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r News
<br /> Et) World Enegv
<br /> U.S. Oil Dependence, Middle East Instability Make Case for Renewables & Efficiency
<br /> A recent public opinion study by the Environmental Law chieftains are of the Alawite clan who make up 13 percent
<br /> and Policy Center suggests the lessons of the 1973 and of the Syrian population. Ethnic resentment is said to be
<br /> 1979 oil crises are forgotten. Environmental concerns, building between Alawites and the Sunni Muslims who
<br /> rather than economic security, drive energy efficiency and make up nearly 80 percent of Syria's population. Although
<br /> renewable energy. But is another energy crisis that far away? Saudi Arabia's King Fand has named a successor,
<br /> rivalries between the heirs and his half-brothers are
<br /> According to Energy Foundation figures, global oil problematic. The following countries have no heirs,
<br /> consumption is growing at 1.8 percent annually. "If the Morocco, Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and
<br /> increased demand must be met with the supplies from the Oman. In short, the U.S. is hard-pressed to determine who
<br /> Middle East, we can expect the political demands of these will be our next oil allies.
<br /> exporting nations to grow in proportion to their oil exports,"
<br /> reports the Energy Foundation. Domestic oil production Technical solutions are available for the U.S. to reduce its
<br /> declined in the last twenty years. At the current rate, the dependence on oil imports. In the transportation sector,
<br /> U.S. will be over 60 percent dependent on imported oil, improved fuel efficiency for cars and trucks, use of
<br /> consuming more than 11 million barrels of imported oil a alternative fuels, and improved public transportation which
<br /> day by the year 2000. reduces the total vehicle miles traveled, would have a
<br /> major impact on oil imports.
<br /> OPEC members supply almost 30 percent of the total
<br /> world's oil. While OPEC's influence has waned since the In the industrial, commercial and residential sectors, the
<br /> 1970s, disruptions in OPEC supply do have an effect on best options for reducing oil use are improving the energy
<br /> oil prices. The most recent example is Iraq's invasion of efficiency of buildings, appliances, and industrial processes
<br /> Kuwait. The Minnesota Department of Public Service and using renewable energy and natural gas alternatives
<br /> reported that the Gulf War raised petroleum prices and to oil. Many businesses who can deliver these products
<br /> caused a decrease in petroleum consumption by 2 and services are based in Minnesota and are coordinating
<br /> percent. The hostility is over for now but according to one their efforts with Energy Alley.
<br /> boundary expert, the Iraq/Kuwait border conflict will
<br /> •remain a "political time bomb" until Iraq can find an Since 1975 energy efficiency measures have reduced
<br /> alternative to the port of Basra to ship its oil. U.S. projected energy use by over 30 percent. Renewable
<br /> energy now accounts for nearly 10 percent of domestic
<br /> Currently, there are thirteen border disputes from Egypt to energy production. In the past two decades, proven and
<br /> Iran. Many of the Arab states' leaders are aging, and it is cost-effective products and services have become
<br /> difficult to determine if these OPEC nation's next leaders available and many technologies have experienced
<br /> will be friends or foes to the US. "The leaders who have marked price drops and are now cost-competitive with,
<br /> ruled the Arab world for decades are growing old, embat- and often cheaper than, conventional energy sources.
<br /> tied and sick, and nobody is certain who will replace Regional efforts like Energy Alley, which promote the use
<br /> them,"writes Peter Waldman of the Wall Street Journal. of energy efficient and renewable energy
<br /> In Egypt, President Mubarak has yet to name a successor products,equipment and services, are helping to reduce
<br /> or Vice President and possibilities include several military the United States' dependence on imported oil and posi-
<br /> leaders and a few civilians. Syria's future is especially tion ourselves for a more secure economy.
<br /> uncertain. President Assad and his most trusted
<br /> Department of Energy (DOE) Promoting Clean Energy in Europe
<br /> The DOE is eager to promote clean energy technology exports and it is setting its sights on the European continent. The
<br /> DOE has conducted forums where U.S. industry representatives and their European counterparts discuss opportunities
<br /> for commercial cooperation in such fields as energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable energy technologies
<br /> and energy policy. Contact Terri Walters at the DOE for more information, (202) 586-1712 or fax, (202) 586-0861
<br /> (Information provided by the National Center for Appropriate Technology).
<br /> Minnesota Trade Office Promotes EERE Opportunities in Japan
<br /> New Earth '96 Energy Alley companies are encouraged to call Inkie Rutgers or Karin Nelson at the MN
<br /> November 13-16, 1996
<br /> Intex Osaka Fairgrounds
<br /> Osaka, Japan
<br /> Trade Office regarding the New Earth '96 exhibit in Osaka, Japan. The Japanese market
<br /> for environmental technology is expected to grow at 6 percent per year until the year 2000,
<br /> expanding from $150 billion to $225 billion. Currently, much of Japan's environmental
<br /> • technology is imported. Energy conservation and new-energy technology comprises one
<br /> Exhibitor Fee: 53.000-S4,500
<br /> (3m x 3m booth) of the several exhibit areas. There will be 1,300 booths and expected attendance is
<br /> MTO Shared Booth:S500 60,000. The MTO plans to participate in the US Pavilion and to share its booth with
<br /> Minnesota companies.
<br /> For more information, call(612)297-4222.
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