Energy: where are we headed
The author sums the United States energy situation using six figures to tell the story: (1) 75% of our energy supplies are now derived from oil and gas; (2) we currently depend on foreign suppliers for 45% of our oil supplies, and the trend is upwards; (3) the nation's demand for energy will be 50% greater by 1990; (4) at current production rates, we now have 11 years of proved reserves of oil and of natural gas; (5) pending legislation such as Senate Bill 9--the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments--if enacted, could defeat our national energy goals by inhibiting development of domestic energy sources; and (6) zero-risk environmental policies may well add up to zero opportunities for modifying all the other numbers crucial to the nation's future energy welfare. He then presents an energy policy he believes viable on three premises: (a) to bring the demand side of our energy equation under control, conservation is a must; incentives such as market prices that reflect the real value and cost of energy; standards that are flexible enough to optimize energy use in many varying situations; and perhaps other inducements to conserve all our fuels; (b) to reduce our dependence on foreign producers and also to meet our growing needs, we must increase domestic supplies; (c) to permit the growth so vital to the nation's economic welfare, we must redress the balance between environmental concerns and energy needs. At the least, a sound environmental policy, like a viable energy policy, must be based on stringent cost benefit analyses, scientific findings, and the need for flexibility. (MCW)
- Research Organization:
- American Petroleum Inst., Washington, DC
- OSTI ID:
- 6700378
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-770403-
- Journal Information:
- Proc. Am. Power Conf.; (United States), Vol. 39; Conference: 39. annual meeting of the American Power Conference, Chicago, IL, USA, 18 Apr 1977
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ENERGY POLICY
USA
ENERGY SUPPLIES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
CLEAN AIR ACT
CONTINENTAL SHELF
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DECISION MAKING
DEMAND FACTORS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY SHORTAGES
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FORECASTING
LEGAL ASPECTS
MANPOWER
NATURAL GAS
PETROLEUM
REGULATIONS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LAWS
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION LAWS
292000* - Energy Planning & Policy- Supply
Demand & Forecasting
293000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation