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Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress [April 4, 2013]
"High levels of oil imports and high crude oil and gasoline prices in recent years have led to increased interest in the U.S. fuel supply. Recent congressional interest has focused on alternatives to petroleum, ways to improve the efficiency of the U.S. transportation sector, and ways to improve the stability and security of the petroleum supply and refining sectors. From spring 2006 to summer 2008, high global oil prices (spurred by high demand) and refinery constraints in the domestic gasoline supply pushed U.S. gasoline pump prices to historic highs. In spring 2011, exports of oil from Libya caused a similar spike in oil prices. Historically, a problem in maintaining interest in alternative fuels and vehicles has been the volatility in oil and gasoline prices. Interest tends to rise as prices rise, and decline as prices dip. Arguably, statutory policies can counterbalance dips in public interest in periods of mixed market signals as seen recently. In fall 2006 and winter 2007, gasoline prices eased somewhat before rising significantly through summer 2008; and after summer 2008, petroleum and gasoline prices fell dramatically. They rose steadily through 2009 and 2010, peaking in spring 2011 before tempering somewhat and remaining relatively stable through 2012. Along with fuel prices and supply, environmental concerns, especially poor air quality and concerns over the potential effects of climate change, have further raised interest in the development of alternatives to petroleum, as well as ways to use petroleum more efficiently. Key components of federal policies to reduce petroleum consumption include the promotion of alternatives to petroleum fuels and the promotion of more efficient vehicles. This report provides an overview of current issues surrounding alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles-- issues discussed in further detail in other CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports referred to in each section."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Yacobucci, Brent D.
2013-04-04
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Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress [January 19, 2012]
"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. However, major barriers--especially economics--currently prevent the widespread use of these fuels and technologies. Because of these barriers, and the potential benefits, there is continued congressional interest in providing incentives and other support for their development and commercialization. Key tax incentives for the use of ethanol and biomass-based diesel fuels expired at the end of 2011, along with an added duty on certain ethanol imports. Tax incentives for biofuels (including ethanol) produced from cellulosic feedstocks (e.g., grasses, trees, waste products) expire at the end of 2012."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Yacobucci, Brent D.
2012-01-19
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Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress [December 23, 2010]
"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. However, major barriers--especially economics--currently prevent the widespread use of these fuels and technologies. Because of these barriers, and the potential benefits, there is continued congressional interest in providing incentives and other support for their development and commercialization. [...] The 112th Congress may debate alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles as it addresses other key topics. These include their role in any federal policy to address climate change, and their role in federal energy policy. The 112th Congress may also play an oversight role in the development of major regulations: EPA's [Environmental Protection Agency] implementation of the RFS [Renewable Fuel Standard] and greenhouse gas controls under the Clean Air Act; the Department of Transportation's implementation of fuel economy standards enacted in 2007; and the Department of Agriculture's implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill. Further, some key tax incentives for alternative fuels that had expired or were set to at the end of 2010 were extended through the end of 2011 by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-312). The 112th Congress may revisit these incentives and discuss whether they should be extended beyond 2011."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Yacobucci, Brent D.
2010-12-23
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Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress [September 22, 2010]
"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. However, major barriers-- especially economics-- currently prevent the widespread use of these fuels and technologies. Because of these barriers, and the potential benefits, there is continued congressional interest in providing incentives and other support for their development and commercialization. [...] On February 3, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized new rules for the renewable fuel standard (RFS) that was expanded by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA, P.L. 110-140). In 2010, the RFS will require the use of 12.95 billion gallons of ethanol and other biofuels in transportation fuel. Within that mandate, the RFS will require the use of 0.95 billion gallons of advanced biofuels, including 6.5 million gallons of cellulosic biofuels. EISA also requires that advanced biofuels (as well as conventional biofuels from newly built refineries) meet certain lifecycle greenhouse gas reduction requirements. EPA's methodology and conclusions on various biofuels' lifecycle emissions have been controversial. [...] The 111th Congress is likely to further discuss alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles as it addresses other key topics. These include their role in any federal policy to address climate change, and their role in federal energy policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Yacobucci, Brent D.
2010-09-22
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Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress [February 13, 2009]
"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. However, major barriers--especially economics--currently prevent the widespread use of these fuels and technologies. Because of these barriers, and the potential benefits, there is continued congressional interest in providing incentives and other support for their development and commercialization. Alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles have been addressed early in the 111th Congress, as both the House and Senate versions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) contained provisions supporting their development and deployment. While some of these provisions were removed in conference, the final version still contains provisions for tax incentives, federal grants and loans, and other federal support for alternative fuels and advanced vehicles. The 111th Congress is likely to further discuss alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles as it addresses other key topics. These include their role in any federal policy to address climate change, and their role in federal energy policy. The 111th Congress may also play an oversight role in the development of major regulations: the Environmental Protection Agency's implementation of the renewable fuel standard enacted in 2005, and expanded in 2007; the Department of Transportation's implementation of new fuel economy standards enacted in 2007; and the Department of Agriculture's implementation of a new Farm Bill enacted in 2008."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Yacobucci, Brent D.
2009-02-13
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Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress [January 27, 2009]
From the Summary: "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. However, major barriers--especially economics--currently prevent the widespread use of these fuels and technologies. Because of these barriers, and the potential benefits, there is continued congressional interest in providing incentives and other support for their development and commercialization. [...] The 111th Congress is likely to discuss alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles as it addresses several topics. These include: 1) the potential for supporting their development and deployment through economic stimulus legislation; 2) their role in any federal policy to address climate change; and 3) their role in federal energy policy. The 111th Congress may also play an oversight role in the development of regulations including: the Environmental Protection Agency's implementation of the renewable fuel standard enacted in 2005, and expanded in 2007; the Department of Transportation's implementation of new fuel economy standards enacted in 2007; and the Department of Agriculture's implementation of a new Farm Bill enacted in 2008.] [...] This report supersedes CRS Report RL33564, Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress, by Brent D. Yacobucci."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Yacobucci, Brent D.
2009-01-27
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