Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
consumption to at least 50 percent by 2050. Japan subsidized the cost of
residential solar systems for 10 years, resulting in the installation of solar systems
on over 253,000 homes and the price of residential solar systems falling by more
than half. Spain hopes to lead the way for European Union investments in an
IGCC coal power plant, improving efficiency and generating fewer emissions
than conventional coal-fired plants. Finally, France has led Europe in nuclear
energy and plans to deploy new nuclear power plants within the next decade.
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ONCLUDING
O
BSERVATIONS
The United States remains the world's largest oil consumer. In the wake of
increasing energy costs with the attendant threat to national security and the
growing recognition that fossil fuel consumption is contributing to global climate
change, the nation is once again assessing how best to stimulate the deployment
of advanced energy technologies. However, it is unlikely that DOE's current level
of R and D funding or the nation's current energy policies will be sufficient to
deploy advanced energy technologies in the next 25 years. Without sustained high
energy prices or concerted, high-profile federal government leadership, U.S.
consumers are unlikely to change their energy-use patterns, and the United States
will continue to rely upon its current energy portfolio. Specifically, government
leadership is needed to overcome technological and market barriers to deploying
advanced energy technologies that would reduce the nation's vulnerability to oil
supply disruptions and adverse environmental effects of burning fossil fuels.
To meet the nation's rising demand for energy, reduce its economic and
national security vulnerability to crude oil supply disruptions, and minimize
adverse environmental effects, our December 2006 report recommended that the
Congress consider further stimulating the development and deployment of a
diversified energy portfolio by focusing R and D funding on advanced energy
technologies.
C
ONTACTS AND
A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS
For further information about this testimony, please contact me at (202) 512-
3841 or wellsj@gao.gov . Contact points for our Offices of Congressional
Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last page of this report. Richard
Cheston, Robert Sanchez, and Kerry Lipsitz made key contributions to this
statement.
