ABSTRACT
An economist’s reply to the severe criticisms of the aims and methods of energy analysis, by Webb and Pearce (see Chapter 12). The author considers that Webb and Pearce have been misled by treating energy analysis as a homogeneous activity, that they have misunderstood its aims and the overt disavowals of any normative function, and have underestimated its value as a descriptive tool. Some form of energy analysis is extremely valuable in. say, any attempt to discover the effects of imposing an ‘energy tax’. Moreover. the implication in Webb and Pearce’s paper. that economics was capable of dealing adequately with problems of resource scarcity and depletion. is considered to be open to doubt. The author makes a plea for humility all round.
This assessment of energy analysis arises largely from work done while acting as a consultant to the Programmes Analysis Unit, Didcot, Oxon, UK. The views expressed here are entirely those of the author.
