For decades, CEI has opposed regulatory overreach from the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies that put undue costs on energy industries and consumers. These include President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which would have increased consumer electricity prices without having any discernible effects on climate change. CEI’s research and policy proposals were instrumental in President Trump’s repeal of the CPP.
Featured Posts
Wall Street Journal
Biden Is Coming for Your Air Conditioner
Your next new home air conditioner could set you back $12,000 or more, with federal regulators contributing to the rising cost of staying cool. Before…
Blog
Myths and facts about the PROVE IT Act
Myth: Supporting the PROVE IT Act (S. 1863) does not mean support for carbon taxes.Fact: Many bill supporters readily acknowledge that it will…
News Release
House Poised to Vote on Legislation to Reverse Biden’s Attacks on Oil and Gas Lease Sales
The House is expected to vote this week on legislation to reverse the Biden administration’s cancellation of oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife…
Search Posts
California Watchdog.org
SunEdison: A cloudy Picture For Another Renewable Energy Compnay
Californina Watchdog.org cites CEI's expert William Yeatman on government stimulus dollars spent in aid of renewable energy companies. “Government has no business picking winners and…
Blog
Reasons for Global Warming Skepticism
Democrats have developed a cottage industry in ridiculing and condemning Republicans as Luddites. How can any “reasonable” person deny that increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the…
Blog
Clean Energy Incentive Program: Why It Makes EPA’s Power Plant Rule Even More Unlawful
EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP), which imposes carbon dioxide (CO2) emission rate targets and tonnage caps on state electric power sectors, is unlawful in at…
Blog
Is President Obama’s Energy Wish Coming True?
In a January 17, 2008, interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, then-Senator Obama said that “electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket” under his plan to…
Blog
Party Bias in EPA’s Power Plant Rule?
What’s the main difference between EPA’s final rule to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from state electric-power sectors—the so-called Clean Power Plan (CPP), released August 3—and…
Blog
EPA’s Proposed and Final “Clean Power” Plan: Which Is Worse?
“Climate Rule Worse than We Thought,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) warned today in an email alert about EPA’s so-called Clean Power Plan (CPP). He explains:…
Blog
A Primer on Expected EPA Climate Rules
In 2010, during the 111th Congress, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid shelved a cap-and-trade bill because too many Democrats opposed the bill during caucus meetings. And during…
The Washington Free Beacon
Clinton Climate Plan Winners Include Supporters’ Clients, Employers
The Washington Free Beacon cites CEI`s William Yeatman on Clinton’s plan to dramatically boost U.S. solar power production: John Podesta, the center’s founder,…
Washington Examiner
Can this businessman’s green turn GOP green?
The Washington Examiner cites CEI`s Myron Ebell on Jay Faison`s donation to super PAC for a non-binding amendment affirming climate change as real and primarily…
Blog
Vatican Downplays Political Involvement in Climate Debate While Joining Forces with Radical Leftist Naomi Klein
Kathryn Jean Lopez reports on NRO’s The Corner that Cardinal Peter Turkson downplayed the political intentions of Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’, when he spoke to…
Blog
Are There Broader Implications of the Supreme Court’s EPA Ruling?
“In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court blocked the Environmental Protection Agency’s mercury and air toxics standards, charging that the administration failed to adequately consider…
The Freeman
The Poor Need Affordable Energy
Affordable energy is fundamental to what economist Deirdre McCloskey calls the “Great Fact” of the explosion of human welfare. It remains central to the…
News Release
CEI’s William Yeatman on the Murray Energy Challenge to the Clean Power Plan
Today the oral argument in the Murray Energy case against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took place before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the…
Blog
Yes, and Water Can Run Uphill!
