Latest Entries
Regulation

Searching for Common Ground between Energy Security and Environmental Justice 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on February 7, 2023, titled Unleashing American Energy, Lowering Energy Costs, and Strengthening Supply Chains. During this hearing, the committee discussed 17 proposed bills. Several bills aim to remediate shortages and high prices by addressing the importance of American energy by creating waivers to … Continue reading →

Trade

The European Union’s Response to the Inflation Reduction Act 

Executive Summary  The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) introduces numerous climate subsidies, including a tax credit up to $7,500 for American consumers who purchase electric vehicles with North American parts and assembly. As a large investor into green energy and electric vehicles in particular, the European Union was upset by the passage of the IRA and its … Continue reading →

Regulation

Is the FCC correctly expanding its role or overreaching for power?

Executive Summary  On January 23, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission released a proposed rule that would change data breach laws. While the FCC has long regulated Consumer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) at the direction of Congress in Section 222 of the Communications Act of 1996, the Commission now seeks to expand its role and increase … Continue reading →

Trade

Biden Wrongly Backed Trump in Steel Feud with the World Trade Organization

In March 2018, the Trump Administration levied a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports. The tariffs launched an international trade war between the United States and the majority of its closest trade partners. Multiple nations, angered by the tariffs, responded through formal complaints against the United States through the … Continue reading →

Politics

Repeal the Jones Act 

Introduction  During a time of declining bipartisanship in Washington, one law continues to enjoy the backing of members in both parties: The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, better known as the Jones Act. The law requires that shipping between U.S. ports is conducted by ships that are U.S.-built and at least 75 percent U.S.-owned. Proponents … Continue reading →

Politics

The Case for Permitting Reform

Introduction  Last month, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2022, a comprehensive permitting reform text meant to be included in the government funding bill. The proposal faced bipartisan opposition, with Senate Republicans still tiffed with Manchin’s decision to support the ironically named “Inflation Reduction Act” and progressives opposing the … Continue reading →

Politics

Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan: Who is it really for and what are the economic consequences?

Introduction: On Monday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that Joe Biden’s executive plan- put in place in August- to forgive thousands of dollars of student loan debt for millions of Americans will cost more than $400bn over three decades. While the White house has been reluctant in providing its own fiscal assessment of the plan, … Continue reading →