- Many people consider Amory B. Lovins possibly the most influential energy analyst in U.S. history. Lovins brought the topic of energy paths to the forefront of Americans' minds with his 1970s book "Soft Energy Paths." In the book, he compared soft energy paths with hard energy paths in the context of their "antithetical social implications." He outlined a future United States switching its energy dependencies to more efficient energy methods, such as solar power and bio-fuels, than the methods in use. Lovins also makes points for keeping current energy sources in place. Making an argument for the soft energy path is his primary theory, though, and that it would eventually supplant a hard energy path. Lovins established the Rocky Mountain Institute in 1982 to support using efficient and sustainable resources.
- The soft energy path has many components, but it is by far more difficult to create, implement and sustain them than the hard energy path that is already in place, Lovins noted. Soft energy supporters think that the way to achieve the necessary energy requirements for the future lie in developing new energy sources controlled by individual communities, neighborhoods and families, putting the power in the hands of the people. Lovins, however, wrote that had been tried unsuccessfully in the early 1920s.
- Non-renewable resources, such as coal, oil and natural gas, have been declining for a considerable amount of time. The hard energy path is represented by people who support the continuation of consuming fossil fuels at any price. Supporters argue that concerns about fossil fuels in previous decades were proven unreasonable and that the hard energy path will prove the concerns unreasonable once again. Hard energy path supporters admit, however, that more efficient methods of using fossil fuels and nuclear energy need to be developed for hard energy to maintain itself. Providing incentives to develop nuclear energy plants and process fossil fuels in large, energy-generating plants would be most effective, proponents state. The more such plants are used, the less expensive per capita they would be to operate.
- Environmentalists use rising energy prices for all sorts of social and political arguments. In Chapter 2 of "Soft Energy Paths," Lovins wrapped up what "soft energy path" means: "The second path combines a prompt and serious commitment to efficient use of energy, rapid development of renewable energy sources matched in scale and in energy to end use needs..." Critics say a soft energy path is impractical because it requires a lifestyle change that many Americans are unwilling to make. Hard energy path supporters point to Americans' lack of desire to give up gas-guzzling automobiles in favor of energy-saving alternatives.