Advanced search Help
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Solar Energy: Frequently Asked Questions [January 27, 2020]
From the Document: "Use of solar energy for electricity generation is growing in the United States and globally. In the United States, solar energy overall accounted for 2.2% of total electricity generation in 2018, up from 0.7% in 2014. This report addresses a dozen frequently asked questions that may be of interest to lawmakers as the growing use of solar energy potentially affects a variety of areas of congressional interest. The first set of questions looks at different technologies that use solar energy to generate electricity and their costs and prevalence over time. Costs for all components of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, including cells, modules, inverters, and other related equipment, have generally declined in recent years. Assessing solar energy costs for consumers is challenging because there are many local factors to consider. Another question considers whether using solar energy is a reliable form of electricity generation given its variable nature."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cowan, Tadlock; Platzer, Michaela D.; Sherlock, Molly F. . . .
2020-01-27
-
Tax Policy and Disaster Recovery [Updated February 11, 2020]
From the Document: "The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) contains a number of provisions intended to provide disaster relief. Following certain disasters, Congress has passed legislation with temporary and targeted tax relief policies. At other times, Congress has passed legislation providing tax relief to those affected by all federally declared major disasters (disasters with Stafford Act declarations) occurring during a set time period. In addition, several disaster tax relief provisions are permanent features of the IRC. This report discusses the following permanent provisions: [1] disaster casualty loss deductions; [2] deferral of gain from involuntary conversions of property destroyed by a disaster; [3] disaster relief for owners of low-income housing tax credit properties; [4] income exclusion for disaster relief payments to individuals; [5] income exclusion for certain insurance living expense payments; and [6] IRS [Internal Revenue Service] administrative relief in the form of extended deadlines and waiving of certain penalties. [...] This report provides a basic overview of existing, permanent disaster tax provisions, as well as past, targeted legislative responses to specific disasters. The report also includes a discussion of economic and policy considerations related to providing disaster tax relief to individuals and businesses, and encouraging charitable giving to support disaster relief."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Teefy, Jennifer
2020-02-11
-
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Frequently Asked Questions About Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) [March 2, 2020]
From the Document: "In the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58; EPAct05), Congress required the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)--a mandate that requires U.S. transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel. Since expansion of the RFS in 2007 under the Energy Independence and Security Act (P.L. 110- 140; EISA), Congress has had interest in the RFS for various reasons (e.g., limited cellulosic biofuel production, EPA's use of programmatic waiver authority, and RFS compliance costs). Over the last several months, Congress has expressed repeated interest in small refinery exemptions (SRE) from the RFS. The RFS allows small refineries to receive an exemption from the RFS, if they can prove compliance would subject them to disproportionate economic hardship. There is no statutory definition for disproportionate economic hardship, and a small refinery may apply for an exemption at any time. When deciding whether to grant an exemption, EPA is to consult with the Secretary of Energy. This consultation comes in the form of a recommendation from the Department of Energy (DOE) to EPA. The EPA Administrator has 90 days to act on (i.e., grant or deny) an exemption. A small refinery must apply each year for an exemption from compliance for that year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2020-03-02
-
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act--Tax Relief for Individuals and Businesses [Updated March 24, 2020]
From the Document: "Congress is considering a number of proposals that seek to mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One such proposal, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (S. 3548), was introduced in the Senate on March 19, 2020. On March 22, 2020, the Senate released an updated version of the CARES Act. A cloture vote on the motion to proceed on the amended version was rejected on March 22. Tax relief for individuals and businesses in the CARES Act includes [1] a one-time rebate to taxpayers; [2] modification of the tax treatment of certain retirement fund withdrawals and charitable contributions; [3] a delay of employer payroll taxes and taxes paid by certain corporations; and [4] a variety of changes to the tax treatment of business income and net operating losses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.; Driessen, Grant A. . . .
