Perspectives on Energy Policy: Security, Economics, and the Environment 

In discussions about energy policy across the United States, three major perspectives have
emerged: national security, economic security, and climate change. Each perspective draws on a
different set of assumptions and provides only part of the understanding necessary in addressing
the complexities and challenges of meeting energy needs in the 21st century. Sandia National
Laboratories and University of California San Diego co-convened a two-day workshop designed
to bring a highly diverse group of national and state level energy policy stakeholders together to
bridge key perspectives, identify assumptions, and clarify differences.

This report, the outcome of the March 2009 workshop involving 27 leaders from academia,
government, and the private sector , proposes values- and outcomes-based approaches to
energy policy.

Both the full report (3.5 MB PDF) and an executive summary (2.65 MB PDF) are now available.

Conveners:

Les Shephard, PhD     
Vice President, Energy, Security, and Defense Technologies, Sandia National Laboratories  

Charles Kennel, PhD
Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego 
Senior Strategist, Sustainability Solutions Institute, UC San Diego
    

Goal:
   
• To contribute to the energy policy direction of the United States, both domestically and in
relation to global initiatives and discussions on climate change, economic challenges and national
security issues.
       

Workshop objectives:
   
• Reflect on what it would take to build an integrated energy policy, given competing priorities
based on national security, environmental, and economic considerations
 
• Probe how decision makers think and make policy given these diverse perspectives, and
explore the opportunities and challenges these decision-paths present
  
• Look for language and measures that would further the conversation and optimize integration
across the competing priorities and interests
   
• Engage in integrative thinking on key energy policy questions
  
• Identify promising areas of common ground and clarify differences
  
• Develop a basis for public dialogue around energy issues
 
      
Desired outcomes:
  
• Identify assumptions, challenges, and tradeoffs across diverse perspectives
  
• Build and strengthen understanding and collaborative relationships between different
sectors/stakeholders
  
• Define specific next steps and articulate avenues for continued engagement around workshop
findings and desired outcomes