It's an artifact of political speech which, by its nature, does little to discourage exaggeration. Statements like that may also provide a sense of direction but no clear energy policy guidance. What we see, instead, is a revival of former Vice President's Cheney's energy policy: pro-supply measures and little interest in either environmental niceties or economics.

We knew a group of economists called in by Cheney's policy advisors. They discussed electric power pricing and the power of the free market to reduce demand by encouraging more efficient use of energy. The policy advisors told the economists that they did not like a policy of doing more with less. The economists, all staunch conservatives, were left to wonder if that meant the government wanted the country to do less with more.

Thus, for a start, we can reasonably anticipate less energy regulation--a clear, oft stated aim of Republicans. The most obvious political target, the EPA's Clean Power Plan, will be reviewed/rewritten and probably neutered.