Center for Strategic & International Peace. January 3, 2013.
U.S. “independence” from energy imports has been a key source of political dispute ever since the October War in 1973 and the Arab oil embargo that followed. Much of this debate has ignored or misstated the nature of the data available on what the U.S. options are, as well as the uncertainties involved in making any long range projections. This situation has become more critical during the last year as it becomes increasingly apparent that the U.S. has far more commercially exploitable oil and gas reserves than most previous estimates have indicated. Some estimates go so far as to project the U.S. could actually become an energy exporter in the future. [Note: contains copyrighted material].
http://csis.org/files/publication/130103_us_energy_independence_report.pdf [PDF format, 15 pages].
Strategic Studies Institute. November 2012.
The relationship between energy and security has been receiving increasing attention over the last few years. Energy literally drives the global economy. Societies rely on it for everything from advanced medical equipment to heating, cooling, and irrigation. Whether it derives from advanced nuclear reactors in developed nations or simple woodstoves in the developing world, energy is recognized as vital to human welfare. It influences our economic, political, and social policies. Possessing or not possessing sufficient energy determines a state’s political and economic power. Competition for energy has been, is, and will be a source of conflict. The choices nation-states make when it comes to energy will have a profound bearing on a wide range of security concerns, from nuclear proliferation to climate change.
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/download.cfm?q=1133 [PDF format, 319 pages].
Congressional Research Service. November 8, 2012.
Energy policy in the United States has focused on three major goals: assuring a secure supply of energy, keeping energy costs low, and protecting the environment. In pursuit of those goals, government programs have been developed to improve the efficiency with which energy is utilized, to promote the domestic production of conventional energy sources, and to develop new energy sources, particularly renewable sources. Implementing these programs has been controversial because of varying importance given to different aspects of energy policy.
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/201048.pdf [PDF format, 12 pages].
Congressional Research Service. November 14, 2012.
The use of biomass as an energy feedstock is emerging as a potentially viable alternative to address U.S. energy security concerns, foreign oil dependence, rural economic development, and diminishing sources of conventional energy. Biomass (organic matter that can be converted into energy) may include food crops, crops for energy (e.g., switchgrass or prairie perennials), crop residues, wood waste and byproducts, and animal manure. Most legislation involving biomass has focused on encouraging the production of liquid fuels from corn. Efforts to promote the use of biomass for power generation have focused on wood, wood residues, and milling waste.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40529.pdf [PDF format, 20 pages].
National Wildlife Federation. Fall 2012.
As America struggles to revitalize its economy, create jobs, secure an energy independent future, and protect our communities and wildlife from the dangers of climate change, one energy source offers a golden opportunity to power our homes and businesses without creating more pollution —– Atlantic offshore wind, the authors claim. America has made significant progress over the last two years in pursuing offshore wind energy, but leadership by the states and federal government is critically needed to build on this momentum to make the most of the golden energy opportunity sitting right off American shores. [Note: contains copyrighted material].
http://www.environmentamerica.org/sites/environment/files/reports/FINAL%20-%20NWF%20Turning%20Point%20report–%20lower%20res.pdf [PDF format, 56 pages].
