Swem Government Information - Energy

Governor Kaine Announces Commitment to Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Partnership

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:43:00 -0500

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1141 Press release which announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the governors of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia to exploit offshore wind energy in the MidAtlantic area. The agreement will commit the states to developing a partnership for leasing offshore waters and providing infrastructure for developing wind as a renewable energy resource. From the Office of the Governor.

Overhaul of UK Energy System Unveiled

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:31:00 -0500

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_182294 Announces ambitious plans by Great Britain to build up to 10 new nuclear power plants by 2025 to meet carbon reduction goals. From Directgov.

U.S. Fossil Fuel Resources: Terminology, Reporting, and Summary.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:57:00 -0500

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40872.pdf Discusses the meaning of terms such as "proven reserves" and "undiscovered resources" and their importance in understanding the measurement of fossil fuel resources. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

Unconventional Gas Shales: Development, Technology, and Policy Issues.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:56:00 -0500

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40894.pdf Describes gas shale resources in the U.S., drilling and development technological advances that could made such resources economically viable, and federal and state laws and regulations affecting gas shale development. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

U.S. Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Reserves

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:57:00 -0500

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/natural_gas/data_publications/crude_oil_natural_gas_reserves/cr.html Offers statistical tables on new field discoveries, estimated annual production, proved reserves, and change from prior year for major non-renewable fuel sources for the 1998-2008 period. From the Energy Information Administration.

Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of Energy Production and Use.

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:05:00 -0500

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12794 Estimates the hidden costs of energy production and use, such as the damage air pollution imposes on human health. Estimates $120 billion in damage to human health in the U.S. in 2005, but does not try to calculate the damage from climate change, harm to ecosystems, or risks to national security. From the National Research Council.

Arctic Oil and Natural Gas Potential

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:03:00 -0500

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/arctic/pdf/arctic_oil.pdf Estimates that the Arctic could hold about 22% of undiscovered oil and natural gas resources in the world. Discusses the possibilities of utilizing these resources and the financial, political, and environmental issues associated with their development. From the Energy Information Administration.

Recovery Through Retrofit

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:01:00 -0500

http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Recovery_Through_Retrofit_Final_Report.pdf Offers plans and recommendations for using Recovery Act funds and developing a self-sustaining energy efficiency retrofit market to make American homes more efficient. Also involves the development of a standardized home energy performance measure applicable to every American home. From the Office of the Vice-President.

Model Year 2010 Fuel Economy Guide

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:25:00 -0500

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/FEG2010.pdf Winners in major vehicle categories include the Honda Civic Hybrid for compact cars, the Toyota Prius Hybrid for midsize cars, the Hyundai Sonata for large cars, and the Ford Escape Hybrid for sport utility vehicles. From the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:31:00 -0500

http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/2009fedleader_eo_rel.pdf Executive order which establishes goals for federal agencies to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions among other environmental and sustainability goals. From the White House.

Understanding the Decline in Carbon Dioxide Emissions in 2009

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:38:00 -0500

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/special/pdf/2009_sp_06.pdf Projects that carbon dioxide emissions in 2009 will be 5.9% below the 2008 level. Attributes some of the decline to producer decisions to switch from coal to natural gas for the generation of electricity. From the Energy Information Administration

Biofuels: Potential Effects and Challenges of Required Increases in Production and Use

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:59:00 -0500

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09446.pdf In 2007 Congress expanded the renewable fuel standard from 9 billion to 36 billion gallons by 2022. This report examines (1) the effects of increased biofuels production on U.S. agriculture, environment and greenhouse gas emissions, (2) federal support for domestic biofuels production, and (3) key challenges in meeting the renewable fuel standard. From the Government Accountability Office.

The Role of Federal Gasoline Excise Taxes in Public Policy

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:04:00 -0500

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40808_20090911.pdf Examines recent major developments relating to gasoline excise taxes and public policy: the economic downturn, gasoline price volatility, and the possible effects of climate change legislation. This report outlines some of the macroeconomic and microeconomic pros and cons of using the federal gasoline excise tax for policy purposes From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

The Economic Effects of Legislation to Reduce Greenhouse-Gas Emissions

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:17:00 -0500

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/105xx/doc10573/09-17-Greenhouse-Gas.pdf Describes the hard economic choices faced by policymakers in trying to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.Predicts that climate legislation would cause shifts in production and employment away from carbon-based industries and toward the production of alternative energy sources and less energy intensive goods and services. From the Congressional Budget Office.

Electric Power Storage

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:24:00 -0500

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40797_20090908.pdf Summarizes the technical, regulatory, and policy issues that surround implementation of electric power storage and integration of renewable stored power into the electricity grid. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.