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Institute for Energy Research

The Institute for Energy Research (IER) is a not-for-profit organization that conducts intensive research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets. IER maintains that freely-functioning energy markets provide the most efficient and effective solutions to today’s global energy and environmental challenges and, as such, are critical to the well-being of individuals and society.

Most Recent Articles by Institute for Energy Research:

IER Statement on Kerry-Lieberman Global Warming Bill

**UPDATE: American Power Act legislative text now available.** Washington, DC--After months of behind-the-scenes horse-trading and corporate deal-making, Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) finally unveiled their global warming measure, The American Power Act. However, they have yet to release the actual legislative text, which will include the all important details of exactly what these senators seek to regulate tax and subsidize.
- Thursday, May 13, 2010

Wall Street Wins with Cap-and-Trade, Consumers Lose

Washington, DC As Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) prepare to unveil their much-awaited global warming legislation, many Americans find themselves wondering who will benefit from the proposal. Well, after a quick search of newspapers from the past few years, it's obvious who wins and who loses: Wall Street wins, consumers lose. Following are a few selected articles that paint an abundantly clear picture of what's at stake and why specific rent-seeking corporations are aggressively lobbying for implementation of energy rationing legislation.
- Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Myths of Cap-and-Trade and Clean Energy Policies

imageTomorrow, with the support of the White House, Senators Kerry and Lieberman are introducing a bill to regulate energy. The Obama administration and Congress are trying to make the American public believe that cap-and-trade and other "clean energy" policies will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while not significantly increasing consumer prices. These Senators and the President point to Europe as providing a model the U.S. should follow.
- Tuesday, May 11, 2010

K[G]L 101: A Glossary of Terms

Washington, DC -- With Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) set to introduce their much awaited global warming legislation later this week, the Institute for Energy Research compiled and defined a list of terms expected to be included.
- Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Focus on Cleanup, Not Politics

The tragic Deepwater Horizon accident and the ensuing oil spill that has become the new rallying cry for opponents of increased domestic energy production, will undoubtedly change the debate in Washington. But should it?
- Saturday, May 8, 2010



Two Energy Giants: A Contrast in Approach

China’s economy is growing with dizzying speed, and the government is fueling the growth with plentiful energy. In fact, China’s electrification program and its ability to secure future oil supplies are second to none. By contrast, the U.S. economy is growing more slowly and its energy strategy is limiting that growth. The United States has slowed its electrification, adding only select forms of generating capacity, and has taken steps to reduce its flexibility in securing safe oil supplies.
- Friday, April 23, 2010

Is Cap-and-Dividend Good for Consumers?

Sensing that the public is very suspicious of massive new taxes levied on energy, the supporters of “carbon pricing” continue to tweak their messaging. Although Senators Kerry, Graham, and Lieberman (KGL) have yet to formally introduce their version of a cap-and-trade bill, they have informally shared some of its presumed components.
- Saturday, April 17, 2010

Tax Day: If it Walks Like a Tax, Talks Like a Tax, and Smells Like a Tax, it’s a Tax

Washington, DC --Tax Day is an annual reminder to the many Americans that pay income taxes of just how much of our hard-earned money goes into the government's pocket. But as we mark this annual "holiday," the Institute for Energy Research would like to focus on a tax that 100 percent of Americans pay: energy taxes.
- Friday, April 16, 2010


Low-Carbon Fuel Standards Would Curb Secure Oil Supplies to US Markets and Increase Gasoline Prices

The U.S. Congress has proposed legislation that would institute a low-carbon fuel standard, following in California's footsteps. To date, none of the proposals has passed. But meanwhile, individual states are looking into the passage of a California-like standard, which would restrict the carbon intensity of their transportation and home heating fuels. Unfortunately, such a standard would also reduce oil imports from our northern neighbor, Canada. Canadian proven oil reserves -- second in the world only to Saudi Arabia -- are composed mostly of oil sands, a heavy oil that emits more carbon emissions in its production than conventional oil does.
- Wednesday, April 14, 2010

EPA’s new fuel economy mandates—more job killing regulation

As if disregarding the will of the American people on the health care bill wasn't enough, the Administration today announced that Americans don't make the "proper" choices about the cars they drive. That might sound like an April Fool's joke, but the Administration isn't kidding.
- Friday, April 2, 2010

Promises Made, Promises Kept: Obama to Bankrupt the Coal Industry

Washington, DC -- Responding to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision this afternoon on the future of coal mining in Appalachia, Thomas J. Pyle, president of the Institute for Energy Research issued the following statement:
- Friday, April 2, 2010

Obama Energy Announcement: More Imported Oil, Less Domestic Production, Fewer Jobs

Washington, DC – Earlier this morning, President Obama delivered remarks at Andrews Air Force Base on offshore energy exploration and production, and what a scene it was. While many newspapers and cable news pundits cheered the announcement as a positive development, we at the Institute for Energy Research caution lawmakers, the media, and the American people from rushing to conclusions until all the facts are on the table. This is a huge step backward for America’s energy security.
- Wednesday, March 31, 2010


Kyoto’s Clean Development Mechanism: Is It Producing Results? For Whom?

The stated goal of the Kyoto Protocol is to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. One of the creative ways the Protocol sought to achieve this goal was the creation of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Instead of forcing industrialized countries to make expensive greenhouse gas emissions reductions, the CDM provides flexibility by allowing the industrialized countries to purchase carbon credits from carbon dioxide-reduction projects in developing countries. For countries that have agreed to limit their greenhouse gas emissions, it sounds like the CDM would be a lower-cost way to reduce emissions, but there is evidence that countries, such as China, have gamed the system. Also, the CDM itself does not necessarily lead to efficient outcomes if the goal is greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Ultimately, energy prices increase for consumers in order to pay for these programs.
- Wednesday, March 24, 2010


The U.S. in the World Race for Clean Electric Generating Capacity

China has already made its choice. China is spending about $9 billion a month on clean energy. It is also investing $44 billion by 2012 and $88 billion by 2020 in Ultra High Voltage transmission lines. These lines will allow China to transmit power from huge wind and solar farms far from its cities. While every country’s transmission needs are different, this is a clear sign of China’s commitment to developing renewable energy. The United States, meanwhile, has fallen behind. U.S. Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu
- Tuesday, March 16, 2010


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