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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2, FEBRUARY 1990

REPORTS...
ENERGY POLICY

Item #d90feb38

Electricity End-Use Efficiency, M. Friedrichs, E. Unterwurzacher, 1989. International Energy Agency (IEA) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Available from OECD Pubs., 2001 L St. NW, S. 700, Washington DC 20036 ($28), or OECD Pubs., 2 rue Andre-Pascal, 75775 Paris CEDEX 16, France (130 francs).

Analyzes in detail technological advances in energy efficiency and market barriers that may keep these potential efficiency gains from being realized. Information from six representative IEA countries is reviewed: West Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. (See related article by the authors in World Clim. Change Rep., pp. 28-30, Jan. 1990.)

Item #d90feb39

Cool Energy: The Renewable Solution to Global Warming, M. Brower, 89 pp., 1990. Union of Concerned Scientists, Publications, 26 Church St., Cambridge MA 02238; $4.95 + 10% shipping.

Assesses the technical and commercial status of renewable energy sources in the United States, examining their costs, their contribution to the nation's energy supply, and their importance in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. (See related article in Chem. Eng. News, p. 15, Dec. 18, 1989.)

Item #d90feb40

A Decade of Decline: The Degeneration of Nuclear Power in the 1980's and the Emergence of Safer Energy Alternatives, K. Bossong et al., 36 pp., Dec. 1989. Critical Mass Energy Project, Public Citizen, 215 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington DC 20003 (202-546-4996); $30.

Released in cooperation with more than two dozen other citizen groups, this study is based on records obtained from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other sources. The 1980s was a decade of decline in the nuclear power industry because of rising costs, growing volumes of radioactive waste, and thousands of mishaps experienced at reactors. During the same period, costs for energy conservation and renewable energy dropped, and both are better suited to address global warming, acid rain and rising oil imports.

Item #d90feb41

Will Nuclear Power Recover in a Greenhouse? (Discussion Paper ENR 89-06), J.F. Ahearne, 82 pp., May 1989. Resources for the Future, Book Marketing, 1616 P St. NW, Washington DC 20036 (202-328-5086); $5.

In the United States, major problems that have excluded nuclear power as a choice for new generating capacity are slow growth in electricity demand, rising plant costs, bad management and growing public opposition. Unless Congress, the public and the nuclear industries address these issues, nuclear power will not be selected as a policy option to counter greenhouse warming.

Item #d90feb42

Sustainable Energy, C. Flavin et al., Dec. 1989. Renew America, 1400 16th St. NW, S. 710, Washington DC 20036 (202-232-2252); $10.

Presents a plan capable of reducing U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by 50% over the next 20 years. A variety of energy efficiency measures, increased use of renewable energy sources, higher fuel-economy standards for vehicles, and carbon taxes on fossil fuels and gas-guzzling cars are called for.

Item #d90feb43

Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution: Methane Emissions, (Eng. Tech. Note SS-88-4-1), 8 pp., Nov. 1989. Available at no charge from Amer. Gas. Assoc. Planning & Analysis, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA 22209 (703-841-8476).

Summarizes a survey of gas companies conducted by AGA at the request of EPA, to determine the amount of the greenhouse gas methane emitted during distribution and transmission. Finds emissions to be considerably lower than previously reported, making up about 0.3% of the total gas consumed in the nation.