2020-03-24
-
Tax Cuts as Fiscal Stimulus: Comparing a Payroll Tax Cut to a One-Time Tax Rebate [March 11, 2020]
From the Document: "The Trump Administration and certain Members of Congress have expressed interest in a temporary payroll tax reduction as a fiscal stimulus response to economic concerns resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Other lawmakers have emphasized that, with respect to tax-relief proposals, 'everything's on the table.' This sentiment reflects potential uncertainty in both the current economic outlook and what tax policy options might be most effective as the coronavirus outbreak evolves. An alternative to a temporary payroll tax reduction that might be considered, and has been used in the past, is a lump-sum tax rebate. Temporary payroll tax cuts and lump-sum tax rebates have been used in response to past periods of economic weakness. In 2011 and 2012, employee payroll taxes were reduced by two percentage points, providing tax relief to any individual with earned income. General fund revenue was transferred to Social Security trust funds to ensure that those funds were not affected by the payroll tax cut."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Marples, Donald J.
2020-03-11
-
Payroll Tax Cuts as an Economic Stimulus Response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) [March 5, 2020]
From the Document: "The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has increased concerns that the U.S. economy could be affected as part of a global economic downturn. A range of fiscal and monetary policy tools have been used to address prior times of economic weakness. One option for fiscal stimulus is a temporary payroll tax cut for employees. This option was used to address economic weakness in 2011 and 2012. On March 2, 2020, President Trump and others expressed interest in a one-year payroll tax cut to help bolster the economy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Marples, Donald J.; Sherlock, Molly F.
2020-03-05
-
COVID-19 Economic Stimulus: Business Payroll Tax Cuts [March 20, 2020]
From the Document: "The economic fallout from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has accelerated rapidly. Policymakers continue to evaluate tax policy economic relief options. Payroll tax cuts for businesses are one option that would provide economic assistance to business activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Marples, Donald J.
2020-03-20
-
Tax Credit for Paid Sick and Family Leave in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) [March 16, 2020]
From the Document: "The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) includes an employer tax credit for the paid sick and family leave required as part of this legislation. This tax credit is intended to help businesses with the cost of providing paid leave to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.
2020-03-16
-
Energy Provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill (P.L. 113-79): Status and Funding [September 21, 2017]
"Title IX, the energy title of the 2014 farm bill (Agricultural Act of 2014; P.L. 113-79), contains authority for the energy programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA energy programs have incentivized research, development, and adoption of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and anaerobic digesters. However, the primary focus of USDA energy programs has been to promote U.S. biofuels production and use--including corn starch-based ethanol (the predominant biofuel produced and consumed in the United States), cellulosic ethanol, and soybean-based biodiesel. The USDA energy programs via the farm bill are separate from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and tax incentives contained in separate energy and tax legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2017-09-21
-
Tax Policy and Disaster Recovery [August 9, 2019]
From the Document: "The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) contains a number of provisions intended to provide disaster relief. Following certain disasters, Congress has passed legislation with temporary and targeted tax relief policies. At other times, Congress has passed legislation providing tax relief to those affected by all federally declared major disasters (disasters with Stafford Act declarations) occurring during a set time period. In addition, several disaster tax relief provisions are permanent features of the IRC."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Teefy, Jennifer
2019-08-09
-
Farm Bill Energy Title: An Overview and Funding History [October 2, 2019]
From the Summary: "Title IX, the energy title, of the 2018 farm bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; P.L. 115-334) contains authority for the energy programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA energy programs incentivize research, development, and adoption of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and anaerobic digesters. [...] At issue for Congress is oversight of the energy programs and the future of annual funding for these programs. This report provides an overview and funding summary of the various energy titles contained in the farm bills from 2002 to the present, and provides a description of the 2018 farm bill energy programs including their funding levels, program implementation status, and any changes made to the programs by the 2018 farm bill."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2019-10-02
-
Overview of the Federal Tax System in 2019 [Updated November 20, 2019]
From the Summary: "This report describes the federal tax structure and system in effect for 2019. The report also provides selected statistics on the tax system as a whole. Historically, the largest component of the federal tax system, in terms of revenue generated, has been the individual income tax. For fiscal year (FY) 2019, an estimated $1.7 trillion, or 50% of the federal government's revenue, will be collected from the individual income tax. The corporate income tax is estimated to generate another $216 billion in revenue in FY2019, or just over 6% of total revenue. Social insurance or payroll taxes will generate an estimated $1.2 trillion, or 36% of revenue in FY2019. For 2019, it is estimated that revenues will be 16.1% of gross domestic product (GDP), slightly below the post-World War II average of 17.2% of GDP."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Marples, Donald
2019-11-20
-
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): An Overview [Updated September 4, 2019]
From the Summary: "The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requires U.S. transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel. The RFS--established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58; EPAct05) and expanded in 2007 by the Energy Independence and Security Act (P.L. 110-140; EISA)--began with 4 billion gallons of renewable fuel in 2006 and aims to ascend to 36 billion gallons in 2022. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has statutory authority to determine the volume amounts after 2022. The total renewable fuel statutory target consists of both conventional biofuel and advanced biofuel. Since 2014, the total renewable fuel statutory target has not been met, with the advanced biofuel portion falling below the statutory target by a relatively large margin since 2015. Going forward, it appears unlikely that the United States will meet the total renewable fuel target as outlined in statute."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2019-09-04
-
Payroll Tax Cuts as Economic Stimulus: Past Experience and Economic Considerations [August 23, 2019]
From the Document: "A range of fiscal and monetary policy tools have been used in the past to respond to weak economic conditions and recessions. One of those policy tools, enacted as economic stimulus in December 2010, was a temporary employee payroll tax cut. On August 20, 2019, President Trump expressed interest in proposing a payroll tax cut, although subsequent reports indicate this may not be a policy the Administration intends to actively pursue at this time."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Marples, Donald J.