A recent Washington Post story by Joby Warrick says much about the credulity of the media. The story extols the great gains in wind…
Blog
There Are No “Neutral Taxes” in Politics
Those favoring larger government are finding it harder to finance them by raising taxes. Proponents have sought to reduce opposition by claiming that they’re not…
Blog
Results of “Cash for Appliances”
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (commonly called "the stimulus"), a $300 million program to subsidize consumer purchases of energy-efficient appliances called…
National Review
Dodd-Frank Will Cripple American Energy
The two recent federal court decisions on Obamacare subsidies — one for, one against — prompted fevered reactions and discussion. By contrast, two recent rulings…
Study
Why British Columbia’s Carbon Tax Is Not Applicable to America
A carbon tax does not boost growth. It does not lower the tax burden, but merely shifts it around—and can even open the door to…
Study
EPA’s Illegitimate Climate Rule
Full Document Available in PDF On June 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule under the Clean Air…
Blog
America’s Energy Advantage Dodges the Question
America’s Energy Advantage has responded to my July 1 post criticizing its stance on the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act. That bill would liberalize…
Blog
AEA’s Unprincipled Stand
Last Thursday the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act with a bipartisan vote of 266-150. The bill orders the…
Blog
Separation of Powers Survived Today by a One-Vote Margin
My colleagues over at GlobalWarming.org are already mulling over what today’s ruling in UARG v. EPA means for the future of American industry and energy production, but there’s…
Products
Xcel Energy seeks $138 million electric rate increase
If approved by the PUC, typical residential rates would increase by $3.96 a month starting in 2015. An additional increase in 2016 and 2017, in…
Products
Political Spotlight Returns to Energy Panel This Week with Votes on FERC Nominees, KXL Pipeline
Adding to the mix is Competitive Enterprise Institute, which took part in attacking Binz last year before he pulled his name for the nomination to…
National Review
The Hard Sell On Climate Change; Media Outlets Continue To Push A Crisis Scenario, And The Public Isn’t Buying
More and more people in the middle of America — both geographically and culturally — have come to believe either that global warming is…
The Hill
Experts Debate Government Role In Alternate Fuels
Alternative fuel vehicles could improve the United States’ energy security and protect it from volatility in the oil market. But Myron Ebell, director of…
Newsmax
Climate Change Remains Unsettled, Say 31,072 Scientists
One more fallacy that the climate-change movement doesn't like to remember is the infamous "hockey stick" predictor, said Christopher Horner, a senior fellow at…
Forbes
President Obama’s Global Warming Calculated Deception Means Democrats Have Abandoned Working People
In light of the incontestable real climate science discussed above, the Obama Administration’s National Climate Assessment released last week can only be considered an exercise…
News Release
CEI Submits Comments on EPA’s “Carbon Pollution Standards”
WASHINGTON, May 12 – Competitive Enterprise Institute senior fellows Marlo Lewis and William Yeatman submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency opposing the EPA’s “Carbon Pollution…
News Release
CEI Sues EPA Over Stonewalling Records Request
WASHINGTON, April 9 – The Competitive Enterprise Institute filed a lawsuit today against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compel the agency to produce text…
News Release
Wind Energy Boondoggle Gets Another Shot at Tax Subsidy
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee scheduled a mark-up of legislation to extend tax credits for certain special interests, including the wind energy…
Comment
Free Market Organizations’ Letter to Office of Management and Budget on Social Cost of Carbon
CEI and Freedom Action, along with members of the Cooler Heads Coalition, on February 26, 2014 submitted a public comment to the Office of Management…
National Journal
When Conservatism Collides With America’s Oil Boom
Even the most committed free-marketers realize Washington will not look on this debate lightly. Old memories die hard, and politicians of all parties are also…
The Hill
House Looks at ‘Sue and Settle’
Republican leadership in the House of Representatives has scheduled floor action this week on H.R. 2279, the Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations (REDO) Act. ‘Redo’ is…
National Review
Maryland’s Low-Energy Chill
The increased cost of energy isn’t just a side effect of Maryland’s environmental agenda; for radical green policymakers, it’s the point, explains Myron Ebell, the…
Master Resource
Supreme Court Global Warming Case: What Legislative History Reveals about Congressional Intent
“The EPA acknowledges that the Timing Rule produces ‘absurd results’ that contravene congressional intent…. The Timing Rule clearly exceeds any discernible congressional intent…
Daily Caller
Podesta’s White House return means a more aggressive green agenda
“Since the Republicans won control of the House in the 2010 elections, he has criticized the Obama White House for wasting time on legislation that…
Daily Caller
Children of the corn subsidies
The Competitive Enterprise Institute and Taxpayers for Common Sense support the Feinstein-Coburn Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2013.
Politico
EPA proposal could shift war on renewable fuels
Marlo Lewis of the Competitive Enterprise Institute called the program a “Soviet-style production quota system.”…
Free Beacon
Steyer Panelist Wants Massive Tax Hikes, Smaller TVs
William Yeatman, a senior fellow and energy policy expert at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, also criticized Harvey’s vision. “The fact is that wealthier is healthier,…
Legal Brief
Michael Mann v. National Review, CEI, et al. – Amicus brief of the District of Columbia in Support of CEI and National Review
The Competitive Enterprise Institute received a letter on August 21, 2012 from an attorney representing Penn State University Professor Michael E. Mann that demands that…
News Release
Facing Reality, EPA Scales Back Overall Renewable Fuel Target for First Time
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 – For the first time in the history of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard program, the Environmental Protection Agency today…
Main Street
Could Combined Heat and and Power Save You a Bundle?
