It is difficult – and perhaps even impossible – to overstate the relationship between readily available access to safe, affordable and reliable energy and individual prosperity and economic wellbeing. This is because energy is an input to virtually everything we produce, consume and enjoy in society.

Think for a minute about the computer or tablet you are currently using to visit this website. Energy was needed in vast quantities in order to harvest the silica, petrochemicals, metals and other raw materials that make up your computer. Energy was needed again to turn these raw materials into something useful, such as computer chips, plastics and glass. Even more energy was needed to ship your computer to a retailer or directly to you. Finally, after years of use (which, of course, required plenty of electricity), energy is once again needed to recycle or dispose of your computer.

We, as Americans, take energy for granted. We expect computer manufacturers to continue producing devices without interruption. Similarly, when we routinely flip a switch, we expect the lights to come on without fail. It is perhaps only when the power goes out that we even think about where electricity comes from and the complex process by which it is delivered to us.

Because energy is so ubiquitous to our lives, it is critical that lawmakers implement market-oriented energy policies that allow energy to be produced more efficiently at lower costs with fewer economic disruptions and lower environmental impacts. If a state or federal government imposes overly onerous regulations or adopts policies that drive up energy costs, the effects will soon be felt throughout the entire economy. Food, medicine and other household goods will become more expensive almost immediately, disproportionately affecting those with low and fixed incomes.