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• Environmental Protection Issues in the 108th Congress [Updated January 28, 2004]

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  "This issue brief provides an overview of some of the key environmental protection issues that have been and are likely to continue to be the focus of public and congressional attention. The individual sections below on specific issues reference more detailed CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports. Initially, the 108th Congress finalized FY2003 funding not completed by the 107th Congress. A consolidated appropriations act, H.J.Res. 2 (P.L. 108-7), included $8.0 billion for EPA. Budgetary attention next turned to the FY2004 appropriations, for which the EPA request was $7.6 billion. The House approved $8.0 billion in H.R. 2861, amended, on July 25 (H.Rept. 108-235). The Senate approved $8.1 billion in H.R. 2861, amended (S. 1584, S.Rept. 108-143), on November 18, 2003. Since October 1, continuing resolutions have funded EPA at the FY2003 level of $8.08 billion. A conference-approved omnibus appropriation bill, H.R. 2673 (H.Rept. 108- 401), funding EPA at $8.4 billion for FY2004 was signed into law on January 23, 2004 (P.L. 108-199). A number of other key issues have seen, or are likely to see, action in the 108th Congress, including leaking underground storage tanks that may contaminate water supplies, wastewater treatment utility and chemical facility security, expanding authority for an EPA ombudsman, environmental concerns in surface transportation reauthorization legislation, brownfields grants, environmental issues in comprehensive energy legislation, and defense cleanup and military/environment issues. These issues are discussed in this report, along with other issues likely to be on the environmental agenda: Clean Air Act issues; Clean Water Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; climate change; and alternative fuels and vehicles. (The major emphasis in this issue brief is on pollution-related issues; environmental issues focused on natural resource management are not included here.)"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Fletcher, Susan R.; Isler, Margaret

  2004-01-28
• Nile Dam Dispute: Issues for Congress [July 27, 2020]

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  From the Overview: "A long-running dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan over the waters of the Nile flared in 2020, as Ethiopia moves toward completion of Africa's largest hydroelectric power project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The domestic stakes are high for both Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who seeks to guide Ethiopia through a fragile political transition, and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al Sisi, who seeks to preserve Egypt's share of the Nile amidst population growth, pollution, and rising sea levels. Efforts to resolve the conflict, including by the United States, have yet to result in a final agreement. Alongside the potential for the dispute to escalate, failure to reach an accord could set a negative precedent for transboundary water cooperation at a time of growing global concern over climate change, demographic growth, and resource scarcity."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Blanchard, Lauren Ploch; Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell

  2020-07-27
• Clean Air Issues in the 113th Congress: An Overview [November 4, 2013]

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  "As the 113th Congress continues consideration of air quality issues, oversight of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory actions is expected to remain the main focus. Of particular interest are EPA's Clean Air Act regulations on emissions of greenhouse gases. President Obama's June 25 announcement of initiatives to address climate change and EPA's subsequent (September 20) proposal of GHG [Greenhouse Gas] emission standards for new fossil-fueled power plants sparked renewed interest in the issue. Air quality has improved substantially in the United States in the 40 years of EPA's Clean Air Act (CAA) regulation. According to the agency's science advisers and others, however, more needs to be done to protect public health and the environment from the effects of air pollution. Thus, the agency continues to promulgate regulations using authority given it by Congress in CAA amendments more than 20 years ago. Members of Congress from both parties have raised questions about the cost-effectiveness of some of these regulations and/or whether the agency has exceeded statutory authority in promulgating them. Others in Congress have supported EPA, noting that the Clean Air Act, often affirmed in court decisions, has authorized or required the agency's actions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McCarthy, James E.

  2013-11-04
• Environmental Effects of Battery Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles [June 16, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "Increased deployment of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and other alternative-fueled vehicles in the United States could have a variety of effects on energy security, the economy, and the environment. In an effort to address certain environmental concerns, including climate change, some Members of Congress and some stakeholder interest groups have expressed interest in the promotion of these technologies--specifically BEV technologies. Much of this interest has focused on the electrification of passenger vehicles. This focus reflects the fact that, historically, passenger vehicles have dominated emissions (of both greenhouse gases and other air pollutants) in the transportation sector and that passenger vehicles have shorter development and in-use times than other modes of transportation (e.g., aircraft, trains, and ships), and thus can be more readily and systematically addressed. [...] This report discusses and synthesizes analyses of the environmental effects of BEVs as compared to the internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) and is part of a suite of CRS [Congressional Research Service] products on electric vehicles and related technology."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lattanzio, Richard K.; Clark, Corrie E.

