Regulation, “Republican Moments,” and Energy Policy Reform

During the last half decade, energy policy reform has made its way to the top of the American policymaking agenda, driven by a groundswell of concern over environmental issues (primarily climate change), energy security issues, and the desire for a more efficient and reliable energy delivery system. This groundswell has produced some recent policy changes, but have not been enough to satisfy proponents of reform, who remain frustrated with the unwillingness of Congress to pass legislation aimed at fundamentally changing the way Americans produce and consume energy. This article examines the reasons why fundamental energy policy reform has been so challenging.The Kay Bailey Hutchison Center for Energy, Law, and Busines