ENERGY POLICY: HOW FAILURE WAS SNATCHED FROM THE JAWS OF SUCCESS |
| |
| Authors: | Don E Kashand Robert W Rycroft |
| |
| Institution: | DON E. KASH is George Lynn Cross Research Professor of Polltlcal Science and Research Fellow in Science and Public Policy at the University of Oklahoma. From 1978 through 1981 he served as Chief of the Consstvatlon Division, U.S. Ceolcgical Survey. Currently, he chairs the Committee on National Dredging Issues, National Research Council. Dr. Kashls research interests are in the areas of science policy and energy policy.;ROBERT W. RYCROFT is Assistant Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science and Deputy Director of the Graduate Program in Science, Technology, and Public Policy, The George Washington University. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma and has held research and teaching positions a t Oklahoma, Princeton, and the University of Denver.Dr. Rycroft's research interests are in the areas of science and technology policy, energy policy, and bureaucratic politics. |
| |
| Abstract: | Prior to the energy crisis of 1973, the U.S. did not have an energy policy. The failure of the American political system to anticipate and respond to the changing facts of energy was an inevitable outcome of the way policy is made. Consistent with tradition, the search for a consensus was begun from 1973–1980. The U.S. abandoned cheap energy as a high priority and adopted secure, abundant and clean energy. Conservation came to be viewed as a source of energy along with nuclear power and synfuels. Price deregulation was the most important policy tool. The Reagan administration upset this consensus and substituted the market place as the means for maximizing supplies rather than reduce demand.
The federal role was limited to bringing publicly-owned bonds into the marketplace. At the same time, it reduced RED and concern for the environment. Thus, the Reagan administration succeeded in snatching failure from the jaws of success. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
