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Data-driven analyses of energy policies, plans, and technologies

Energy is foundational for civilization.

The primacy of human flourishing, globally, is required for all else to succeed.

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physics and economics of energy.

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We analyze energy systems as they operate in the real world, combining original research, historical context, and policy recommendations to clarify tradeoffs, constraints, and consequences.

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Media Coverage

Media coverage on energy anaylsis. Media coverage on energy anaylsis. Media coverage on energy anaylsis. Media coverage on energy anaylsis.

June 30, 2026

Trump’s Nuclear Renaissance Is Stalling

The Wall Street Journal · · Jun 30, 2026

June 30, 2026

The Expansive Meaning of Creating Jet Engines More Rapidly

RealClearMarkets · · Jun 30, 2026

June 29, 2026

‘More people die in the winter’: Wright downplays Europe’s deadly heat wave

E&E News (Politico) · · Jun 29, 2026

June 25, 2026

Corn ethanol may take 40% of U.S. corn, and critics say it's an energy dead end

The Cooldown · · Jun 25, 2026

June 24, 2026

A Roadmap for Sensible AI Regulation

City Journal · · Jun 24, 2026

June 22, 2026

Ditching Net Zero 'would be best gain from Brexit' as staying in EU would have left Britain 'trapped by green politics'

GB News · · Jun 22, 2026

June 30, 2026

Trump’s Nuclear Renaissance Is Stalling

The Wall Street Journal · · Jun 30, 2026

June 24, 2026

A Roadmap for Sensible AI Regulation

City Journal · · Jun 24, 2026

June 21, 2026

The Texas Electric Grid Needs Reliable Power

The Wall Street Journal · Jonathan Lesser, PhD · Jun 21, 2026

June 15, 2026

Oil Futures Slide as U.S., Iran Reach Agreement

The Wall Street Journal · · Jun 15, 2026

June 9, 2026

Water, Water Everywhere: Maximizing Oil Field Produced Water Use in West Texas

RealClearEnergy · · Jun 09, 2026

May 29, 2026

Data Center Resistance: Déjà Vu All Over Again

City Journal · · May 29, 2026

Research

Reliability & Security

Jonathan Lesser, PhD

The Adverse Impacts of Renewable Portfolio Standards on Electricity Prices and the Economy

Subsidies and mandates for renewable electricity have existed for almost 50 years, beginning with the passage...

Electricity
Climate Policy
Energy Policy
Realism & Facts

Paul H. Tice

The Myth of the Chinese Clean-Energy Dragon

China is increasingly portrayed as the global leader in the clean-energy revolution1 and a role model for other countries to emulate

Asia
Energy Economics
Energy Infrastructure
Energy Geopolitics
Footprint & Density

Jonathan Lesser, PhD

Lars Schernikau, PhD

The Energy Impacts of Capturing CO2 from the Air

One of the newest and most heavily subsidized

Climate Policy
Energy Subsidies
Energy Economics
Energy Policy & Regulation
Reliability & Security

Neil Atkinson

After UAE Departure, What's Next for OPEC?

The news of the United Arab Emirates's (UAE) departure from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) came as a significant surprise to the markets. But to those paying close attention, the move was less unexpected than it appeare

Oil & Gas
Energy Geopolitics
Energy Security
Freedom & Growth

Jonathan Lesser, PhD

Unreasoned Decisionmaking: FERC's Ever-Changing Methodology for Estimating the Return On Equity

The financial crisis that began in 2008 led to unprecedented actions by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) to lower interest rates and stimulate the economy.

Energy Policy & Regulation
Energy Economics
Energy & Finance
Reliability & Security

Jim Vinoski

Shon R. Hiatt, PhD

The Nuclear Workforce: An Essential Energy Priority Facing the Nation

President Trump’s 2025 executive order calls for the United States to quadruple its nuclear capacity to 400 gigawatts (GW) by 2050.

Nuclear Energy
Energy Policy & Regulation
Realism & Facts

Jonathan Lesser, PhD

Portia Roberts

Some Needed Realism on Wind Power

Such a small change in CO 2 emissions would have no measurable impact on global temperature.

Renewable Energy
Reliability & Security

Jonathan Lesser, PhD

America's Electricity Grids: At a Crossroads

Because electricity demand (load) and supply (generation) must be kept in instantaneous balance, electric systems must always maintain adequate resources.

Electricity Markets
Grid Reliability
Reliability & Security

Jonathan Lesser, PhD

The Adverse Impacts of Renewable Portfolio Standards on Electricity Prices and the Economy

Subsidies and mandates for renewable electricity have existed for almost 50 years, beginning with the passage...

Electricity
Climate Policy
Energy Policy
Realism & Facts

Paul H. Tice

The Myth of the Chinese Clean-Energy Dragon

China is increasingly portrayed as the global leader in the clean-energy revolution1 and a role model for other countries to emulate

Asia
Energy Economics
Energy Infrastructure
Energy Geopolitics
Footprint & Density

Jonathan Lesser, PhD

Lars Schernikau, PhD

The Energy Impacts of Capturing CO2 from the Air

One of the newest and most heavily subsidized

Climate Policy
Energy Subsidies
Energy Economics
Energy Policy & Regulation
Reliability & Security

Neil Atkinson

After UAE Departure, What's Next for OPEC?

