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
Congress should recognize the importance of prescribed burns
The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six major air pollutants:…

Blog
Dispelling the desperate myths on IRA subsidies for wind and solar
The budget reconciliation process continues, as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act just passed the Senate and is headed back to the House. …

Blog
Regulatory hurdles could jeopardize growth of nuclear energy
Since the late 1800s, fossil fuels have been the energy source of the highest economic utility in driving innovation and prosperity.
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Blog
UK closes last coal plant
For the first time in 142 years, Britain has no coal power plants. But what are they doing instead? Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, Britain’s lone…
Independent Women's Forum
U.K. Closes Last Coal Plant
How will they replace that power? Their strategy leaves something to be desired. This final coal closure comes at a time when price caps on…
Capital Research Center
Episode 336: Do You Need To Stock Up On Toilet Paper?
Capital Research Council cited CEI’s expert on the state of the economy As the country moves through a contentious election season, where the state…
Econlib
Tolstoy, Kirzner, and Happiness as a Process
A recent Liberty Fund Virtual Reading Group explored the theme of joy in Leo Tolstoy’s novel Anna Karenina. For Tolstoy, happiness is not an end state…
Catalyst
Nuclear Sites Ripe for Development
A new study commissioned by the Department of Energy shows the potential for siting new nuclear reactors at existing and recently retired nuclear power plant sites across…
Catalyst
Germany Is Smug About Its Energy Errors
Read more at the Catalyst…
Politico
Republicans have a post-pandemic plan for the scientific establishment
Politico cites CEI expert post-pandemic plans “You have the NIH in the sights of people who think there were big failures during the pandemic and…
Comment
CEI Comments on Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers
Department of Energy, Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers; Notification of Data Availability and Request for Comment Docket Number…
News Release
Report highlights the positives of Iowa’s environmental permitting process
A new Competitive Enterprise Institute report highlights the achievements Iowa has accomplished in improving its environmental permitting system, making infrastructure projects and economic growth…
Study
Corn Whiskey Clarity
Over the past two decades, Iowa has implemented several reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency of its environmental permitting procedures. This report focuses on two…
The Dispatch
Where Does Poverty Come From?
The Dispatch cited CEI’s experts on economic affairs Kevin D. Williamson is national correspondent at The Dispatch and is based in Virginia. Prior to joining…
Blog
Switzerland should reverse its nuclear power plant ban
Despite nuclear energy’s myriad benefits, many countries—and several US states—maintain bans on the construction of new nuclear power plants. This phenomenon is especially puzzling in…
News Release
House set to rebuke EPA’s de facto EV mandate
Director of CEI’s Center for Energy and Environment Daren Bakst: “The very idea that the federal government would try and kill off…
Blog
House expected to consider legislation to block EPA’s ‘EV mandate’
This week the House is expected to consider a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) April 2024 rule…
NTD
Rate Cut Won’t Lead to Higher Inflation, But Signals Recession Concerns: Economist
NTD discusses economic issues with CEI Senior economist…
Blog
CEI’s The Surge: HUD hiking housing costs, wind and solar subsidies, and more
If you are interested in analysis and perspective on current energy and environmental issues, then we encourage you to subscribe to this new publication…
Blog
Will Big Nuclear make a comeback?
Following Georgia Power Plant Vogtle Unit 4’s completion and coming online earlier this year, there aren’t any outstanding large nuclear reactors under construction in the United…
Blog
The problem with power subsidies
A new paper from the Energy Alliance highlights one of the biggest causes of rising unreliability on the electricity grid: subsidies. The report’s author, Bill Peacock,…
Fox News
Energy groups pan Biden-Harris $7.3B ‘clean energy’ spending ahead of battleground visit
Fox News cited CEI’s experts on environmental policy “Rather than forcing on rural Americans’ energy sources they don’t want, the administration ought to…
Forbes
Unpacking The Pros And Cons Of The Energy Permitting Reform Act Of 2024
As the 118th Congress winds down, Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) have introduced the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024.
