Cutting energy costs

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Environment; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1980.9929764· OSTI ID:5435926

Sant, R W

A Mellon Institute study examines the Least-Cost Strategy to see how economic self-interest could have altered energy end uses if consumers had foreseen the high prices in time to take corrective action. Using end-use benefits as the framework instead of coupling consumption with economic activity, a broader range of competing options becomes available to improve energy efficiency. The least-cost strategy could have lowered consumer costs 17 percent by eliminating wasteful uses. This can be done by a combination of doing without some things, by managing energy requirements better, and by substituting systems that provide the same service at a lower consumption. Two case studies illustrate how a new mix in the energy services market could have developed in 1978 for the industrial, building, and transportation sectors. Many government policies are shown to have been counter-productive because they fail to maximize the number of competing elements. Policies that relate energy productivity to expanding opportunities are possible and should be encouraged. 4 references, 4 tables. (DCK)

• Research Organization: Mellon Inst., Pittsburgh, PA
• OSTI ID: 5435926
• Journal Information: Environment; (United States), Journal Name: Environment; (United States) Vol. 22:4; ISSN ENVTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
291000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
COMPETITION
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY POLICY
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
REGULATIONS
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION