The US National Energy Policy

Suhas Vemuri

History
Colonial Era Free Use of Timber Early 19th Century Emphasis turns to Coal for Transport, Heating & Industry

1840s- Introduction of Coal & Natural Gas as energy source 1940s Oil consumption exceeds Coal

1950s Oil Imports added as a priority in the US Budget

1960s US identifies hydroelectricity as major alternative. Starts subsidies. 1973 US reaches its peak Natural gas production and prices increase significantly 1977 President Carter creates the US Department of Energy 1989 The Idea of Energy Independence is introduced to reduce dependence on Oil imports and to improve self sufficiency

Energy Independence
1973 Oil Crisis cripples the US Economy temporarily US starts plans for Energy conservation innovations Several Laws are introduced to reduce fuel consumption National Energy Act is introduced in 1978

- Energy Tax Act - Public Utility Regulation Act - Energy Conservation Act
Grants & Subsidies are announced for alternative energy projects

Energy Consumption

Energy Efficiency
The United States Government has been driving innovations in improving energy efficiency by continuously supporting and funding startups in the field under President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Efficient Water Heaters

Improved refrigerators

Improved HVAC Systems

Advanced Building Control Technologies Mandatory Smart Windows Vice President Joe Biden Announced a $3.2 B investment in energy efficiency and energy conservation projects

Budget
In the 2012 Budget, Pres. Obama announced

a 70% increase in allocation for R&D in renewable Energy

$2B for Office of Science in Dept. Of Energy for R&D in basic resources

$457 million for Solar energy

$341 million for Biofuels and Biomass R&D $102 million for Geothermal

General Legislative Policy

Pres. Obamas administration with Dr. Steven Chu as Head of Dept. Of Energy announced their motto in Energy Policy

The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure Americas security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

To encourage innovation the United States Patent and Trademark Office announced the Green Patent Pilot Program to accelerate the examination of patent applications relating to certain green technologies to encourage development of green technology, including in the energy sector. They also came up with huge incentives for such patents. Three Energy Policy Acts have been passed, in 1992, 2005, and 2007, which include many provisions for conservation, such as the Energy Star program, and energy development, with grants and tax incentives for both renewable energy and nonrenewable energy.

According to Wikipedia.com, Several mandates have been proposed over the years, such as gasoline will never exceed
$1.00/gallon (Nixon), and the United States will never again import as much oil as it did in 1977 (Carter), but no comprehensive long-term energy policy has been proposed

According to energycollective.com The more time without a plan, the more time wasted and from a competition-based
vantage, the more time competitors gain ground over the USs lack of coherence

According to mnn.com

A consistent and sustainable national energy policy would provide the surest path
for all energy providers toward meeting our energy needs, reducing our impact on the environment and maintaining a high quality of life for ourselves and the next generation

Sources
www.wikipedia.com http://www.reddit.com/r/RenewableEnergy www.energy.gov http://www.pewenvironment.org

http://infogr.am/
Your Move https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/require-all-new-buildings-constructedusa-starting-2018-have-solar-roof/mspH2L6c