Executive Branch and National Energy Policy
Homeland Security Digital Library Blog 2012-11-27
Summary:
Executive Branch and National Energy Policy: Time for Renewal
A newly released document from the Bipartisan Policy Center argues that the executive branch of the United States Government should take a more active role in setting energy policy. The document begins with a brief overview of the last 50 years of national energy policy and related legislation. It then describes the elements of a successful American energy policy.
The highlight of the report are its two recommendations. First, the President and Congress should establish a National Energy Strategy Council (NESC) to oversee all aspects of U.S. energy policy. This council would be headed by the Secretary of Energy and be responsible for coordinating all decisions related to energy. It would also be tasked with developing a National Energy Strategy to help guide each administration's energy goals.
Second, the President and Congress should direct the Department of Energy to undertake an interagency Quadrennial Energy Review (QER). The QER would review energy objectives and policies and develop specific steps to implement the National Energy Strategy.
A more extensive report on the same topic will be released in January 2013.