In recent years, especially under the Biden administration, there has been an unprecedented attack on the supply of reliable and affordable energy, from reducing oil and gas lease sales to the administration’s efforts to shift from reliable electricity sources to renewable energy sources. The partisan Inflation Reduction Act is a central piece of the harmful electrification effort that will undermine the electricity grid. If all of this was not bad enough, there are also governmental efforts to limit Americans from using reliable and affordable energy, such as efforts to severely limit the availability of gas-powered vehicles and bans on natural gas appliances.
Ensuring abundant, reliable, and affordable energy is a must, as is consumer freedom when it comes to energy. The Competitive Enterprise Institute advocates for policies to keep energy abundant, affordable, and competitive. Carbon fuels—coal, natural gas, and oil—provide about 80 percent of U.S. and global energy. They are the world’s dominant energy sources because, in most markets, they beat the alternatives in both cost and performance.
CEI is leading efforts to defend the personal energy choices of Americans. We advocate for policies that will stop government at all levels from banning or restricting what good and services Americans can choose to best meet their needs.
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 Biden’s new power plant rule, the “Blackout Plan,” which would ignore the major questions problems detailed in West Virginia v. EPA, increase consumer electricity prices, and threaten grid reliability. CEI’s research and policy proposals have been instrumental on energy issues.
Featured Posts
Blog
Gas stoves are great
The recent approval of a ballot initiative in Washington state to protect natural gas access for consumers has me ruminating on the gas stove issue. I have…
Blog
Congress needs to undo Biden’s sweeping attack on offshore drilling
Today, President Joe Biden announced that he is blocking more than 625 million acres of US ocean from future offshore drilling. The two…
Blog
Electric grid reliability at elevated risk, new report warns
The North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) released its 2024 Long-Term Reliability Assessment Tuesday. This report examines the challenges the power grid will face over the …
Search Posts
Washington Times
Cap and Traitors
Conservative activists are angry at eight Republican members of the House of Representatives for voting in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act…
Newsletter
AIG in Court, Mobile Phone Competition and the Future of Solar Power
A federal jury rules in favor of Hank Greenberg, the former CEO of AIG, in a $4.3 billion stock dispute. The Department of Justice considers…
Wall Street Journal
The EPA Silences a Climate Skeptic
Wall Street Journal
Why Solar Power is Looking Dim
If the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed narrowly in the House of Representatives this week, also passes the Senate, does this…
San Francisco Gate
EPA Lets State Get Tougher on New Vehicles
Washington Examiner
Suppressed EPA Scientist Breaks Silence, Speaks on Fox News
ABC News
Boxer Talks About Emissions Bill
News Release
CEI Files EPA’s Own Suppressed Report, Demands EPA Global Warming Proceeding Be Reopened
CEI Files EPA’s Own Suppressed Report, Demands EPA Global Warming Proceeding Be Reopened Public Should Have Right to Review, Comment on Gov’t Report Washington,…
Florida Today
What Will Carbon Caps Cost Florida?
News Release
CEI Urges No Vote on Waxman-Markey Energy-Rationing Bill
CEI Urges No Vote on Waxman-Markey Energy-Rationing Bill Democratic Leaders Rush to Buy Off Special Interests Washington, D.C., June 26, 2009—The Competitive Enterprise…
News Release
Energy Rationing Bill Passes House; Plan Would Take Trillions from Consumers, Transfer to Big Business
Energy Rationing Bill Passes House; Plan Would Take Trillions from Consumers, Transfer to Big Business Special Interests Statement from the Competitive Enterprise Institute June…
Florida Today
Will Congress Switch Off the Lights?
When running for president, then-Sen. Barack Obama promised that his election would be "the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow…
Florida Today
Waxman-Markey: Death Knell for U.S. Jobs, Low-Cost Energy
Perhaps the most destructive legislation in our country’s history will soon be voted on in the House — the Waxman-Markey tax bill in the guise…
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Rubbish and Bad Regulations
Ever since gas hit $4 a gallon on June 8 of last year, energy policy has been an all-consuming passion of America's political class. Thus,…
American Spectator
Farmer Brown Fights Back
To all appearances, green special interests are on a roll. They have managed to get committed environmentalists appointed to key congressional committees and regulatory positions.