2019-08-23
-
2017 Tax Revision (P.L. 115-97): Comparison to 2017 Tax Law
"P.L. 115-97 was signed into law by President Trump on December 22, 2017. The act substantively changes the federal tax system. Broadly, for individuals, the act temporarily modifies income tax rates. Some deductions, credits, and exemptions for individuals are eliminated, while others are substantively modified, with these changes generally being temporary. For businesses, pass through entities experience a reduction in effective tax rates via a new deduction, which is also temporary. The statutory corporate tax rate is permanently reduced. Many deductions, credits, and other provisions for businesses are also modified. The act also substantively changes the international tax system, generally moving the U.S. tax system towards a territorial system. This report provides a brief summary of P.L. 115-97, comparing each provision in the act with prior tax law. The report also provides a brief legislative history of activity leading to the enactment of P.L. 115-97, along with estimated revenue and distributional effects of the recently enacted law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Marples, Donald J.
2018-02-06
-
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): An Overview [Updated April 14, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Established by Congress as an amendment to the Clean Air Act, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates that U.S. transportation fuels contain a minimum volume of biofuel. 1 The mandated minimum volume increases annually and must be met using both conventional biofuel (e.g., corn starch ethanol) and advanced biofuel (e.g., cellulosic ethanol). For a renewable fuel to be applied toward the mandate, it must be used for certain purposes (i.e., transportation fuel, jet fuel, or heating oil) and meet certain environmental and biomass feedstock criteria."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2020-04-14
-
Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit: In Brief [Updated April 29, 2020]
From the Document: "The renewable electricity production tax credit (PTC), a per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) tax credit for electricity produced using qualified renewable energy resources, expires on January 1, 2021. Thus, under current law, the credit is not available for projects that begin construction after December 31, 2020. Whether the PTC should be extended, be modified, or be allowed to expire is an issue that may be considered in the 116th Congress. [...] This report provides a brief overview of the renewable electricity PTC. The first section of the report describes the credit. The second section provides a legislative history. The third section presents data on PTC claims and discusses the credit's revenue consequences. The fourth section briefly considers some of the economic and policy considerations related to the credit. The report concludes by briefly noting policy options related to the PTC."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.
2020-04-29
-
Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act: Division B--Revenue Provisions [May 15, 2020]
From the Document: "Congress continues to consider proposals intended to alleviate the economic effects associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic. One such proposal, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800), was introduced in the House on May 12, 2020. Division B of the HEROES Act, or the COVID-19 Tax Relief Act of 2020, contains a number of individual and business tax provisions, including [1] a one-time direct payment for eligible individuals, and an expansion of eligibility for the direct payments provided in the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act; [2] enhanced benefits and/or expanded eligibility for the earned income tax credit (EITC), child tax credit, and child and dependent care tax credit, and suspension of the limitation on the deduction for state and local taxes paid; [3] expansions of tax credits for paid sick leave and paid family leave; [4] tax credits for employers and employees in businesses susceptible to COVID-19- related interruptions; [5] expanded utilization options for certain employee health and dependent care benefits; and [6] a permanent limitation on using noncorporate business losses to offset nonbusiness income, and reduced ability to carry back recent net operating losses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.; Sherlock, Molly F.; Driessen, Grant A. . . .
