“The truth is that our energy policy is improvised; it simply isn’t serious.”

If you’re thinking that sounds like an apt criticism of U.S. energy policy over the last few decades, you may be surprised to learn that it’s actually a quote from a Spanish policymaker bemoaning his own country’s lack of a long-term, well-thought out energy plan. And the energy problems facing Spain are something of a cautionary tale for the United States.

Spain has been a renewable energy leader, especially in wind power and has been praised by groups like the World Wildlife Fund for its progress in this area. They’re certainly ahead of the United States. Spain gets 13 percent of its electricity from wind