The United States is in desperate need of a plan to conserve our energy supply. We are currently more dependent on foreign oil than we were in the 1973 crisis. Nearly onehalf of the oil used In the United States is imported. and this has a significant adverse impact on the U.S. balance of trade. Alternative forms of fuel. such as solar energy. need to continue to be explored. About 10 years ago. former Senator Charles "Mac" Mathias and I visited refugee housing in Nicosia. Cyprus. built 55 percent with American funds. Each house had a solar heating unit on it for hot water.