Over at the National Journal the U.S. Chamber's Bill Kovacs answers the question on energy and the environment "How Will New Leadership Impact Policy?" From the post:

Opining on the specific changes expected from a new Congress and administration in U.S. energy and environmental policy requires too much of a focus on what is probable and too little focus on what is needed. So let me start with what is probable, and end with the opportunities that can seriously change the equation for energy and environmental policy.

What is "probable" is a resurrection of many of the failed energy policies of the 110th Congress that the Chamber successfully opposed...On the bright side, it is also probable that the new Congress and administration will seize upon the opportunity to focus the Department of Energy (DOE) on implementation of the energy efficiency and emerging technologies provisions contained in EPAct and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA)...Another bright spot in the "probable" column is continued implementation of the $25 billion in loans to the auto industry for advanced technology vehicles.

Now to what the new Congress and President are unlikely to do, but should do. Specifically:

1. Keep the Outer Continental Shelf open for oil and gas exploration as a serious step towards U.S. energy security and to reduce our balance of payments to foreign countries.
2. Fully fund the development of Yucca Mountain, or in the alternative pursue spent fuel reprocessing, as a commitment to the future of our nuclear industry.
3. Fast-track the permitting process for all clean energy sources, such as wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, geothermal, coal with carbon capture and sequestration, and, yes, even nuclear.
4. EPA needs to give serious thought to any "endangerment finding" as it responds to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA concerning the regulation of greenhouse gases.

The U.S. voted for change and hopefully that change will bring about energy security through the development of new sources of energy as well as the mechanisms (transmission corridors and permit streamlining) to deliver these new energy sources. And the U.S. has the means to pay for these new technologies by allowing oil and gas exploration and production in the Outer Continental Shelf.

Read his complete post.