Newsletter
Windmills in Danger, Record Unemployment and Hurricane Season
A wind power development in Wyoming may be derailed by the Endangered Species Act. The unemployment rate rises to 9.4%. Residents in the southeastern U.S.
American Spectator
Will ACES Put Us in the Hole?
Newsletter
Energy Rationing, Credit Cards and Car-Sharing in Maryland
The energy rationing bill sponsored by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) is approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
News Release
Energy Rationing Bill Passes House Committee
Energy Rationing Bill Passes House Committee Plan Would Take Trillions from Consumers, Transfer to Big Business Special Interests May 22, 2009, Washington, D.C.
American Spectator
The biggest and worst
Fox News Opinion
California’s Sorry State Points to America’s Future
As goes California, so goes the nation. Nowhere is this adage truer than in environmental policy, thanks to Democrats’ eagerness to impose the Golden State’s…
Newsletter
New Gas Mileage Rules, Intel’s Legal Issues and India’s National Election
President Obama announces strict new rules on gas mileage for new cars. After being fined $1.4 billion for alleged antitrust violations in Europe, Intel could…
Fox News Opinion
Auto emissions deal a win for California
News Release
Obama’s New Fuel Economy Rules Deadly for Both People and Carmakers
Today President Obama will unveil a plan to sharply increase federal gas mileage rules for vehicles sold in the United States, eventually bringing the requirement…
Detroit News
Green Jobs Lead to More Pink Slips
Repower America, a green energy advocacy organization founded by Former Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore, is running television advertisements in northern Michigan to…
News Release
Waxman-Markey Bill ‘Biggest Tax Increase In History’
Waxman-Markey Bill ‘Biggest Tax Increase In History’ Energy Rationing Would Hurt Consumers and Workers While Enriching Special Interests Washington, D.C., May 18, 2009—Energy…
Newsletter
Supreme Court on Financial Regulation, Chrysler Closes Dealerships and Greenhouse Gases in Congress
The Supreme Court prepares to announce an important verdict on financial regulation. Chrysler plans to eliminate nearly 800 dealerships. Democratic leaders move forward with legislation…
News Release
New Video Campaign—Global Warming Regulation Will Lead to the Next ‘1984’
New Video Campaign—Global Warming Regulation Will Lead to the Next 1984 Washington, DC, May 13, 2009 – Global warming regulation is the target…
News Release
Leaked OMB Memorandum Confirms EPA Endangerment Finding Threatens Economy
Leaked OMB Memorandum Confirms EPA Endangerment Finding Threatens Economy ‘Serious economic consequences,’ Memo Warns Washington, DC, May 12, 2009 – A leaked…
Newsletter
Eco-sailors, Free Speech Restrictions and Global Warming Legislation
A group of “eco-sailors” is rescued from dangerous weather conditions by the crew of an oil tanker. A new bill would punish hostile speech online…
Detroit News
Just What Is Waxman-Markey For?
As the House of Representatives girds to debate the Waxman-Markey energy and global warming bill, no one seems to be asking the most…
Newsletter
Chrysler’s Future, Chevron in Ecuador and Flex-Fuel Cars on the Road
A bankruptcy judge approves Chrysler’s request to start spending $4.5 billion in government loans. Ecuador sues Chevron for $27 billion over alleged environmental damage from…
Newsletter
Cap and Trade Compromise, the Return of Bed Bugs and Jack Kemp, RIP
The White House floats the idea of allowing new oil and gas drilling in exchange for support of a cap and trade system for greenhouse…
News Release
Obama Tries to Broker Deal on Greenhouse Gas Restrictions
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Washington Examiner
Greenbacks for Green Energy Come from Taxpayer Pockets
President Barack Obama recently named business consultant Jeffrey Zients as head of a new performance office tasked with reducing government waste. The irony…
Townhall
Green Jobs: All Pain for No Gain
It is said that there is a scientific consensus on global warming. There isn’t, but there is an economic consensus that policies based on…
Indy Star
The CO2 fantasy
News Release
CEI Comment on Obama 100 Days
Obama Bombs on Spending, Energy in First100 Days, Hope for Progress on Regulations, Credit Crisis CEI Comments on Obama 100 Days and What’s Ahead…
Scoop
Zombie science, Zombie politics
Newsletter
Freddie Mac, Solar Energy and an Insurance Debate
The suicide of Freddie Mac’s Chief Financial Officer raises further questions about the company and the federal bailout program. Texas is poised to increase the…
Scoop
“Clean Energy” and Job Killing
CSN News
Obama’s Climate Change Envoy Urges Global Warming Treaty, Offers Few Specifics
CSN News
EPA’s Endangerment Finding: Legislative Hammer or Suicide Note?
