Bringing you the research that your taxes already paid for.

Environmental Issue

Battery Manufacturing for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles: Policy Issues

Posted Tue, 03/22/2011 - 00:00

The United States is one of several countries encouraging production and sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to reduce oil consumption, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, P.L. 111-5) provided federal financial support to develop a domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain for electric vehicles. President Obama has called for 1 million fully electric vehicles to be on U.S. roads by 2015.

Keystone XL Pipeline Project: Key Issues

Posted Fri, 03/04/2011 - 00:00

Canadian pipeline company TransCanada has filed an application with the U.S. Department of State to build the Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport crude oil from the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada, to refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Midwest region. Keystone XL would have the capacity to transport 700,000 barrels a day (bpd) and can deliver crude to the oil market hub at Cushing, OK, and further to points in Texas. The project is expected to cost approximately $7.0 billion, of which an estimated $5.4 billion would be spent on the U.S. portion of the pipeline.

Committee Types and Roles

Posted Fri, 02/11/2011 - 01:00

Committee Types and Roles Congressional Research Service 1 Structure of the Committee System Congress divides its legislative, oversight, and internal administrative tasks among more than 200 committees and subcommittees. Within assigned areas, these functional subunits gather information; compare and evaluate legislative alternatives; identify policy problems and propose solutions; select, determine, and report measures for full chamber consideration; monitor executive branch performance (oversight); and investigate allegations of wrongdoing. The 1946 Legislative Reorganization Act (60 Stat.

Clean Air Issues in the 112th Congress

Posted Tue, 01/04/2011 - 01:00

Although air quality has improved substantially in the United States in the 40 years of EPA's Clean Air Act regulation, many issues remain unresolved, and, in recent months, members of Congress from both parties have raised questions regarding the cost-effectiveness of, and authority for, EPA actions. This report focuses on three general areas of likely interest to the 112th Congress: greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations, emissions from power plants (including interstate pollution and mercury emissions), and air quality standards.

Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

Posted Fri, 10/08/2010 - 01:00

The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened concerns about the region's future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. On January 12, 2009, the George W. Bush Administration released a presidential directive, called National Security Presidential Directive 66/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 25 (NSPD 66/HSPD 25), establishing a new U.S. policy for the Arctic region.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 111th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices

Posted Tue, 09/28/2010 - 00:00

The Endangered Species Act (ESA; P.L. 93-205, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531-1543) has been one of the more contentious environmental laws. This may stem from its strict substantive provisions, which can affect the use of both federal and nonfederal lands and resources. Under ESA, species of plants and animals (both vertebrate and invertebrate) can be listed as endangered or threatened according to assessments of their risk of extinction. Once a species is listed, powerful legal tools are available to aid its recovery and protect its habitat.

China and the United States--A Comparison of Green Energy Programs and Policies

Posted Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

China is the world's most populous country with over 1.3 billion people. It has experienced tremendous economic growth over the last three decades with an annual average increase in gross domestic product of 9.8% during that period. This has led to an increasing demand for energy, spurring China to add an average of 53 gigawatts (GW) of electric capacity each year over the last ten years to its power generation capabilities. China essentially functions as a "command and control" economy.

Climate Change and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): Looking to 2020

Posted Tue, 01/26/2010 - 01:00

The European Union's (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a cornerstone of the EU's efforts to meet its obligation under the Kyoto Protocol. It covers more than 10,000 energy intensive facilities across the 27 EU Member countries; covered entities emit about 45% of the EU's carbon dioxide emissions. A "Phase 1" trading period began January 1, 2005. A second, Phase 2, trading period began in 2008, covering the period of the Kyoto Protocol. A Phase 3 will begin in 2013 designed to reduce emissions by 21% from 2005 levels.

Displacing Coal with Generation from Existing Natural Gas-Fired Power Plants

Posted Tue, 01/19/2010 - 01:00

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants is a focus of many proposals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. One option is to replace some coal power with natural gas generation, a relatively low carbon source of electricity, by increasing the power output from currently underutilized natural gas plants. This report provides an overview of the issues involved in displacing coal-fired generation with electricity from existing natural gas plants. This is a complex subject and the report does not seek to provide definitive answers.

A U.S.-Centric Chronology of the International Climate Change Negotiations

Posted Thu, 01/07/2010 - 01:00

The United States is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), but not to its subsidiary Kyoto Protocol (discussed below). The UNFCCC treaty was intended to address growing global concern about the possibility of human-induced global warming. As a Party, the United States has certain obligations under the treaty, and our behaviors in that context are likely to continue to draw attention on the world stage.