There are two paths that America can adopt with respect to future energy use. On the one hand, we can optimistically increase our per capita energy use, relying on new technologies, energy price controls, and statesmanship to postpone shortages. On the other hand, we can be more realistic and become more of a conserver society that recognizes the limited availability of low-cost energy. A conserver society would need to forecast energy shortages and consider the technological, social and economic problems that would be associated with substituting renewable capital and labor for labor when shortages of nonrenewables arise.