  2020-06-16
• International Economic Policy Coordination at the G-7 and the G-20 [Updated October 14, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "The Group of Seven (G-7) and the Group of Twenty (G-20) are informal forums for advancing international economic cooperation and coordination among countries. The G-7 dates back to the 1970s and is a small group of industrialized democracies, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The G-20 rose to prominence during the global financial crisis in 2008-2009 and is a broader group including the G-7 countries as well as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, and the European Union (EU). The G-7 and G-20 leaders generally meet annually at summits, and lower-level officials meet throughout the year. The meetings generally focus on international economic and financial issues, although over time the scope of the meetings have expanded to include a broad range of foreign policy issues, including food security, climate change, and women's empowerment, among others."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nelson, Rebecca M.

  2020-10-14
• World Bank Group Energy Sector Strategy [April 16, 2013]

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  "Over the past several decades, sustainable energy and environmental issues have gained an increasing level of attention in international humanitarian and development assistance, as countries have tried to integrate poverty reduction and economic growth initiatives with a shared concern for the global environment. This integration is reflected in several international conventions including the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (the Stockholm Convention), the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio Convention), the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (the Johannesburg Summit), among others. Donor countries, including the United States, that provide financial assistance to lower-income countries to aid in their economic development, have increasingly targeted projects that address the full range of economic growth indicators. These indicators include financial viability, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability at both the local and the global level. The World Bank Group (WBG), as the world's largest multilateral lending institution for development assistance, sits at the nexus of these efforts."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lattanzio, Richard K.

  2013-04-16
• Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues [Updated June 17, 2005]

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  "Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking. The Bush Administration's FY2006 budget request for the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Renewable Energy Program seeks $353.6 million, which is $32.4 million less than the FY2005 appropriation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2005-06-17
• Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Overview and Issues [March 14, 2013]

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  "Increasing dependence on foreign sources of crude oil, concerns over global climate change, and the desire to promote domestic rural economies have raised interest in renewable biofuels as an alternative to petroleum in the U.S. transportation sector. In response to this interest, U.S. policymakers have enacted an increasing variety of policies, at both the state and federal levels, to directly support U.S. biofuels production and use (although some of these policies have expired). Policy measures have included blending and production tax credits to lower the cost of biofuels to end users, an import tariff to protect domestic ethanol from cheaper foreign-produced ethanol, research grants to stimulate the development of new biofuels technologies, loans and loan guarantees to facilitate the development of biofuels production and distribution infrastructure, and, perhaps most important, minimum usage requirements to guarantee a market for biofuels irrespective of their cost. As a result of expanding policy support, biofuels (primarily corn-based ethanol and biodiesel) production has grown significantly (up over 600%) since the early 2000s. However, despite the rapid growth, U.S. biofuels consumption remains small as a component of U.S. motor fuels, comprising about 5.7% of total transportation fuel consumption (on a gasolineequivalent basis) in 2012. Initially, the most significant federal programs for supporting biofuels were tax credits for the production or blending of ethanol and biodiesel into the nation's fuel supply. However, under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)--first established in 2005, then greatly expanded in 2007 (as described below)--Congress mandated biofuels use. In the long term, the expanded RFS usage mandate is likely to prove more significant than tax incentives in promoting the use of these fuels. This report focuses specifically on the RFS. It describes the general nature of the biofuels RFS and its implementation, and outlines some of the emerging issues related to the sustainability of the continued growth in U.S. biofuels production needed to fulfill the expanding RFS mandate, as well as the emergence of potential unintended consequences of this rapid expansion. This report does not address the broader public policy issue of how best to support U.S. energy policy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Yacobucci, Brent D.; Schnepf, Randall Dean, 1954-

  2013-03-14
• Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues [Updated August 22, 2005]

