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Electric Utility Restructuring: Overview of Basic Policy Questions

Description: Proposals to increase competition in the electric utility industry involve segmenting electric functions (generation, transmission, distribution) that are currently integrated (or bundled) in most cases (both in terms of corporate and rate structures). This report identifies five basic issues this effort raises for the Congress to consider as the debate on restructuring proceeds.
Date: January 7, 1999
Creator: Parker, Larry
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Electricity Restructuring Background: Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA)

Description: This report provides background information on PUHCA, including its history and impact. It also discusses how PUHCA reform fits into the current electric utility industry restructuring debate. This report will be updated as events warrant. For related information on electricity restructuring, see the CRS Electronic Briefing Book.
Date: January 7, 1999
Creator: Abel, Amy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Amtrak and Energy Conservation: Background and Selected Public Policy Issues

Description: A rationale for federal financial support to Amtrak has been that rail service conserves energy, compared to other forms of intercity passenger transportation. The numbers discussed in this report suggest that the rationale might not be valid with regard to autos and buses. The report discusses some public policy implications that could follow from that conclusion.
Date: January 19, 1999
Creator: Thompson, Stephen J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Issues

Description: Nationwide, more than 370,000 leaks from underground storage tanks (USTs) have been detected, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) projects that many more could be confirmed as older tanks are upgraded, replaced, or closed to meet regulations that went into effect on December 22, 1998.
Date: February 17, 1999
Creator: Tiemann, Mary
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Renewable Energy: Key to Sustainable Energy Supply

Description: Debate in the 106th Congress over the funding and direction of renewable energy programs will likely focus on the FY2000 spending request, the Administration's Climate Change Technology Initiative (CCTI), and proposals for restructuring the electricity industry. Energy security, a major driver of federal energy efficiency programs in the past, is now somewhat less of an issue. Although the Persian Gulf remains volatile and oil imports make up one-fifth of the balance of trade deficit, low oil p… more
Date: May 27, 1999
Creator: Sissine, Fred
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Alcohol Fuels Tax Incentive

Description: This report discusses federal tax subsidies for alcohol transportation fuels, as well as legislative actions underway to repeal, extend, or reduce them.
Date: June 23, 1999
Creator: Lazzari, Salvatore
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Renewable Energy and Electricity Restructuring

Description: Several electricity industry restructuring bills propose to eliminate the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), which has been key to the growth of renewable power facilities. Bills intended to ensure a continuing role for renewable energy sources have been introduced in the 106th Congress that include some combination of a renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS),
Date: July 20, 1999
Creator: Sissine, Fred
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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DOE Security: Protecting Nuclear Material and Information

Description: Congress is focusing on problems with security at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) national security facilities, especially the nuclear weapon laboratories. Problems include espionage from within the labs and protection of nuclear material and facilities from outside attack. This report describes the main components of DOE’s security system and reviews current efforts to address shortcomings.
Date: July 23, 1999
Creator: Davis, Zachary S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Electric Power and the Year 2000 Computer Problem

Description: The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) at the request of the Department of Energy is coordinating an effort to minimize the vulnerability of the nation's electric utility system to disruption resulting from computer failures as the date changes to January 1, 2000, the so-called Y2K computer problem. NERC now believes that the electric power industry would be able to reliably meet demand during the transition from 1999 to 2000 with the systems that are now Y2K ready. Nevertheless… more
Date: August 10, 1999
Creator: Rowberg, Richard E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Department of Energy: Programs and Reorganization Proposals

Description: This report, a revision of an earlier CRS review of DOE programs, consists of an introductory discussion of the agency and its mission as a whole, and a description of its major programs as independent entities. Many of DOE's original energy-related missions have disappeared or changed radically. In addition, with the end of the Cold War, DOE's nuclear weapons-related programs, almost two-thirds of the total budget, are undergoing modification. However, regardless of the outcome of the debate o… more
Date: September 17, 1999
Creator: Behrens, Carl E. & Rowberg, Richard E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Appropriations for FY2000: Energy and Water Development

Description: This report discusses the Energy and Water Development FY2000 appropriations bill, which includes funding for civil projects of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec), most of the Department of Energy (DOE), and a number of independent agencies.
Date: September 24, 1999
Creator: Humphries, Marc & Behrens, Carl E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Appropriations for FY2000: Energy and Water Development

Description: Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development Appropriations.
Date: October 26, 1999
Creator: Humphries, Marc & Behrens, Carl E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Department of Energy: Programs and Reorganization Proposals

Description: This report analyzes the effect of proposed legislation on the nuclear weapons program; on the original mission of the department- enhancing energy security; and on DOE's energy R&D, basic research and environmental restoration programs.
Date: October 28, 1999
Creator: Behrens, Carl E. & Rowberg, Richard E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Weatherization Assistance Program: A Fact Sheet

Description: The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance PRogram (WAP) is one of the largest energy conservation programs in the nation. The DOE program is implemented in a 50 states, the District of Columbia and Native American Tribes. It weatherizes an average of 70,000 dwellings per year. The program strives to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings occupied by low-income persons in order to reduce their energy consumption and lower their fuel bills. It targets vulnerable groups … more
Date: December 8, 1999
Creator: Butler, Alice D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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