News Release
On the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, massive coalition urges Congress to dismantle the law’s anti-energy policies
The Competitive Enterprise Institute today sent a coalition letter signed by more than 50 conservative and free market organizations to Congress urging the dismantling…
Letters
Inflation Reduction Act Two Year Anniversary Letter
Dear Members of Congress: Today marks the second anniversary of the so-called Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), and the critics of its costly and…
News Release
Final gas stove rule an excuse for overregulation: CEI analysis
The Department of Energy has pushed back against criticism of its final gas stove rule, claiming that there is no reason to withdraw the rule.
Blog
Uncertain grids, growing market: The rise of backup power solutions in the US
In recent years, the generator market has seen remarkable growth, with more consumers opting for backup power solutions than ever before. The US generator sales…
Blog
CEI’s The Surge: Loper Bright, nuclear exports, and more
If you are interested in analysis and perspective on current energy and environmental issues, then we encourage you to subscribe to this new publication…
Blog
America should emulate South Korea on nuclear energy
A South Korean company, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, just received a $17.3 billion dollar contract to construct two new nuclear power plants for the Czech Republic.
Blog
CEI’s The Surge: Carbon taxes, Chevron, nuclear bill becomes law, & more!
If you are interested in analysis and perspective on current energy and environmental issues, then we encourage you to subscribe to this new publication…
Blog
House Interior and Environment spending bill: Critical provisions and amendments
This week, the House is expected to take up the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 (H.R. 8998). The…
RealClear Energy
The SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rule Is a Dark Cloud Over Energy Abundance
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) climate disclosure rule posts real problems for public companies. The SEC’s mission is to do facilitate capital formation and…
Blog
Generator sales are rising… And there’s good reason
I bought a house earlier this year, and to my absolute delight, it came with a built in 16 kilowatt (kW) generator, plenty of power for…
Investigate Midwest
Farm programs, USDA would shrink under Project 2025 goals for ag
Investigate Midwest cites Daren Bakst on Project 2025: So, what about the author? Daren Bakst wrote the agriculture chapter in Project 2025. He is now…
Blog
The deregulation maverick
A deregulation wave occurred in the American economic landscape in the late 1970s, particularly in the utility and airlines sectors. This shift was driven by…
Blog
Energy freedom on the ballot in Washington State
Climate change policies tend to become unpopular as soon as the public realizes the effects such policies will have on them. That certainly is the…
Washington Examiner
Conservatives must remain committed to dismantling the IRA’s “green” subsidies
The Inflation Reduction Act is partisan legislation packed with what could amount to more than one trillion dollars in “green” …
News Release
Report: Nine essential principles for the power grid
A new Competitive Enterprise Institute report calls on legislators to consider nine important principles for the power grid before passing any legislation that could…
Study
How to Keep the Lights On
A reliable electrical grid is essential to all aspects of daily life. Power keeps the lights on, appliances running, and keeps our homes warm on…
Blog
Small group of House members introduce pro-tax, anti-energy bill
The PROVE IT Act (S. 1863) is a pro-tax, anti-energy bill that, if passed, would lead to a carbon tax on imports…
The Center Square
A big win for representative government
Federal courts will no longer favor bureaucrats over the public, thanks to a June 28 U.S. Supreme Court decision. In a 6-3 opinion in Loper…
Blog
Congress just passed legislation to greenlight nuclear energy
The Senate just passed the “Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act” (ADVANCE ACT), which was part of the “Fire Grants and Safety…
DC Journal
Energy Industry Warns of ‘Irreparable Harm’ to Grid From EPA’s New Emissions Rule
DC Journal cited CEI’s experts on EPA’s New Emissions Rule “There’s just no way that the numbers work,” said Paige Lambermont, a research fellow at the…
Blog
AEA launches major campaign against the PROVE IT Act
Our friends at the American Energy Alliance (AEA) have launched an important digital campaign against the PROVE IT Act (S.1863).The PROVE IT…
The Daily Caller
Biden Admin Outsourcing Energy Policies To Unelected Blue State Bureaucrats
The Daily Caller cited CEI on regulation of consumer energy “EPA-granted waivers enable CARB to effectively dictate motor vehicle, trucking, and rail transport policies for…
News Release
