Red, Blue, or Green?

The author comments on energy research and development (R&D) and the trends in the U.S. energy policies from 1970s to the 21st century. He notes that the momentum built in the R&D underlying the utilization of the alternate energy sources during the 1970s and other viable energy conversion approaches was dented when oil prices fell below $10 per barrel in the 1980s. He cites the need for a bi-partisan energy R&D policy that can withstand cyclical forces caused by political and economic events.