Energy conservation and employment impacts of changes in technology and consumption. Annual progress report for period April 21, 1976--April 20, 1977

An energy and employment input-output model was used to select and investigate several industrial sectors of the economy in order to determine the potential for energy conservation in these areas and the resulting impacts on total U.S. energy consumption. Where possible, employment impacts were also computed. In iron and steel production, energy and labor costs of taconite and natural ore processing were compared. Although in the preparation stage the taconite process was found to be more energy- and labor-intensive than the natural ore process, when the blast furnace stage was considered, the former process appeared to use less total energy and less labor than the latter. In addition, the Basic Oxygen, Open Hearth, and Electric Arc processes of steel making were analyzed, and the last of these proved to be the least energy-intensive. In paper production, an analysis of the energy cost of various methods of producing paper was initiated, with various recycling scenarios considered. Recycling was found to be more energy-efficient than other processes. The potential for energy conservation through co-generation was examined for the chemical, petroleum refining, tire, paper, and food industries. Certain of these were found to have substantial potential for energy savings; effects upon total U.S. energy consumption were also estimated. In residential space conditioning, an analysis of the use of insulation and solar energy in residential homes was begun. Use of additional insulation in the current housing stock was found to be an effective energy conservation option.