A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment

A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment

by Jay Hakes
A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment

A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment

by Jay Hakes

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Overview

Between rising oil prices, global instability, and environmental deg-radation, most Americans acknowl-edge the need for energy independence. Yet our political dialogue tends to focus more on rhetoric than substance, leaving citizens scratching their heads about what they and the country can do to break free from energy dependence.

A Declaration of Energy Independence takes a nonpartisan, honest approach to energy issues and answers fundamental questions like whether the price of oil will ever go down; whether global warming is a real threat; and whether ethanol and other biofuels make sense in the long run.

As the former head of the Energy Information Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy, author Jay Hakes had an exclusive, inside look at America'senergy problems. Now, combining un-disputed facts and solid science with historical and political context, Hakes offershis expert insight on the situation and presents viable solutions for a more stable political, economic, and military future for America.

America's addiction to oil isn't just a pocketbook problem; in fact, it represents a grave security threat with even greater long-term consequences than the Iraq War. Far beyond the rising price of gas, our oil addiction puts dollars in the hands of foreign despots and funds international terrorism. In addition, any severe disrup-tion in the flow of oil can leave our military virtually crippled and unable to respond to crises around the world.

America can break out of the energy trap if we approach the issue honestly, intelligently, and with the political will to create a better future. A Declaration of Energy Independence offers a real-world look—without the ideological blinders of the right and the left—at how we got into this mess and, more importantly, provides effective solutions to get us out of it.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780470419496
Publisher: Wiley
Publication date: 06/30/2008
Sold by: JOHN WILEY & SONS
Format: eBook
Pages: 260
File size: 549 KB

About the Author

Jay Hakes was head of the Energy Information Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy from 1993 to 2000, where he oversaw the collec-tion and dissemination of America's official energy data and analysis. He has given testimony before congressional committees on more than twenty-five occasions and is currently head of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta.

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Table of Contents

Introduction : Why Energy Independence Matters More Than Iraq 1

PART ONE: The Problem of America’s Energy Dependence 11

Chapter 1: America’s Plunge into Reliance on Foreign Oil 13

Chapter 2: A Forgotten Victory Gives Hope: How America Solved Its Last Energy Crisis and Cut Oil Imports in Half 41

Chapter 3: Lapsing Back into Oil Addiction: Retreating from Battle under Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush 71

Chapter 4: Blood and Treasure: The Heavy Cost of Dependence on Middle East Oil 89

Chapter 5: Fossil Fuels and Global Warming: A Dangerous Experiment with the Planet 103

Chapter 6: The Magic and Limits of Market-Based Solutions 121

Chapter 7: Seeing through the Ideological Blinders (of the Right and the Left) 133

PART TWO: Seven Economically and Politically Viable Paths to Energy Independence 143

Chapter 8: Solution One: Store Massive Emergency Reserves 145

Chapter 9: Solution Two: Drive the Car of the Future 157

Chapter 10: Solution Three: Bring Alternative Fuels to Market 173

Chapter 11: Solution Four: Plug into an Electric Future 181

Chapter 12: Solution Five: Adopt Energy Taxes Liberals and Conservatives Can Like 191

Chapter 13: Solution Six: Make Energy Conservation a Patriotic Duty 203

Chapter 14: Solution Seven: Throw Some “Hail Marys” 213

PART THREE: Securing Our National Future 221

Chapter 15: What We Need from National Leaders (and from Voters) 223

Acknowledgments 231

Notes 233

Index 243

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