Energy crises in historical perspective

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Nat. Resour. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6306116

Nash, G D

A cursory survey of selected oil crises in America's past reveals certain similarities. Throughout the 20th century, the United States has lacked a clear coherent national energy policy. With the exception of war years, public policy was composed of a succession of disparate responses to immediate or short range problems. That this policy did not result in a major breakdown in American oil supplies was dependent on the timely discovery of hitherto untapped resources, either in the US or overseas, particularly in the Middle East. As the world's most-affluent nation in the 20th century the US was cushioned from the shock of a severe oil crisis. Whether the US can continue to rely on such luck in an era of restricted rather than seemingly unlimited petroleum resources is obviously problematical. The need to formulate a comprehensive national energy policy would not necessarily mandate a greater federal involvement in the management of the nation's energy resources. Rather, it would crystallize a clear understanding of national goals and priorities in relation to the use of energy. And no less important, such a program would need to be explained in an effective manner to the American people. National policy would delineate the respective roles of private and public enterprise in the achievement of these goals. Unless vast new petroleum reserves are discovered, without a clear national energy policy and sense of direction, the US will face the most serious energy crisis in its history.

• Research Organization: Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque
• OSTI ID: 6306116
• Journal Information: Nat. Resour. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Nat. Resour. J.; (United States) Vol. 21:2; ISSN NRJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SHORTAGES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
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