Congressional Research Service Reports - 1,392 Matching Results
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- Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Critical Barriers and Congressional Policy
- This report focuses on electricity efficiency in buildings. It also discusses improved energy efficiency in transportation (to and from buildings), reducing direct use of fossil fuels in buildings, and reducing energy use or carbon emissions associated with building materials and construction (e.g., steel and concrete).
- Electric Utility Restructuring: Overview of Basic Policy Questions
- 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.
- Electric Utility Restructuring: Overview of Basic Policy Questions
- 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.
- Electricity Restructuring: Comparison of S.1401, H.R. 655, H.R. 1230, S. 722, H.R. 1960, and S. 2287
- Once considered the nation's most regulated industry, the electric utility industry is evolving into a more competitive environment. At the current time, the focus of this development is the generating sector, where the advent of new generating technologies, such as gas-fired combined cycle, has lowered both entry barriers to competitors of traditional utilities and lowered the marginal costs of those competitors below those of some traditional utilities. This technological advance has been combined with legislative initiatives, such as the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT), to encourage the introduction of competitive forces into the electric generating sector. The questions now are whether further legislative action is desirable to encourage competition in the electric utility sector and how the transition between a comprehensive regulatory regime to a more competitive electric utility sector can be made with the least amount of economic and service disruption.
- Fossil Energy Research and Development: Whither Coal?
- This report discusses Fossil Energy Research and Development: Whither Coal.
- Electricity Restructuring: Comparison of Comprehensive Bills
- Once considered the nation's most regulated industry, the electric utility industry is evolving into a more competitive environment. Currently, the focus of this development is the generating sector, where the advent of new generating technologies has lowered both entry barriers to competitors of traditional utilities and the marginal costs of those competitors below those of some traditional utilities. This technological advance has combined with legislative initiatives, such as the Energy Policy Act (EPACT), to encourage the introduction of competitive forces into the electric generating sector.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Perspective on the Top 20 Emitters and Developed Versus Developing Nations
- This report uses the data compiled by World Resources Institute (WRI) to examine a pivotal and long-running issue surrounding U.S. climate change policy: the appropriate roles of developed and developing countries in addressing climate change.
- Air Quality and Electricity: Initiatives to Increase Pollution Controls
- This report discusses air quality initiatives (such as the Ozone Transport Rule) that primarily focus on reducing and enforcing emissions from coal-fired electric generating utilities in the Midwest and South.
- Air Quality and Electricity: Initiatives to Increase Pollution Controls
- This report discusses air quality initiatives (such as the Ozone Transport Rule) that primarily focus on reducing and enforcing emissions from coal-fired electric generating utilities in the Midwest and South. The report also addresses various legislative activity that focuses on multi-pollutant strategies as an alternative to these piecemeal initiatives.
- Air Quality and Electricity: Initiatives to Increase Pollution Controls
- This report discusses air quality initiatives (such as the Ozone Transport Rule) that primarily focus on reducing and enforcing emissions from coal-fired electric generating utilities in the Midwest and South. The report also addresses various legislative activity that focuses on multi-pollutant strategies as an alternative to these piecemeal initiatives.
- Electricity Restructuring: The Implications for Air Quality
- In the context of federal and state proposals to restructure the electric utility industry, this paper analyzes forces and policies affecting utility generation that may have consequences for emissions of air pollutants and of greenhouse gases. Key concerns are potential increases in nitrogen oxide emissions, raising questions about the effectiveness of the Clean Air Act to regulate a restructured industry, and in carbon dioxide emissions, which are not currently regulated but could be if the U.S. ratifies the Kyoto Agreement. These issues may be raised in the context of electricity restructuring legislation. For ongoing legislative activities, see CRS Issue Brief IB10006, Electricity: The Road Toward Restructuring.
- Nuclear Power: Outlook for New U.S. Reactors
- This report includes analyses of the potential effect of the tax credit for nuclear power provided by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and possible competitive effects of various proposals to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
- The Unfolding of the Reagan Energy Program: The First Year
- No Description Available.
- Energy and the 97th Congress: Overview
- During his campaign, President Reagan called for a major shift in this country's energy policy. In particular, the President emphasized the need for more domestic production of energy and reliance on market forces to produce and distribute energy products. Now in office, the new Administration is employing executive, administrative, and legislative methods to implement these changes.
