Energy policy of the United States
Compact fluorescent light bulb
The energy policy of the United States is
determined by federal, state and local public
entities in the United States, which address
issues of energy production, distribution, and
consumption, such as building codes and gas
mileage standards. Energy policy may in-
clude legislation, international treaties, sub-
sidies
and
incentives
to
investment,
guidelines for energy conservation, taxation
and other public policy techniques. Several
mandates have been proposed over the
years, such as gasoline will never exceed
$1.00/gallon (Nixon), and the United States
will never again import as much oil as it did
in 1977 (Carter),[1] but no comprehensive
long-term energy policy has been proposed,
although there has been concern over this
failure.[2] Three Energy Policy Acts have
been passed, in 1992, 2005, and 2007,[3]
which include many provisions for conserva-
tion, such as the Energy Star program, and
energy development, with grants and tax in-
centives for both renewable and non-renew-
able energy. State-specific energy-efficiency
incentive programs also play a significant
role in the overall energy policy of the United
States.[4] The United States had resisted en-
dorsing the Kyoto Protocol, preferring to let
the market drive CO2 reductions to mitigate
global warming, which will require CO2 emis-
sion taxation. The administration of Barack
Obama has proposed an aggressive energy
policy reform, including the need for a reduc-
tion of CO2 emissions, with a cap and trade
program, which could help encourage more
clean
renewable,
sustainable
energy
development.
The development of renewable energy and
energy efficiency marks "a new era of energy
exploration" in the United States, according
to President Barack Obama. [5]
History
In the Colonial era the energy policy of the
United States was for free use of standing
timber for heating and industry. In the 19th
century, it was access to coal and its use for
transport, heating and industry. Whales were
rendered into