The ramifications of the EPA’s just-published endangerment finding, …
Michelle Malkin
Humans make Earth Day better
Michelle Malkin
House Panel Being Urged to Enact Clean Energy Law
Detroit News
Don’t Let Earth Day Rebuke Henry Ford
Earth Day this year seems to be getting less promotion than usual. Al Gore is nowhere to be seen. There are few preening eco-celebs lecturing us about…
Comment
Testimony before the Committee on Energy and Commerce on the draft American Clean Energy and Security Act
Full Document Available in PDF Introduction: Chairman Waxman, Chairman Markey, and Members of the Committee, thank you for inviting…
News Release
VIDEO: People Make Earth Day Better
This year, the Competitive Enterprise Institute urges those celebrating Earth Day to remember the challenges presented by living in the natural world, and the inspiring ways that human…
Detroit News
The CO2 scam
Wall Street Journal
Small Cars Are Dangerous Cars
How Fuel economy zealots can kill you.
Wall Street Journal
Obama’s Energy Tax Hits Louisiana the Hardest
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Alexandria Town Talk
Obama’s Energy Tax Hits Louisiana Hardest
Candidate Barack Obama promised to give special attention to rebuilding Louisiana while campaigning for the White House. So why is President Obama pushing…
Alexandria Town Talk
Upset Over Offsets
When the President proposed his budget, he tried a gambit aimed atfoisting a new energy tax on the American people without serious debatein Congress. It…
Alexandria Town Talk
Human Achievement Hour: Can it Exist Peacefully with Earth Hour?
On the surface, though, the idea of Human Achievement Hour isn't bad at all when so much has been forgotten of how much we really…
News Release
EPA Poised to Issue Global Warming ‘Endangerment’ Finding
EPA Poised to Issue Global Warming ‘Endangerment’ Finding “Finding would trigger economy-chilling regulatory cascade” Washington, D.C., April 15, 2009—A major ruling on the…
News Release
CEI Comment on Study on Safety Risks of Small Cars
New Study Again Shows Safety Risks of Small Cars White House Fuel Economy Push Poses Greater Safety Threat Washington, D.C., April 14, 2009—A…
News Release
April 15th Tax Burden Worsened by Hidden Taxes
April 15th Tax Burden Worsened by Hidden Taxes Americans Hit by Excessive Federal Regulations, Threatened by New Energy Rationing Washington, D.C., April 14,…
Family Security Matters
Holdren as White House Science Advisor
Family Security Matters
Green Job Self-Destruction
In your article “Hopes for climate treaty set back by G20’s weasel words”, 5 April, you refer to a study by the University…
FT Adviser
Diary: Protest fever hits the City
Comment
CEI Comment on EPA’s Reconsideration of California’s Request for a Waiver to Establish Emission Standards for new Motor Vehicles
Full Document Available in PDF EPA should stick…
FT Adviser
Learning From Cameron’s Mistake
Learning from Cameron’s Mistake Embracing trendy green policies did not help the British Tories. By Iain Murray & Matthew Sinclair…
FT Adviser
McNerney introducing trio of green-energy bills
FT Adviser
The First Salvoes in the clean energy war
FT Adviser
Energy to be rationed under Democrats Global Warming Bill
News Release
Comment on Green Jobs, Economy
Don’t Count on Green Jobs to Bail out the Economy Government Spending on the Environment Not a Path to Prosperity Washington,…
News Release
CEI Comment on Waxman-Markey Energy Bill
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) today released a 648-page draft bill for rationing energy use in the United States. Energy policy…
Las Vegas Review Journal
Build solar! Build wind! … but not in my desert
Las Vegas Review-Journal discusses Senator Dianne Feinstein's efforts to bar energy development with Myron Ebell. Myron Ebell, an energy expert with the Competitive…
Newsletter
Countering Earth Hour, Mismanagement at Freddie Mac and Good News for Coal
Lights go out around the world in observance of “Earth Hour”. Regulators push mortgage giant Freddie Mac to…
Village Voice
Rightbloggers on Easter Eggs, Notre Dame, Earth Hour, Etc.
