Access to abundant, affordable energy is a key factor in economic growth, whether supplying the manufacturing plants of the 20th century or the server farms of the 21st century. Unfortunately, the federal government has placed unreasonable restrictions on domestic exploration and development, and foreign sources are sometimes actually hostile to our own interests.
New discoveries and innovative technologies have made possible the extraction of enormous new energy resources within the United States. The U.S. possesses not only enormous natural energy resources but also the technology to extract those resources in a responsible manner.
IPI believes that the United States should become as energy self-sufficient as possible, drawing upon a diverse energy base comprised of all possible energy resources. We believe that free people operating within a free economy using voluntary risk capital will out-innovate government-directed central planning funded by taxpayer dollars. The key to energy innovation is abundant capital, a tax system that rewards rather than punishes success, an intellectual property system that allows innovators to own the fruits of their research, and a regulatory environment that balances the needs of our economy with the protection of the environment.
Time to Boost U.S. Economy by Lifting Crude Oil, Gas Export Ban
In "The Case for Permitting Crude Oil Exports," Merrill Matthews explains that the oil export ban, imposed during the 1970s oil shortages, is out dated and counterproductive in an age of dramatically rising U.S. oil production.
The Case for Permitting Crude Oil Exports
Since the 1970s, U.S. law has banned crude oil exports. But with new drilling techniques dramatically increasing U.S. oil production and the willingness of unfriendly countries to use oil and natural gas supplies as a foreign policy hammer, it's time to repeal that export ban.
Kerry Wants Another Failed Global Environment
If the Obama administration really wants to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions without hamstringing the world economy with costly energy restrictions, it would stop its perpetual slow-walk of drilling permits on federal lands and offshore and give a full-speed-ahead to natural gas exports.
The Economic Case for Permitting Crude Oil Exports
Allowing oil—as well as natural gas—exports would lower energy prices, increase supply and improve U.S. security.
EPA rule for Indian Country Tossed Out
The EPA overstepped its bounds when it attempted to override Oklahoma’s air quality compliance plan. Merrill Matthews says the case is symptomatic of the federal government’s addiction to regulatory overreach.
Obama Isn't Looking for a Reason to Support Keystone, but to Oppose It
The media act like the new State Department report gives President Obama cover to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, but it’s clear he is looking for a reason to reject it.
House Passes Bill to Expedite Energy Production on Federal Lands
Merrill Matthews said Obama claims credit for increasing oil and natural gas production while working to thwart it. “His energy ‘successes’ [amount to] putting a happy face on a dysfunctional and damaging effort,” he said.
Liberal governors bankrupt their states just like Obama bankrupts the country
Fiscal restraint and energy production are the best way to fiscal health.
U.S. Shows Promise in Reducing Emissions
The U.S. decline appears to be part of a long-term trend due primarily to power plants increasingly switching from coal to cheap and cleaner-burning natural gas.
LETTER: Matthews is right on
To the editor: IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews is right on with his criticism of Greenpeace’s ridiculous Santa Claus video.