Three hour CBS SPECIAL report on the energy crisis in the United States and how it is perceived by the experts and the US public. Walter Cronkite is the anchorman. This Special pre-emts the entire nighttime schedule from 8 to 11, "WHERE WE STAND: ENERGY."
President Jimmy Carter's energy plan is examined, energy experts and officials give their opinions on the proposals and alternatives. Speakers include Secretary of Energy James Schlesinger; Dr. Carroll Wilson, Director of the Workshop on Alternative Energy Strategies; William Simon; and Skeik Yamani, Saudi Arabia's Oil Minister. Oil supply, off-shore drilling, breakdown of oil consumption, OPEC policies, and alternative sources of shale oil and LNG are discussed. Walter Cronkite summarizes and coal production is highlighted.
The second hour examines the coal industry and sulfur pollution, followed by a review of pilot projects on the energy alternatives of gasified coal, liquefaction, fluidized bed combustion and solvent refining. Nuclear power is examined and opposition to nuclear plants in studied. Detroit's efforts to comply with new federal energy conserving regulations are explored, and Secretary of Transportation Brock Adams speaks. Walter Cronkite summarizes this hour. The trend toward home insulation is reviewed and use of solar energy is noted.
In the final hour, Bob Schieffer speaks with President Jimmy Carter, who explains his energy proposals. The program continues with looks at the political infighting over the energy plan and the Ford Foundation's "no growth" energy report. Energy alternatives are explored, and Dr. Melvin Calvin discusses photosynthesis. Energy sources of hydrogen gas and OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion), satellite power stations, geothermal energy, and laser fusion are explored. Walter Cronkite summarizes energy as "the invisible crisis."
A CBS News Poll is conducted to determine how much public support exists for a program that President Jimmy Carter announced only last April stating it must be pursued powerfully as the "Moral equivalent of war."
This broadcast is the eighth "Where We Stand" series which began in January 1958.