- The LIHEAP Formula: Legislative History and Current Law
- This Congressional Research Service Report for Congress contains information about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP provides funds to states, the District of Colombia, U.S territories and commonwealths, and Indian tribal organizations (collectively referred to as grantees) primary to help low-income households pay home energy expenses.
- The LIHEAP Formula: Legislative History and Current Law
- This Congressional Research Service Report for Congress contains the history, enactment, and fund determination for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
- The LIHEAP Formula: Legislative History and Current Law
- This Congressional Research Service Report for Congress contains the history, enactment, and fund determination for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
- The LIHEAP Formula
- This report discusses two types of formulas used to allocate funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through regular and contingency funding.
- The LIHEAP Formula
- No Description Available.
- The LIHEAP Formula: Legislative History and Current Law
- This report discusses two types of formulas used to allocate funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The two formulas are used in regards to two types of funding: regular and contingency.
- LIHEAP: Program and Funding
- This report discusses two types of formulas used to allocate funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through regular and contingency funding.
- LIHEAP: Program and Funding
- This report discusses LIHEAP program rules and benefits, including household eligibility and how funds may be used, and presents the most recent data available from HHS regarding household characteristics and benefit levels.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Estimated Allocations
- This report discusses the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This report contains two tables that show estimated LIHEAP allocations to the states. Table 1 shows state allocations at various levels: (1) the amount appropriated for FY2006, (2) the amount appropriated for FY2007, (3) the amount appropriated in FY2008, and (4) estimated state allocations based on the amount requested by the President for FY2009. Table 2 shows estimated state allocations at other hypothetical appropriations increments.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Estimated Allocations
- This report contains two tables that show estimated Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) allocations to the states. Table 1 shows amounts proposed by the President, House of Representatives, and Senate for FY2007, while Table 2 shows estimated state allocations at other hypothetical increments.
- The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Program and Funding
- This report describes appropriations of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) funds for FY2008 and FY2007. It also discusses current issues and legislation related to LIHEAP. The report also discusses LIHEAP rules, including household eligibility and how funds may be used, and presents the most recent data available from HHS regarding household characteristics and benefit levels. Finally, the last section discusses how each category of LIHEAP funds is distributed to states, as well as a breakdown of funds to the states during the last several fiscal years.
- The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Program and Funding
- This report discusses Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) funds for FY2006 and FY2007. It also discusses current issues and legislation related to LIHEAP.
- Derivatives, Risk Management, and Policy in the Energy Markets
- This report provides a systematic guide to understanding the use of financial derivative contracts in the energy industry, focusing specifically on the petroleum and natural gas sectors.
- Financial Performance of the Major Oil Companies, 2007-2011
- Periods of rising oil prices can result in reduced economic growth, rising prices, and reduced disposable incomes for consumers, as well as a deteriorating trade balance. For the oil industry, periods of high oil prices generally imply increasing cash flows and higher profits. Although the U.S. oil industry is composed of many firms, to many the face of the oil industry is represented by the five major firms operating extensively in the U.S. market. These firms are ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP plc, Royal Dutch Shell plc, and ConocoPhillips. During the period 2007 to 2011, the five major companies' upstream activities of exploration and production contributed more to the total profitability of the firms than the downstream activities of refining and marketing.
- The Gas to Liquids Industry and Natural Gas Markets
- This report provides and analyzes basic information concerning the gas to liquids industry (GTL) industry to inform debate on broad energy legislation, as well as more specific natural gas legislation on supply issues including an Alaskan natural gas pipeline as well as LNG facility development.
- Gasoline and Oil Prices
- This report examines the extent of price increases in gasoline and oil, focuses on the linkage between the two, and analyzes the causes of the price increases, and the likelihood that they might be reversed through market responses, or policy measures.
- Industrial Demand and the Changing Natural Gas Market
- This report analyzes the behavior of the industrial component of natural gas demand, examining the conditions in the industries that consume natural gas that might lead to reduced demand. The nitrogen-based fertilizer industry is examined as an example of a major natural gas consuming industry that has been affected by high and/or fluctuating prices.
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Markets in Transition: Implications for U.S. Supply and Price
- This report analyzes the potential for liquefied natural gas (LNG) to become a flexible, dependable, source of natural gas supply for the U.S. market, while also setting a cap on natural gas prices.
