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Abstract:
The source of U.S. national security strength stems in large part from the nation's economic foundation; the ability to generate and exploit inexpensive energy underpins that strength. Therefore, the United States has a vital interest in ensuring the viability and stability of the global energy system and securing its energy security. This Industrial College of the Armed Forces Energy Industry paper analyzes the energy sector and grapples with how to maintain U.S. energy security. The paper first identifies five themes observed and emphasized from several months of study, domestic and international travel, and discussions with energy industry leaders. The paper then breaks the energy sector into two segments for detailed industry status analysis based on import dependence: transportation (heavily dependent on imports), and electricity production (mostly self-sufficient). After review of both segments, the paper concludes with the following four major policy recommendations: 1.) Price the use of fossil fuels to include externalities such as defending the energy industry, economic drain and environmental impact; 2.) Develop and foster solid working relationships with nations that broaden our energy portfolio to maintain diversity of source; 3.) Increase the U.S. global leadership role in advancing responsible energy use to help decrease global energy demand in the short term; and 4.) Develop and promulgate a national energy strategy to reduce domestic demand, champion conservation, and reduce barriers to domestic energy production of both traditional and alternative power. The paper concludes with three essays that spotlight significant areas of interest: Carbon Capture and Sequestration, Water and Energy, and Labor Shortages in Energy Fields.
| Limitations: |
 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE |
| Pages: |
36 |
| Report Date: |
01-Jan-2008 |
| Report Number: |
A326784 |
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