key recommenDAtions for Energy Reform Final

Overcoming Reliance and Ensuring Reliability

Discussion guiDe

advancing the reform agenda

reforming american energy:

Overcoming Reliance and Ensuring Reliability

BoARD oF DiRecToRs

Paul Bateman

Ke & Saks Gop, Boad Chaa

Charles Kolb

Coee fo Ecooc Deeope

Lawrence Hebert

Doo Adso Gop

Pam Pryor

Cosa

Cecilia Martinez

Exece Deco

ReFoRming AmeRicAn eneRgy:

OvErCOminG rEliAnCE AnD EnSurinG rEliABility AutHOr

Kenneth Nahigian

Geea Cose ad Deco of Pbc Poc nahga Saeges, llC Seo Adso, refo ise

Th Rfr ittt300 nrth Waht st, st 600Alxadra, VA 22314Tl (703) 535-6897Fax (866) 863-5510www.rfrttt.r

The Reform Institute is a non-partisan, not-for-profit educational organization working to strengthen the foundations of our democracyand build a resilient society. The Institute formulates and advocates valuable, solutions-based reform in vital areas of public policy.

GENERATING IDEAS AND EXPLORINGSOLUTIONS TO POWER OUR FUTURE: A Message from THE REFORM INSTITUTE

A

confluence of factors is pushing the need for energy reform to the top of the nationalagenda. Volatile fuel prices will continue to impact the U.S. economy. Our reliance onoil from unfriendly regimes and politically unstable regions continues to fuel concernsover national security. In addition, growing apprehension about climate change is precipitat-ing action to change energy producing and consuming practices in the United States. It isnow generally recognized that energy reform will be critical for long-term economic growth,strengthening national security and resilience, and promoting environmental stewardship.The Reform Institute is bringing its dedication to strengthening the foundations of ourdemocracy and building a resilient society to the issue of energy reform. By achieving sustain-ability in our energy and environmental policies, the U.S. will become more resilient –able to confront the challenges it faces and emerge a stronger nation. Through innovation,collaboration and leadership we will not simply persevere, but prosper as well.The United States needs a comprehensive energy strategy that addresses the complexchallenges of the 21st Century. The first steps in devising such a strategy involve laying outthe challenges in an objective manner and initiating a constructive dialogue among variousand diverse constituencies. This report illustrates those challenges. In the spring of 2009,the Reform Institute will provide a constructive dialogue at a national energy symposiumthat will bring together a wide array of stakeholders to discuss the challenges involved andexplore solutions. Bipartisan cooperation and leadership will be required to develop sensible,solutions-based reforms. This paper will help guide the discussions at the gathering.Confronting this complex issue will require a level of leadership and national commitmentthat is rare in this age of political partisanship and gridlock. Only through fundamental reformthat restores accountability, transparency and efficacy to the political process can we expectto set a new direction in energy policy.The Nation must view this situation not as an insurmountable trial but as an opportunity.By advancing new technologies and processes to produce and utilize energy, we can createprofitable new products and markets that will benefit American industry and our economy. Inorder to take full advantage of this opportunity, the United States must take the lead in trans-forming the global energy system. Exhibiting the necessary global leadership on this criticalissue starts here at home. Only in an environment that encourages healthy debate and broadparticipation and cooperation will we successfully meet this challenge. The Reform Instituteis committed to creating such an environment; this report is the first step.Cecilia MartinezExecutive DirectorReform Institute

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