is the employment of less energy to accomplish the same
amount of useful work; also, the reduction or elimination of any
energy-consuming activity. Energy conservation is a vital goal in U.S. and
world efforts to adjust to the declining availability of conventional oil
and gas resources. Conservation will extend the time available to make the
transition to alternative energy sources, such as solar energy and synthetic
oil and gas, and will also reduce the economic hardship imposed by rising
energy prices.