Assessment of alternative economic stockpiling policies. [By Office of Technology Assessment]

Book · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7332922

This report presents OTA's analysis of the impacts of implementing one or a combination of several alternative materials stockpiling policies for economic (nondefense) purposes. The assessment focuses primarily on materials problems related to sudden discontinuities in the long-range supply/demand of a given material, resulting in complete or partial disruptions and abrupt price changes. The study specifically excludes an analysis of food commodities and concentrates on metals and minerals. The report notes that future shortages could occur as a result of the influence of cartel actions, nonpolitical import disruptions, U.S. shortages, or fluctuating domestic or international markets. In its evaluation of alternative stockpiling policies, the assessment considered five specific materials with characteristics representing each of the above five influences--petroleum, zinc, tin, tungsten, and copper. The report specifically: (1) delineates the possible legislative options which the Congress may want to consider in deliberating the issue of economic stockpiling; (2) presents the economic, political, social, institutional, and legal impacts of five economic stockpiling policies; and (3) suggests possible management and operational guidelines for establishing and operating an economic stockpile. (MCW)

• OSTI ID: 7332922
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
AVAILABILITY
COPPER
ECONOMIC ELASTICITY
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY SHORTAGES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LEGISLATION
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM
REFRACTORY METALS
SIMULATION
STOCKPILES
TIN
TRADE
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TUNGSTEN
USA
USES
ZINC