It is quite remarkable that the United States is essentially energy independent and will soon be the world’s leading energy producer.  This new reality not only increases the nation’s prosperity, but also enhances its power in world affairs.  One striking example of geopolitical advantage is that within a few years, the United States could blunt Russia’s energy hold in Eastern and Western Europe.  Of course, aspects of the United States’ energy boom, such as technologies and transportation, are subject to domestic debate.   In any case, energy is a huge factor in both national security and economic policy.  In order to better understand this phenomenon, we are fortunate to be joined by a notable energy economist.

Dr. Edward Morse received both his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Johns Hopkins University and his Ph.D. from Princeton University.  He taught at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton and worked at the Council on Foreign Relations, before serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Energy Policy.  His subsequent private sector experience includes Director of International Affairs at Phillips Petroleum Company, co-founder and Managing Director at PFC Energy, senior executive at Hess Energy Trading Co., managing director and chief energy economist at Lehman Brothers, Managing Director at Louis Capital Markets, and Managing Director and Head of Commodity Research at Credit Suisse, before joining Citigroup as the Global Head of Commodities Research.

He is chairman of the New York Energy Forum and serves on the academic advisory boards at Columbia University’s School of Public Affairs and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.  Over his career, he has been the author of numerous books and articles on energy, economics, and international affairs.