Bill Overview
Title: Energy Independence Task Force Act
Description: This bill establishes the Task Force on Energy Independence in the executive branch. The task force shall examine whether Russia or its agents funded any activities by nongovernmental organizations which limited the ability of Western countries to achieve energy independence and made such countries more reliant on Russian energy exports.
Sponsors: Rep. Cawthorn, Madison [R-NC-11]
Target Audience
Population: People in Western countries reliant on Russian energy exports
Estimated Size: 100000000
- The task force created by the bill is primarily investigative in nature, examining the influence of Russian funding through NGOs related to energy independence.
- Energy independence is a global issue, but especially relevant to countries heavily reliant on Russian energy exports.
- Western countries with significant reliance on Russian energy exports include European nations such as Germany, Italy, and Poland, among others.
- Citizens in these countries could be indirectly impacted by any findings or actions resulting from this investigation.
Reasoning
- The Energy Independence Task Force Act is primarily about investigation and policy insights, so its direct impact on individuals may not be significant in terms of immediate livelihood changes.
- We anticipate that most individuals will not perceive immediate changes in wellbeing as the policy is focused on governmental and NGO-level investigations rather than direct consumer actions.
- The impact, while subtle, may slowly influence policy making that could, in the extensive timeframe, affect sectors connected to energy, potentially influencing job markets, prices, and geopolitical stances.
- Given the targets and budget, the most significant impacts are likely to be felt indirectly through changes in national energy policies over time.
- The role of the task force interacting with the geopolitical aspect might be more interesting to individuals concerned with international relations or involved in the energy sector.
Simulated Interviews
Energy Sector Analyst (Houston, Texas)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy may bring about insights into global energy influences, but immediate effects on my work are unlikely.
- If it impacts US energy policy, there could be shifts in market analyses and priorities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
NGO Director (San Francisco, California)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the investigation could be valuable, but my work focuses more directly on environmental impact rather than funding sources.
- There might be increased scrutiny on funding, but I don't expect major changes in how we operate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
International Relations Graduate Student (New York, New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It will be intriguing to see the results and how they might influence future policies.
- My studies could directly benefit from any published findings or policy shifts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retired Engineer (Miami, Florida)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I watch the news, but I don't think this will alter my life much.
- It's interesting to see government interest in global energy politics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Tech Startup Employee (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our company's focus isn't heavily impacted by geopolitics, but policy changes can affect market opportunities.
- Interesting but not immediately relevant to our product development pipeline.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Energy Consultant (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The investigation might shift some regulatory focus areas.
- As a consultant, I need to stay aware of these changes, but no direct impact yet.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Construction Worker (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see this affecting my job directly.
- I work on the ground level; this feels above my area of impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Environmental Lawyer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the task force findings are substantial, there might be legal shifts impacting my work.
- At this point, it's more of watch and see situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Policy Advisor (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I find it fascinating from an advisory perspective, though I'm retired now.
- It's the kind of work I would have liked to be involved in during my active years.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Software Engineer (Austin, Texas)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am curious if findings might lead to new software needs or opportunities.
- Not immediately impactful for my day-to-day work, more of a long-term consideration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The task force's investigatory nature primarily focuses on strategic and security interests rather than immediate economic effects.
- Coordination with foreign entities may delay project timelines or increase costs due to complexities in international cooperation.
- Results of this task force could set precedents for future energy independence strategies in the US and potentially across Western countries.