A Declaration of Energy Independence offers a viable plan for ending American dependence on foreign oil.

This new book shows how freedom from foreign oil can improve national security, our economy, and the environment.

Between rising oil prices, global instability, and environmental degradation, most Americans acknowledge the need for energy independence. Yet our political dialog tends to focus on the most extreme positions, leaving most citizens scratching their heads about what to do. A Declaration of Energy Independence takes a nonpartisan, honest approach to these fundamental questions and obliterates the political and economic myths of both conservatives and liberals.

Jay Hakes combines real facts and solid science with historical context to ask the right questions and propose the best answers. After educating readers on the facts, Hakes goes on to offer a seven-point plan for breaking free from the costly energy trap and enhancing American influence abroad. This is an important and timely book for all Americans.

Coming & Recent Events

• Career Eco - Green Career Event,  4/23/2009 - Jay is the featured speaker at Career Eco's "Forum on the Future of Energy and Green Jobs" (5:00-7:00 pm, Georgia Tech - Centergy Building, 75 Fifth Street, NW, 3rd Floor-Wayne Hodges Room, Atlanta, GA 30308). Event fee for professionals is $20 in advance or $30 to register at the door. For students the event is free if registered in advance with student ID at the door. Registered CareerEco Members receive a 25% discount on the event. Food is included. See the CareerEco website for more info and to register.

• Southeastern American Association of Legal Librarians, SEAALL, Annual meeting, 4/18/2009--9:45 a.m., Athens, GA. 

• The Istanbul Center, Distinguished Speakers Series, 3/25/2009- lunch, speech, discussion and book signing. Topic - "Energy Independence: The New Obama Administration & Changing World Trends", Time -12 to 1:45 p.m.. Two Midtown Plaza - Suite 1010, 1349 West Peachtree St., N.W.Atlanta. Registration begins at 11:45 Please R.S.V.P. by 3/23/2009 to Cassandra Whitehead(kwhitehead@istanbulcenter.org) or at 678-990-1717.

• Rotary Club of Atlanta, Lunch Speaker 3/9/2009,  11:30 am.

• Georgia Tech Spring 2009 Impact Speakers Series, Atlanta, 2/18/2009, 4:30 pm, Business School, LeCraw Auditorium. 

• Petrostocks 2009, USDOE Conference, Houston, Texas, 2/09/2009.  Conference Topic: "Stockpiling in New Market Realities."  Jay was the Luncheon Speaker

Videos

• E&ETV, 10/22/2008
• CSPAN Washington Journal 8/13/2008 
• Margaret Michell House & Museum 8/14/2008 by Public Broadcasting Atlanta
• Arizona State University, Global Institute of Sustainability, 9/11/2008
• For more video as well as articles, radio and blogs, go to  the "Resources & Links" page on this site.

Book Reviews/Articles

• Atlanta Journal Constitution, Stacy Shelton
• CNN.com SciTech Blog, Peter Dykstra 10/13/08, "Book tracks four decades of energy errors"
• E&P, "A Good Read", Bill Pike Editor in Chief
• Front Street Reviews -Cynthia Murphy
• The Street, "Hakes: Get in Gear for Our Energy Future" 10/30/08
• Domestic Fuel: Alternative Fuel News by Joanna Schroeder
• See more book reviews at Amazon.com as well as articles on the "Resources & Links" page on this site

Radio Interviews

•  Jim Bohannon Show - August 12, 2008 - The Jim Bohannon interview of Jay Hakes is a lively and interesting audio.
• See more Radio Interviews on the "Resources & Links" page on this site

Hakes .... tells the story of failures and surprising successes in federal energy policies of the last forty years, and where we need to go in the future. Both a careful scholar and a realistic veteran of state and federal government, Hakes has written an important book that provides workable solutions to our nation's energy problems.
Former President Jimmy Carter

…a compelling tutorial for anyone seeking to understand the geopolitical forces that have America over a barrel of oil.  ...a fact-filled but very readable analysis of America's energy policy and its impacts ...
Stacy Shelton  - Atlanta Journal Constitution, Book Review

--Boy -- did “A Declaration of Energy Independence” fill out my education. It’s a great read and offers some very creative solutions.
Jim Bohannon  - The Jim Bohannon Show

-- "If you get a chance to read Hakes’ book, I think you will find it an outpost of sanity in the mostly absurd babble surrounding the “energy crisis.” -- Bill Pike, Editor in Chief, E&P

-- "Energy policy is a complex issue, but Jay Hakes deftly explains it in A Declaration of Energy Independence. His style is clear and concise. The nonpartisan approach should appeal to readers of every political stripe, and Hakes’ grasp of the scientific, political, and economic aspects lend credibility to his arguments." - Cynthia Murphy - Front Street Reviews

-- ... Hakes's insights into the politics of energy make the book especially relevant this voting season...Library Journal Review by Robert Eagan

-- "Every American should read "A Declaration of Energy Independence"... "I believe this book will become the defining introduction to the subject/issue of energy independence."  ... Amazon.com review by Ron Bengtson  (Boise, Idaho) of "AmericanEnergyIndependence.com"

-- "Outstanding book that needs to be read by the administration and congress." ... "Written by an author with a wealth of experience in the field, it states clearly what actions need to be taken by our leaders and that we must push them to act, especially congress (presidents can lead but congress really makes change or no change happen)." ... "A well-written book that can be quickly read but you will find yourself going back to reread many pertinent areas."  Amazon.com review by C. Woodward (Denver, CO.)