The news of the United Arab Emirates's (UAE) departure from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) came as a significant surprise to the markets. But to those paying close attention, the move was less unexpected than it appeare

Oil & Gas
Energy Geopolitics
Energy Security
Reliability & Security

Iddo K. Wernick, PhD

Stephen D. Eule

The Role of Energy in U.S. National Security

The increased energy risk is being driven by growing import supply risks for minerals that are essential to both conventional and alternative energy technologies.

Energy Security
Energy Policy & Regulation
Freedom & Growth

Mark P. Mills

The Rise of AI: A Reality Check on Energy and Economic Impacts

Such a wealth-induced increase in energy consumption will be far greater than the quantity of energy needed to power the wealth-creating AI.

AI & Compute
Electricity Markets
Energy Economics
Grid Reliability
Reliability & Security

Jonathan Lesser, PhD

America's Electricity Grids: At a Crossroads

Because electricity demand (load) and supply (generation) must be kept in instantaneous balance, electric systems must always maintain adequate resources.

Electricity Markets
Grid Reliability
Meet the team

The minds shaping the future of American energy policy

Paul H. Tice
Paul H. Tice
Adjunct Professor, Stern School of Business at New York University
Advisory Board
Scott W. Tinker, PhD
Scott W. Tinker, PhD
Bureau of Economic Geology
Advisory Board
Devang Khakhar, PhD
Devang Khakhar, PhD
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Advisory Board
Peter Bryant
Peter Bryant
Clareo
Advisory Board
Zabrina Johal
Zabrina Johal
Zap
Advisory Board
Terrence Keeley
Terrence Keeley
1PointSix LLC, Impact Evaluation Lab
Advisory Board
Julio M. Ottino, PhD
Julio M. Ottino, PhD
Norhwestern University
Advisory Board
David G. Victor, PhD
David G. Victor, PhD
School of Global Policy and Strategy at UC San Diego
Advisory Board
Mark P. Mills
Senior Fellow
Mark P. Mills
National Center for Energy Analytics
Expert
Neil Atkinson
Senior Fellow
Neil Atkinson
National Center for Energy Analytics
Expert
Brent Bennett
Senior Fellow
Brent Bennett
National Center for Energy Analytics
Expert
G. Allen Brooks
Senior Fellow
G. Allen Brooks
National Center for Energy Analytics
Expert
Stephen D. Eule
Visiting Fellow
Stephen D. Eule
National Center for Energy Analytics
Expert
Lars Schernikau, PhD
Visiting Fellow
Lars Schernikau, PhD
National Center for Energy Analytics
Expert
Curtis Schube
Guest Contributor
Curtis Schube
Executive Director
Council to Modernize Governance
Expert
Patrick J. McCormick
Senior Fellow
Patrick J. McCormick
National Center for Energy Analytics
Expert
Common questions

Everything you need to know

Questions about our research, data, methodology, and how to work with us.

The Index of Leading Energy Indicators is our unique and eventually interactive tool to help assess the state and future of the nation’s energy supply system. The U.S. Energy Security Index (ESI), the first of four planned components of the Leading Energy Indicators, addresses a critical question: Will current plans for the U.S. energy system improve or degrade national security?

Indexes often act as proxies for measuring the state and direction of change for complex systems influenced by various qualitative and quantitative factors. The gross domestic product (GDP) is one such index used measure a nation’s economic activity. The GDP is neither perfect nor comprehensive yet remains useful—particularly for tracking the direction and rate of changes. Several institutions offer indexes to track leading economic indicators. NCEA is creating a comparable approach for tracking the direction of change in the nation’s energy system.

NCEA offers the first security index that calculates U.S. geopolitical risk levels in both historical and present-day contexts. Future additions to the Leading Energy Indicators will expand to include the three other core features of the U.S. energy system: affordability, reliability, and environmental factors. Our methodology and underlying data are available. We welcome commentary and refinements.

Our scholars regularly speak at conferences, podcasts, and industry events. Use the contact form to submit a speaker request, and our team will connect you with the most relevant expert. Please include your event date, format, and subject matter.

Yes. All NCEA research briefs, reports, and data visualizations are freely available to the public. We believe evidence-based analysis should be accessible to everyone. Premium dashboard features are available for institutional partners.

Our research methodology is peer-reviewed and transparent. All published research undergoes rigorous factchecking. We don't accept funding from political organizations, nor do we engage in lobbying. Our advisory board includes members from across the political spectrum.

Data-drive research, such as our Leading Energy Indicators will be updated as data becomes available. Once released, the Leading Energy Indicators dashboard will update in real-time with data from ISOs, RTOs, and EIA feeds. Research publications follow their own cadence with transparent footnotes to indicate the source data.

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Speaker requests, research inquiries, or questions for our scholars — we'd love to hear from you.