Electric utilities are constructing expensive and inefficient solar plants because of subsidies and mandates from federal and state governments. The subsidies are not free–they come from the American taxpayer. And once the subsidies expire, consumers will pay higher electricity rates. So, either as taxpayers or as consumers, the American public is paying for these facilities. [...]

As energy secretary Steven Chu continues his trip through the Middle East to “discuss a range of energy issues, including energy security,” we ask: What else could have been accomplished by a quick trip to Canada, the U.S.’s largest energy importer and exporter?
Washington, DC – As U.S. secretary of energy Steven Chu continues his [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2009
CONTACT:
Laura Henderson 202.621.2951
Obama Motors: Costly, Bureaucratic, and Pointless
WASHINGTON—In response to President Obama’s newly introduced mile-per-gallon fuel mandate, Institute for Energy Research President Thomas J. Pyle issued the following statement:
“It is overwhelming to consider the ways this new mandate will harm the American economy. This stealth energy tax will significantly increase [...]

PDF version (174 KB)
Last December, California released a draft low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) which calls for a 10.5 percent reduction in the carbon intensity of gasoline and a 10 percent reduction for diesel. Following California’s lead, representatives of 11 Northeastern states recently signed an agreement to pursue a region-wide low-carbon fuel standard.
The proponents of [...]

Synopsis (104KB)
Introduction
Energy is the lifeblood of our economy. The United States, with less than 5% of the world’s population, uses about 25% of the world’s energy and creates nearly 30% of the world’s economic input. The productivity gained from U.S. energy consumption is a major contributor not only to our quality of life, [...]

Synopsis (104KB)

Complete Analysis (60KB)
The following comparison of Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s energy and environmental plans comes from the statements of their plans on their official web sites. The text first indicates what the respective plans say on each topic, and then provides IER’s analysis of each topic within the program.
Table of Contents

CAFE
Advanced Vehicle R&D
Electricity [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2008
CONTACT
Brian Kennedy (202) 434-8200
‘Gang of Ten’ Plan Attracts Flies
Despite fatal flaws, support for ‘New Era’ plan grows as election looms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thomas Pyle, president of the Institute for Energy Research (IER), issued the following statement today in response to the recent expansion of support for an energy proposal crafted by [...]