Lott, Dorgan, Jones, Reilly form Bipartisan Policy Center Energy Project
In Washington, former Senators Trent Lott (R-MS) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND), former National Security Advisor General Jim Jones (Ret.) and former EPA Administrator William K. Reilly announced they will lead the new Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Energy Project with a focus on key national energy policy issues, including energy security, supply, reliability, cost and sustainability. The group today also released an Open Letter to the American People and America’s Leaders: A New Era for U.S. Energy Security. In the Open Letter, the leaders noted:
“Undefined political terminology colors and distorts our national discourse on energy security. Terms such as “energy independence” and “oil addiction” are frequently used without any clear, defined meaning. Goals such “reducing oil imports from the volatile Middle East” ignore the reality that oil is a global commodity—supply disruptions and price shocks in any part of the world will drive up the price of oil in the U.S. and harm our economy. Such vague terms and undefined goals capture the public’s sense of insecurity but offer little direction in our pursuit of improved security.
The Chairmen announced that the project will add a bipartisan group of 10 to 12 additional members, to be named within weeks, from the highest ranks of industry and energy policy experts. The BPC Energy Project will issue periodic reports on key issues over 2011 and 2012.
Category: Policy
