WASHINGTON – The United States can reduce its dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse-gas emissions by making cars and buildings much more energy-efficient, according to a study released Tuesday by a large national association of physicists.
The 46,000-member American Physical Society argues the need for action is urgent because the energy crisis is the worst in U.S. history. It also says the physics and chemistry behind the human causes of climate change – such as heat-trapping pollution from the burning of fossil fuels – are "well understood and beyond dispute."
The report argues that the country can still go a long way to reduce energy use in cost- effective ways that allow for continued comfort and convenience. Although efficient technologies can save money, the United States has been slow to catch on, the report says. It recommends that the federal government adopt policies and make investments.
"The opportunities are huge and the costs are small," the report said.
"The bottom line is that the quickest way to do something about America's use of energy is through energy efficiency," said Burton Richter, chairman of the study panel and a 1976 Nobel Prize winner in physics. "Energy that you don't use is free. It's not imported, and it doesn't emit any greenhouse gases. Most of the things we recommend don't cost anything to the economy."
The report concludes that the projected growth of energy use in buildings – 30 percent by 2030 – could be cut to zero using existing technology and what's likely to become available in the next decade at the current level of research and development. It argues that the federal government should encourage states to set standards for residential buildings and make sure they're enforced.
"One of the things we would love to see is all buildings have Energy Star labels," Richter said. "Right now you don't know how much energy a building is going to use that you're interested in moving into. We'd like to see an energy audit required before a building is sold or even built."
Some of the report's suggestions included installing roofs that reflect rather than absorb the sun's energy in hot climates; more efficient heating, cooling, lighting and appliances; and more government investment in developing building technologies.
A key transportation recommendation is to develop cheaper and more reliable batteries for electric cars, which could be the equivalent of cutting oil imports by 6 million barrels a day, Richter said.
Call Renee Schoof, McClatchy Washington Bureau, (202) 383-6004.
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