Illusion of energy independence

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Pipe Line Ind.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7363633

Gambs, G C

The United States depends on petroleum and natural gas for more than 76 percent of required energy, yet domestic production of both these premium fossil fuels peaked early in this decade and is declining at a rate of 7 percent per year. At the same time, imports of oil to meet demand soared to 40 percent of requirements in 1975 and imported oil will account for at least 50 percent of petroleum demand in 1976. A new Bureau of Mines study of December 1975, originally done by Walter Dupree in 1972, estimates that gross energy consumption will increase from 73,121 trillion Btu in 1974 to 163,430 trillion Btu in 2000. Coal will increase its domestic market share from 18 percent of total gross Btu to only 21.3 percent by the year 2000. Petroleum and natural gas are expected to lose market share, with petroleum going from 45.8 percent in 1974 to 31.3 percent by the year 2000. Natural gas' share of the energy mix will decline from 30.4 percent in 1974 to 12 percent by the year 2000. The demand for coal is expected to reach 1,560 million tons by the year 2000. If coal is to reach the necessary production, Mr. Gambs feels the following must be done: enact the Clean Air Act Amendments proposed by the Administration in 1975; make capital available for project expansion; refrain from enacting unreasonable surface mining legislation; develop a viable Federal coal leasing program to allow development of Western coal; devise realistic means of complying with the National Environmental Policy Act to allow energy development without undue delay or restraint; and make adequate transportation available. (MCW)

• Research Organization: Ford, Bacon and Davis Inc., New York
• OSTI ID: 7363633
• Journal Information: Pipe Line Ind.; (United States), Journal Name: Pipe Line Ind.; (United States) Vol. 44:6; ISSN PLINA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
292000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Supply
Demand & Forecasting
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
DEMAND FACTORS
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SUPPLIES
FLUIDS
FORECASTING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LAWS
MARKET
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
NATURAL GAS
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM
PLANNING
PROJECT INDEPENDENCE
USA