2020-05-15
-
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act--Tax Relief for Individuals and Businesses [Updated April 28, 2020]
From the Document: "Congress has considered a number of proposals that seek to mitigate the economic effects of the Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic. One such proposal, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136), was signed into law on March 27, 2020. Tax relief for individuals and businesses in the CARES Act includes: [1] a one-time rebate to taxpayers; [2] modification of the tax treatment of certain retirement fund withdrawals and charitable contributions; [3] a delay of employer payroll taxes and taxes paid by certain corporations; and [4] other changes to the tax treatment of business income and net operating losses. [...] This report briefly summarizes the major individual and business tax provisions of the CARES Act, as enacted."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.; Driessen, Grant A. . . .
2020-04-28
-
2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): COVID-19 Impacts [Updated May 18, 2020]
From the Document: "Ongoing COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] mitigation measures may impact the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)--a mandate requiring U.S. transportation fuel to contain renewable fuel. Since the beginning of the pandemic, transportation fuel demand has dropped significantly, compared to January through early March 2020 and to projections made when the 2020 volume requirements were finalized. Significant changes in fuel demand and other effects of the pandemic could affect both the implementation of the RFS and the impacts of compliance with the 2020 standard, particularly given the present-day uncertainties with refinery and biorefinery economics, fuel prices, RFS compliance costs, and economic recovery, among other things. Some Members of Congress, governors, and stakeholders in the petroleum and renewable fuel industries, among others, have called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take additional action on the 2020 RFS requirements due in part to COVID-19. Congress may consider whether to intervene or whether EPA should intervene, and if so, whether it has the statutory authority to do so."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2020-05-18
-
Hazard Pay and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Issues and Options [May 13, 2020]
From the Document: "A number of policymakers have expressed interest in providing essential workers at risk of exposure to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] with additional compensation, or 'hazard pay.' The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800), introduced on May 12, 2020, would create a fund for 'pandemic premium pay' for essential workers. This Insight highlights some of the policy considerations should a hazard pay policy be pursued, as well as federal government options for supporting hazard pay."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Bradley, David H.
2020-05-13
-
2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): COVID-19 Impacts [April 22, 2020]
From the Document: "Ongoing COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] mitigation measures may impact the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)--a mandate requiring U.S. transportation fuel to contain renewable fuel. Since the beginning of the pandemic, fuel demand has dropped significantly. The RFS is based, in part, on projections of transportation fuel use. Significant deviations from these projections could affect compliance with the 2020 standard. Congress may consider whether to intervene or whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should do so; and, if the latter, does the existing statute provide EPA with adequate authority?"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2020-04-22
-
COVID-19: The Employee Retention Tax Credit [Updated May 12, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) includes an employee retention payroll tax credit intended to help businesses retain employees during the Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, public health emergency. Employee retention remains a policy concern, as a number of economic sectors have announced layoffs resulting from the COVID-19 induced economic fallout. Unemployment insurance claims have surged following these widespread layoffs. This Insight summarizes the employee retention tax credit in the CARES Act, makes comparisons to previous employee retention tax credits enacted as disaster tax relief, and highlights some economic and policy considerations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.
2020-05-12
-
Low Oil Prices May Trigger Certain Tax Benefits, but Not Others [May 11, 2020]
From the Document: "Benchmark crude oil prices--such as U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI)--have steeply declined since January 2020. Oil market oversupply, the result of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] travel restrictions and increased global supply levels in March and April, has exerted downward pressure on prices. Although the duration of low oil prices is uncertain, price levels for the remainder of 2020 may largely be a function of demand recovery, supply adjustments, and return to a balanced market. Energy Information Administration (EIA) price forecasts, as of April 2020, indicate that WTI spot prices may average just over $29 per barrel during calendar year 2020, less than half the price at the beginning of the year. Some federal oil production tax incentives are triggered when a reference price of crude oil--estimated and published annually by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)--drops below a statutory oil price level. The reference price is an 'estimate of the annual average wellhead price per barrel for all domestic crude oil the price of which is not subject to regulation.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Brown, Phillip (Specialist in Energy Policy)
2020-05-11
-
Overview of the Federal Tax System in 2018 [March 29, 2018]
"The largest source of revenue for the federal government is the individual income tax. The federal individual income tax is levied on an individual's taxable income, which is adjusted gross income (AGI) less deductions. Tax rates based on filing status (e.g., married filing jointly, head of household, or single individual) determine the amount of tax liability. Income tax rates in the United States are generally progressive, such that higher levels of income are typically taxed at higher rates. Once tentative tax liability is calculated, tax credits can be used to reduce tax liability. Tax deductions and tax credits are tools available to policymakers to increase or decrease the after-tax price of undertaking specific activities. Individuals with high levels of deductions and credits relative to income may be required to pay the alternative minimum tax (AMT)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.; Marples, Donald J.