"CHP benefits consumers by lowering manufacturers' energy costs," said Marlo Lewis, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute who studies energy issues. "What is…
Tulsa World
Energy conference speakers blast regulations
William Yeatman, an energy policy analyst for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said he opposes regulation that serves no public health benefit and only gratifies a…
News Release
New York Court Hears Lawsuit Challenging Energy Tax Boondoggle
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 – A lawsuit in state court Thursday challenges carbon emissions regulations that will drive up electricity prices in New York. The…
Tulsa World
Supreme Court Takes Up Challenge To Sweeping EPA Carbon Rules
The appeal was supported by the U.S. Chamber, the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Southeastern Legal Foundation as well as companies like coal…
Time
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to EPA Climate Regulations
But there’s no doubt that this case will be a test for the Obama Administration and its green allies—and an opportunity for industry groups and…
News Release
High Court Accepts EPA Global Warming Cases, Including SELF/CEI Petition
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 — The Supreme Court announced today it would review EPA’s massive set of greenhouse gas regulations for stationary sources. The Court granted…
Time
Kansas Supreme Court reverses permit granted to Sunflower coal plant
Brian McNicoll, senior communications director at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, which advocates limited government, said experts at his think tank believe that if the new…
News Release
CEI Suit Seeks Injunction Against Ongoing EPA Record Destruction
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 – Attorneys with the Competitive Enterprise Institute filed suit Thursday to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from destroying senior officials’ records, a…
News Release
Congress Should End Wind Energy Tax Handout
Washington, DC, Oct. 2, 2013 – Absent action by Congress, the federal Wind Production Tax Credit will expire at the end of this year, but…
Tri Valley Central
EPA urged to update rules on secret email accounts
Chris Horner, the senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute credited with uncovering the Windsor email account, said it was a mistake for the inspector…
Human Events
A Final Blow on the War on Coal
A funny thing happened on the way to the coal plant the other day. But it wasn’t ha-ha funny. In fact, it was tragic –…
Human Events
Will Sen. Landrieu choose what’s right for Louisiana?
There does seem to be something about Mary. At least there always seems to be something about Mary when it comes down to close votes…
News Release
CEI’s Ebell: Warming Alarmists Still ‘In Denial’ Over Climate Data
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2013 – Disappointed in results that show the warming trends of the 1990s seem to have ended, the environmental left has stepped…
Washington Times
Obama campaign manager Jim Messina joins company awarded millions in federal cash
“Obviously, he was chosen because of his political connections, which are, alas, essential to LanzaTech, a company that wouldn’t exist without taxpayer handouts,” said…
WPR
Will Carbon Caps Be A Boon Or Bust For The Economy?
William Yeatman, policy analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said he’s worried about the impact of the new regulations on the economy, in part because…
WPR
Binz is not being Borked
Ron Binz, President Obama’s nominee to head the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, still could be confirmed by the Senate. But to some of his supporters,…
Letters
Coalition Letter to End Wind Production Tax Credit
Full Document Available in PDF Coalition Letter to End Wind Production Tax Credit Dear Senators and Representatives: On behalf of the…
Free Beacon
EPA Coal Regs Will Require Halving of Carbon Emissions in New Plants
The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), a D.C.-based think tank, said the changes to the new rule were “cosmetic” and likely to still be shot down…
News Release
CEI Experts: New EPA Rule Could Mean End of Coal-Fired Plants in US
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 20, 2013 – If the carbon dioxide emissions standard for power plants proposed by the EPA today is enacted, the United States…
Midwest Energy News
Report: Social costs, if accounted for, make coal uneconomical
Marlo Lewis, a senior fellow with the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center for Energy and Environment, wrote this week on GlobalWarming.org that SCC analyses “all-too-easily…
Comment
Comment Letter on LLF Petition for Reconsideration, Docket No. EERE-BT-PET-0043, September 16, 2013
Full Document Available in PDF On behalf of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), a non-profit public policy group specializing in regulatory issues, I am pleased…
EE News
Social costs of electricity from coal make it uneconomical, researchers assert
Marlo Lewis, a senior fellow with the Competitive Enterprise Institute's Center for Energy and Environment, wrote this week on GlobalWarming.org that SCC analyses "all-too-easily…
Comment
CEI Public Comment concerning Department of Energy’s final rule establishing Energy Conservation Standards for Standby Mode and Off Modefor Microwave Ovens
On behalf of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Marlo Lewis submitted this comment in support of the Landmark Legal Foundation’s petition for reconsideration of the Department…
