Obama's security adviser calls for energy action

President-elect Barack Obama's choice of James Jones as national security adviser brings a retired Marine general who advocates a comprehensive overhaul to U.S. energy policy in the name of national defense.

Jones was announced on Monday as part of the Obama administration's national security team. He has been president and CEO of the Institute for 21st Century Energy, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The group last month published a detailed set of recommendations on energy policy, written as a memorandum to Obama. (Click here for PDF.)

James Jones, incoming national security adviser

(Credit: Institute for 21st Century Energy)

In the transition paper, Jones says "our country urgently requires a balanced and enduring strategy to meet our growing needs. America stands at a defining moment where the decisions made today will influence the economic prosperity, global competitiveness, and national security of future generations."

The policy recommendations cover a broad swath, including support for clean technologies, such as energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as further investments in climate science.

The plan argues for increased domestic oil and gas drilling, a commitment to so-called clean-coal technology, and increased use of nuclear energy. It also calls for an upgrade to the U.S. power grid electricity distribution network.

The briefing is meant to form the basis of a more strategic and comprehensive energy policy, which the Institute for 21st Century Energy argues can improve national security and economic competitiveness.

From the memo:

"What is needed instead is a more strategic and comprehensive approach to address the broad underlying trends in energy markets--some long standing, some only recently emerging--that are and will remain significant challenges unless we muster the will to adopt a sound enduring energy policy. A sluggish economy teetering on, if not in, a recession and the recent crisis in the financial markets makes tackling these challenges all the more pressing, not less so, because at its most fundamental level, energy security is a critical underpinning of a healthy economy."

Since being elected, Obama has said that energy and environmental policy will be one of the top priorities when his administration comes into office.

Tempering expectations over bold clean-energy initiatives is the poor state of the economy.

[Manhattan2]

We have been saying this for years. When President Barack Obama or Mr. Jones are ready for solutions contact us a "The Manhattan 2 Project" Everything is related. email us at [e-mail] and ask for Mitch Govansky. Global Warming is our fault. We have to fix it. An improved National security will simply be a biproduct of our renewable energy program.

[atici]

Dream on. Solar/Wind will never be cost effective and has been doomed from the beginning. That is why you keep advocating to apply force on individuals in order to make them pay more to satisfy your green zealotry. We need real alternatives not fantasies.

[Lerianis]

Exactly right, atici. Frankly, global warming is NOT the fault of humanity. Even the ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS.... get that.... the same guys who BUILT THE HOOVER DAM...... have said that all global warming is coming from..... wait for it.... don't let them stop you...... T H E S U N! (sings this)
That is the ONLY ******* place where global warming is coming from, and we have to realize that our planet has been in a time of TOO COOL TEMPERATURES, from the 'Little Ice Age' as the scientists call it. We are only NOW getting back to where we should be, temperature wise.

[Manhattan2]

atici: We agree the current design of solar and wind programs will never work. That is not what we are about. We have found the mistakes and inefficiencies of the way they do Solar. We have a Renewable Energy Program that makes sense. Putting photovoltaic panels on rooftops at Google, Walmart or your own house is not the answer. Never will be. email us if you are ready for real solutions.

Kill all subsidies for wind, solar, oil, ethanol and then see if our solution comes to the top. Do remember the oil will run out.

[willdryden]

You are both wrong. Check out the Maine solar house and say it does not work. They think it does if it is done right.

[solitare_pax]

Its about time - we've wasted precious time - and American automakers wasted precious billions - digging this hole we are in now. True, oil costs are down - but it can and will go up. While we have breathing room, and the need to make new jobs, lets try everything, and let the winning solutions come out of the woodwork - and not this ethonol gasoline boondoggle or the trick of spraying coal with pine tar to make it a 'synthetic' fuel to earn big tax bucks. I would like some real results please.

[Commander_Spock]

See Commander_Spock's comment below for a real solution; and, do not forget you need the all important Information Technology (IT) Analytical Tools to help do the job, unless you plan to take months (or years) to do the financial, economic and technical analyses manually..

[Commander_Spock]

This article states in part; re: "[....The plan argues for increased domestic oil and gas drilling, a commitment to so-called clean-coal technology, and increased use of nuclear energy. It also calls for an upgrade to the U.S. power grid electricity distribution network....]" So, what about an emphasis on "Hydro-Electricity Generation" (which is clean and renewable) also (whether national or international) to help meet the nation's energy needs!!! Have friendly countries that have the "Hydro-Electric" capacities do the heavy lifting of the smelting capacities, metal reduction.... needed to produce the "Strategic Metals and Materials that the nation would need going forward into the future.

[gpar]

Hopefully, the major emphasis of his plan is centered on clean / renewable energy, otherwise the future generations will be negatively impacted by our defining moment indeed.

ATICI - I was curious as to why your statements are so definitive. What data do you have that supports your claim?

[Lerianis]

All the data under the sun that the global warming junkies don't dismiss out of hand! Atici is right: Solar/wind is NEVER going to be anything but a VERY SMALL part of our power production unless and until we find a way to make it a ******** more efficient and generate more power during the day and when there is little to no wind.

[Manhattan2]

The answer is not in Solar efficiency. The answer is in material cost and CO2 output to capture! When you are ready for the answer email us at SolarTransfer. The "Energy Manifesto" will reveal what many are seeking.

[willdryden]

Obama wants increased drilling and Marathon Oil just canceled a 400 well drill out of a field in North Dakota. They already have 6 pumping wells and canceled the rest because oil dropped below $100./bbl

[directorblue]

Oops. We may not be running out of oil after all!

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2008/12/oops-we-may-not-be-running-out-of-oil.html

No one tell the greenbats.

[©APPLE©]

Wait, since when does this to-be security advisor have extra time on his hands?