The Call for a National Energy Policy.(NEWS)

Byline: Dutch Mandel

Before the empty moving van departed 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, newly anointed President Barack Obama in one proclamation sent shivers down the spines of environmentalists and automakers alike: Individual states should determine what emissions spew from cars and trucks.

Hey, New Hampshire! Why don't you dictate to every car company that wants to do business with you what fuel-economy ratings and emissions their cars and trucks must make for folks in the red-spotted-newt state to be happy?

Environmentalists wore gooseskin of delight. Carmakers shuddered at the bracing cold that impending and expensive bureaucracy would gust their way.

Truly, the first thing on Obama's agenda should be a well-thought-out energy policy. That will have a cascade effect: It will stimulate a woefully sluggish economy. It will boldly address national-security needs. It will focus direct investment on emerging techno-logies at the macro level (our infrastructure) and the micro level (our homes).

A sound energy policy is the big-picture fix that America must have.

You know what else we must have? We must have consumers pull the technology through the system. Do not shove it, Mr. Government, down the throats of the American buyer. If technology is plentiful and cost-effective, it will be embraced. Regardless of political party, that's a win-win.