The First 100 Days for the Next President: An Energy Plan

A $200 billion pool to finance and drive private investment in carbon-free energy infrastructure is one cornerstone of a comprehensive action plan that the next U.S. president should implement in his first 100 days to secure America’s energy supplies, the Council on Competitiveness said in a report [PDF] issued today.

A “clean energy bank,” modeled after the U.S. Export/Import Bank, would provide financing for the development of energy solutions that avoid, reduce or sequester carbon as well as supporting infrastructure. Among the options: nuclear, renewable and biofuels.

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and chair of the Council’s Energy Security, Innovation and Sustainability Initiative, said jumpstarting energy infrastructure investments is the “unaddressed element to date to transforming our energy sector.” Absent the investment stimulus needed to build nuclear power plants, renewable projects and infrastructure such as a “smart” electric grid, U.S. energy policy will continue to languish, Jackson said.

“Energy has garnered great focus recently, but focus must become action. Our next president must send a clear signal in the first 100 days that will send us on a journey from rhetoric to reality,” Jackson said.

The Council’s 100-day plan includes measures such as mandating energy efficiency within the federal government, expanding the full suite of energy sources, incenting innovation in the energy and sustainability marketplace and mobilizing a world-class energy workforce.

The Council, backed by a who’s-who list of advisors from academia, research, energy, labor and business, will release its comprehensive energy security and sustainability report next spring.

Video of Dr. Jackson's appearance at the National Press Club can be seen here.

Guest post by Scott Peterson.