world alternate energy conference

world alternate energy conference Sec. 609. (a) The Congress finds that— (1) increasing global dependence on fossil fuels, particularly oil and natural gas, when existing supplies are rapidly being depleted, is costly to developed and developing countries both environmentally and economically; (2) the uncontrolled spread of nuclear power carries serious dangers due to waste pollution and the possibility of accidents or material diversion; (3) expanded development and use of alternate, nonconventional, or renewable sources of energy (including solar energy, wind, biomass waste materials, and alcohol fuels) could assist all countries in satisfying rising energy demands, while reducing environmental and economic risk; (4) no international agency exists at present which assists countries in exchanging information and technical assistance concerning energy-related problems or which promotes the development and use of alternate energy sources; and (5) an international agency performing these functions could be of benefit to all countries and could be particularly effective in assisting developing countries to become more self-sufficient and thereby to increase their standard of living. (b) It is therefore the sense of the Congress that the United States should encourage the United Nations to convene a World Alternate Energy Conference in 1981 for the purpose of considering ways to meet the energy needs of the world through the development and use of alternate energy sources. Among proposals considered at such a conference should be the establishment, under United Nations auspices,92 STAT. 989 of an International Alternate Energy Commission to encourage the worldwide use of alternate energy sources by assisting in the dissemination of information and by other appropriate means. (c) Not later than January 20, 1980, the Secretary of State shall transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report on actions taken pursuant to subsection (b).