Economics
With the crafting of a reconciliation package in full swing, the fate of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) hangs in the balance. Much of the discussion in Washington has centered on what will happen to the energy tax credits. In a new paper, we outline how full expensing is a pro-growth, pro-environment policy that doesn’t pick winners and losers.
Energy
The future of affordable, reliable, clean energy should not depend on the government. Instead, it should depend on consumers' choices. While governments can help by enacting policies that empower and reduce barriers to clean energy development, businesses and individual consumers will be the fundamental drivers of change, demanding cleaner, more sustainable energy.
Policy
America faces an uncomfortable truth: our energy and environmental ambitions have been dangerously misaligned with our economic and geopolitical reality.
Policy
Affordable, reliable transportation is essential for everyday life, and sound transportation policy can have profound positive effects on the economy, the environment, and the lives of all Americans.
Policy
The reality is offshore wind could offer compelling potential benefits that make a categorical ban shortsighted and counterproductive.
Policy
As the Trump administration angles for peace between Ukraine and Russia, the real driving force that will bring calm to the region — while benefiting the United States — is a critical mineral deal with America. To understand why, we must first recognize why critical minerals are so essential.
Policy
Most Americans have concerns about the pollution and waste associated with plastic use, most notably single-use plastics like water bottles. However, calls to restrict plastic production and consumption would likely backfire, resulting in higher consumer costs and worse environmental outcomes.
Policy
Senator McCain called for the United States to build forty-five new nuclear reactors by 2030. The plan was ambitious, but as one of his top economic advisors commented at the time, “not so large as to be infeasible given permitting and construction times.” With less than five years to go, only two reactors have been built since the late senator’s campaign pledge.
Environment
Innovation, investment, and the cleanest possible energy production thrive best in freer markets that encourage competition instead of having politicians pick winners and losers. That, in a nutshell, is the lesson of the latest Free Economies are Clean Economies report.
Policy
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced an executive order on March 27, 2025, to improve the efficiency of the National Laboratories and to reduce bureaucratic kludge at these key federal research and development centers.
