An historical perspective to the Project Independence Blueprint is presented that traces the history of the various major energy sources and examines the reserves, consumption, technology, economics, and government policy towards oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, electric power, and energy sources. The first two sections of the report, Historical Perspective of World Energy and U.S. Energy Perspective, deal with major trends and events influencing all energy sources. The report concentrates on the period from the end of World War II to the eve of the Arab oil embargo. Government policies which have shaped the development of energy production and consumption are stressed.

This report is an analysis by the Interagency Oil Task Force, formed in April 1974, to provide estimates for the potential production capabilities of the oil industry and the resources necessary to achieve these levels of production. The report outlines the possible levels of future production of petroleum liquids from domestic sources, and estimates how much domestic production would result at various price levels under a continuation of pre-1973 policies and, alternatively, under policies modified to give maximum encouragement to domestic oil production. Requirements for capital, equipment, materials, and personnel are also estimated.

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.

This report is an historical perspective to the Project Independence Blueprint. It was developed to serve as the background for the studies carried out as part of Project Independence. The Historical Perspective Report traces the history of the various major energy sources, concentrating on the period from the end of World War II to the eve of the Arab oil embargo. The reserves, consumption, technology, economics and government policy toward oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, electric power, and energy sources are examined. The first two sections of the report, Historical Perspective of World Energy, and U. S. Energy Perspective, deal with major trends and events influencing all energy sources. Special emphasis is given to the government policies which shaped the development of energy production and consumption..