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Show Conserve Enei& for a Brighter Future Energy independence is an attainable goal for the next ten years according to Rogers C. B. Morton, Secretary of Commerce of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Success depends upon a greater public awareness of how serious the energy problem is, upon passage of favorable legislation, exploration and discovery, and our willingness to conserve more than we have in the past, stated Morton. Unfortunately we are wasting as much as 30 percent of our energy supply. We have a long way to go in changing the habits that Americans acquired during the long era of cheap energy, noted Morton. At present, commercial development of oil shale is almost at a standstill. Although i tracts have been leased, development costs have escalated, and with other uncertainties, un-certainties, major projects have been deferred. "I don't foresee any significant development of our shale resources until we have a clear policy involving incentives and guarantees" responded Morton. |