US Energy Policy and the Pursuit of Failure

'U.S. Energy Policy and the Pursuit of Failure is exactly the kind of analysis that more economists should do. It brings in political transaction costs to explain how policies can go astray, endure, and reduce welfare. Given the plethora of policy recommendations for climate change mitigation, economists should take pause and be careful in what they call for.' Gary Libecap, University of California, Santa Barbara
'For four decades, politicians have promised a solution to the 'energy crisis' that will bring Americans 'energy independence'. Fusion, wind, solar, switch grass, or algae, the salvation technologies have changed but the promises remain the same and broken. In this important and entertaining book, Peter Grossman documents the history of energy policy failure. Most importantly, [he] explains why policy has failed. Crisis-mentality thinking has promoted quick fixes and single-shot 'solutions' that ignore market and technology realities. What we need is not a solution in the style of the Manhattan project but stable rules that support basic research while leaving plenty of scope for American entrepreneurship and innovation. Professor Grossman's careful history and insightful analysis is the key guide to a more modest but a more successful energy policy.' Alex Tabarrok, Director, Center for Study of Public Choice, and Bartley J. Madden Chair in Economics, George Mason University
'Peter Grossman's definitive documentation of the failures of energy policy is a must-read for every policy analyst.' Murray Weidenbaum, Edward Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor, Washington University, St Louis, and former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors during the Reagan Administration