About Jay

 
February 7, 2019.  Jay’s twenty-seventh testimony before a committee of the U.S. Congress.

February 7, 2019.  Jay’s twenty-seventh testimony before a committee of the U.S. Congress.

 

An expert on U.S. energy policy, Jay Hakes has a long history of working on energy issues, including as Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration during the Clinton administration and as Director for Research and Policy for President Obama’s BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Commission.  He also served for thirteen years as the Director of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. Hakes is the author of numerous articles and the 2008 book A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment. His new book (April 2021) is Energy Crises: Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Tough Choices in the 1970s. (For most recent updates, see home page.)

 

Detailed Bio

Author on U.S. Energy History and Policy  

Hakes' A Declaration of Energy Policy Independence (John Wiley & Sons, 2008) put contemporary energy issues in historical perspective and identified strategies for improving national security, the economy, and the environment.This book has led to invitations from around the country and the world to speak on energy issues (see below) and been translated into Chinese.  He is also the author of numerous articles on energy in publications including The Journal of American History and Real Clear Energy.

In Energy Crises: Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Tough Choices in the 1970s (University of Oklahoma Press, April 2021) Hakes reinterprets the the most important decade in American energy history - which included major interruptions in oil supplies from the Middle East, the country’s most dangerous nuclear accident, and chronic shortages of natural gas. In his new book, Hakes brings his expertise in energy and presidential history to bear on the questions of why these crises occurred, how different choices might have prevented or ameliorated them, and what they have meant for the half-century since—and likely the half-century ahead.

Hakes deftly intertwines the domestic and international aspects of the long-misunderstood fuel shortages that still affect our lives today. This approach, drawing on previously unavailable and inaccessible records, affords an insider’s view of decision-making by three U.S. presidents, the influence of their sometimes-combative aides, and their often tortuous relations with the rulers of Iran and Saudi Arabia. Hakes skillfully dissects inept federal attempts to regulate oil prices and allocation, but also identifies the decade’s more positive legacies—from the nation’s first massive commitment to the development of alternative energy sources other than nuclear power, to the initial movement toward a less polluting, more efficient energy economy.

The 1970s brought about a tectonic shift in the world of energy. Tracing these consequences to their origins in policy and practice, Hakes makes their lessons available at a critical moment—as the nation faces the challenge of climate change resulting from the burning of fossil fuels.

    

Director, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, 2000-13

Led one of thirteen presidential libraries managed by the National Archives and Records Administration.  The Carter Library in Atlanta maintains the extensive records of the Carter presidency, as well as other materials related to the life of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. Previously classified materials continue to be opened for research. The Library also offers a wide array of educational and public programming related to the American presidency. For a full array of activities, see www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov.

Managed a total renovation of museum in 2009 at a cost of $10 million that added the Carter post-presidency and innovative, family-friendly interactive displays. After completion of the project, the museum won the following awards:

  • Leadership in History Award from the American Association for State and Local History, 2011

  • AAM Bronze MUSE Award for outstanding achievement in museum media for The Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, and Building Hope Interactive Table

  • Georgia Association of Museum and Galleries 2010 "Institution of the Year"

  • Atlanta Magazine "Best of Atlanta" Hall of Fame

  • 2010 CINE Golden Eagle Award for the new introductory film

  • 2009 Best Museum Audio Visual Project from InfoComm International, PRO AV and ARCHITECT magazines for the exhibits "A Day in the Life of the President" and the interactive map table. 

     

Director for Policy and Research, National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, 2010-11

The Final Report of Commission can be accessed through the Government Printing Office.  It has been praised for making a major contribution to the understanding of long-time tensions between environmental protection and energy production:

  • "most comprehensive narrative of what happened…, excellent investigators…, a clear, readable, insightful tale,” Washington Post.

  • "the most exhaustive accounting so far of what happened…, the recommendations are sound,” New York Times.

  • "The sense of the pressure of events as of the overburden of a mile of rock, of the tragic irony of life as usual on the rig even in the minutes that its oily nemesis was roaring up from the well below, is well caught in the best and cheapest of the available accounts, that of the presidential commission on the spill... Anyone wanting a book-length account of the disaster which goes into satisfying detail about its causes, its context, its impact and what should be done next should start there. It is gripping in those places where that is appropriate: well judged, nicely written—by the standards of books you might otherwise pay for, not just by the standards of committee reports—and well illustrated with both photographs and diagrams. The last matters quite a lot. To come close to understanding the intricacies of the disaster without diagrams is next to impossible. ” The Economist.

