Josiah Willard Gibbs. (Library of Congress)

Energy is the economic lifeblood of all economies. It is an essential gear for the economies of the developed world, and of ever growing importance to developing nations. It is of concern to the largest of nations as well as the smallest. And it is as great a concern of local governments as national ones.

Government action or inaction at all levels in energy policy has varied tremendously. Prior to 1930, involvement in energy issues at all levels of government was minimal in the United States because of relatively moderate demand for energy consuming technology, and an abundant and relatively cheap supply of fossil fuels. The government's approach to energy changed with the Depression and the New Deal. The United States began to subsidize energy by building hydroelectric stations (the Tennessee Valley Authority), supporting rural electrification, and subsidizing of nuclear research...