Minerals Critical to Developing Future Energy Technologies, Their Availability, and Projected Demand.
Abstract
The next 20 to 30 years are expected to be a period of transition from major dependence on conventional energy sources such as oil and natural gas to an era more dependent on nonconventional renewable and virtually inexhaustible sources of energy. The viability of these future alternative energy sources is contingent, in part, on future materials and minerals availability, technology, and cost. On June 20, 1980, you asked GAO to identify minerals critical to developing future energy technologies, their availability, and projected demand. In your letter, you stated that strategic and critical minerals constraints on the United States capability to meet expected requirements of future major alternative energy technologies represent a critical consideration in formulating a national energy policy and, as such, are of immediate interest to the Committee. From GAO's effort, you stated that the Committee should be able to 'identify whether legislation is needed to develop new alloys or substitutes; increase domestic, foreign, and undersea supplies; develop new technologies; promote recycling; augment stockpiles, etc.' (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA106903
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office