The Washington Post asks: “What does it mean for a nation to be energy independent? Is it realistic and if so how should that be achieved?” Energy Independence is a mixed bag — both good and bad energy policy ideas are promoted under its banner. The bad outweighs the good, and in any event energy independence shouldn’t supplant free markets as the overarching principle for sound energy policy. Among the few good ideas spurred by the desire to achieve energy independence is expanding domestic energy production. As it is, the …
In the wake of the recent Russia-Ukraine gas spat, debate has begun once more in Europe on how to secure energy supplies. The focus again turns to developing policies that reduce the continent’s vulnerability to events that threaten the security of supply in the future. As reported here earlier, in the wake of the gas dispute, a number of E.U. member states are considering a nuclear revival—while others have even switched on old Soviet-era nuclear reactors. But an emphasis on “energy solidarity” and making energy efficiency targets mandatory, is also …
Congress is expected to vote on a stimulus package after the election. This package may include various spending increases including funding for infrastructure, and bailouts for states facing budget shortfalls. Unfortunately, proposals made thus far are emblematic of a failed approach. Increased spending, whether it is in the form of direct spending, or disguised welfare through the income tax system, is ineffective economic stimulus. True economic stimulus requires a pro-growth tax and energy policy. Sadly, many in Congressional leadership have failed to realize this…Until now. On Tuesday, House Republican Leader …
Drilling and Defense Spending are the two big issues this week in Washington. For years, Congress has banned oil and natural gas drilling on most of America’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). On Oct. 1, that ban, along with one that forbids the extraction and development of oil shale in the Mountain West, will expire. For the past two years, The Heritage Foundation has sought to make the case that America’s global responsibilities call for an adequate defense budget to train, equip, and modernize an all-volunteer force capable of meeting the …
DENVER – Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a press conference today at Denver’s downtown Union Station and, believe it or not, she came to praise Richard Nixon. It’s not his birthday or anything, but in her continued attempt to find any traction for her energy policies Pelosi praised President Nixon for embarking on his Project Independence in 1974. Nixon was the last American president to implement prices controls on the American economy, and Pelosi had nothing but great things to say about his post OPEC oil embargo efforts to make the …
Skyrocketing gas prices and rising energy demands have policymakers considering some of the same bad policies of the 1970s. Chief among these are windfall profits taxes, setting price controls on oil and using subsidies to pick winners and losers. The French, on the other hand, took a different approach in the 1970s—sort of. They decided turn to nuclear energy to reduced its dependence on foreign oil. By developing an energy policy that was consistent with French values and national strengths, it transformed its energy profile. Before France became the nuclear …
