A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment - Paperback

by Jay Hakes (Author)

If you've wondered about how America can break links between oil consumption, terrorism, and the war in Iraq, A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment will show you how our country can gain energy independence and solve its energy crisis. Written by a top energy expert, this book outlines seven economically and politically viable ways America can more efficiently use and produce energy. Find out how carbon fuels negatively impact our lives and understand the political framework of the energy crisis.

Front Jacket

Between rising oil prices, global instability, and environmentaldeg-radation, most Americans acknowl-edge the need for energyindependence. Yet our political dialogue tends to focus more onrhetoric than substance, leaving citizens scratching their headsabout what they and the country can do to break free from energydependence.

"A Declaration of Energy Independence" takes a nonpartisan, honest approach to energy issues and answers fundamental questionslike whether the price of oil will ever go down; whether globalwarming is a real threat; and whether ethanol and other biofuelsmake sense in the long run.

As the former head of the Energy Information Administration atthe U.S. Department of Energy, author Jay Hakes had an exclusive, inside look at America'senergy problems. Now, combining un-disputedfacts and solid science with historical and political context, Hakes offershis expert insight on the situation and presents viablesolutions for a more stable political, economic, and militaryfuture for America.

America's addiction to oil isn't just a pocketbook problem; infact, it represents a grave security threat with even greaterlong-term consequences than the Iraq War. Far beyond the risingprice of gas, our oil addiction puts dollars in the hands offoreign despots and funds international terrorism. In addition, anysevere disrup-tion in the flow of oil can leave our militaryvirtually crippled and unable to respond to crises around theworld.

America can break out of the energy trap if we approach theissue honestly, intelligently, and with the political will tocreate a better future. "A Declaration of Energy Independence"offers a real-world look--without the ideological blinders ofthe right and the left--at how we got into this mess and, moreimportantly, provides effective solutions to get us out of it.

Back Jacket

"Hakes argues persuasively that the United States can end its damaging dependence on foreign oil. He tells the story of failures and surprising successes in federal energy policies of the last forty years, and where we need to go in the future. Both a careful scholar and a realistic veteran of state and federal government, Hakes has written an important book that provides workable solutions to our nation's energy problems."
- Former President Jimmy Carter

In response to the oil crises of the 1970s, America developed a bipartisan energy policy that made us safer, greener, and far less dependent on foreign oil. It was so successful that American oil imports fell by fifty percent and greenhouse gas emissions dropped nine percent in just five years. How was this possible, and how can we do it again?

A Declaration of Energy Independence--written by one of the country's top energy experts--outlines seven economically and politically viable paths to energy independence. It also answers the questions many Americans have been asking:

• How can we break the links between oil consumption, terrorism, and the war in Iraq?
• Will it wreck our economy if we deal with the tough issues of energy?
• Which new technologies can help get us out of our current energy predicaments?
• What kind of a president do we need to lead us to a better energy future?
• Should we be pessimistic or optimistic about our energy prospects?

"This book and its message are long overdue." -Former President Jimmy Carter

Author Biography

Jay Hakes was head of the Energy Information Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy from 1993 to 2000, where he oversaw the collec-tion and dissemination of America's official energy data and analysis. He has given testimony before congressional committees on more than twenty-five occasions and is currently head of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta.