President Obama is on the road. Today is the second day of his tour of four states – Oklahoma, Nevada, Ohio and New Mexico – crucial to US energy production. His journey is well timed, coming amid renewed fears of rising oil prices. His choice of locations is smart, too, for it shows the president is well aware that we need a comprehensive approach to US energy.

As energy secretary in the Clinton administration, I came to realise this country needs to promote all types of energy production. Mr Obama is right to put us on this course but the US Congress makes his mission challenging, if not impossible. There is plenty of rhetorical agreement about “energy independence” but when it comes to the specifics – pipelines, drilling, efficiency standards and renewable energy tax policies – consensus is elusive.

One side touts the benefits of clean energy, calling for government support – federal subsidies, tax credits and stringent air quality, and fuel economy regulations – for renewable sources. The other takes an equally strident approach in favour of nuclear plants, unrestricted oil and gas production, opposition to efficiency standards and air quality regulations, and cutting investments in clean energy technology.