Tilting at windmills
Mr. Garvin feels that mutual understanding between environmentalists and oil companies will solve energy problems faster than the confrontational approach. Exxon's hope that nuclear energy, coal, and synthetic fuels can bridge the transition to clean, renewable energy sources is in conflict with those of the Environmental Defense Fund. Even with a slower future economic growth and improved efficiency, Exxon anticipates a greater demand for energy and sees its responsibility to produce energy along with a reasonable return to its shareholders. Most of the conservation can be achieved with realistic policies that price energy at its replacement cost and allow economic growth to continue. The major uncertainty in meeting future energy demand is the depletion of conventionally-produced oil and the need for another source to pick up the difference. Although health and safety concerns are the major uncertainties for nuclear and coal, the alternatives to not following this route may present even greater risks if renewable sources are inadequate in this century. Economic criteria should be applied to energy development, but both sides need to be aware of the consequences should they be wrong. (DCK)
- Research Organization:
- Exxon Corp., New York, NY
- OSTI ID:
- 5774748
- Journal Information:
- Mater. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 5:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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