November/December 2008 / Cover Story
Businesses Must Have an Energy Plan Because Government Doesn’t
The author notes that presidents have been signing legislation intended to help the United States be self-sufficient in its energy use since the 1940s. In 1973, President Nixon launched Project Independence with the goal of achieving energy independence by 1980. In 1975, President Ford moved the date for achieving energy independence to 1985. In 1980, President Carter signed an Act promoting solar and other renewables.
President George H.W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil by requiring certain fleets to acquire alternative fuel vehicles. President Clinton announced initiatives to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of sustainable energy technology.
In 2005 President George W. Bush signed another Energy Policy Act, aimed at encouraging energy efficiency, conservation, alternative energy and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign sources. The United States is a country with lots of energy legislation, but no energy strategy.
In the absence of a national strategy, the author advises individual businesses to view their energy security as if they were a country. He suggests planning long-term for supplies, diversifying fuel mixes and balancing environmental impacts. He says energy-intensive businesses need to apply risk management analysis from the well-head to on-site delivery, and they must have a backup plan.
