Federal commitment to conservation and renewables

DOE's assistant secretary-designate for conservation and renewable energy reviews the federal government's support of research programs in these technologies. As examples of DOE-supported projects, she cites research on superinsulated houses and least-cost planning methods. Her office works with utilities, industry, and consumers at the state and local level to encourage conservation projects, such as the weatherization program. Heat pump and electric vehicles are also programs of interest to utilities. Renewable energy projects span various categories of solar energy, hydropower, and geothermal research, as well as energy storage. The interview closes with a discussion of technology transfer procedures and the overall goals of assuring adequate energy supplies at a reasonable cost.