Energy decisions made today by policymakers will have long-term ramifications on our nation. They must balance short-term goals such as low costs to promote economic growth with long-term objectives such as social equity and environmental protection.
Oil drilling, coal mining, and renewable energy production all have real environmental consequences, which must be balanced against new or expanded protections for iconic landscapes; reinvested revenues into conservation; and clear mitigation and reclamation requirements.
Energy Security
Energy as a global public good requires many interdependent components, with diversified energy supplies being essential to mitigating supply disruptions, but renewable energies must also be developed in order to replace fossil fuels and lessen dependence on single suppliers.
RAND research explores a range of energy policies designed to meet these goals, such as encouraging the domestic use of renewable and alternative sources. We also study market developments’ effects on energy security; for instance, as more countries switch from coal to natural gas as they phase out carbon-intensive fossil fuels like coal, an increase in natural gas price spikes poses a threat that threatens their energy security.
Our analyses indicate that a country’s energy security risk can improve or decline rapidly from year to year, reflecting market instability. Therefore, when making comparisons between index values for different countries at any one point in time, care must be taken.
Environmental Protection
Environmental protection energy policies serve the public interest by ensuring our natural resources are used responsibly, without harming the environment. Such policies could include measures like encouraging renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
EPA continues its work to strengthen communities’ resiliency, health and economic vitality by engaging directly with local communities; improving internal coordination of community-based programs; and including community-focused approaches and analyses into regulatory actions while continuing our pursuit of environmental justice (EJ).
Many energy policy issues are complex and involve multiple priorities competing for attention. To create effective policies, an understanding of these competing concerns must be gained – for instance reducing air pollution while simultaneously encouraging economic development and maintaining competitiveness is a necessary balance to strike when formulating energy policy strategies.
Economic Growth
Economic growth is a complex concept with far-reaching effects on society. At its core, however, economic expansion seeks to increase supply by lowering prices for goods and services available to people at affordable costs – this may be accomplished via various strategies including the promotion of renewable energy sources such as wind power or solar panels or by regulating energy markets or through carbon pricing systems.
Energy policy makers face the difficult challenge of balancing competing priorities when crafting energy policies, including meeting the needs of multiple stakeholder groups such as individuals, businesses, environmentalists, and local governments.
Establishes programs to promote the use and development of renewable domestic energy resources by creating federal grant programs for low income home energy assistance, fuel cell public fleet pilot programs, and state incentive payments that encourage high efficiency fridges and freezers to be created. Furthermore, energy efficiency standards must also be applied to public housing as well as assisted housing units, with percentage guidelines provided to increase mandatory State purchases of renewable energy.
Energy Infrastructure
Energy sector services provide essential functions that enable economic development. From warming buildings, cooking food, moving cars and providing information flows – they all play an integral role.
Governments must prioritize sustainable and affordable energy solutions while considering their impact on the environment, public health and economic development. This may involve strategies such as encouraging renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power or energy efficiency improvements and carbon pricing schemes.
Energy policies are also affected by international considerations, including global energy markets and climate change agreements. USAID takes an integrative approach to energy infrastructure development by helping nations increase energy independence and resilience, enhance financial performance and create more cost-efficient and clean power systems. Learn more about what we do before scheduling a no-cost preapplication consultation to see how we can support your energy project.