Tragic failure of energy planning

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Bull. At. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00963402.1978.11458563· OSTI ID:6264236

Henderson, C

Mr. Henderson states that since President Carter's energy plan presentation of April 20, 1977, the American people and those in the White House and on Capitol Hill have failed to agree on even the rudiments of a strategy for controlling the nation's extravagant energy consumption. The most credible explanation seems to be that out of ignorance or perversity most Americans are unwilling to accept either the Carter administration's warning that an energy crisis exists, or the impoverishment of their materialistic, energy-driven life-styles which coping with it demands. If this is so, then the future of U.S. energy planning can be forecast with a reasonable high degree of certainty. Mr. Henderson also feels that the energy package passed by the Congress on October 15, 1978, will fail to meaningfully reduce America's still-rising consumption of energy resources despite President Carter's euphoric statement. Consequently the serious problems being exacerbated by this failure, such as our recent record balance-of-trade and payments deficits, or the salvaging of the U.S. dollar on foreign exchange markets, will go unchecked. This setback will force the Carter administration to rely on catch as catch can price increases which won't resolve the crisis, and will be viewed by the energy-consuming public as just another round of inflation. Within the next two years or so, the deteriorating U.S. energy situation will require that the White House and Congress take firm and immediate action -- most probably the implementation of the nation's Standby Gasoline Rationing Program mandated by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 in response to the 1973--74 Arab oil embargo.

• Research Organization: Princeton Center for Alternative Futures, Inc., Princeton, NJ
• OSTI ID: 6264236
• Journal Information: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 34:10; ISSN BASIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
ALLOCATIONS
COMPLIANCE
ENERGY
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT
EVALUATION
FAILURES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
IMPLEMENTATION
INFLATION
LAWS
NATIONAL ENERGY PLAN
NORTH AMERICA
PLANNING
USA