“America must be running entirely on clean energy by mid-century” – 2016 Democratic Party platform.

Delegates to the Democratic Party’s national convention released their new platform on July 21st. Its energy policy spans several pages and ranks as the sixth most important issue for the party—ahead of education (7th), health care (8th), and national security (10th). The central goal of the Democratic energy platform is to transition the nation entirely to renewable (non-carbon emitting) energy sources by ~2050.

The “Why” of the Democratic Party’s Energy Platform
Bjarne Tellmann (General Counsel of Pearson PLC) recently reminded me of Simon Sinek’s TED Talk (“Start with Why”), which argues that “people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” The Democrat’s energy platform opens with an emotional plea for why its energy policy is needed: “Cities from Miami to Baltimore are already threatened by rising seas. California and the West have suffered years of brutal drought. Alaska has been scorched by wildfire. New York has been battered by superstorms, and Texas swamped by flash floods. The best science tells us that without ambitious, immediate action across our economy to cut carbon pollution and other greenhouse gases, all of these impacts will be far worse in the future. We cannot leave our children a planet that has been profoundly damaged.”
Areas of Focus: Energy Markets
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Energy Markets
Well-functioning markets are essential for providing access to reliable, affordable energy. EPIC research is uncovering the policies, prices and information needed to help energy markets work efficiently.
Fossil Fuels
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Fossil Fuels
Under current policies, fossil fuels will play an important role in the energy system for the foreseeable future. EPIC research is exploring the costs and benefits of these fuels as...
Renewable Energy
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Renewable Energy
Lower technology costs and supportive public policies are driving an increase in renewable energy in markets around the world. EPIC research is assessing the costs, benefits, and efficiency of policies...
Climate Law & Policy
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Climate Law & Policy
As countries around the world implement policies to confront climate change, EPIC research is calculating which policies will have the most impact for the least cost.
Definition
Definition
Renewable Energy
Definition
Renewable Energy
Lower technology costs and supportive public policies are driving an increase in renewable energy in markets around the world. EPIC research is assessing the costs, benefits, and efficiency of policies...
Fossil Fuels
Definition
Fossil Fuels
Under current policies, fossil fuels will play an important role in the energy system for the foreseeable future. EPIC research is exploring the costs and benefits of these fuels as...