From "Drive. Private Sector Demand for Sustainable Energy Solutions."

Energy is Everything—it is the lifeblood of our economy. America’s competitiveness cannot be separated from the issues surrounding energy—how efficiently we use it, how many billions of dollars we send abroad for it and how well we steward it domestically. Nothing will impact American competitiveness more than the development of sustainable energy products and services—an industry with the potential to create millions of new American jobs in the 21st century.

Rebound: Three Essentials to Get the Economy Back on Track, is the Council on Competitiveness’ stimulus action plan. It was crafted by leaders that only the Council brings to the table together—CEOs, labor leaders, and university presidents. Because of this, Rebound is getting strong traction on the policy side. The stimulus package released in January by the Democratic leadership in Congress reflects many recommendations put forth by the Council on Competitiveness.

Among these are: bonus depreciation, accelerated expensing for small businesses, $6.2 billion for low-income families to weatherize their homes and $300 million for rebates for energy star purchases. This is extremely encouraging.

As we step into the 21st century, technology complexity and interdependence are increasing the risks for companies and countries alike. Extended and interdependent energy, transportation, information and communications networks can quickly magnify the impact of single point failure —whether triggered by attack or accident. Operational risks were once thought to be a back office concern and trivial in comparison to market and credit risks, but they are becoming “bet-thecompany” risks that merit far more attention.

The Council on Competitiveness was founded in 1986 during a period of great anxiety about American competitiveness. The United States was losing market shares to international competitors, facing stagnant productivity growth, and suffering from high unemployment and inflation. Two dozen industry, university and labor leaders came together to elevate competitiveness as a national priority and to tackle those economic challenges.

The Council’s mission is just as relevant today as it was 22 years ago. We are now in a new era that will be shaped by turbulence, transition and transformation. Seismic shifts are dramatically altering the world’s competitive landscape and the ecosystems that drive growth and prosperity.