Meeting the Energy Challenges of the Future: A Guide for Policymakers

July 2010

Complete Report (38-page PDF)

Press Release

Meeting the Energy Challenges of the Future: A Guide for Policymakers provides an overview of the challenges facing states as they attempt to meet the electricity demands of the 21st century. It investigates regional diversity, fuel sources, and the economic and environmental effects of energy choices. This guide also explores the long-term supply outlook, options for meeting growing energy demand, the challenges of building and updating the electricity transmission and distribution system, and options for improving efficiency. It includes a detailed analysis of the various fuel sources, including nuclear energy; fossil fuels; renewable sources such as wind, hydropower and solar; and energy efficiency. Policy options are included for each of the critical energy issues discussed in this report.

The report was developed under direction of the NCSL Task Force on Energy Supply, which was formed in 2009 to consider potential solutions to the nation’s energy challenges. The goal of this report is to facilitate discussions within each state to define energy needs and determine policies that will best achieve reliable, efficient and cost-effective electricity production, transmission and distribution.

Click here for more information on the Energy Supply Task Force.

Table of Contents

• List of Figures and Tables
• The NCSL Task Force on Energy Supply
• Acknowledgments
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
  - Setting the Stage: Energy in the United States
• Energy Sources: Challenges and Opportunities
  - Coal
  - Natural Gas
  - Nuclear Power
  - Renewable Energy
• Energy Demand and Supply: State Policy Options
  - Coal Technology
  - Natural Gas
  - Transmission
  - Nuclear Energy
  - Energy Efficiency
  - Renewable Energy
  - Solar
  - Wind
  - Biomass
  - Geothermal
  - Small Hydro
• Glossary
• Notes
• Links and Resources