Responsible Individuals and the Nation’s Energy Future

Since October of 1973 many Americans of various political persua- sions have called for a clear and coherent energy policy. Those on the left tend to believe that Americans, lacking the foresight or self- discipline required to make appropriate adjustments to energy shortages, must have their use of energy controlled. Mileage stan- dards for automobiles, the fifty-five miles-per-hour speed limit, thermostat control in buildings, and other limitations on individual freedom have been legislated because of this belief. Those on the political right tend to be less enthusiastic about controls of this kind, yet even some of them have called for certain kinds of gov- ernmental control for reasons of national security. Apparently they believe that since individuals in their market decisions will place too little weight on national security matters as such, energy sup- plies and energy capacity reserves may become too small. The nec- essity of military and economic preparedness in the face of external political and military threats thus provides their excuse for govern- mental interference...