Mandatory conservation hinted for U. K

The British government has released an energy strategy that offers three conservation options for industry prior to releasing its energy policy ''Green Paper''. The options would raise the costs of energy to industry through taxes or other measures, extend controls over energy used by industry, or extend grants and tax credits to industry for energy conservation investment. The strategy is based on the world shortages and high prices of energy projected for the end of the century. It stresses the anticipated depletion of North Sea oil and gas by the 1990s. Flexibility is included to encourage a voluntary change in energy habits by industry and to encourage attitudes that will make long-term investment more acceptable. A combination of financial incentives and mandated actions is seen as inevitable if an energy crisis is to be avoided. (DCK)