Presidential Candidates Urged to Discuss Questions Key to U.S. Energy Security and Competitiveness

WASHINGTON—As the 2008 presidential campaign shifts to the general election, a coalition of business, labor and university leaders dedicated to boosting American economic growth and prosperity have renewed their call for the presidential candidates to discuss how each would advance a comprehensive strategy for global energy security, productivity and sustainability. The effort is a part of the Council on Competitiveness initiative on Energy Security, Innovation & Sustainability (ESIS).

Though finding solutions to the energy challenge is fundamental to the economic and national security of the United States, ESIS leaders noted that, during the campaign to date, there has not been a commensurate intensive focus on a comprehensive energy policy. If the United States is to remain competitive, we know that we must secure access to adequate energy supplies, increase the nation’s energy productivity, maximize the economic value of each unit of energy consumed, and minimize the environmental impact of energy choices. Yet there has been comparatively little discussion about the role of government in creating the environment for progress toward global energy security. Likewise, there has been limited debate about how to create the conditions necessary to stimulate innovation in the energy arena, nor about how to ensure an energy workforce adequate to meet the needs of the 21st century.

ESIS leaders have urged a focus on three key questions for the presidential candidates:

• As president, what will be the first steps you will take to advance a comprehensive energy security and sustainability strategy for the United States?
• What federal policies would you put into place to create the conditions necessary to stimulate U.S. energy innovation, including enhancing energy productivity to get the maximum economic value out of each unit of energy consumed?
• What steps would you take to ensure that the United States has the energy workforce necessary for the 21st century?

As ESIS leaders point out, energy security cannot be achieved without a comprehensive national strategy. This certainly includes reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil, but an energy strategy must encompass more. Redundancy of supply and diversity of source are essential if the United States is not to be overly dependent on any one energy source or supplier in the marketplace. The match-up of appropriate energy source to sector of use must be optimized—whether supplying energy to heat homes, transport goods, light cities or power business enterprises. Each of these elements must be supported by innovation: technological innovation, policy innovation and innovative global collaboration.

Recognizing the urgency of the 21st century energy challenge, the Council launched the ESIS Initiative in 2007. The Initiative provides a private-sector-led forum to drive sustainable energy solutions and to enhance U.S. energy security and global competitiveness.

The ESIS Initiative co-chairs are James Owens, chairman & CEO of Caterpillar Inc., Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Michael Langford, national president of the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO. Deborah Wince-Smith is president of the Council on Competitiveness. In February they released the first report, Define. The Energy–Competitiveness Relationship, based on a dialogue among leaders from business, labor, and academia. Each of the co-chairs have added their perspective on the urgency of the energy security challenge:

James Owens, chairman & CEO of Caterpillar: “The private sector recognizes the opportunities and challenges presented by current energy use, and we’re moving to secure the benefits of a new energy future today.”

Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: “We cannot just drill our way out of this problem, we must innovate our way out. The exponential demand for energy worldwide—and the link to climate change—presents extraordinary geopolitical challenges and offers extraordinary economic opportunities, magnifying the need for a comprehensive energy roadmap. This nation has a tremendous capacity to rise to great challenges, but it will require strong national leadership to spark a new generation of innovation to put us on the pathway to global energy security and sustainability.”

Michael Langford, national president of the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO: “America’s workforce is the critical underpinning of our energy system. Our investments in technology and infrastructure must be matched by investments in training and education.”

And, from Deborah Wince-Smith, president of the Council: “Energy is the cornerstone of U.S. productivity and global competitiveness—and this has not been adequately articulated in the presidential campaign thus far, even though this will be one of the central challenges the next administration must face.”

********** 

For Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Jim Owens contact: Kate Kenny, Media Representative, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 309-636-5253.

For Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson contact: Theresa Bourgeois, Assistant to the President for Media and Public Relations, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 518-276-2840.

For Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO President Michael Langford contact: Rosanna Farley, Secretary to the President, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 202-974-8206.