Some of the essential elements now deficient in national energy programs are identified, and recommendations are offered for business, universities, and government regarding actions that may improve energy-related research and training. Five topics that need to be addressed by professionals are: (1) an energy policy that ensures that targets for both domestic energy supply and energy consumption are consistent, to reduce or eliminate dependence on imported oil; (2) an energy supply system involving a mix of technologies that are both sustainable and socially acceptable; (3) a sufficient knowledge base from which to evaluate the benefits and costs of different long-term energy technologies and strategies; (4) an understanding of long term energy demands; and (5) public attitudes toward technology, government, social institutions, and the quality of life that will strongly influence future energy policies and programs. It is suggested that expansion of goal-oriented basic research and other improvements will depend on a good cooperative working relationship among business, higher education, and government. Descriptions of cooperative efforts are appended. Among the recommended actions are: business and industry should increase support of university goal-oriented basic research and programs for training professionals; higher education should establish faculty-administration-board committees to seek ways to improve the flow of activity on research and training between each institution and relevant industry; higher education should establish an energy agenda setting priorities and the activities needed to respond to the energy problem; government needs to encourage private sector action; and Congress should enact legislation to provide tax incentives for business to increase its support of basic and goal-oriented research. (SW)