Core Principles of The Energy Initiative

1. A massive public education program is essential to make the public aware that the greatest crisis our nation faces is the fact that energy demand is outstripping energy supply. The trend will certainly continue and get worse if serious steps are not taken.
   
   
2. In order to minimize this trend, it will be necessary to:
   1. Fully utilize, investigate and develop all existing and potential sources of energy, and
   2. Aggressively exercise conservation and efficiency in the use of all energy.
      
      
3. No single energy source should be unfairly burdened with the cost of meeting America’s future energy needs. Instead, costs should be shared fairly among the various private energy sectors as well as the public sector.
   
   
4. Energy Initiative members agree that climate change is a serious issue; however, our diverse membership precludes agreement on a substantive plan to address this problem. While voluntary, technology-based approaches have produced substantial progress towards addressing greenhouse gas emissions, all policies to address climate change should be carefully considered in a public, transparent and informed debate.
   
   

Policy Recommendations of The Energy Initiative

1. Fully fund the $90 million per year public education program authorized in EPAct 2005 to provide consumers the information and encouragement necessary to reduce energy use. The comprehensive national program, run by the Secretary of Energy, culminates at the end of FY 2010.
   
   
2. Endorse a national, voluntary goal of decreasing the energy intensity of the U.S. economy by 2.5 percent per year.
   
   
3. Fully fund R&D programs for the development of new alternative fuels.
   
   
4. Fully fund the Advanced Nuclear Cycle Program, which is designed to enable the nuclear power industry to recycle spent fuel rods for further energy development.
   
   
5. Increase funding for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) research, development and demonstration.
   
   
6. Fully fund fossil energy R&D programs.
   
   
7. Fully fund and promptly implement the EPAct 2005 clean and alternative fuel major capital loan guarantee program for projects that avoid, reduce or sequester air pollutants or greenhouse gases and employ new or significantly improved technologies compared to commercial technologies in service at the time the guarantee is issued.
   
   

1. Direct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study and report to Congress on ways that the U.S. Department of the Interior and other relevant agencies can streamline the federal permitting process for energy exploration, production and refinement and delivery infrastructure on federal lands both on and offshore.
   
   
2. Encourage expansion of refineries and other delivery infrastructure, particularly for the production of biofuels, with increased funding, tax incentives and a reformed federal permitting process that increases siting and improves infrastructure and operations.
   
   
3. Call on the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of the Interior and National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to measure the impact of offshore drilling on the world's oceans and coastal areas over the past 40 years, accounting for technological improvements.
   
   
4. Recommend that Congress approve a balanced offshore leasing program that promotes exploration and development of our nation's energy resources in an environmentally-sound manner, ensures that the producing states will receive a share of the federal resources from the activity and allows for an opt-in or opt-out provision (e.g., states can opt in or out of the program from 3 to 100 miles offshore).
   
   
5. Encourage and support the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Transportation research and development initiatives aimed at resolving technical issues related to the pipeline distribution of ethanol and other biofuels.
   
   
6. Require that the U.S. Department of Transportation increase the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks to the maximum feasible level in light of a range of factors including safety, cost, U.S. employment, economic impact and fuel savings.
   
   
7. Call for a report by the U.S. Department of Energy in cooperation with other appropriate entities to evaluate and quantify the fuel refinement capacity necessary to meet the current and future energy demands of the United States. The study must identify the nation's future refinery needs, strategies for meeting those needs and possible funding options.
   
   
8. Expand the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) as broadly as possible to meet ambitious goals for the use of alternative motor fuel, and conduct periodic technological/feasibility reviews that would allow for adjustments to these goals in the event that insufficient quantities of alternative motor fuel are available.
   
   
9. Develop a federally enforceable renewable diesel fuel minimum quality and labeling standard using the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) biodiesel standard as a guide; enact a national approach to promote the use of high-quality biodiesel in a cost-effective manner; and preempt state boutique biodiesel mandates, which distort the free market and lead to higher diesel fuel costs for consumers.
   
   
10. Adequately fund the U.S. Department of Defense program reviewing the viability of coal-to-liquid aviation fuel, particularly in light of probable advances in CCS technology.
    
    
11. Support the development of a robust and reliable electric grid capable of efficiently delivering clean and affordable electricity in the United States with a focus on encouraging the development of renewable power and its integration into the transmission grid system.
    
    

1. Create a major energy conservation program for cities, counties and states.
   
   
2. Call for a formal review by the Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (in consultation with state, local and tribal governments) of major federal energy and environmental protection policies, procedures and initiatives to identify and rectify conflicts in overall federal energy policy objectives.
   
   
3. Encourage increased funding for mass transit systems while continuing all current and future funding for public mass transit from the highway trust fund and protecting current and future funding for roads and highways.
   
   
4. Promote a federal building policy that requires a 30 percent reduction in energy consumption in all new and renovated federal government buildings by 2015 compared to existing federal buildings of the same type.
   
   
5. Assure that states have the flexibility to develop programs, policies and regulatory models that promote the continued use and expansion of renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency programs that are consistent with their state's resources and needs.
   
   
6. Direct the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and report to Congress on the costs and benefits of larger, more productive trucks with a focus on safety concerns and environmental benefits, including reduced fuel consumption.
   
   

1. The Energy Initiative supports the existing energy-related tax incentives for producers and consumers because of their importance to future energy development.
   
   
2. Call for tax incentives to encourage the use of hybrids and other fuel-efficient vehicles for school buses, fleet vehicles and public mass transit.
   
   
3. Call for a long-term extension of the production tax credit for renewable electricity.
   
   
4. Call for residential and commercial tax credits for alternative energy use and green buildings including solar, smart meters, energy efficient appliances and green building systems and other energy enhancements.
   
   
5. Expand alternative fuel infrastructure tax incentives to increase the number of E85 ethanol pumps and other delivery infrastructure.
   
   
6. Call for an expansion of the investment tax credit to include all alternative fuels.
   
   
7. Expand and extend consumer and manufacturer tax incentives for advanced hybrid, clean diesel, electric, flex-fuel and hydrogen technologies through 2020.
   
   
8. Maintain the existing tax credit for oil refinement, targeting the benefits at small and mid-size companies.