Katrina reminds us of imminent energy crises

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, people are asking questions about the federal government's preparedness for natural disasters.\nBut we also need to ask similar difficult questions about the effectiveness and security of America's energy system. \nDuring the last few years, booming demand for oil and natural gas combined with dwindling supplies sent energy prices skyrocketing. High gasoline prices have struck a nerve with the public, but prices for diesel fuel and heating oil are also at record highs, with repercussions throughout the economy.\nIn addition, Katrina exposed -- for the second time in two years -- the folly of relying on a massive, centralized system to supply America's energy. Just as the failure of transmission lines in Ohio brought down the entire electric power grid in the eastern United States two years ago, Katrina struck at the heart of the massive web of drilling rigs, refineries, highways, electric generators, ships and pipelines that supply America with energy -- triggering gasoline shortages hundreds of miles away.\nThe long-term solution to the problem is obvious and challenging. We need to shift away from our over-reliance on unstable and unsustainable sources of energy. How? By dramatically improving the energy efficiency of our homes, cars, appliances and businesses; by increasing the share of energy we get from renewable sources of energy; and by generating more of our energy from clean, distributed sources (such as solar panels) right in our own backyards (or campuses).\nThe Bush administration and Congress, however, appear determined to take us in the opposite direction. In a clear case of special interest politics, the energy bill signed last month by President Bush included billions in handouts to the oil industry, the nuclear industry and other energy companies. \nPerhaps the aftermath of Katrina will convince Congress and the president of the need for a more sustainable and secure energy system. But if it doesn't, there's another place that citizens can turn for leadership: the states. \nDuring the past few years -- while Congress and the president have dithered -- growing numbers of states have begun to take action to move toward a better and more efficient energy system. Texas just pledged to double its commitment to renewable energy throughout the next decade. Arizona recently joined eight other states in tightening energy efficiency standards for appliances, and California is poised to pass the biggest solar power bill in the country. In the Northeast, nine states are working to reduce global warming emissions from power plants, while several other states are doing the same for cars. \nThe states can take pride in these efforts, but we must remember we can still do more. America's energy problems are long-term. As Katrina reminded us, the time to start making those changes is now. Americans can't wait for the federal government to rescue us from the disastrous energy policy decisions of the past. It is time for the states to lead.