"Priority Energy Issues"

Testimony Presented to U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources - Senate Energy Summit

Testimony

September 12, 2008

Author: John M. Deutch, International Council Member, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

 

Oral Testimony

Excerpts from John Deutch testimony to U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:

[T]he U.S. economy is not meeting the three great energy challenges the country faces: (1) beginning the long and demanding transition away from a petroleum based economy; (2) reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, in order to avoid the adverse consequences of global climate change, and (3) managing the foreign policy consequences of energy import dependence from politically unstable or unfriendly parts of the world, e.g., Iran, Venezuela, and Russia.

…

I offer seven priority actions that the country must take in order to be on a path to a sustainable future. The list is not a menu that offers choice; all these action and perhaps others, are required.

1. Establish a charge for greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Establish an aggressive program to demonstrate carbon sequestration.

3. Improve the efficiency of energy use.

4. Accelerate energy innovation.

5. Expand domestic oil and gas production.

6. Expand the use of commercial nuclear power.

7. Improve the coordination of energy policy.

 

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