U.S. ENERGY R&D TO BE SCRUTINIZED

Abstract

Energy research and development spending in the U.S. by the public and private sector is the focus of a new expert panel created in mid-March by the White House. By Oct. 1, its 21 members are expected to hammer out solutions to one of today's most vexing global questions: What energy challenges are likely to confront the world in the next century, and what research is necessary to meet them? The topic is hardly new. In fact, the panel's chairman and several members say their review will be aided by several recent studies that unearthed excellent data, even though the recommendations were often ignored. The result, panel members say, is a lack of a coherent national energy research agenda and a fear that the U.S. is slipping behind in the global race for the multi-billion- dollar energy market emerging mostly in the developing world. Worldwide, some 2 billion people are currently without electricity, and Department ...