Yeah... except for all the government subsidies, government bonds, use of government authority for eminent domain, etc.
Kinda redefines the word "private," doncha think?
I understand your cynicism but energy will always require Government intervention of some sort. I just don't want Government to run things, and within the intervention framework want to let the free market work.
Why Government? Because most leases for new fuels -- be it oil, natural gas, coal, oil shale, uranium -- will be on Government-owned land. Because our laws require Environmental Impact Statements. Because anything done offshore is by definition not on private land, thereby requiring Government hearings, etc. Because new plants of any kind require permits. Because new infrastructure for energy delivery requires pipelines, high-voltage power lines, access roads, all of which cross Government land or somehow impact private or other lands. Because a transition to a new fuel (e.g., natural gas cars, electric cars, hydrogen cars) requires a huge capital investment, and no for-profit company wants to be the first to make the plunge without a tax credit encouraging them to take the risk.
So, forgive me, but ANYTHING done with energy requires some Government involvement. I just want to Government to enable things and then stay out of the way. And to not view any new energy greedily as another tax source. And to perhaps loosen up things so the NIMBYs don't determine our energy policy (by holding things up so much we end up importing more oil).