O'Leary on energy mix: [open quotes]Its's diversity, stupid[close quotes]. [energy efficiency policy of DOE]

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States)

OSTI ID:5457083

Burkhart, L A

With energy efficiency improvements stalled in recent years after showing significant improvement following the last oil embargo, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Hazel R. O'Leary told delegates to the National Energy Summit that she intends to give efficiency a jolt. O'Leary said she would stimulate niche markets for natural gas and suggested that clean-coal technology will play an important role in the nation's energy future. As for nuclear power in the energy mix, O'Leary said that DOE's budget for nuclear research and development is [open quotes]dramatically reduced from the last administration.[close quotes] She pointed out that as an executive for Northern States Power Co., she had found no market in Minnesota for nuclear power. She said DOE cannot commit to funding nuclear until the market shows a demand for the product. O'Leary also recommended making energy efficiency a part of future resource planning. She acknowledged a 25-percent rise in energy efficiency since the last oil embargo, but noted that efficiency has fallen flat for the last five years. According to O'Leary, current projections predict increased petroleum use. She anticipated sharing energy technology with foreign countries. For example, China has accepted 6 to 10 660-MW clean-coal burning plants. O'Leary predicted that if oil imports can be held to current levels, as many as 75,000 jobs can be created in the US petroleum industry, helping to improve national security and the balance of trade. O'Leary said her agency's 1994 Energy Strategy includes public participation, supply diversity, and environmental and economic responsibility.

• OSTI ID: 5457083
• Journal Information: Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States), Journal Name: Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States) Vol. 131:15; ISSN PUFNAV; ISSN 0033-3808
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
AGREEMENTS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
IMPORTS
INDUSTRY
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
NATIONAL ENERGY PLANS
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
NATURAL GAS
NUCLEAR POWER
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
POWER
US CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
US NATIONAL ENERGY PLAN