A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment

"Hakes argues persuasively that the United States can end its damaging dependence on foreign oil. He tells the story of failures and surprising successes in federal energy policies of the last forty years, and where we need to go in the future. Both a careful scholar and a realistic veteran of state and federal government, Hakes has written an important book that provides workable solutions to our nation′s energy problems."
Former President Jimmy Carter

In response to the oil crises of the 1970s, America developed a bipartisan energy policy that made us safer, greener, and far less dependent on foreign oil. It was so successful that American oil imports fell by fifty percent and greenhouse gas emissions dropped nine percent in just five years. How was this possible, and how can we do it again?

A Declaration of Energy Independence written by one of the country′s top energy experts outlines seven economically and politically viable paths to energy independence. It also answers the questions many Americans have been asking:

How can we break the links between oil consumption, terrorism, and the war in Iraq? Will it wreck our economy if we deal with the tough issues of energy? Which new technologies can help get us out of our current energy predicaments? What kind of a president do we need to lead us to a better energy future? Should we be pessimistic or optimistic about our energy prospects?

"This book and its message are long overdue."
Former President Jimmy Carter

Introduction : Why Energy Independence Matters More Than Iraq 1

PART ONE: The Problem of America s Energy Dependence 11

Chapter 1: America s Plunge into Reliance on Foreign Oil 13

Chapter 2: A Forgotten Victory Gives Hope: How America Solved Its Last Energy Crisis and Cut Oil Imports in Half 41

Chapter 3: Lapsing Back into Oil Addiction: Retreating from Battle under Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush 71

Chapter 4: Blood and Treasure: The Heavy Cost of Dependence on Middle East Oil 89

Chapter 5: Fossil Fuels and Global Warming: A Dangerous Experiment with the Planet 103

Chapter 6: The Magic and Limits of Market–Based Solutions 121

Chapter 7: Seeing through the Ideological Blinders (of the Right and the Left) 133

PART TWO: Seven Economically and Politically Viable Paths to Energy Independence 143

Chapter 8: Solution One: Store Massive Emergency Reserves 145

Chapter 9: Solution Two: Drive the Car of the Future 157

Chapter 10: Solution Three: Bring Alternative Fuels to Market 173

Chapter 11: Solution Four: Plug into an Electric Future 181

Chapter 12: Solution Five: Adopt Energy Taxes Liberals and Conservatives Can Like 191

Chapter 13: Solution Six: Make Energy Conservation a Patriotic Duty 203

Chapter 14: Solution Seven: Throw Some Hail Marys 213

PART THREE: Securing Our National Future 221

Chapter 15: What We Need from National Leaders (and from Voters) 223

Acknowledgments 231

Notes 233

Index 243