An industrial development involves the conversion of biomass, through fermentation, to useful chemical products and the gasification of municiple wastes to produce steam for electricity generation. These gases may also serve as chemical feedstocks. (Author/MA)

Government support of coal liquefaction Research and Development has created the conditions that make possible the development of needed technology. With the proper government incentives, pioneer plants will lead to lower costs, and this, plus rising prices, will create the conditions necessary to develop a multi-plant industry. (Author/MA)

The development of fuels from biomass can lead naturally to dispersed facilities that incorporate food or materials production (or both) with fuel production. The author analyzes possible systems based on sugarcane, corn, and guayule. (Author/MA)

American industry in the 19th century switched from wood to coal as its primary energy resource. The history of this switch is reviewed, along with the history of preceding similar trends in Europe and later trends in the switch from coal to oil and gas. (Author/MA)

The water consumption requirements for a variety of energy options are presented, and comparative judgments drawn. Attention is focused on problems resulting from synthetic, gaseous, and liquid fuel production. Scenarios describing possible future levels of coal and electricity use are analyzed. They point to the importance of water supply…

Proposes that human comfort could be provided in otherwise chilly surroundings by filling the occupied space with electromagnetic energy of cm wavelength. Considerable energy savings could be realized from the resultant ability to lower interior temperatures and maintain comfort in the building. (Author/RE)

Discusses noneconomic factors limiting the total power that can be extracted from the wind. These factors are examined with a macroscopic approach. Some general conclusions are also reached regarding the sites that would have to be utilized and the usable wind energy potentials. (HM)

This entire issue of the "Science" journal is devoted to the topic of energy and issues relating to the energy crisis. Its content was chosen to present material relevant to important public decisions of the next few years. Twenty-six articles cover a wide range of topics, including the impact of the energy crisis on people and…

Summarizes the criticisms of the Office of Science and Technology (OSTP) review committee. Emphasizes research deficiencies in most of the major energy programs. (MA)

The energy required to build and install solar space- and water-heating equipment is compared to the energy saved under two solar growth paths corresponding to high and low rates of solar technology implementation. (Author/RE)