Category:Energy
Contents
Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles
- Highlight from the CRS Report: Alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles are seen by proponents as integral to improving urban air quality, decreasing dependence on foreign oil, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
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- Highlight from the CRS Report: The Arab oil embargo of 1973-1974 and the subsequent tripling in the price of crude oil brought into sharp focus the fuel inefficiency of U.S. automobiles. New car fleet fuel economy had declined from 14.8 miles per gallon (mpg) in model year (MY) 1967 to 12.9 mpg in 1974. In the search for ways to reduce dependence on imported oil, automobiles were an obvious target. With the rise in crude oil and gasoline prices since the winter of 2006 has renewed the focus on U.S. fuel consumption in the transportation sector. Wider concerns over greenhouse gas emissions and climate change have contributed to interest in reducing fossil fuel consumption and improving the efficiency of the U.S. transportation sector.
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- Highlight from the CRS Report:Energy policy continues to be a major legislative issue, world and domestic demand for oil remained strong, and other factors have placed pressure on gasoline prices and deliverability in the United States. Energy policy issues of continuing interest include Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (CAFE) for passenger vehicles; improving U.S. energy infrastructure, including pipelines and refineries; seeking effective means to promote energy conservation using currently available technologies; and developing new technologies and alternative fuels.
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- Highlight from the CRS Report:Ethanol plays a key role in policy discussions about energy, agriculture, taxes, and the environment. In the United States it is mostly made from corn; in other countries it is often made from cane sugar. Fuel ethanol is generally blended in gasoline to reduce emissions, increase octane, and extend gasoline stocks. Recent high oil and gasoline prices have led to increased interest in alternatives to petroleum fuels for transportation.
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- Highlight from the CRS report: Nuclear energy policy issues facing Congress include the implementation of federal incentives for new commercial reactors, radioactive waste management policy, research and development priorities, power plant safety and regulation, and security against terrorist attacks.
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- Highlight from the CRS Report:Renewable energy portfolio standards require retail energy suppliers to provide a minimum amount of electricity from renewable sources or purchase credits that represent an equivalent amount of renewable energy production. RPS proponents contend that a national system of tradable credits would enable retail suppliers in states with fewer resources to comply at the least cost by purchasing credits from organizations in states with a surplus of low-cost production. Opponents counter that regional differences in availability, amount, and types of renewable energy resources would make a federal RPS unfair and costly.
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CAFE Standards
Energy Policy
Fuel Ethanol: Background and Public Policy Issues
Nuclear Energy Policy
Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards
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