Decline+of+the+USSR+Research+Energy


 * Soviet oil fields were a major part of the economy (http://image10.webshots.com/10/6/22/80/134562280LqInXo_ph.jpg) ||
 * Soviets did not always use the same methods to record energy reserves as the west
 * This maks comparisons hard
 * Soviets have a substancial percentage of the world's fuel
 * This is compared to the world's population
 * USSR was "second largest producer of fuels and energy" in the world (next to USA) (Hewitt, 1)
 * Consumes most of energy produced
 * This is because it is industrial superpower (Hewitt, 1)
 * Some of the excess energy is exported (Hewitt, 1)
 * The rest is used for more complicated exchanges with "client states" (Hewitt, 1)
 * Energy and natural resources were huge part of Soviet Union
 * Abundant resources let planners meet ever-increasing domestic needs (Hewitt, 1)
 * Over 70% of "hard currency earnings" came from energy exports
 * Eastern Europe, and Cuba were huge clients (Hewitt, 2)
 * Energy supplies started straining in the 80's (Hewitt, 2)
 * Coal production peaked in 1978 (Hewitt, 2)
 * Soviet energy future became uncertain
 * "Energy production growth rate" has been falling (Hewitt, 4)
 * Soviet energy exports decreased (Hewitt, 6)
 * Planners were put in tough descision
 * Plans that required consistant groth were unhealthy
 * Soviet energy problems meant less energy for eastern Europe too
 * This would put a strain on east-west relations (Hewitt, 8)