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FROM VOLUME 6, NUMBER 2, FEBRUARY 1993

REPORTS...
ENERGY POLICY AND USE: UNITED STATES AND CANADA

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The following were produced and supported by a broad coalition of several dozen environmental, industrial, sustainable energy, consumer and citizen groups, and are aimed at influencing the Clinton Administration and the new Congress. Each is available for $5 from Public Citizen, 215 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington DC 20003 (202-546-4996).

A Sustainable Energy Blueprint, 32 pp., Nov. 1992. Outlines a comprehensive, yet achievable path to a sustainable energy future with four goals: strengthening the economy and creating jobs; protecting the environment; preserving public health; enhancing national security. Within six months the U.S. should publish an action plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25% below 1990 levels by the year 2005. Recommendations relate to nuclear power, transportation, radioactive waste, budget, tax policy and other areas.

A Sustainable Energy Budget, 42 pp., Dec. 1992. Recommends a shift of about $1 billion in spending within the Department of Energy (DOE) to strengthen energy efficiency measures, promote renewable sources, and fund additional natural gas technologies. Proposes $1.9 billion in cuts affecting primarily nuclear fusion and nuclear power R&D.

A Sustainable Energy Blueprint--National Opinion Poll, 10 pp., Feb. 1993. A bipartisan polling team reports widespread support among the American public for a bold redirection of national energy policies stressing sustainable energy initiatives. National results are supplemented by views of various regions, Californians, and Perot voters.

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The following directories are also available from Public Citizen (address immed. above), on floppy disk or as mailing labels in addition to the print form:

National Directory of U.S. Energy Periodicals. 1st Edition--Revised, 50 pp., Dec. 1992, $12.50. Lists over 700 publications that report on renewable energy, energy efficiency, nuclear power, fossil fuels, electric utilities, and related topics.

National Directory of Safe Energy Organizations. 6th Edition--Revised, 65 pp., Dec. 1992, $12.50. Lists over 1,000 citizen and other groups that are promoting improved energy efficiency and renewable energy, or are opposing commercial nuclear power plants, nuclear weapons facilities, and proposed nuclear waste sites.

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Two items from American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 2140 Shattuck Ave., S. 202, Berkeley CA 94704 (510-549-9914):

America's Energy Choices: Investing in a Strong Economy and a Clean Environment, Oct. 1992. Vol. 1. Main Report, 121 pp., $15. Vol. 2. Technical Appendices, $25. Examines the overall role that energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies can play in meeting the nation's energy needs. If these approaches are pursued aggressively, the U.S. can cut CO₂ emissions by up to 70% and save consumers about two trillion dollars. Makes appropriate policy recommendations. Produced with the Alliance to Save Energy and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Energy Efficiency and Job Creation: The Employment and Income Benefits from Investing in Energy Conserving Technologies, H. Geller, J. DeCicco, S. Laitner, 46 pp., Oct. 1992, $8. Builds on America's Energy Choices by analyzing the indirect economic benefits of a high efficiency energy strategy. With substantial improvements in energy efficiency, 470,000 new jobs are possible by 2000. It is unnecessary to choose between environmental protection and economic benefits or jobs.

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Seizing the Moment: Global Opportunities for the U.S. Energy-Efficiency Industry--Executive Summary, R. Sturm, D. Lord, L. Wagner, 70 pp., Dec. 1992, $12 + $3 shipping. International Inst. for Energy Conserv. (IIEC), 750 First St. NE, S. 940, Washington DC 20002 (202-842-3388).

Commissioned by the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Describes the U.S. industry, assessing each sector and analyzing opportunities in this $18 billion global market. Evaluates the range of U.S. governmental trade and energy programs and their responsiveness to the needs of industry. Prescribes policies that will allow the industry to fulfill its promise as a key global energy resource.

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Sustainable Development and Cheap Electricity: An Evaluation of the Impact of Lower Electricity Prices on the U.S. Economy and U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions, M.P. Mills, 30 pp., Oct. 1992. Contact Western Fuels Assoc., 1625 M St. NW, Washington DC 20036 (202-463-6580).

Reviews historical, technical and economic evidence showing that declining electricity costs and rising electricity use has an overall beneficial effect on the economy and the environment. While the increased use of coal is inextricably linked to low-cost electricity, the efficiencies of the electricity-using technologies that will be replacing fuel-burning technologies more than offset emissions from coal-fired plants, leading to lower CO₂ emissions.

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Energy Policy: Options to Reduce Environmental and Other Costs of Gasoline Consumption (GAO/RCED-92-260), 51 pp., Sep. 1992. Testimony, with the same title (GAO/T-RCED-92-94) was given before Congress by V.S. Rezendes. Single copies free from U.S. General Accounting Office, POB 6015, Gaithersburg MD 20877 (202-275-6241).

Evaluates the effects on the economy, the environment and other issues for six policy options: a higher gas tax, a tax on tailpipe emissions, subsidies for alternative fuels, surcharges for inefficient cars, and financial encouragement to scrap old vehicles. An eclectic strategy combining the best of all the options is recommended.

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Energy Efficiency, Economic and Environmental Impacts of Natural Gas vs. Electric Services in Residences, 18 pp., Aug. 1992, no charge. Contact Donna Mercado, Amer. Gas Assoc., 1515 Wilson Blvd., 8th Fl., Arlington VA 22209 (703-841-8491).

A full-cycle analysis of energy use, taking into account production, conversion, transmission and distribution of energy as well as its use in the home, demonstrates that natural gas is preferable to electricity. Even if an electric appliance is three times as efficient as a gas appliance, the total energy required for the gas option is less. Examining environmental impacts on less than a full-cycle basis can mislead both policy makers and consumers.

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Energy for Employment, 40 pp., July 1992, $5. Greenpeace, 1436 U St. NW, Washington DC 20009 (202-462-1177).

Issued with the Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers International Union (OCAW). Recommends a $15 billion a year program for creating jobs in clean energy technologies, which could yield a net employment increase of more than a million new jobs. A fund would be established for job reeducation and income support for displaced workers.

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The Dominance of Fossil Fuels: Technical and Resource Limitations to Alternative Energy Sources (Rep. No. 92-6), H.D. Lightfoot, C. Green, 63 pp., May 1992. McGill Ctr. for Clim. & Global Change Res., McGill Univ., 805 Sherbrooke St. W, Montreal PQ H3A 2K6, Can.