- Oil Industry Profits: Analysis of Recent Performance
- This report analyzes the profit performance of firms in the oil industry, evaluates factors that might have affected profitability in the oil industry, and examines the use of profits by the industry and the implications for the development of the oil market.
- Petroleum Refining: Economic Performance and Challenges for the Future
- This report discusses the petroleum refining industry and its relation to the economy. Along with volatile changes in crude oil prices, the industry has faced evolving health, safety, and environmental requirements which have changed and multiplied product specifications and required capital investment in refineries. This report also seeks to describe the recent performance of the refining industry, to evaluate the structural changes that are occurring in the industry, and to analyze the nature and effects of the challenges confronting the industry.
- The Role of Federal Gasoline Excise Taxes in Public Policy
- This report examines the effects of the federal excise tax on gasoline and analyzes the positive and negative effects of the tax. The report also evaluates the incentive structure that a higher gasoline tax would likely create, and examines a revised version of the tax, a variable gasoline tax.
- The Use of Profit by the Five Major Oil Companies
- The five major integrated oil companies operating in the U.S. market have earned net incomes totaling $308 billion since 2004. This report analyzes the uses of accrued profits by the five major integrated oil companies from 2004 through 2006.
- Winter Fuels Market
- This report analyzes the key factors affecting the various winter fuels markets, including consumption, production, reserves, and storage volumes.
- Winter Fuels Outlook 2010-2011
- This report discusses findings gleaned through the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) publication titled Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook (STEWFO) for the 2010-2011 winter heating season. STEWFO projects how much American consumers should expect to see heating expenditures rise during the 2010-2011 winter season. These findings take into account the currently slow economic growth, high unemployment numbers, and uncertainty regarding the federal funding of the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
- Winter Fuels Outlook 2013-2014
- This report discusses Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook (STEWFO) is to provide estimates of expected average annual heating fuel expenditures in comparison to previous years.
- Winter Fuels Outlook 2017-2018
- This report discuses the 2017-2018 Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook (STEWFO) report issued by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
- Transportation Fuel Taxes: Impacts of a Repeal or Moratorium
- The report includes an introduction regarding the increase in crude oil and refined product prices and discusses the proposals to offset effects of higher crude oil prices and the impact on markets and prices.
- Natural Gas in the U.S. Economy: Opportunities for Growth
- Report that examines what has changed in the natural gas industry and focuses on the demand side and ancillary benefits to the U.S. economy.
- Derivatives, Risk Management, and Policy in the Energy Markets
- No Description Available.
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Markets in Transition: Implications for U.S. Supply and Price
- No Description Available.
- Oil Industry Profit Review 2005
- No Description Available.
- Petroleum Refining: Economic Performance and Challenges for the Future
- No Description Available.
- World Oil Demand and its Effect on Oil Prices
- Demand patterns for world oil and oil products show significant diversity by country, region, and product groupings. As a result of this diversity it is not possible to attach blame for the current level of price to any one nation, region, or product segment. The view that the oil market is international in scope and tightly interrelated is enhanced by the demand data. As a result of the integrated nature of the world oil market it is unlikely that any one nation acting on its own can implement policies that isolate its market from broader price behavior. As new major oil importers, notably China, and potentially India, expand their demand, the oil market likely will have to expand production capacity. This promises to increase the world’s dependence on the Persian Gulf members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, especially Saudi Arabia, and maintain upward pressure on price.
- World Oil Demand and the Effect on Oil Prices
- Demand patterns for world oil and oil products show significant diversity by country, region, and product groupings. As a result of this diversity it is not possible to attach blame for the current level of price to any one nation, region, or product segment. The view that the oil market is international in scope and tightly interrelated is enhanced by the demand data. As a result of the integrated nature of the world oil market it is unlikely that any one nation acting on its own can implement policies that isolate its market from broader price behavior. As new major oil importers, notably China, and potentially India, expand their demand, the oil market likely will have to expand production capacity. This promises to increase the world’s dependence on the Persian Gulf members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, especially Saudi Arabia, and maintain upward pressure on price.
- Domestic Solar Manufacturing and New U.S. Tariffs
- This report discusses solar energy panel manufacturing and the effects new U.S. tariffs on imports of solar energy materials may have on the industry.
- U.S. Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing: Industry Trends, Global Competition, Federal Support
- This report looks at how photovoltaic (PV) solar modules can help increase energy supply for the U.S. It looks at the current status of PV manufacturers, safety of PV imports, and competition within the PV market.