Observations on Federal energy research and development—December 1974

Much of our country's present stance in energy R&D is an embodiment of the recommendations presented in the Dixy Lee Ray report, “The Nation's Energy Future” (NEF).PaPaA Report to President Richard M. Nixon, WASH-1281. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. (1 Dec. 1973). Since that report appeared just one year ago, the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)∥∥Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, Public Law 93-438, 93rd Congress, H.R. 11510. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. (11 Oct. 1974). has been established, and the Project Independence Blueprint (PIB)††††has been completed. To what extent does the passage of a year change the priorities or the scale of energy research and development which was outlined in NEF? This memorandum recommends a few specific R&D programs and related institutional changes that ought to be undertaken in response to events that have occurred since November 1973.