CEI attorneys sue Department of Energy for illegally regulating water limits in home appliances
Attorneys from the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) sued the Department of Energy today on behalf of consumers, arguing that several recent DOE rules…
News Release
Report Explores Environmental Permitting Reform in Virginia
Today the Competitive Enterprise Institute released a report on environmental permitting in the state of Virginia, part of a series examining how states are…
Blog
The Surge: EPA’s new power plant rule, the PROVE IT Act, and more
If you are interested in analysis and perspective on current energy and environmental issues, then we encourage you to subscribe to this new publication…
NOTUS
Hundreds of Lawyers Are Gathering in Washington to Plot a Way to Save Biden’s Climate Agenda
NOTUS cited CEI’ Daren Bakst on Biden’s climate agenda Conservative groups are already eying the Biden administration’s latest regulations, arguing that its focus on climate…
The Washington Times
Biden is coming after your light bulbs — again
The Washington Times cited CEI’s experts on energy regulation “That’s the problem with these agencies. They make their living cranking out more and more regulations.
Blog
21 cents worth of stupid in the Department of Energy’s latest stove proposal
The good news is that the Biden Department of Energy’s (DOE) latest proposed efficiency regulation for residential stoves is considerably less damaging to consumers…
Blog
Conservatives oppose the PROVE IT Act
How does a federal tax on every aspect of our lives sound? How about punishing energy use?It’s probably safe to say that most people think…
Comment
CEI Comment on Department of Energy Proposed Stove Efficiency Regulation
Docket Number EERE-2014-ST-STD-000589 FR 11,548 and 89 FR 11,434 I. Summary The Department of Energy (DOE) is permitted to set energy efficiency standards for home…
Daily Caller
EXCLUSIVE: Dozens Of Energy Orgs Ask Congress To Kill Bill They Say Would ‘Inevitably’ Lead To Carbon Taxes
Daily Caller cited CEI on the PROVE ACT Among others, some of the organizations that signed the letter include the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the American…
Letters
CEI House PROVE IT Act Coalition Letter
Dear Representative: Since a House companion to the PROVE IT Act (S.1863) may be introduced soon, the undersigned organizations want to express our strong…
News Release
CEI leads coalition urging Congress to stop EPA’s power plant rule
The Competitive Enterprise Institute today led a coalition letter to Congress in support of an effort to undo the EPA’s power plant rule, which…
Letters
CEI Leads Coalition Letter Supporting CRA Resolution of Disapproval on EPA Power Plant Rule
Dear Members of Congress, The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recently finalized powerplant rule will kill America’s existing supply of baseload generation…
Blog
Wind subsidies are rising, but wind power production isn’t
New data recently released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows a decrease in wind power production in 2023. Despite record highs in installed wind capacity…
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: electric programs and EV powertrains
The midnight rush to beat the 60-legislative-day deadline for possible Congressional Review Act repeals appears to be slowing down, but Federal Register activity is still…
Blog
Fewer Memorial Day gimmicks, more oil production will bring down gasoline prices
The Biden administration treats high gasoline prices as a public relations problem rather than a real hardship for millions of Americans, hence the gimmicky announcement…
Blog
Biden’s oil and gas production problem
The Biden administration has an oil and gas production problem—and it’s not what you might think. The problem is that production is higher than ever,…
Blog
In spite of burdensome regulation, Georgia opens new nuclear reactor
Georgia’s new nuclear reactor is a long time coming. Plant Vogtle Unit 4 began producing commercial power on April 29th. This follows the opening of …
Blog
The Surge: Clean Power Plan 2.0 and more
If you are interested in analysis and perspective on current energy and environmental issues, then we encourage you to subscribe to this new publication…
Daily Caller
Biden’s Regulatory Blitz On Appliances Figures To Make Life More Expensive, Policy Experts Say
CEI’s Ben Lieberman is cited in Daily Caller on Biden’s blitz on appliance figures: “If these ultra-efficient appliances make sense, homeowners would choose them…
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…
Blog
Why policymakers should reject the PROVE IT Act: It’s a pro-tax, anti-energy bill
The PROVE IT Act (S. 1863) requires the collection and regular updating of the carbon intensity of domestic and foreign goods. It establishes the…
Blog
Why the PROVE IT Act would result in carbon taxes
The PROVE IT Act (S. 1863) is not a benign information collection bill on the carbon intensity of domestic and foreign goods. Instead, it…
Blog
