Energy Choices

In 1976 Resources for the Future began a comprehensive study of the technical, economic, institutional, environmental, and health and safety aspects of alternative energy futures. There was no dearth of energy studies at that time, but most of them dealt only with selective aspects of the energy problem. Some focused on oil, others on coal, nuclear, solar or other energy sources. Some were concerned with technological questions, or environmental issues, or other selected aspects of the problem. What was needed, in our opinion, was a systematic view of different energy supply possibilities, of demand projections, of the probable implications and consequences of different courses of action—all treated in a comprehensive framework that would facilitate the comparison of various strategies. By drawing on the wealth of special studies already completed and by supplementing them with additional studies that it commissioned, RFF sought to provide a comprehensive synthesis.

The report of the National Energy Strategies Project has now been completed for publication early in September, 1979. It begins with an Overview and Interpretation that we think is sufficiently self-contained to warrant separate publication in advance. It presents the major findings and central conclusions of the study. Specialists in the field will want to examine the full report which contains the supporting data and analyses on which the Overview rests, but we hope that they will find this brief treatment stimulating. For others interested in energy policy, however, a treatment of the length offered in the Overview may be more helpful than the detailed analysis. We have endeavored to make it readable as well as responsible and authoritative.

No contemporary analysis of energy proceeds very far before its intimate connection with other issues becomes evident. Indeed, much of the frustration over lack of progress and consensus in energy policy arises from such interrelated concerns about, or conflicts with, economic growth, social equity, foreign policy, technology, and environmental impacts. The capability for dealing with this range of subject matter requires a diversity of disciplines—economics and public policy analysis, physics and engineering, and public health and medical sciences. RFF was fortunate in being able to assemble—as authors and consultants for this study—persons who are specialists in each of these fields. The study was directed by Sam Schurr, then RFF Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the RFF Center for Energy Policy Research.