Energy policy provides governments with a framework to promote responsible energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure reliable supply. Implementation can involve anything from developing new technologies to regulating markets or offering subsidies or incentives.
Behavioral economics insights–loss aversion, cognitive effort and rational inattention, environmental attitudes, status quo bias and other elements–are essential in understanding whether energy policies might succeed or fail. Therefore, editors encourage submissions that include such analyses.
Cleaner Energy for All
Energy standards help consumers save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs. They can be found everywhere from building codes to appliance specifications and vehicle fuel efficiency standards; international agreements and organizations also play a vital role in shaping energy policies and standards.
Utilizing renewable energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal can significantly decrease our dependency on fossil fuels while simultaneously bringing electricity prices down. Ensuring all Americans have access to affordable clean energy is of equal importance, so expanding utility-scale renewables on public lands as well as connecting rural communities to the grid and offering more rooftop solar/battery storage opportunities are necessary steps toward providing Americans with access to clean power at an affordable price.
Limiting carbon emissions can help to mitigate climate change’s worst consequences, making efforts to put a price on carbon even more important.
America’s Energy Future
The United States is an innovator of clean energy technologies and has the chance to make an international impact through these initiatives. These efforts could generate jobs, better balance of trade, increased competitiveness across various industries and ultimately a healthier planet.
Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to believe that transitioning away from fossil fuel production towards renewable energy would improve air and water quality and decrease extreme weather events, while at the same time providing job opportunities and increasing energy security.
But Americans must prepare themselves for the transition to a clean energy economy. Reforming permitting procedures for new projects can reduce costs and speed the transition towards lower carbon energy sources. Government and industry leaders can expand access to clean technology programs so that they benefit all communities equally, rather than only benefitting those from wealthier backgrounds. They can also modernize America’s aging energy infrastructure (such as leak-prone pipelines ) for increased resilience and safety.
American Innovation
Unleashing innovation in clean energy technologies is critical to strengthening America’s energy security and competitiveness. Government policy can play an integral role by encouraging research and development through tax credits, grant funding, public-private partnerships or building energy codes and mileage standards that influence behavior.
Many governments regulate energy markets to ensure fair competition and protect consumers. They may set goals and targets related to renewables, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions as well as establish international agreements and organizations in order to foster collaboration and create best practices.
The most beneficial energy policies do not intervene directly with markets; instead they promote open free markets with basic parameters to guide them. Their focus is to ensure access to affordable and reliable energy while meeting environmental concerns; additionally they ensure energy companies can compete internationally, as well as being transparent enough so that the public can hold them accountable.
American Infrastructure
American energy policy is complex and multifaceted, and must strike a delicate balance between economic development, competitiveness and national security needs as well as climate action goals. Policymakers must also ensure energy infrastructure remains safe and reliable for future generations.
Americans largely support increasing renewables’ share in electricity generation, although majorities of Republicans and Republican leaners support continuing some combination of oil, coal, and natural gas in power production.
Energy policymakers must create an environment conducive to investment and manufacturing of clean energy technologies. They should invest in an electric grid designed with renewables in mind as well as address any potential impacts from climate change on critical infrastructure or communities. Finally, federal programs supporting affordability, equity and high-quality jobs within the US clean energy economy must continue strengthening in order to support investment into renewable technologies while meeting climate goals with an eye towards potential risks that emerge over time.