Energy Industry 2004

• Main Authors: Sullivan, Paul, Kramer, Steven, Mahoney, Bob, Ahern, Kevin, Allen, Richard, Altynbayev, Muslim, Dahl, Linda, Elkins, Harold, Garrison, Margie, Hill, David
• Other Authors: INDUSTRIAL COLL OF THE ARMED FORCES WASHINGTON DC
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2004
• Subjects: Economics and Cost Analysis; Government and Political Science; Electric Power Production and Distribution; Fuels; *POLICIES; *NATIONAL SECURITY; *UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT; *ENERGY; *ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION; *DEMAND(ECONOMICS); *ECONOMIC FORECASTING; TRANSPORTATION; MILITARY REQUIREMENTS; UNITED STATES; SYMPOSIA; INDUSTRIES; HYDROGEN; RESOURCE MANAGEMENT; NUCLEAR ENERGY; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; NORWAY; IRELAND; LEGISLATION; PETROLEUM PRODUCTS; COAL; NATURAL GAS; HYDROELECTRICITY; GEOTHERMY; IMPORTS; ICELAND; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; TREND ANALYSIS; RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES; ALTERNATIVE FUELS; ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE; ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY; ENERGY POLICY; ELECTRICITY DEREGULATION; GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; Norway; Iceland
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA435360; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA435360

Ensuring the security of America's energy resources is complicated due to U.S. dependence on foreign fuel sources, environmental and political obstacles within the United States, and a limited surge capability to counteract geopolitical realities. As U.S. domestic production of energy resources decreases, projected increases in economic growth will drive increases in energy demand that can currently only be met through imports. Also, inconsistent deregulation of the electricity industry has caused instability in the electric market that was highlighted by California's electricity crisis in 2000-2001. These realities make policies -- those that promote diversity in fuel types and sources, create incentives for new transport technologies, and guarantee a future stable and reliable electric system -- the cornerstone for energy security. This paper summarizes the findings from the authors' semester-long study of the energy industry. They look at current conditions, trends, and challenges in electricity production using natural gas, coal, nuclear power, and renewable energy. They also examine the current conditions, trends, and challenges in transportation energy using oil, alternative fuels, and hydrogen. Broad industry challenges include establishing a hydrogen economy, electricity deregulation, and establishment of liquefied natural gas terminals. The Federal Government's role in these ventures is delineated and policy recommendations are presented. The report concludes with three essays on the following major issues: energy and the environment, including the harm of burning fossil fuels, prospects for coal as the fuel of the future, and the role of various federal agencies in energy strategy; the innovative energy policies of Norway and Iceland, which include reliance on hydroelectricity and geothermal energy, and the energy policy of Ireland, a huge net importer of energy; and surge and U.S. military requirements for energy and fuels. The original document contains color images.