"For many decades the United States has been able to avoid adopting a comprehensive energy security policy. Today, however, the United States faces the prospect of unprecedented energy price volatility and recurrent shortages of electricity and other energy supplies. As a result, energy policy is now one of the most compelling requirements of public policy. A comprehensive national energy security policy is necessary to assure continued improvement in U.S. living standards in the 21st century." "The world has shifted from a situation of sustained surplus capacities to one of capacity limits, and complacency has shackled the United States as a prisoner of the energy dilemma. Reacting to each crisis as it appears on the horizon, the United States has failed to promote a long-range strategic policy. As a result, the country is now vulnerable to oil supply disruptions even worse than those of the 1970s and to the risks that supply disruptions and price volatility can have on domestic industry." "The United States faces a major challenge to create a coherent and comprehensive energy policy that accommodates and coordinates, where possible, domestic and foreign policy priorities and objectives in an effective manner. In this context, the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy and the Council on Foreign Relations cosponsored an Independent Task Force to contribute to the goal of defining a strategic U.S. energy policy. The published report of this Task Force defines the energy problems facing the United States and outlines findings and recommendations for the creation of a strategic energy initiative. The Task Force Report balances rising world energy requirements, energy infrastructure constraints, environmental concerns, and domestic energy use challenges in a pragmatic way and discusses in detail options and trade-offs for near-term policy actions and long-term initiatives."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved