Report to the Secretary of Energy on ozone-depleting substances: An analysis of the energy and economic effects of phasing out certain organic chlorine and bromine products
During the 1990s the United States needs to keep growing more efficient in its use of energy. At the same time this country has vowed to continue an international leadership role in phasing out the release of certain chemicals that threaten the protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere -- even though some of these chemicals have been used to conserve energy thus far. This report gives clear evidence that these two tasks for the nation are not incompatible, but the costs of doing both will depend on meeting a complex timetable in commercializing several crucial substitutes. Although the report is hopeful, many uncertainties remain regarding the toxicology and other critical characteristics of the alternatives to the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons controlled by the Montreal Protocol, which require positive resolution if replacement of the banned substances is to be accomplished by the year 2000. In producing this report, the DOE team did its best to cross-check earlier estimates and conflicting statistics. Perhaps of equal importance was its attempt to explain what the substances in question are, the significance of differences among them, the prospects of reducing damage from them -- even in advance of the original phase-down schedule -- and some of the possibilities of combining the phase-out efforts with the nation's continuing energy conservation program itself. With new technological developments and policy decisions occurring frequently, we will soon have new insights into many of these questions. This report represents a body of knowledge that can serve as a baseline in assessing such new information and help chart a course for the Department's efforts in this important area. 43 refs., 18 figs., 18 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5869801
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/CE-0302T; ON: DE91010619
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Stratospheric ozone protection: The Montreal Protocol and Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
International aspects of restrictions of ozone-depleting substances
Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ECONOMIC IMPACT
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FLUORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
FREONS
OZONE LAYER
DAMAGE
REFRIGERANTS
AIR CONDITIONERS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HAZARDS
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
REFRIGERATING MACHINERY
STRATOSPHERE
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMAL INSULATION
US DOE
CONTROL
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FLUIDS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
LAYERS
MACHINERY
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
US ORGANIZATIONS
WORKING FLUIDS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety