Manufacturers' responses to fuel supply problems

One of the barriers to industrial energy conservation that emerged in a sample survey of industry's energy conservation activities is the kind of uncertain fuel supplies experienced during the natural gas shortage of 1976-77. An examination of 31 case studies to see how management was dealing with the problems of rising fuel prices and natural gas shortages found a minimum of lowered thermostats and increased maintenance, while some had conducted energy audits, made capital investments in energy-efficient equipment, and a few were experimenting with new production techniques. Plant interviews found that the level of management awareness of the economics of fuel efficiency determines the effort that is made. Gas shortages directly stimulated conservation in only two plants, while the other plants viewed the shortage as a crisis to be endured. 5 references, 1 table.