  • "...the reliable source on the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history…, the bible for scholars, litigants and policy-makers for years to come,” Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley.

  • "...blunt, disturbing and worthy of a meaningful response,”Salt Lake Tribune.

  • "...a milestone..., Commission has outlined a far-reaching plan that could curtail the likelihood of another spill," Ocala (FL) Star Banner.

  • "We're really grateful for the work of the Commission and their excellent staff," Senate Energy Committee Chair Jeff Bingaman.

Administrator, U.S. Energy Information Administration, 1993-2000

Presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed leader of independent statistical and analytic agency within the U.S. Department of Energy.  Oversaw the collection, dissemination, and archiving of the nation’s official energy data.  Final review and approval for a wide variety of analytic and forecasting products that formed the foundation for almost all major work on energy issues throughout the governmental and private sectors.  Testified frequently before congressional committees on a wide variety of energy issues. Interviewed and quoted by most major news organizations. Provided regular briefings on energy trends to senior foreign and American officials.

Used strategic planning to provide higher levels of customer service.  EIA web site highly advanced and rated as one of sixteen best in federal government by Government Executive magazine. Developed comprehensive system of performance measures, which indicated increasing levels of public recognition and customer usage.  In 1998, organization received highest Baldridge quality management ranking of any headquarters organization in the history of DOE and has remained known for its commitment to continuous improvement.

Other Government Experience

  • Member, Council on Federal Statistical Policy, 1995-2000

  • Florida Director for U.S. Senator Bob Graham, 1987-93

  • Florida Governor’s Office (Executive Staff Director, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff), 1985-86

  • Director of Governor's Energy Office, State of Florida, 1981-85

  • Special Assistant, Executive Office of the President, 1980

  • U.S. Department of Interior, Deputy Executive Secretary and Executive Secretary (also had titles of Special Assistant and Assistant to the Secretary), 1977-79

  • U.S. Agency for International Development, Special Assistant for Personnel, 1977

  • Member (Presidential appointment), Panel for the Western Fifth Circuit, U.S. Circuit Judge Nominating Commission, 1977

Academic Experience

University of New Orleans

  • Assistant Professor, Political Science, 1970-73

  • Associate Professor, Political Science, 1973-77

  • Political Science Graduate Coordinator, 1972-75

  • Graduate Council, 1974-77

  • University Senate, 1971-77 (not consecutive terms)

Duke University

  • James B. Duke Fellow, 1966-1970

  • Shell African Studies Fellow, 1968-69

  • MA, 1968

  • PhD, 1970

Other Activities

  • Board of Directors, Ecole Bilingue (New Orleans), 2016-22

  • Speaker, “Safe Seas - Clean Seas Conference,” Havana, Cuba, October 19, 2015

  • Speaker, U.S. Energy Information Administion's 20th Anniversity of Web Site, July 1, 2015

  • Advisory Committee, Georgia Tech Clean Energy Speakers Series, 2010-15

  • Proposal Review Committee, Southeast Regional Sequestration Partnership, Southern States Energy Board, 2008

  • Energy Information Administration, External Study Team, 2005-06

  • Member, National Selection Committee, Coca-Cola Foundation Scholars, 2001, 2005, 2007

  • Member, National Academy of Sciences Committee, "Research and Development Statistics at the National Science Foundation," 2002-04

  • Reviewer for several other National Academy of Sciences publications

  • Advisory Board, Florida Growth Management Conflict Resolution Consortium, 1990-93

  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Public Administration, Florida State University, 1990. Course topic: State and Federal Perspectives on Executive Leadership

  • Alternate Member, Southeast Compact Commission for Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, 1984-86

  • Advisory Panel on Energy Priorities, U.S. General Accounting Office, 1984

  • National Governors' Association review team for U.S. Department of Energy proposal, “Technology Transfer in the 1980s,” 1984

  • National Governors' Association Electric Utility Task Force, 1982

  • Advisory Board, Florida Solar Energy Center (University of Central Florida), 1981-89

  • Alternate Member for Governor Bob Graham, Southern States Energy Board, 1981-85

  • Florida Negotiator, Southeast Regional Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste, 1981

