Energy Security, Innovation & Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities

ISSUE: Energy Security and Sustainability

The economic competitiveness and national security of the United States require a comprehensive strategy to increase energy security in a sustainable manner. Developing and executing this strategy will require national leadership and public-private investment. This is a complex problem requiring comprehensive, collaborative solutions. We must use energy more efficiently and ensure redundancy of supply and diversity of source. The private sector is looking to the government to establish policies to accelerate and support this transition.

• As President, what will be the first steps you will take to advance a comprehensive American energy security and sustainability strategy?

ISSUE: Energy Innovation

Technological innovation is essential to meet our future energy needs. Advanced energy technologies, products and services will lead to the creation of new markets, industries and jobs in the United States. Other nations are outpacing us, investing in energy innovation, and winning increasing shares of existing and emerging global energy markets. The seeds of innovation are sown by basic research, and yet U.S. investment in energy R&D has fallen off sharply since the 1970’s. We need coherent, consistent national policies, and increased R&D to stimulate energy innovation and the economy. 

• What federal policies would you put in place to create the conditions necessary to stimulate energy innovation, including enhancing energy productivity to get the maximum economic value out of each unit of energy consumed?

ISSUE: Energy Workforce Development

U.S. energy security depends on a talented, creative and skilled workforce – one capable of meeting current and future needs. The average American oil and gas worker is now 50 years old, and half of the electric power industry workforce will retire in the next five to ten years, threatening a severe workforce shortage in these vital energy industries. We are also not training enough new workers – the science, math and engineering graduates needed to sustain technological leadership. As a nation, it is essential that we attract, engage and retain a new generation of workers in the energy field.

• What steps would you take to ensure we have the energy workforce we need for the 21st century?