Energy implications of cleanup operations

Abstract

The conflicting aspects of the national concerns for environmental quality and energy conservation were discussed briefly. Comparisons were made of the energy conservation efficiencies of several solutions to the environmental problems of urban passenger traffic, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, air pollution abatement, and waste heat dissipation. The quantities of energy required to achieve environmental quality goals were considered relatively low. The data presented indicated that increased recycling, generation of electricity with solid waste, more widespread use of mass transit, a shift to smaller automobiles, and redesign of the internal combustion engine would both reduce pollution and conserve energy resources. (JTE)