Energy Policy in the transition to power

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's (USCC) Institute for 21st Century Energy today announced a "Transition Plan for Securing America's Energy Future," an energy policy roadmap with 88 concrete recommendations and detailed timelines for President-elect Barack Obama and the 111th Congress.

In order to implement a new energy strategy, the Institute recommends that President-elect Obama create a new office within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate the implementation of all aspects of energy policy, both foreign and domestic. The head of this office would have a seat on the National Economic Council and National Security Council.

According to the USCC press release, the transition plan builds on 13 fundamental pillars that the Institute released in July in an "Open Letter" to the next President and Congress that was signed by 27 national leaders and has received broad bipartisan support.

According to the Institute's plan, the 13 pillars include: aggressively promoting energy efficiency, improving environmental friendliness, increasing R&D funding, expanding domestic oil and gas exploration and production, increasing nuclear energy use, using clean coal, increasing renewable electricity sources, transforming our transportation sector, addressing the critical shortage of qualified energy professionals, reducing "burdensome regulations and opportunities for frivolous litigation, and demonstrating global leadership on energy security and climate change.

The Open Letter and Blueprint are available at www.energyxxi.org