Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future

by the Obama Administration

Demand for oil in countries like China and India is growing, and the price of oil will continue to rise with it. We need to make America more secure and control our energy future by harnessing all of the resources that we have available and embracing a diverse energy portfolio. Beyond our efforts to reduce our dependence on oil, we must focus on expanding cleaner sources of electricity, including renewables like wind and solar, as well as clean coal, natural gas, and nuclear power–keeping America on the cutting edge of clean energy technology so that we can build a 21st century clean energy economy and win the future.

To help reach these goals, the Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future outlines a three-part strategy:

Develop and Secure America’s Energy Supplies: Deploy American assets, innovation, and technology so that we can safely and responsibly develop more energy domestically and be a leader in the global energy economy.

• Expand Safe and Responsible Domestic Oil and Gas Development and ProductionEnsure that oil and gas production is safe, responsible and efficient. Continue reforms to environmental standards for and oversight of domestic exploration. Encourage domestic exploration, development, and production of oil and gas. Explore new opportunities for production and new ways to safely utilize domestic assets.
• Lead the World Towards Safer and More Secure Energy SuppliesReduce oil demand and increase reliable supplies of oil internationally. Diversify fuel mix in US vehicle fleet. Moderate global oil demand and secure additional supplies of liquid fuels. Build a new international framework for nuclear energy.

Provide Consumers With Choices to Reduce Costs and Save Energy: Volatile gasoline prices reinforce the need for innovation that will make it easier and more affordable for consumers to buy advanced and fuel-efficient vehicles, use alternative means of transportation, weatherize their homes and workplaces, and save money and protect the environment.

• Reduce Consumer Costs at the Pump with More Efficient Cars and TrucksInvest in advanced vehicle and fuel technologies, public transit, and high speed rail. Set ambitious fuel economy standards. Encourage the use of biofuels. Encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. Fund R & D into advanced vehicle and battery technologies.
• Cut Energy Bills with More Efficient Homes and BuildingsPass the HOMESTAR legislation to provide financing for home retrofits. Make commercial facilities 20% more efficient by 2020 through a “Better Buildings Initiative.”

Innovate our Way to a Clean Energy Future: Leading the world in clean energy is critical to strengthening the American economy and winning the future. We can get there by creating markets for innovative clean technologies that are ready to deploy, and by funding cutting-edge research to produce the next generation of technologies.

• Harness America’s Clean Energy PotentialAdopt a Clean Energy Standard (CES) that would require by 2035 that 80% of electricity comes from sources including wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, nuclear, natural gas, and clean coal. CES would utilize a market-based credit structure.Position the United States as a global leader in clean energy development and manufacturing. Advance policies that modernize the electric grid and ensure a safe and reliable power plant fleet.
• Win the Future Through Clean Energy Research and DevelopmentEliminate fossil fuel subsidies to help support clean energy. Expand ARPA-E. Double the number of DOE Energy Innovation Hubs. Deploy smart grid technologies. Ensure access to energy critical elements.
• Lead by Example: Clean Energy and the Federal GovernmentImprove the Federal government’s energy efficiency. Expand Federal government’s use of clean energy. Improve Federal government’s vehicle fleet fuel efficiency and make it entirely alternative fuel vehicles.