Energy policy and the market

Journal Article · Tue Sep 28 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Backgrounder; (United States)

OSTI ID:6792123

Singer, S F

The US Government has pursued an inconsistent energy policy for the past 25 years by trying to make energy cheap in order to benefit consumers and expensive to benefit producers. This led to political conflict and compromise between oil-consuming and oil-producing states and involved the Federal Government in distortion of the energy fuel market. The Reagan Administration is committed to maximum reliance on free market forces and a minimum of government intervention. The price of oil is now so high that oil can be replaced by less expensive gas, coal, and nuclear energy in many applications, principally for producing heat and steam. Government policies need not do much more than remove political and institutional obstacles to the use of these alternative energy sources. Economics will do the rest. 7 references.

• OSTI ID: 6792123
• Journal Information: Backgrounder; (United States), Journal Name: Backgrounder; (United States) Vol. 214; ISSN BCKGD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
ECONOMICS
ENERGY POLICY
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MARKET
POLITICAL ASPECTS