2018-03-29
-
Tax Provisions That Expired in 2016 ('Tax Extenders') [July 31, 2017]
"In the past, Congress has regularly acted to extend expired or expiring temporary tax provisions. Collectively, these temporary tax provisions are often referred to as 'tax extenders.' Most recently, in December 2015, Congress addressed tax extenders in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act), enacted as Division Q of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113). This legislation extended all of the 52 provisions that had expired at the end of 2014. Unlike past tax extenders legislation, however, a number of provisions that had expired at the end of 2014 were made permanent. Several others were extended through 2019. Many provisions were temporarily extended for two years, through 2016."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.
2017-07-31
-
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): An Overview [Updated January 23, 2019]
From the Introduction "A variety of factors, such as infrastructure, technology, and limited federal assistance, have led to challenges in meeting the total volume requirement established by Congress. These challenges have included a lack of cellulosic biofuel production and delays by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in approving fuel pathways. Further, it is not clear how changes in gasoline consumption in response to fluctuating crude oil and gasoline prices impact the biofuel or conventional fuel industries. It is also uncertain how the program will fare once EPA implements the 'reset' provision of the statute, which allows the agency to modify the volumes required for future years (starting in 2016) if certain conditions are met. In addition, some stakeholders have expressed concern about the transparency of the market wherein credits are traded to demonstrate compliance with the mandate. Lastly, there is concern by some biofuel producers that the Trump Administration's issuance of multiple small refinery exemptions has adversely affected, or will adversely affect, biofuel demand. Small refiners may petition the EPA Administrator for an exemption from the RFS [Renewable Fuel Standard] mandate if they can prove disproportionate economic hardship."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2019-01-23
-
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): An Overview [July 31, 2018]
"Established by Congress as an amendment to the Clean Air Act, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates that U.S. transportation fuel contain a minimum volume of biofuel. The mandated minimum volume increases annually and must be met using both conventional biofuel (e.g., cornstarch ethanol) and advanced biofuel (e.g., cellulosic ethanol). For a renewable fuel to be applied toward the mandate, it must be used for certain purposes (transportation fuel, jet fuel, or heating oil) and meet certain environmental and biomass feedstock criteria."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2018-07-31
-
Value of Energy Tax Incentives for Different Types of Energy Resources [Updated March 19, 2019]
From the Document: "Since the 1970s, policymakers have increasingly used the tax code to promote energy policy goals. Long-term energy policy goals include providing a secure supply of energy, providing energy at a low cost, and ensuring that energy production and consumption is consistent with environmental objectives. A range of federal policies, including various research and development programs, mandates, and direct financial support such as tax incentives or loan guarantees, promotes various energy policy objectives. This report focuses on tax incentives that support the production of or investment in various energy resources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sherlock, Molly F.
2019-03-19
-
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Waiver Authority and Modification of Volumes [Updated January 23, 2019]
"The RFS [Renewable Fuel Standard] is a complex and highly technical policy initiative. It deals with multiple sectors of the economy and requires the use of some advanced renewable fuel production technologies that have yet to reach maturity. The RFS also incorporates thresholds for greenhouse gas emission reduction. This complexity is exacerbated by multiple stakeholders with differing perspectives on what the RFS should accomplish, how it should be implemented, and whether it should exist, which leads to debate about the RFS and its future. Congressional debate about the RFS is expected to continue with special attention to how EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] administers the program. As Congress continues its oversight of the RFS, it may be useful to understand the RFS waiver authority granted to EPA. This report discusses the waiver provisions of the RFS, including the modification-of-applicable-volumes ('reset') section."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bracmort, Kelsi
2019-01-23
