Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
adverse health and environmental impacts. For example, about two-thirds of the
oil we consume is imported, and supply constrictions have contributed to major
energy price shocks several times since 1973. More recently, decreased domestic
production and increased world consumption of oil have pushed prices upward,
nearly doubling the amount American consumers have paid for oil in just the past
3 years. In addition, DOE projects that U.S. transportation demand will increase
by 31 percent and U.S. electricity demand will increase by 35 percent by 2030.
Furthermore, emissions from the conventional burning of fossil fuels have
contributed to health problems--about 50 percent of Americans live in areas
where levels of one or more air pollutants are high enough to affect public health.
Also, the combustion of fossil fuels account for most of the greenhouse gas
emissions--particularly carbon dioxide--that have been linked to global
warming.
Source: GAO analysis of EIA data.
Figure 1. Comparison of the U.S. Energy Portfolio in 1973 and 2006.
Since its inception in 1977, the Department of Energy (DOE) has had
leadership responsibility for energy research, development, and demonstration (R
and D) to deploy advanced renewable, fossil, and nuclear technologies. DOE's
energy R and D goal is to develop technologies for meeting future energy
demands, addressing health and environmental issues, and diversifying the
nation's energy portfolio.[1] During the past 30 years, DOE has spent about $57.5
billion for R and D in renewable, fossil, and nuclear technologies. In addition,
DOE's Office of Science has spent about $34.3 billion from fiscal year 2000
through fiscal year 2008 on related basic energy research in such areas as high
energy and nuclear physics, basic energy sciences, and fusion energy.
