Energy and Environment

Energy policy is a national priority. Lawmakers should implement a long-term energy plan that allows free markets to balance supply and demand, ensures reliable and competitively priced energy for the future, and creates incentives for responsible stewardship of the nation's resources and environment.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • New Documentary: Powering America New Documentary: Powering America

    Is nuclear energy safe? Can it really meet all of our energy needs? Powering America answers these questions and more by pulling back the veil on nuclear energy and follows the men and women who work in America's nuclear power industry. Read More.

  • Energy and Environment Policy in 2012 Elections Energy and Environment Policy in 2012 Elections

    Issues 2012 provides candidates for elected office the ability to quickly identify the key issues of the day and present clear policy recommendations, supported by facts, for addressing them. Read More.

  • Red Tape Rising: The Cost of Federal Regulations Red Tape Rising: The Cost of Federal Regulations

    The burden of regulation on Americans increased at an alarming rate in fiscal year 2010. Based on data from the Government Accountability Office, an unprecedented 43 major new regulations were imposed by Washington. Read More.

  • Meeting America’s Energy and Environmental Needs Meeting America’s Energy and Environmental Needs

    America needs an energy policy that promotes environmental sustainability and economic growth. Yet many Members of Congress and the Administration are promoting policies and promulgating regulations that centralize power in Washington. Read More.

Our Research & Offerings on Energy and Environment
Find more work on Energy and Environment
Find more work on Energy and Environment
  • Legal Memorandum posted May 8, 2012 by Paul Larkin The FOCUS Act and Environmentalism

    Abstract: With regard to the Lacey Act, The Heritage Foundation and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) can agree on one point: The act should be enforced through the civil justice system or the administrative process. In a recent paper, however, the UCS has…

  • Backgrounder posted April 9, 2012 by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D., James Phillips, Michaela Bendikova Thinking the Unthinkable: Modeling a Collapse of Saudi Oil Production

    Abstract: If an “Arab Spring” uprising completely disrupted Saudi oil production, the U.S. and the global economy would face a massive economic and strategic crisis. Russia and Iran as oil-producing states would likely exploit the crisis to increase their power around the world while…

  • Backgrounder posted March 23, 2012 by Nicolas Loris Department of Energy Budget Cuts: Time to End the Hidden Green Stimulus

    Abstract: Government spending has been spiraling upward—and spending by nearly all government agencies can, and should, be cut. President Obama has just submitted his 2013 budget request to Congress, providing fertile ground for spending cuts.The Department of Energy (DOE), with its many research, development,…

  • Issue Brief posted March 23, 2012 by Jack Spencer Whitfield Stands Up to EPA for Lower Gas Prices

    Congressman Ed Whitfield (R–KY) released legislation yesterday that would force the Obama Administration to reveal how its environmental regulations impact gasoline prices. Specifically, the Gasoline Regulations Act of 2012[1] would create a Transportation Fuels Regulatory Committee consisting of officials from the Departments of Energy,…

  • Backgrounder posted March 5, 2012 by Jack Spencer, Cornelius Milmoe Obama Administration: No Confidence in Nuclear Energy

    Abstract: A major public concern about nuclear reactors has been that the spent nuclear fuel could remain stranded at the reactor site indefinitely. In the 1970s, courts prohibited the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from licensing new reactors unless it assured the public that the waste…

  • Issue Brief posted February 23, 2012 by Nicolas Loris High Gas Prices: Obama's Half-Truths vs. Reality

    FYI: Heritage WebMemos are now called Issue Briefs. The national average for gas prices is almost $3.60 per gallon, increasing 40 cents from a year ago and jumping 20 cents from just one…

  • WebMemo posted January 25, 2012 by Nicolas Loris Keystone a Key Ingredient Missing from Obama’s Economic Recovery Recipe

    President Obama’s State of the Union address laid out his long-term economic recovery plans, which he claims will “work for everyone, not just a wealthy few.” That is, unless it is the pipeline construction business. President Obama’s politically intoned decision to reject TransCanada’s permit application to construct a 1,700-mile pipeline…

  • WebMemo posted January 17, 2012 by Nicolas Loris Two Cheers for Ethanol Subsidies Expiring—but Costly Mandate Remains

    Two federal policies expired at the close of the year: the federal tax credit for blending ethanol into gasoline and a 54 cent-per-gallon tariff on imported ethanol. A diverse group of fiscal watchdogs, environmentalists, and free-trade proponents all hailed this as a major victory. While the tax credit and tariff…

  • Backgrounder posted December 13, 2011 by Nicolas Loris Unnecessary Keystone XL Pipeline Delay Obstructs Energy, Jobs

    Abstract: The Obama Administration has announced that it will delay the decision to approve or reject construction of the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline until after the presidential elections in 2012. The pipeline would carry oil from Canada…

  • WebMemo posted December 13, 2011 by Jack Spencer, Romina Boccia POWER Act: Doubling Down on Bad Energy Policy

    The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 2360, the Providing for Our Workforce and Energy Resources (POWER) Act, which according to its sponsor, Representative Jeff Landry (R–LA), would “close a loophole in existing law that allows offshore renewable energy resources to be installed and serviced by foreign workers.”…

Find more work on Energy and Environment
Find more work on Energy and Environment