Energy; the Great Unifier, Gen. Jim Jones Says It's a Strategic Priority
Gen. Jim Jones believes the future of energy in America is linked closely to the nation’s economic health and national security. As former national security adviser to President Barack Obama and head of the Marine Corps, Jones knows security. Recently, along with former Sen. Byron Dorgan and others, he helped steer a two-year study on the future of energy at the Bipartisan Policy Center.
The issue transcends our political divide and should command fast action in Washington, Jones said. He will expand on all these issues Tuesday evening at the EnergyBiz Leadership Forum State of Energy dinner at The National Press Club. We recently discussed his work on energy policy.
EnergyBiz: What is the thrust of your two-year study?
Jones: The first part was released in November. It deals with structural reforms that we think need to be made in our government. We propose a quadrennial energy review. We advocate that energy security is a national imperative. We should have an energy strategy, because the potential to benefit the country and our standing in the world is tremendous. With energy being handled in 15 or 16 government agencies and with 30 to 32 oversight committees in Congress, we’re not well organized right now. We call for the formation of a national energy council that would report to the President through the secretary of energy.
EnergyBiz: What is the second set of recommendations, newly released?
Jones: It tackles the strategic convergence points of the entire energy community. It suggests ways in which we can make advancements based on science, technology and things that we know. The secretary of energy will have the authority to bring people to the table and coordinate the development of a strategic policy that makes some sense.
ENERGYBIZ: Are you convinced that clean coal, nuclear power and even renewables will have a robust future given the low cost of shale gas today?
Jones: We need it all. But we need it in a way that makes sense.
ENERGYBIZ: Are you hopeful that the political rancor between Democrats and Republicans in Washington can be bridged on energy issues?
Jones: It’s not a question of hope. It has to be, because it’s in the national interest. We are making sure that Republicans and Democrats who have an interest in the energy field are being briefed, and we appeal to their sense of what’s in the interest of the nation. We tell them if we do this right, these are keys to American competitiveness in the world, our budget issues or balance of payments, our deficit and also employment. Sen. Dorgan said it well when he said, “Energy in the United States is like an orchestra without a conductor.” We don’t have a designated conductor to lead the orchestra, and that’s what we’re suggesting that we need.
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