DOE again proposes energy policy for U.S.

As it has under previous administrations, the U.S. Department of Energy has again proposed a policy to outline U.S. energy goals, objectives, and strategies. DOE held public hearings on its Comprehensive National Energy Strategy in Houston; Davis, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. After accepting more comments, it plans to issue a final policy this spring. Energy Sec. Federico Peña said the document will go "beyond traditionally expressed energy policies," with the objective of ensuring

Feb. 23, 1998

3 min read

As it has under previous administrations, the U.S. Department of Energy has again proposed a policy to outline U.S. energy goals, objectives, and strategies.

DOE held public hearings on its Comprehensive National Energy Strategy in Houston; Davis, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. After accepting more comments, it plans to issue a final policy this spring.

Energy Sec. Federico Peña said the document will go "beyond traditionally expressed energy policies," with the objective of ensuring "affordable, clean, and secure energy supplies."

Strategy

The first goal of the draft strategy is to improve the efficiency of the U.S. energy system, making more productive use of energy resources to enhance overall economic performance while protecting the environment and advancing national security.

DOE would support competitive and efficient electricity systems; increase energy efficiency; and boost use of clean, alternate fuels in the transportation, industrial, and commercial sectors by 2010. That includes commercialization of a full-sized, 80 mpg auto by 2010. The policy's second goal is to ensure against energy disruptions.

DOE proposes that the government halt the decline in domestic oil production by 2002 and then reverse it.

"Increased federal support for R&D in improved oil supply technology can expand domestic oil production while reducing the environmental impacts," said DOE.

The policy calls for the U.S. to maintain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and diversify the sources of oil available to world oil markets. DOE would develop technology options to help reduce expected U.S. oil consumption by 1 million b/d by 2010.

"The development of light-duty vehicles with higher fuel economy; new technologies to provide increased production from biomass, natural gas, and coal; increased use of more efficient transportation systems; and improvements in the efficiency of oil use in industrial processes all help limit the expected growth in oil demand, which would otherwise be supplied by increased oil imports."

Another objective would be to ensure energy system reliability, flexibility, and emergency response capability. DOE said that could be achieved by restructuring the electric utility sector and improving the reliability and flexibility of gas transportation and storage.

Also, it said the reliability and flexibility of the domestic oil refining, transportation, and storage systems could be improved.

"Implementation of new air emission regulations that apply to the refining industry should not impair their economic viability, and expanded R&D support for low-emission refinery technologies can help lower the cost of environmental compliance."

Other goals

DOE said the policy would promote energy production and use in ways that reflect human health and environmental values.

It proposed the U.S. support policies to allow domestic gas supply to grow by as much as 6 tcf by 2010. About 60% of that growth would be used in electricity generating systems.

DOE also said use of advanced exploration and production technologies could recover more than 400 million bbl of additional oil by 2005.

Several other proposals were aimed at reducing emissions of gases believed to contribute to global warming.

The policy's fourth goal is to expand future U.S. energy choices. It described this goal as "pursuing continued progress in science and technology to provide future generations with a robust portfolio of clean and reasonably priced energy sources."

The final goal would be to cooperate internationally on global issues.

DOE noted, "The energy market is now a global market, and how effectively we interact on an international basis will, to a large extent, determine how economically prosperous we remain domestically."

It said the U.S. should cooperate with foreign governments and international institutions to develop energy sector laws, policies, and regulatory processes for setting standards and enforcing regulations.