Planning for energy self-reliance: a case study of the District of Columbia
The purpose of this report is to analyze the current energy picture of the District of Columbia, and the potential for energy self-reliance. It is meant to present a conceptual framework for viewing the energy crisis from a municipal perspective, and to describe possible strategies for maximizing conservation and the use of indigenous energy resources. This report conceives of the District of Columbia as a nation. Although it has no formal trade borders, its balance of payments is of increasing interest to both local planners and residents. Payments for energy have an adverse impact on the DC's balance of payments. The District imports almost all of its energy. The city, including the United States government operations within the District, imported over $500 million in energy in 1977. Excluding the federal government, over $400 million was exported to pay for energy that year. Only a small portion of these payments found their way back to the local economy in any form, either wages, or taxes, or dividend payments. After tracing these money flows, we conclude that, in 1977, only 13 cents of the energy dollar returned to the city (only 4 cents went directly to DC residents in wages and salaries; nine cents went to the DC government as taxes). We argue in this report for a societal perspective on energy planning. Investments in energy conservation generate money savings which then ''multiply'' through the local economy. Energy conservation and solar energy businesses tend to be small, and therefore more locally based. They tend also to be more labor intensive, in the installation stage of the operation, than many industrial jobs. Energy conservation, energy from solid wastes and from solar energy seem to be the most likely possibilities for the district, and possibly cogeneration in some cases.
- Research Organization:
- Institute for Local Self Reliance, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG01-78IR06466
- OSTI ID:
- 5578673
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/IR/06466-T1; ON: DE85015223
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
New York Marcellus Shale: Industry boom put on hold
Why the bankers suddenly love Mexico
Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
BUILDINGS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
PUBLIC UTILITY REGULATORY POLICIES ACT
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FINANCING
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
WASHINGTON DC
ENERGY POLICY
COGENERATION
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY AUDITS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
NUMERICAL DATA
OFFICE BUILDINGS
PLANNING
RATE STRUCTURE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLID WASTES
TRANSPORTATION SECTOR
AUDITS
DATA
DEUS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INFORMATION
LAWS
NATIONAL ENERGY ACT
NORTH AMERICA
POWER GENERATION
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
STEAM GENERATION
USA
WASTES
320100* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Buildings
293000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation