'Low-carb' energy seen as big fuel saver

ITHACA, N.Y., May 25, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX)

A "low-carb" energy diet, using 33 percent fewer hydrocarbons, would trim U.S. consumer fuel costs by $438 billion, Cornell ecologists claim.

The analysis says a more judicious use of hydrocarbon-based fossil fuels would reduce U.S. energy consumption by 33 percent and save consumers $438 billion a year by 2014.

David Pimentel, Cornell professor of ecology, and 11 student ecologists found the best potential for major energy savings in the transportation, residential heating and cooling, industrial, and food-production sectors.

Energy conservation and implementation of energy-efficient technologies also would allow significant savings in the production and use of chemicals, paper and lumber, household appliances, lighting, and metals, the analysis showed.

The report on "U.S. Energy Conservation and Efficiency: Benefits and Costs" appears in the journal Environment, Development, and Sustainability.

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Copyright 2004 by United Press International.