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OCR for page 1
HIGHLIGHTS
Human activities, primarily related to energy production and
consumption, are increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases
(GHGs) in the atmosphere faster than the rate of absorption by
natural sinks. If this continues, there is concern that
irreversible climatic changes may occur and adversely impact human
societies. However, scientific uncertainty exists regarding the
timing and extent of global climate change and its consequences.
The committee was asked, nevertheless, to suggest federal
strategies for energy research and development (R&~) on alternative
energy technologies should the government want to give priority to
stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of GHGs. In response, the
committee has recommended strategies to facilitate prudent and
decisive actions by the United States.
1. There is no immediate single technological fix for reduction
of GHG emissions. Consequently, if GHG emissions are to be
reduced, a multifaceted effort will be required by the U.S.
government and the private sector, on major improvements in U.S.
energy productivity, on the adoption of relevant technologies in
the marketplace, on energy R&D, and on the resolution of
environmental and economic issues.
2. As a first step and within existing budget constraints,
changes to U.S. energy R&D priorities are warranted whose
implementation would
(a) enable reductions in GHG emissions and
(b) merit public expenditures for other reasons, even in the
absence of concerns over global climate change.
The underlying R&D strategy (referred to as the Focused R&D
Strategy) has the objective of reducing uncertainties about the
costs and performance of low- or non-GHG-emitting technologies
relative to their conventional counterparts.
3. From a programmatic standpoint consistent with the foregoing
strategy, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) should take the
following steps as soon as possible:
(a) Allocate to energy programs on conservation and
renewables an additional $300 million or about 20 percent
of the civilian energy R&D budget appropriations
(b) Obtain the funds for this allocation by refocusing the
R&D priorities for magnetic fusion and fossil
energy programs
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(c)
(d)
Redirect ef forts under the fossil energy program to
achieve high efficiencies in converting clean coal to
electricity
Make international cooperation an important component of
alternative energy R&D proj ects .
4. In the near term (i. e., from the year 1990 to 2000), and as
~ supplement to the Focused R&D Strategy, the government ought to
consider taking additional actions to stimulate
(b)
(a) adoption of GHG-reducing technologies that already exist
but that are not currently deployed
private sector investments in energy R&D on low- or non-
GHG technologies.
5. If concerns heighten regarding GHG emissions, an additional
R&D strategy (referred to as the Insurance Strategy) should be
considered to develop and demonstrate, for their "insurance" value,
'"backstop" technologies to reduce GHG emissions. Substantial
federal funding (on the order of billions of dollars per year) of
applied energy research, development, and demonstration would be
needed to minimize uncertainties in the economic and environmental
costs of technologies that reduce GHG emissions. Maj or national
policy decisions are required to adopt the Insurance Strategy.
6. The U.S. government must continue to emphasize basic and
generic research on many fronts to expand knowledge of alternative
energy sources.
7. The United States ought to take the lead In GHG-reducing
energy R&D in an international context.
2
Representative terms from entire chapter:
alternative energy
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