News Release
CEI Comment on Obama Firing of GM CEO Wagoner
Washington, D.C., March 30, 2009— John Berlau Director, Center for Investors and Entrepreneurs…
Townhall
Human Achievement Hour
Townhall
Build solar! Build wind! … but not in my desert
Chicago Breaking News
Lights Going Out for ‘Earth Hour’
The Secrets of Vancouver
Voting for Humanity and Its Achievements
Yahoo!
Celebrating Human Achievement
Newsbusters
Time Plugging Laughably Lame ‘Earth Hour’
Pajamas Media
CELEBRATE HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT HOUR
Pajamas Media
Obama’s China Syndrome
It is looking less and less likely that President Obama will be able to institute his vaunted cap-and-trade scheme for greenhouse gas…
Pajamas Media
Alternatives to Earth Hour
San Francisco Examiner
Turn it on! Turn’em all on
San Francisco Examiner
Just How Difficult Obama’s Renewable Energy Plans Are to Accomplish
San Francisco Examiner
Feinstein wanting desert swath off-limits to solar, wind projects
Newsletter
Toxic Assets, NIMBYs and Fish Pedicures
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner unveils a plan to sell off “toxic assets” as part of the federal bank bailout. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launches…
Michelle Malkin
Human Achievement Hour
Free Republic
Human Achievement Hour
National Review
Human Achievement Hour
National Review
Human Achievement Hour
Daily Mail
Hour Power
American Digest
Human Achievement Hour to Light Up the Dark Earth Hour
American Digest
India Joining The International Renewable Energy Agency
American Digest
This ‘Earth Hour,’ leave the lights on
This week Competitive Enterprise Institute announced the creation of Human Achievement Hour (HAH) to be celebrated at 8:30 p. m. on March 28, 2009…
American Digest
Human Achievement Hour
The New Clarion
Alternatives to Earth Hour
Newsletter
Celebrating Human Achievement, Taxing AIG Bonuses and Cap and Trade in the Senate
Environmental activists encourage cities to celebrate “Earth Hour” by turning off lights for an hour on March 28th. The House of Representatives approves a 90%…
Green Biz
Not Taking Part in Earth Hour? How About ‘Human Achievement Hour’?
Newsletter
Mandating Efficiency, Infighting at SEIU and Privacy Mavens Try to Shut Down Google
Congress considers new regulations on energy efficiency for home appliances. One of the nation’s largest unions faces dissention in its ranks. The Electronic Privacy Information…
News Release
CEI Announces ‘Human Achievement Hour’ to Coincide with ‘Earth Hour’
The Competitive Enterprise Institute, a leading free-market think tank, plans to recognize “Human Achievement Hour” between 8:30pm and 9:30pm on March 28, 2009. The new one-hour holiday coincides…
Council on Foreign Relations
Cap-and-Trade’s Economic Impact
A cap-and-trade system necessarily harms the economy because it is designed to raise the cost of energy. Given the current economic crisis,…
News Release
Congress Considers New Mandates on Consumers, Appliances
Congress Considers New Mandates on Consumers, Appliances In Midst of Recession, Senate Seeks Costly New Product Restrictions Washington, D.C.,…
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
- Consumer Freedom
- Energy
Fred L. Smith, Jr.
Founder; Chairman Emeritus
- Automobiles and Roads
- Aviation
- Business and Government