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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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…
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