J. Energy Element <br />The Energy Element deals with the conservation and efficient use of energy in the metropolitan <br />area and is meant to provide a long-range guide to energy-related decisions concerning physical <br />development and land uses. <br />The use of energy is essential for the development and operation of the urban area. Many vital <br />processes, such as commercial and industrial activities; transportation of goods; and the lighting, <br />heating, and cooling of buildings depend on energy supplies for their operation. In addition, our <br />daily lives are greatly influenced by the consumption of energy for a vast number of purposes, <br />such as automobile and home appliance use. <br />As the cost of energy supplies increases and the availability of new energy sources decreases, we <br />will continue to experience a greater need for conserving and efficiently using existing supplies. <br />Many energy supplies are nonrenewable in that they are only produced once, as in the case of <br />metals, or take hundreds of thousands of years to be produced, as in the case of petroleum and <br />other fossil fuels. It is especially important to efficiently use and conserve energy sources in <br />order that future generations will not unnecessarily suffer by their shortage or absence. <br />Conservation makes possible the use of energy sources to serve greater numbers of people and <br />also reduces the immediate need for the development of new centralized facilities, such as those <br />required for the large-scale generation of electricity. <br />While a number of specific decisions relating to energy can be made using the energy policies in <br />this element, it is not written at the level of detail that would be required for it to serve as a <br />comprehensive energy plan for the metropolitan area. Examples given in this element.are used <br />to illustrate statements and are not meant to be inclusive. Other specific examples that reflect the <br />same statement can also be applied by the reader. <br />As developments and data relating to energy production and conservation are rapidly changing, <br />the findings, objectives, and policies of the Energy Element should be frequently monitored to <br />ensure their relevancy. <br />Goals <br />1. MaxiTnize the conservation and efficient utilization of all. t cs o~ <br />2. Develop environmentally acceptable energy resource alternatives. <br />Findings, Objectives, and Policies <br />Findings <br />Energy conservation measures can serve as an energy source by making limited energy <br />supplies serve greater numbers of users. <br />Laurel Ridge Record (Z 15-5) ITT_LI Page 254 <br />