Two weeks ago, voters delivered a loud and clear message—they want change and they want results. For too long, America’s big challenges have gone unaddressed because of excessive partisanship, infighting among stakeholders, a refusal to make short-term sacrifices for long-term gain, and a lack of foresight. This is especially true when it comes to our energy policy.

An affordable, diverse supply of energy is critical to the health and growth of U.S. businesses, to our domestic economy, to our national security, and to our global competitiveness. Yet this country has no real energy strategy. The situation is critical.

A new president, a new Congress, and the public’s desire for fundamental change present us with a unique opportunity to fix our failed energy policies. A smart, commonsense, visionary energy policy can create jobs, clean our environment, help get us out this economic ditch, improve our standard of living, enhance our national security, and lay the groundwork for long-term economic growth.

But to get there, we need real change. Rhetoric alone won’t cut it. We need a plan.

Immediately after the election, we promised to help the new administration and Congress with the transition. We vowed to play a productive role in tackling America’s challenges. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.

At the Chamber today we unveiled an energy plan with 88 specific recommendations that will help our nation achieve its energy goals—security, affordability, diversity of supply, reliability, and environmental protection.

Our plan is constructive, specific, and doable. It identifies what needs to be done, who needs to do it, and when it has to happen. It’s proof positive that we’re acting—and acting fast—to meet one of the country’s most urgent challenges.

Read the Transition Plan for Securing America's Energy Future on the Institute for 21st Energy's website, and raise your energy IQ a little by reading Gen. Jim Jones' speech.  Then keep coming back, because we're going to keep beating this drum, and as a nation we're going to get it done.