EPA’s new powerplant rule is the Clean Power Plan on steroids
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday announced its final rule establishing carbon dioxide (CO2) emission performance standards for existing coal powerplants and new…
News Release
EPA rule against power plants – bad for energy reliability and prices, bad for rule of law
The EPA today announced its final rule establishing carbon dioxide (CO2) emission guidelines for existing coal power plants and CO2 performance standards for new…
News Release
Report: ‘Radiophobia’ Drives U.S. Nuclear Policy
A new Competitive Enterprise Institute report challenges an anti-nuclear power policy that is a case study on how not to regulate and govern. Nuclear power…
Blog
The flawed foundations of radiation risk assessment
The debate surrounding nuclear power has long been shaped by complex scientific, political, and social factors. At the heart of this debate lies the question…
Study
Myths and Facts in Radiation Risks
Introduction Nuclear power is probably the only known energy source that can support the world’s growing energy needs while simultaneously reducing global carbon dioxide emissions.1…
Blog
Department of Energy is coming after our light bulbs – again
We have already said goodbye to the incandescent light bulb, thanks to federal regulations. Will its replacement be next? Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency regulations…
The Federalist
More Than Two Dozen AGs Sue Biden Administration Over EV Mandate
CEI’s Daren Bakst is cited in The Federalist over a new emissions rule: Daren Bakst, director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center on Energy and Environment,…
Blog
The Inflation Reduction Act’s EPA slush fund gets going: Now it needs to be stopped
Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced eight nonprofit organizations will be able to hand out $20 billion of taxpayer dollars to recipients…
News Release
Lasting reforms needed to break Pennsylvania’s environmental permitting backlog
Pennsylvania has a long history of reforming its permitting practices to improve efficiency, but despite periods of progress and some improvements in average review times,…
Study
Breaking the Backlog
Pennsylvania has a long history of reforming its environmental permitting practices to improve efficiency. Despite periods of progress and some improvements in average review…
Blog
Hailstorm exposes vulnerabilities in solar infrastructure: A wake-up call from Texas
Recent destruction of solar cells at the Fighting Jays Solar Farm in Texas has sparked concerns amongst locals about potential land contamination and drawn…
Blog
Shocking: A federal agency’s new rule could harm electrical grid reliability
Last July the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) finalized FERC Order No. 2023, which makes significant changes to the procedures for adding new transmission to…
Blog
Another ban from California: Say goodbye to most new gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
California is not just banning gas-powered vehicles and trying to ban diesel locomotives. The state is also banning the sale of new gas-powered…
Blog
Questions about EPA’s electric vehicle rule—some answered, some not
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week posted the pre-Federal Register version of its de facto electric vehicle (EV) sales mandate rule. The rule…
Blog
Two cheers for the gas stove protections in FY 2024 spending bill
There is a provision in the recently-passed appropriations bill prohibiting any federal funds from being used by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to…
News Release
The House passes anti-carbon tax resolution: CEI analysis
Today, the House voted in a bipartisan manner to approve a concurrent resolution “expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be…
Blog
EPA’s latest unlawful assault on vehicle affordability and choice
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced final emission standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032…
Blog
Energy Week: Legislators have a chance to support important bills
This week is “Energy Week” in the US House of Representatives.House Republicans are going to vote on important legislation to help unleash American energy and…
Blog
Fueling discontent: Minnesota’s costly push for a low carbon fuel standard
Lawmakers in Minnesota are considering a Clean Transportation Standard (CTS) that would impose increasingly stringent carbon-intensity reduction targets on all motor fuels used in the…
Blog
Biden’s budget: A continued attack on reliable energy and freedom
President Joe Biden’s FY 2025 budget request of $7.3 trillion is exactly what Americans should have expected: increased spending and taxes. A budget…
News Release
China’s Beneficial Status as Developing Nation in UN Treaties Disadvantages US, Must End
China is now the world’s second largest economy and the largest exporter, yet it is designated as a developing nation in United Nations (UN) treaties.
