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Energy Policy for America
A Guidebook for State Legislators

by Joseph L. Bast, President, The Heartland Institute
and Sandy Liddy Bourne, Vice President, The Heartland Institute
The Heartland Institute, January 2007

The policy question faced by many elected officials today is: How do we balance energy and environmental concerns with the individual rights and freedoms we hold dear?

Those who say we must not utilize our most inexpensive fuel sources are putting small and hypothetical risks ahead of much better-understood costs and benefits. Coal, natural gas, and nuclear power can be used to generate electricity safely and cleanly. If we fail to do so, we risk supply interruptions and rising costs, which in turn will reduce economic growth and job creation.

This 64-page guide was written for busy state elected officials who need to stay on top of the energy debate. It covers nine of the most important energy issues facing the country today, from air quality and biofuels to natural gas and nuclear power.

Each chapter features a few pages of Talking Points, which frame the issue and summarize key data and ideas. The talking points are followed by one or two Background Readings, short articles containing sources and data backing up most of the talking points. Suggested Additional References appear at the end of each chapter.

Table of Contents
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