Energy
Key Points
- The free market should be the principal determinant of which energy technologies reach the marketplace.
- Government programs designed to encourage and advance energy technologies should not reduce energy choices or supply. They should not limit the production of electricity, for example, to only politically preferable technologies.
- North America has extremely large reserves of fossil fuels. Access to these resources should be expanded to provide the U.S. with low-cost and reliable energy. Barriers limiting the use of and access to public lands should be removed.
- Energy security requires a diverse set of fuels to meet the demands of different geographic regions and different energy supplies.
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.
Model Policies
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Act to Create a Feasibility Study on New Nuclear Energy Generation Final
(1) The commission shall engage an outside consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study on nuclear energy generation in this state. (2) The feasibility study shall consider all of the following: (a) The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy generation in this state, including, but not limited to,…
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Act to Establish a Study on the Commercial Application of Existing Technology to Reclaim and Repurpose Nuclear Fuel Rods Final
TO CREATE A STUDY ON THE COMMERCIAL APPLICATION OF EXISTING TECHNOLOGY TO RECLAIM AND REPURPOSE SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL RODS. (a) The House Committee on ____ and the Senate Committee on _____ shall meet jointly to conduct a study on the commercial application of existing technology to reclaim and repurpose spent…
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Amendments to Resolution Opposing Securities and Exchange Commission and White House Mandates and Other Forms of Coercion on Climate-Related Financial Matters Draft
WHEREAS, the White House has repeatedly taken actions to restrict the United States energy supply, including revoking the Keystone XL pipeline permit, and freezing oil and gas leases; and WHEREAS, in May 2021, the White House issued an Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk, directing a suite of federal agencies to develop and…
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Electric Generation Facility Closures and Reliability Act Final
Section 1: The [name of state] finds that: American families and American industries depend on reliable and affordable electricity for everything they do, from lifesaving medical equipment to lifesaving building climate control; electricity demand must be met with electricity supply within minutes, or else interruptions of service result; 240 coal…
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Resolution Urging States to Establish Electric Vehicle Charging Stations as a Competitive Market Free From Utility Commission Regulation Final
Model Resolution WHEREAS, in most states electric utilities hold monopoly territories for the direct sale of electricity to electric consumers; and WHEREAS, that monopoly status could prevent alternative suppliers from providing charging services, thus limiting the availability of charging stations; and WHEREAS, plug in electric vehicles need 4 times fewer…
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Safeguarding Greenhouse Gas Regulatory Authority Act Final
Model Policy A bill to be entitled An act relating to greenhouse gas emissions; providing a definition; prohibiting the adoption and enforcement of certain state and regional programs to regulate greenhouse gas emissions without specific legislative authorization; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature…
Press Releases
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New Report Finds Government Regulations Driving State Energy Costs Higher
Arlington, Va. (Sept. 29, 2022) – Today, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released its Energy Affordability Report – 2nd Edition, which provides a snapshot of both electricity and gasoline…
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New ALEC Report Analyzes Electricity Prices Across States
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alexis Jarrett Email: [email protected] New ALEC Report Analyzes Electricity Prices Across States State energy policies can help or hurt…
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ALEC Urges President and Federal Government to Consult with States on Energy Resources and Public Lands
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kaitlyn Buss Phone: 202-742-8526 Email: [email protected] ALEC Urges President and Federal Government to Consult with States on Energy Resources and Public Lands…
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ALEC Disapproves of President Obama’s Decision on Keystone XL Pipeline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kaitlyn Buss Phone: 202-742-8526 Email: [email protected] ALEC Disapproves of President Obama’s Decision on Keystone XL Pipeline Washington, D.C. (January 18, 2011)…