Invited Lectures on Energy, 2008- 

Acapella Book Store (Atlanta), American Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong club), American Historical Association, Arizona State University, Atlanta Council on International Relations, Atlanta Journal Constitution Decatur Book Festival, Atlanta Rotary Club, Bay Books (Bay St. Louis), Buckhead Rotary Club, California State University (Channel Islands), Career Eco Green Forum (Atlanta), Carnegie-Mellon University, Carter Center, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Beijing), Civil Service College of Singapore, Clayton County (GA) Rotary Club, Colorado School of Mines, Dwight Eisenhower Presidential Library, Emory University, Fayetteville (GA) Rotary Club, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Georgetown University, Georgia Council on Social Studies, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Gerald Ford Presidential Library, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Rotary Club, Great Decisions, Griffin (GA) Rotary Club, Guangdong Provincial (China) Communist Party, Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou), Harry Truman Presidential Library, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong Civic Exchange Energy Forum, Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership, International Association of Drilling Contractors, International Club of Atlanta, Istanbul Center (Atlanta), Jilin University (Changchun), Johns Creek (GA) Rotary Club, Justice & Beyond (New Orleans), Kiwanis Club of Atlanta, Lake Spivey (GA) Rotary Club, Margaret Mitchell House (Atlanta History Center), Mercer University, Metairie (Louisiana) Rotary Club, Millikin University, National Archives, National Press Club, National University of Singapore, New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, New Orleans Rotary Club, North Carolina State University, Northeast Normal University (Changchun), Northlake (GA) Rotary Club, Octavia Books (New Orleans), Petrostocks 2009 Conference (Houston), Reinhardt University, Richard Nixon Presidential Library, Rocky Mountain Electric League, Roosevelt Institute (Southern Regional Conference), Roswell (GA) Rotary Club, Rotary Club of New Orleans, Southface (Atlanta), Society of Professional Journalists, Tennessee Williams Book Festival (New Orleans), Trinity Presbyterian Church (Atlanta), Tsinghua University (Beijing), Tulane University, U.S. Department of Energy, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Havana, University of Houston, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of New Orleans, University of Southern California, University of Southern Mississippi (Gulf Park), University of Tennessee, World Energy Engineering Conference, Zone 34 (Florida, Georgia and the Caribbean) Rotary Symposium 

Publications (1969 - 2018)

(see recent publications on home page)

  • Articles in Real Clear Energy, 2018.

  • "Historical Perspectives on the Panama Canal Treaties, " Real Clear World, April 19, 2018.

  • "Should We Drill Everywhere?" Real Clear Policy, January 12, 2018.

  • "The President from Plains," South Writ Large, Winter 2017.

  • "The EPA's Quest to Unravel the Clean Power Plan," Real Clear Policy, October 12, 2017.

  • "Trump's Parallel Universe of Energy," Real Clear Politics, June 2, 2016.

  • "Trump's Recklessness on Energy," Real Clear Energy, March 31, 2016.

  • "Obama's New Take on Offshore Atlantic Drilling," Real Clear Energy, March 16, 2016.

  • "Presidential Wannabes Wimp-Out on Energy," Real Clear Politics, March 10, 2016.

  • "The Fall of OPEC," Real Clear Energy, February 24, 2016.

  • "How to Pass a Carbon Tax," Real Clear Energy, January 20, 2016.

  • Tumult in Saudi Arabia and Its Implications," Real Clear Energy, January 7, 2016.

  • "Remaining Energy Questions for the Democratic Presidential Candidates," Real Clear Energy, December 22, 2015.

  • "Debate Questions on Energy for the Republican Candidates," Real Clear Energy, December 14, 2015.

  • "How to Grade the Upcoming Paris Climate Summit," Real Clear Energy, November 23, 2015.

  • "Why Cuba-U.S. Energy Talks Matter," Real Clear Energy, November 6, 2015.

  • "Why Did Congress Pick on the National Oil Stockpile?" Real Clear Energy, October 30, 2015.

  • "Volkswagen and Climate in Historical Perspective," Real Clear Energy, October 9, 2015.

  • "Does Clean Power Destroy the Economy?" Real Clear Energy, September 27, 2015.

  • "The Pope's Climate Message," Real Clear Energy, September 10, 2015.

  • "Confrontation or Consensus? The Roots of Carter's Energy Policies," in Robert Lifset, ed., American Energy Policy in the 1970s (University of Oklahoma Press, 2014).

  • "The Road to America's First Energy Crisis: New Insights on the Growing Weakness of the United States as a Global Energy Power, 1967-1973," H-Energy Resources (June 2013).

  • "Introduction: A Decidedly Valuable and Dangerous Fuel," Journal of American History (June 2012), pp. 19-23.

  • "Dissecting Gasoline Prices: Understanding Pain at the Pump," Journal of Energy Security, April, 2012.

