The Nation's Energy Problem. Forum Report.

Some of the essential elements now deficient in national energy programs are identified, and recommendations are offered for business, universities, and government regarding actions that may improve energy-related research and training. Five topics that need to be addressed by professionals are: (1) an energy policy that ensures that targets for both domestic energy supply and energy consumption are consistent, to reduce or eliminate dependence on imported oil; (2) an energy supply system involving a mix of technologies that are both sustainable and socially acceptable; (3) a sufficient knowledge base from which to evaluate the benefits and costs of different long-term energy technologies and strategies; (4) an understanding of long term energy demands; and (5) public attitudes toward technology, government, social institutions, and the quality of life that will strongly influence future energy policies and programs. It is suggested that expansion of goal-oriented basic research and other improvements will depend on a good cooperative working relationship among business, higher education, and government. Descriptions of cooperative efforts are appended. Among the recommended actions are: business and industry should increase support of university goal-oriented basic research and programs for training professionals; higher education should establish faculty-administration-board committees to seek ways to improve the flow of activity on research and training between each institution and relevant industry; higher education should establish an energy agenda setting priorities and the activities needed to respond to the energy problem; government needs to encourage private sector action; and Congress should enact legislation to provide tax incentives for business to increase its support of basic and goal-oriented research. (SW)