AT-84-10-4 -- Proposal for a Simple Method for Determining Resource Impact Factors PDF

In a free market where governmental controls are used only to ensure that people and the environment are not damaged by any energy distributed or any fuel resource used, economics would direct the best energy choice. The present effect of price controls, cartel actions, subsidies, tax benefits and penalties, and governmental financial, capital investment, and environmental protection regulations only confuse the designer-builder. Government agencies such as HUD (Minimum Property Standards) and DOE (Building Energy Performance Standards Weighting Factors) are making judgments of fuel resource utilization and impact through requirements for different site energy budgets when using fossil fuels rather than electric resistance for heating. A simple technique for forecasting the future costs of various energy resources will be discussed and illustrated to better understand the problem.