Why Can’t the U.S. Have an Energy Policy?
Perhaps I should clarify what I mean when I write that the U.S. should have an energy policy; maybe an example would serve. Here’s one: Finland just announced their plan to phase out coal and retire it completely by 2025.
Can’t the U.S. do something similar? It’s not like we don’t have policies around here. We have policies that govern our policies. How hard would it be to say something like: “People are dropping like flies as a result of burning hydrocarbons, we’re empowering our enemies by buying oil from them, our utilities have no incentive to change what they’re doing, and we’re ruining our environment. And here’s what we’re going to do about it over the next 20 years.”
It doesn’t sound like an insurmountable challenge. I could write the outline in about 20 minutes.
And, btw, Finland, on behalf of all seven billion of us who share this tiny planet: Congratulations, and thank you.
I read the article and the links which it contained but was unable to determine what kind of renewable energy they had in find. Perhaps it was there and I just missed it, but if it was not there, it is indicative of very poor writing which, unfortunately, is not unusual.
If Finland has hydroelectric power in mind and has sufficient hydroelectric capability, they may be able to phase out coal completely. Otherwise, I strongly suspect that they will not be able to meet their goal by their stated date of 2025 and may be unable to meet it even by a later date.
The answers to your question are: (1) In the US policy is established in response to the wishes of the public. Each president establishes energy policies believed to be consistent with public wishes, with particular attention given to the wishes of those who support the President. The process of policy development in the US requires the public to be well informed on the alternatives and the costs and benefits of each. (2) There is a lack of agreement on what an energy policy should be for the long haul. Politics, the basis for all policy development, responds to short term rather than long term views. The political process results in policies that support all constituents to some degree and minimizes the probability of revolution. (3) I have considered in some detail all of the arguments for developing an alternative to oil. Global warming is the most compelling; however, the scientific community has not yet persuaded enough people that man’s impact on global warming is important and worthy of attention.