Daily Caller
Report: FERC nominee too much of a greenie for key energy post
William Yeatman, associate director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the report’s author, is concerned that Binz will use his position as FERC chairman to…
Power Magazine
Binz Hearing Opens as Nominee to Head FERC Draws Fire
In a press release issued before the hearing, CEI analyst William Yeatman argued, “Binz’s record as Colorado PUC chair makes it clear that he’s a…
Washington Times
ECOtality fatality: Green company files for bankruptcy after 115M stimulus funding granted
“Government is terrible at picking winners and losers for a simple reason: Politics always interferes,” said William Yeatman, an energy policy expert at the…
Wisconsin teachers union decertified in latest blow to labor under Walker law Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/09/15/wisconsin-teachers-union-decertified-in-latest-blow-to-labor-under-walker-law/#ixzz2fSp0xDgF
Conservatives go all out against FERC nominee
This anti-Binz alliance includes the 60 Plus Association, American Commitment, the American Energy Alliance, the American Tradition Institute, Americans for Prosperity, the Caesar Rodney Institute,…
Wisconsin teachers union decertified in latest blow to labor under Walker law Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/09/15/wisconsin-teachers-union-decertified-in-latest-blow-to-labor-under-walker-law/#ixzz2fSp0xDgF
Colorado Energy Plan Looms as Issue for Obama FERC Nominee
Binz’s detractors include the Denver-based Independence Institute and the Washington-based Competitive Enterprise Institute, both describe themselves as advocates for limited government. They say he guaranteed…
News Release
FERC Nominee Ron Binz’s Colorado Record Should Serve as Warning
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 17, 2013 – Ron Binz, President Obama’s choice to head the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), has a history that militates against…
Study
FERC Nominee Ron Binz: Lessons from Colorado
Full Document Available in PDF On Tuesday, September 17, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will conduct a hearing to vet…
Wisconsin teachers union decertified in latest blow to labor under Walker law Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/09/15/wisconsin-teachers-union-decertified-in-latest-blow-to-labor-under-walker-law/#ixzz2fSp0xDgF
Signs and Wonders: A good deal for everyone but taxpayers
The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) said new legislation currently before the U.S. House of Representatives would make matters worse. Both Bloomberg and the CEI are…
Wisconsin teachers union decertified in latest blow to labor under Walker law Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/09/15/wisconsin-teachers-union-decertified-in-latest-blow-to-labor-under-walker-law/#ixzz2fSp0xDgF
Conservative groups rally against Obama’s energy nominee
The letter also alleges that Binz would slow down FERC action on natural gas pipeline and export projects. Other groups that signed the letter…
SNL
Free markets group bashes Dow’s anti-LNG export campaign through song
Using Woody Guthrie's folk song "This Land Is Your Land" as the tune, the CEI's Marlo Lewis Jr. created a political satire video titled "This…
News Release
‘Richard Windsor’ To Testify Before Congress
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 – Today, the Competitive Enterprise Institute commends the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., for calling…
The Hill
Free-market group riffs on Woody Guthrie in gas export push
CEI, a think tank and advocacy group, says there’s a serious message behind the satirical video and song. “With what right does Dow seek to…
News Release
Free-Market Group Sings Out Against Dow Anti-Gas Export Campaign
WASHINGTON, D.C, Sept. 4, 2013 – Dow Chemical has launched an aggressive campaign to get federal regulators to interfere with natural gas exports. In response,…
Citation
Observers say Binz nomination in doubt in light of unprecedented attention and attacks
William Yeatman of the conservative free-market Competitive Enterprise Institute said that Binz’s work with the Colorado PUC raised concerns, including his actions in support of…
Study
EPA Overreach: Higher Cost, Less Energy, Greater Risk
Full Document Available in PDF Since President Barack Obama took office in 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a suite…
Edmond Sun
State leaders decry EPA haze regulations
The EPA has been hurting the coal industry since 2009 with senseless regulations, said William Yeatman, assistant director of the Center for Energy & Environment…
Tulsa World
‘EPA Regulations and Your Pocketbook’ forum features agency’s foes
William Yeatman, assistant director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, called the EPA "out of control." The…
News OK
PSO plan to phase out coal generation may cost too much, group says
William Yeatman, assistant director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said PSO's plan underreported the costs of switching to…
News Release
Free-Market Coalition Urges House To Abolish the Renewable Fuel Standard
WASHINGTON, D.C, Aug. 14, 2013 – Today, the Competitive Enterprise Institute and 10 other free-market organizations called for repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Letters
Free-Market Coalition Urges House To Abolish the Renewable Fuel Standard
The Competitive Enterprise Institute and 10 other free-market organizations called for repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard.
