RIP Milton Copulos

The movement to reduce the United States’ addiction to oil suffered a blow today, with the passing of Milton Copulos. He was President of the National Defense Council Foundation, senior fellow at Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS) and a founding member of the Set America Free Coalition.

Oil Change International extends our deepest sympathies to Mr. Copulos’ family, friends, and colleagues.

In the words of IAGS:

“With deep sadness we announce the passing of our friend and colleague Milton Copulos, president of the National Defense Council Foundation, senior fellow at IAGS and a founding member of the Set America Free Coalition.

For more than three decades, Milton was a prominent figure in national political circles and one of the nation’s top experts on energy security, natural resources, national defense and international politics.

He served as a cabinet-level advisor in two administrations and his views on energy security were sought after by many members of Congress and policymakers.

Over his long career Milt published more than 900 articles, books and monographs including the comparative economic costs of alternative fuels considered the most comprehensive examination of the topic to date. His book “America’s Achilles Heel, the Hidden Cost of Imported Oil” (summary) has become a staple among energy researchers.

His writing appeared in such prominent national news media as The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune. He was a frequent contributor to periodicals such as Insight Magazine, VFW Magazine and Regulation Magazine. His book “Energy Perspectives” was a Washington Post nonfiction best seller, and for four years he wrote a nationally syndicated column on energy and environmental issues distributed by the Heritage Features Syndicate. He appeared on nationally broadcast news and information programs including FOX News. During the Afghanistan War he was an on-air military analyst for MSNBC.

Milt was a veteran of two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star and several other Army Commendation Medals. “As a war veteran, Milt understood perhaps better than anybody else both the economic and military dimension of our oil dependence, and his voice calling for energy independence was particularly influential,” said IAGS executive director Gal Luft. “Milt took his work very seriously but never himself. He was always ready to share an anecdote and a salty joke. We are richer for having known him, and will strive to continue his legacy,” said IAGS Co-director Anne Korin.

A soldier, scholar advocate and, most important, a friend, he will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathy to Janet and the rest of the Copulos family.

Video clip of Milton at the launch of the Set America Free Coalition in 2004. “