Plugging the Energy Sieve

This article discusses the feasibility of an energy policy based mainly on increased efficiency in the use of energy, with minimal change of present life-style. Data are included on present and projected energy consumption in four major areas -- industrial, residential, commercial, and transportation. Increased effeciency in the industrial sector appears possible through the use of new production processes, recycling, utilization of waste materials, and careful energy accounting in order to reduce total manufacturing energy or to trade off increased manufacturing energy for improved operating efficiency. In the residential and commercial sectors the use of products and applicances which are more energy efficient, such as better heat insulation and space heating by a means other than electric heating, offer ways of energy conservation. In the transportation sector increased efficiency is seen possible in freight transport and the operation of automobiles. Also, it appers that large energy investments now in transportation could save future energy costs, dependent, of course, on what decisions are made now for energy deployment. This article concludes by examining how a program for efficient energy utilization could be implemented, what steps would encourage such practice, and what some of the side-effects and synergies would be.