cheap, clean and reliable power have the best health care, standard of living and income. Energy policy will become more driven by the world markets. Our balance of trade, deficit and zealous protection of the environment will drive this country to become an energy-exporting nation. Without a comprehensive energy plan, we will export more energy overseas, see economic prosperity in those countries consuming U.S. exported energy and a more balanced worldwide standard of living.”