Study
Forcing the UN’s Hand on China
Most United Nations (UN) environmental treaties are a bad deal for America that are made worse by classifying China as a developing nation and thus…
Blog
The Surge: New EPA rulemaking, Biden’s LNG ‘pause,’ and more
If you are interested in analysis and perspective on current energy and environmental issues, then we encourage you to subscribe to this new publication…
Blog
Spending bills fail to provide checks on Biden’s energy and environmental abuses
Over the weekend, House and Senate appropriations released the text of six final fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending bills: Energy and Water, Agriculture, Military…
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: Seabird mitigation and nuclear locations
CEI is hosting a hill event on March 5 about reforming administrative law courts. Politicians got upset about Wendy’s menus. GDP growth was…
Fox News
Biden admin finalizes environmental regulations targeting clothes washers, dryers
CEI’s Ben Lieberman is cited in Fox News about environmental regulations targeting appliances: “What we’re learning is that the government ought to get out…
News Release
CEI leads coalition of 20 groups in comment on EPA’s draft Scientific Integrity Policy
The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) led a coalition of 20 groups in a comment on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft “Scientific Integrity Policy.”…
Blog
Senate should pass bill to stop Biden’s liquified natural gas export ‘pause’
The Biden administration announced a pause last month on new approvals for liquified natural gas (LNG) exports to non-Free Trade Agreement (non-FTA) countries. The…
Comment
Regulatory Comment on 88 FR 89410
To the Honorable Rostin Behnam, Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Honorable Commissioners Kristen N. Johnson, Cristy Goldsmith Romero, Summer K. Mersinger,…
Comment
CEI Comments on California’s Advanced Clean Cars II Waiver Request
Thank you for the opportunity to comment[1] on the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB’s) request for a waiver under Section 209(b) of the…
Blog
CEI’s The Surge: Biden admin particulate matter rule, GOP carbon tax support, and more
If you are interested in analysis and perspective on current energy and environmental issues, then we encourage you to subscribe to this new publication…
Daily Caller
‘A Bad Day For Sound Science’: Republicans, Energy Experts Torch Biden’s Newest Air Quality Regulation
CEI’s Daren Bakst is cited on Daily Caller about new energy regulations: “Today is a bad day for sound science, scientific integrity, and more…
Fox News
Why gas stove owners should still be worried
In response to a strong public backlash, the Biden administration Department of Energy (DOE) has decided to backtrack on its proposed new energy efficiency regulation of stoves…
The Center Square
Will the cap-and-trade repeal initiative succeed? The markets might think so
CEI’s Stone Washington was cited in The Center Square on the repeal of cap-and-trade: Stone Washington, research fellow with the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center for…
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

Jacob Tomasulo
Policy Analyst
- Climate
- Energy
- Energy and Environment