National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978, United States
The National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 directed the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to set Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) to replace those set by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) in 1975. The amendment to the EPCA changed the energy standards from voluntary to mandatory, and these new federal standards preemted those established by state authorities. The DOE was also charged with establishing procedures for the submission, approval, implementation, and monitoring of residential energy conservation plans by state utility regulatory authorities.
The Act required federal agencies to perform energy surveys in order to reduce consumption of nonrenewable energy resources in buildings, vehicles, equipment, and general operation. It enabled the government to give loans to families for the purchase and installation of solar heating or cooling equipment. It also created a program to allocate grants to schools, hospitals, local government facilities, and public housing developments willing to use energy conservation techniques. Congress allocated US$100,000,000 in fiscal year 1978 for such programs. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 later amended this Act.
Further Reading
- The Library of Congress. A Bill to Establish a Comprehensive National Energy Conservation Policy.
- Wilfcon.com. Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for 2005 Analysis.