National Journal
Keystone XL: Not Enough Attention to Core Issues
In the protracted conflict over the Keystone XL Pipeline, too much attention is paid to peripheral issues and not enough to the core issues. Peripheral…
News Release
Unhappy Anniversary: A Year of Treasury Department Stonewalling
WASHINGTON, D.C, Aug. 7, 2013 – Today marks one year since the Competitive Enterprise Institute filed two Freedom of Information Act requests for documents…
Citation
Think tanks worry what Binz-led FERC would do on grid cost allocation, demand response
The Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Colorado-based Independence Institute are concerned that Binz will not keep consumers’ interests in mind if he leads FERC and…
News Release
Horner on Politico Story: ‘When the law is inconvenient, pretend it’s something else’
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 22, 2013 – The Competitive Enterprise Institute responded today to a story published by Politico, which takes issue with an…
Legal Brief
Michael E. Mann v. National Review, Inc., et al. – complaint
The Competitive Enterprise Institute received a letter on August 21 from an attorney representing Penn State University Professor Michael E. Mann that demands that CEI…
Daily Caller
‘Ideological mercenary’: World Bank follows in Obama’s footsteps on coal
“One might say this signals the war on coal has gone global,” Competitive Enterprise Institute senior fellow Chris Horner told The Daily Caller News Foundation.
News Release
New Study: EPA’s Shocking Record of Failure on Statutory Deadlines Raises Serious Questions
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 10, 2013 — The Environmental Protection Agency has routinely failed to comply with statutory deadlines established for three core Clean Air Act…
Study
EPA’s Woeful Deadline Performance Raises Questions About Agency Competence, Climate Change Regulations, “Sue and Settle”
Full Document Available in PDF The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) record of compliance with statutory deadlines established for three core Clean Air…
Washington Examiner
What happens in the backroom of a sue-and-settle lawsuit?
William Yeatman of the Competitive Enterprise Institute discovered the details after a Freedom of Information Act request produced 659 pages of EPA emails.
News Release
Massive Public Opposition to EPA’s Bristol Bay Study
WASHINGTON, D.C. July 2, 2013 – A record number of Americans have rejected the EPA’s Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment, the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Resourceful…
News Release
CEI, Independence Institute Announce Opposition to Obama’s FERC Pick
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 28, 2013 — The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) and the Colorado-based Independence Institute today announced their strong opposition to President…
Letters
Coalition Letter on the Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2013 (H.R. 1959)
Full Document Available in PDF The undersigned organizations urge you to oppose H.R. 1959, the Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2013. The…
Daily Caller
Report: Obama’s EPA power balloons
“Since 2009, however, EPA has centralized a great deal of environmental policymaking,” said William Yeatman, author of the report and assistant director of the Center…
News Release
New Report Reveals Significant Increase in EPA Actions Under the Obama Administration
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 26, 2013 — A new report released today by the American Legislative Exchange Council shows a substantial increase in the power…
News Release
Free Market Groups Oppose Natural Gas ‘Fix’ for Ethanol Mandate
Washington, D.C., June 26, 2013 – Twelve free-market public policy organizations today released a joint letter urging House Members to oppose H.R. 1959, The…
Staff & Scholars
Sam Kazman
Counsel Emeritus
- Antitrust
- Automobiles and Roads
- Banking and Finance
Paige Lambermont
Research Fellow
- Capitalism and Free Enterprise
- Energy
- Energy and Environment
Marlo Lewis, Jr.
Senior Fellow
- Climate
- Energy
- Energy and Environment
Ben Lieberman
Senior Fellow
- Climate
- Energy
- Energy and Environment
Fred L. Smith, Jr.
Founder; Chairman Emeritus
- Automobiles and Roads
- Aviation
- Business and Government