Final report on energy, supply, demand/need and the gaps between : to the M.W. Kellogg Co., Houston, Texas and the Environmental Protection Agency under Task 27 of EPA Contract 8-01-1308
Name
MIT-EL-75-012-02291546.pdf
Description
An overview
Size
4.29 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
2978fb2f218808615283ad24b861dea2
Name
MIT-EL-75-013-02291546.pdf
Description
Monographs, working papers, and appendix papers
Size
13.83 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
bfc6845ad31fafae0ee007af4e085a00
Author(s)
Meyer, James Wagner
Jones, William J.
Kessler, Myer M.
Date Issued
1975
Publisher
MIT Energy Lab
Series/Report no.
MIT-EL
75-012
MIT-EL
75-013
Abstract
This paper is a summary, based on a critical review of
selected literature pertaining to energy supply, demand, supply/
demand imbalances and the operational/technological developments
needed to redress imbalances. Crises have been a recurrent feature of man's history. There was a crisis based on a shortage of
wood fuel in the early 17th century. Whale oil was so short
during the Civil War that the price doubled, yet it then dropped
by a factor of six before the end of the century as kerosene became an alternate option. Energy demand growth soared in the U.S.
over the last two decades not because of need but because real
energy prices dropped. Energy was substituted for labor and material which were costing more. Now we have materials as well as
energy shortages and massive unemployment.
There is little agreement regarding our future supply of fossil fuels and no consensus on the best way to reduce demand.
History tells us that the imbalance will be resolved. It is our
task to make sure that the resolution occurs with the lowest possible social and environmental cost. Price can resolve the imbalance, but because price dbes not often reflect all costs this
resolution can be very disruptive. Alternatives must be developed
and options broadened. Opportunities for conservation should not
be overlooked for the marginal barrel of oil saved is of greater
value than the marginal barrel of new production.
A series of working papers and monographs which discuss certain aspects of this review more broadly are included in Volume
II of this report.
Subjects
Power resources in United States
Energy consumption in United States
Energy policy in United States
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