We are all aware of past excesses in our use of the natural world and its resources. No one wishes to see them repeated. In the 21st century, the ethic of good stewardship is well established in American life and law. We do not accept the false choice between environmental protection and energy production. America is using more, and polluting less. The primary reason for that has been steady advances in the technology of locating, producing, and using energy.
One of the factors harming the environment today is the very lack of a comprehensive, long-term national energy policy. States confronting blackouts must take desperate measures, often at the expense of environmental standards, requesting waivers of environmental rules, and delaying the implementation of anti-pollution efforts. Shortfalls in electricity generating capacity and shortsighted policies have blocked construction of new, cleaner plants, leaving no choice but to rely on older, inefficient plants to meet demand.
The increased use of emergency power sources, such as diesel generators, results in greater air pollution.
The National Energy Policy will build upon our nation ’s successful track record and will promote further improvements in the productive and efficient use of energy. This report includes recommendations to:
Enact “multi-pollutant” legislation to establish a flexible, market-based program to significantly reduce and cap emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury from electric power generators.
Increase exports of environmentally friendly, market-ready US technologies that generate a clean environment and increase energy efficiency.
Establish a new “Royalties Conservation Fund ” and earmark royalties from new, clean oil and gas exploration in ANWR to fund land conservation efforts.
Implement new guidelines to reduce truck idling emissions at truck stops.
