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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 6, NUMBER 7-8, JULY-AUGUST 1993

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS...
ENERGY POLICY AND ECONOMICS

Item #d93jul30

Four items from Energy Policy, 21(4), Apr. 1993:

"Energy Efficiency Fallacies: The Debate Concluded," L.G. Brooks (Bournemouth, U.K.), 346-347. The final piece in a continuing debate in this journal between the author and M. Grubb on the economics of energy efficiency. (An editorial comment concludes that the two writers cannot come to agreement on the issue, and invites constructive contributions on the theme by others.)

"US Public Policy and Emerging Technologies: The Case of Solar Energy," D. Rahm (Dept. Govt., Univ. S. Florida, Tampa FL 33620), 374-384. Explores the impacts of a variety of policies on the emergence and diffusion of solar energy technologies, using data gathered in the National Solar Energy Policy Study. Discusses specific policy options that would speed emergence and diffusion.

"Economic Evaluation of Independent CHP Projects," A. Verbruggen (Univ. Faculteiten Sint-Ignatius, UFSIA, Prinsstr. 13, B-2000 Antwerp, Belg.), N. Dufait, A. Martens, 408-417. Presents analyses from the point of view of non-utility investors (industries, commercial facilities, and local authorities).

"Modeling CHP within a National Power System," P.E. Grohnheit (Syst. Anal. Dept., Risf Nat. Lab., DK-4000 Roskilde, Den.), 418-429. A survey of types of models presently in use.

Item #d93jul31

"Energy, The Environment and Sustainable Development: Lateral Departures," M. Schloss (The World Bank, 1818 H St. NW, Washington DC 20006), World Resour. Rev., 5(2), 214-227, June 1993.

An analysis that identifies areas susceptible for policy action aimed at a more benign energy sector development. Examines past and future trends of energy supply including environmental impacts, pattern of demand, technological changes and World Bank contributions toward environmentally benign energy supplies. Concludes that technological changes are the long-term solution to environmental problems.

Item #d93jul32

Two items from Energy Policy, 21(6), June 1993:

"Economic Incentives for Clean Coal Technology Deployment," A. Rose (Dept. Mineral Econ., Pennsylvania State Univ., Univ. Pk. PA 16802), A. Mor, 668-678. Despite the environmental benefits of clean coal technology, adoption in the U.S. has been slow. Examines several fiscal incentives, finding their costs modest in light of the possible non-market benefits.

"Energy Conservation Investment. Do Consumers Discount the Future Correctly?" K.A. Hassett (Grad. School Business, Columbia Univ., New York NY 10027), G.E. Metcalf, 710-716. Results of economic simulations imply that tax subsidies for the purchase of energy conservation capital are likely to be ineffective. Recommends mandatory efficiency standards and energy taxes instead.

Item #d93jul33

"Major Energy Issues in the 1990s: An OPEC Perspective," Dr. Subroto (Organization of Petroleum Exporting States (OPEC), Obere Danaustr. 93, 1020 Vienna, Austria.), OPEC Bull., 24(5), 4-9, May 1993.

From a recent address, in which the Secretary General of OPEC argues that sustainable development can only come when developing nations have access to markets and technology. The oil industry also needs a large amount of new investment, which requires a predictable level of demand and reasonable prices.

Item #d93jul34

"Environmental Policies: Market Responses and Incentives," H. Motamen-Scobie (Eur. Econ. Financial Ctr., POB 2498, London W2 4LE, UK), Energy Econ., 15(2), 67-70, Apr. 1993.

For new investment, there is a tendency within industry to favor revenue generation projects over those for cost reduction by requiring shorter gestation and payback times for the latter. This attitude leads to low priority for energy efficiency projects. It is possible that a supply shock may need to occur to induce the market to invest and develop the technology required by environmental concerns.

Item #d93jul35

"What Does Utility-Subsidized Energy Efficiency Really Cost?" P.L. Joskow (Dept. Econ., Mass. Inst. Technol., Cambridge MA 02139), D.B. Marron, Science, 260(5106), 281, 370, Apr. 16, 1993.

The true costs of utility-subsidized electricity conservation are often significantly higher than the costs reported by utilities, or those suggested by widely cited "technical potential" studies.

Item #d93jul36

Three items from World Resour. Rev., 4(4), 1992:

"The Challenge of Global Warming-Towards a Sustainable Energy Future in the European Community," U. Collier (Sci. Policy Res., Mantell Bldg., Univ. Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RF, UK), 451-468. Achievement of the EC CO₂ target presently relies mainly on piecemeal actions at the national level. These are insufficient, but the EC seems to lack the commitment or jurisdiction to develop the necessary integrated approach to energy supply and end use.

"The Role of Biomass in Mitigating Global Warming," M. Bulls (Biotech. Res. Dept., CEB 1C, Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals AL 35660), J. Broder, J.W. Barrier, 497-506. Surveys a variety of technological approaches to energy production from biomass, showing they have the potential to significantly reduce the accumulation of greenhouse gases such as CO₂ and methane. Technologies being developed at TVA are discussed.

"Public Opinion and Nuclear Energy Policies and Their Impact on Alternative Energy Planning," R.P. Sinha (Dept. Geosci., Elizabeth City State Univ., Elizabeth City NC 27909), 519-527. The decline in public optimism about nuclear energy over the past several years has resulted in the dwindling of new reactor construction, which will remain at a standstill in the foreseeable future. The only other plausible source for generating additional electricity is coal burning, which has the potential for considerable environmental damage.