The Breakthrough Institute

With Americans looking to Congress for relief as prices spike at the pump, the future of American energy policy has quickly become the biggest political battle of the new century. Breakthrough Institute dives into debate...

The Energy Debate and Global Warming Politics
New polling reveals that Americans blame Congress as much as they blame oil companies for high energy prices. Jeff Navin, political consultant and former Research Director for Sen. Tom Daschle gives us the inside story on how today's debate on energy may influence tomorrow's debate on global warming.

Why the "prices won't come down for a long time" argument doesn't work
Breakthrough Institute President Michael Shellenberger points to why the environmental argument against drilling -- "that prices won't come down for a long time" -- doesn't work.

Democrats Are Losing the Battle of the Century
Democrats are getting trounced on the biggest election issue and quickly losing the most important political battle of the new century: energy. So why are they losing and what will it take to win the energy battle?

Drilling on America's Land, Drilling on America's Terms
All the polling points demonstrates the fact that Americans are ready to start drilling, seeing it as a tangible way to help bring down prices at the pump. Whether or not this notion is true, Republicans continue to score political points hammering the Democrats for standing in the way of a solution that voting citizens support. And, if Democrats want to not only help Americans, but come out as the political winners, it is imperative that Democrats accept drilling, but accept it on their terms, not on Republican terms.

Playground Politics
On the political playground, the Republicans are poised to fire a slingshot, and the Democrats are whining for the teacher.

All of the Above and What Matters Above All
The Democrats recently announced they plan to bring the energy debate back to their corner when they return from recess next week. They, too, will embrace an "All of the Above" strategy. But is it focused on what truly matters when it comes to energy policy in 2008?

Go To Them: New Energy Jobs and the Populism We Need
It's not just about framing--"new energy jobs" are the best and only shot at bringing down the political impasse between America and the energy policy it needs.

Both Parties' Conventions Put the Spotlight on Energy
Energy is the number one issue of the 2008 presidential election and it is taking center stage at both parties' conventions this week and next. Republicans have been able to effectively capture this issue and run with it, bringing the American people with them and leaving Democrats in the dust. It is not, however, game over for Democrats. The American public is all ears for what the Democrats will say at their convention this week, and if they find the right message they will garner significant voter support.

A Pivotal Moment
With Americans focused on energy prices as never before, a game-changing shift is occurring in the American political climate. The time has come for climate and clean energy advocates to adopt a new strategy and policy agenda. Next year will see the inauguration of a new president, a new Congress, and a new international agreement on global warming. The moment is far too urgent to fall on our swords for a cap-and-trade agenda developed in an entirely different political environment.

Why I'm Sticking with Pickens -- even after "Drill, Drill, Drill"
Taken in context, Pickens' call to drill was actually an indictment of the false promise of drilling.

Gang of Ten Could Upset Energy Debate
For the past two weeks, Democrats have been losing the energy debate -- badly. But a "New Energy Reform Act" proposal from the "Gang of 10" is starting to gain serious traction and could upset the debate.

Will Greens Keep Their Seat at the Table in the Energy Debate?
As soon as the enviros advance new legislation that will raise consumers' energy prices at a time when that is the biggest political non-starter in America, they will lose their seat in the pivotal political discussion that could determine the direction of America's energy policy for decades.

Eyes on the Prize: why Windfalls will Change the Drilling Debate
As the drilling debate matures, you should expect the focus to shift from drill or not to drill, to how the government should spend the money raised from drilling.

Does the Energy Debate Signal the End of Green Influence in Washington?
Greens entered the summer thinking they could count on a Democratic majority in two houses to pass serious global warming legislation. Three months later they are in a period of reckoning that they seem only now to be awakening to.

Democrats: Party in Power or Powerful Party?
Yesterday, House Democrats pulled off a tactical victory in the energy debate over Republicans. But it is just that: a tactical victory in a political battle in which the Republicans set all the conditions. Setting a proactive agenda that responds to the electorate and provides a new vision for a new century will establish the Democrats as the party with real leadership for the 21st century. And the way to get started is with energy.

A Political Earthquake: Pelosi's Democratic House Passes Pro-Drilling Bill
When Nancy Pelosi's Democratic House passes a pro-drilling bill, you're looking at nothing less than a political earthquake. We're witnessing a fundamental realignment of the energy debate. Energy policy is now about bread and butter issues: jobs, economic growth and energy prices. Can clean energy and climate advocates adapt to the new political landscape?

Senate "Gang of 20" Punts Amid Heated Partisan Politics
With the election looming and energy policy taking center stage in the run up to November 4th, partisan politics are too heated to advance any real compromise energy bill, says the bipartisan Senate "Gang of 20."