  • “Getting the Facts Right on the BP Oil Spill,” Atlanta Business Chronicle, February 18-24, 2011, p. 34. (Reprinted in March 4 edition of Houston Business Journal under title “BP Oil Spill Could Have Been Prevented.”)

  • Zheng Jiu Shi You: Yi Chang Ben Bu Gai Da De Shi You Zhan Zheng (Beijing, Shi You Gong Ye Chu Ban She, 2010). Translation of 2008 book.

  • “35 Years after the Arab Oil Embargo,” Journal of Energy Security, October 6, 2008.

  • A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

  • “Can Measuring Results Produce Results? One Manager’s View,” Evaluation and Program Planning (Vol. 24, 2001), pp. 319-327.

  • “Prospects for 30 TCF,” (August, 1999), pp. 12-16. With James M. Kendell.

  • “Performance Measures and Organizational Change,” PA Times (Washington, D.C.: American Society for Public Administration, Vol. 20, No. 7, July, 1997), pp. 14, 17.

  • “Comparing Outputs to Outcomes: Making Sense of What We Do,” PA Times (Vol. 19, No. 10, October 1, 1996), pp. 1-2, 9.

  • “Administrator’s Message,” Annual Energy Outlook 1996 (Washington, DC: Energy Information Administration), pp. vii-ix.

  • “Carter and the Judicial Recruitment Process,” in Steven Shull and Lance LeLoup (eds.), The Presidency: Studies in Public Policy (Cleveland: King's Court Press, 1979), pp. 95-133.With Elliot Slotnick.

  • “The Impact of Democratic Party Reform on the South,” Journal of Political Science, Vol. 4 (Fall 1976), pp. 36-51. With Robert B. Denhardt.

  • “Diverging Paths in East Africa, “Current History, Vol. 68 (May, 1975), pp. 202-05, 230.

  • “Delegate Selection in Non-Primary States,” National Civic Review. Vol. 63 (November, 1974), pp. 521-25. With Robert B. Denhardt.

  • “Bargaining and Parliamentary Behavior in Africa: A Com­parative Study of National Assemblies in Zambia and Kenya,” in Allen Kornberg (ed.), Legislatures in Comparative Per­spective (New York: David McKay, 1973), pp. 335-82. With John Helgerson.

  • “Weak Parliaments and Military Coups in Africa: A Study in Regime Instability,” Sage Research Papers in the Social Sciences (Comparative Legislative Series, 1973), 37 pp.

  • “Stability in East Africa: An Evaluation,” Current History, Vol. 64 (March, 1973), pp. 114-17, 132-33.

  • “Kenya,” “Tanzania,” and “Uganda,” The Americana Annual (New York: Encyclopedia Americana, 1972-76).

  • “Election Year Politics in Kenya,” Current History, Vol. 58 (March, 1970), pp. 154-59, 177.

  • Study Guide for Kenya (Boston: African Studies Center of Boston University, 1969), 76 pp.

Events (2012 - 2018)

(see recent events on home page)

  • Speaker, "Shaping Environmental and Energy Policy: Lessons Learned," New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, November 1, 2018

  • Speaker, "The Future of U.S. Energy," Rotary Club of New Orleans, March 21, 2018

  • Speaker, Dedication of Solar Farm on Land of Jimmy Carter, Plains, GA, February 8, 2017

  • Ida Beam Distinguished Visiting Lecturer, University of Iowa, October 19-20, 2016

  • Campus-Wide Lecturer, University of Southern Mississippi (Gulf Park), September 8, 2016

  • Guest Lecturer, Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, April 1, 20, 2016

  • Guest, "Out to Lunch" radio show, WWNO 89.9 FM, November 3, 2015

  • Speaker, “Safe Seas - Clean Seas Conference,” Havana, Cuba, October 19, 2015

  • Speaker, U.S. Energy Information Administion's 20th Anniversity of Web Site, July 1, 2015

  • Keynote Speaker, Georgia Tech/American Energy Society Energy Expo, April 3, 2015

  • Panel Chair, American Society for Environmental History, March 20, 2015

  • Speaker, Atlanta Rotary Club, February 2, 2015

  • Speaker, Food and Beverage Convention, New Orleans, August 4, 2014

  • Keynote speaker, 4th Annual Kansas University Energy Conference, April 8, 2014

  • Speaker, Truman Presidential Library, July 16, 2013

  • Speaker, Nixon Presidential Library, July 11, 2013

  • Speaker, International Association of Drilling Contractors, New York City, April 8, 2013

  • Featured Speaker, World Energy Engineering Conference, October 31-November 2, 2012

Select Interviews (2014 - 2015)

 

Contact Jay