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  "Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking. The Bush Administration's FY2006 budget request for the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Renewable Energy Program seeks $353.6 million, which is $32.4 million less than the FY2005 appropriation. The House passed H.R. 2419, the Energy and Water (E&W) appropriations bill for FY2006, which funds DOE's Energy Efficiency (Conservation) and Renewable Energy programs. A new account structure does not provide a total figure for renewable energy programs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2005-08-22
• Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues [Updated April 14, 2005]

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  "Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking. The Bush Administration's FY2006 budget request for the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Renewable Energy Program seeks $353.6 million, which is $32.4 million less than the FY2005 appropriation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2005-04-14
• Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues [Updated March 28, 2006]

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  "Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2006-03-28
• Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues [Updated January 20, 2006]

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  "Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2006-01-20
• Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues [Updated May 25, 2006]

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  "Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2006-05-25
• Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues [Updated February 17, 2006]

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  "Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2006-02-17
• Drought in the United States: Causes and Current Understanding [February 26, 2014]

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  "Drought is a natural hazard, often with significant societal, economic, and environmental consequences. Public policy issues related to drought range from how to identify and measure drought to how best to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to drought impacts, and who should bear associated costs. Severe droughts in 2011 and 2012 in Texas and the midcontinent region, and the current drought in California and the American Southwest, have fueled congressional interest in drought and its near-term effects on water supplies and agriculture, as well as interest in long-term issues, such as drought forecasting and links between drought and human-induced climate change. Continuing drought conditions throughout the country contribute to ongoing interest in drought. Some part of the country is almost always experiencing drought at some level. Since 2000, no less than 6.6% of the land area of the United States has experienced drought of at least moderate intensity each year. The land area affected by drought of at least moderate intensity varies by year and also within a particular year. For example, since 2000, the total U.S. land area affected by drought of at least moderate intensity has varied from as little as 6.6% (July 6, 2010) to as much as 55% (September 25, 2012). Based on weekly estimates of the areal extent of drought conditions since 2000, the average amount of land area across the United States affected by at least moderate-intensity drought has been 27%."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin); Cody, Betsy A.

  2014-02-26
• Selected Issues Related to an Expansion of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) [Updated March 31, 2008]

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  "High petroleum and gasoline prices, concerns over global climate change, and the desire to promote domestic rural economies have greatly increased interest in biofuels as an alternative to petroleum in the U.S. transportation sector. Biofuels, most notably corn ethanol, have grown significantly in the past few years as a component of U.S. motor fuel supply. Ethanol, the most commonly used biofuel, is blended in nearly half of all U.S. gasoline (at the 10% level or lower in most cases). However, current biofuel supply only represents about 4% of total gasoline demand. Issues facing the U.S. biofuels industry include potential agricultural 'feedstock' supplies, the associated market and environmental effects of a major shift in U.S. agricultural production; the energy supply needed to grow feedstocks and process them into fuel, and barriers to expanded infrastructure needed to deliver more and more biofuels to the market. A key question is whether a renewable fuel mandate is the most effective policy to promote the above goals. This report outlines some of the current supply issues facing biofuels industries, including implications for agricultural feedstocks, infrastructure concerns, energy supply for biofuel production, and fuel price uncertainties."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Yacobucci, Brent D.

  2008-03-31
• India-U.S. Relations [July 19, 2021]

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  From the Overview: "This report reviews the major facets of current U.S.-India relations, particularly in the context of congressional interest. It discusses areas in which perceived U.S. and Indian national interests converge and areas in which they diverge; other leading Indian foreign relations that impact U.S. interests; the outlines of bilateral engagement in defense, trade, and investment relations, as well as important issues involving health, immigration, energy, climate change; and human rights concerns."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kronstadt, K. Alan; Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Kandel, William . . .

  2021-07-19
• Energy Security and Research, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Defense, Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, May 21, 2014

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  This testimony is from the May 21, 2014 hearing, "Energy and Security Research" before the Subcommittee on Defense of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Testimony from the panel discusses military operational energy programs, energy innovation, climate change, and Arctic Armed Forces infrastructure. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tom Morehouse, Dennis V. McGinn, Daniel Y. Chiu, and Kenneth D. Lewis, Jr..

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Appropriations

  2014-05-21
• Moving America Toward a Clean Energy Economy and Reducing Global Warming Pollution: Legislative Tools, Hearing Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, July 7, 2009

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  This is the July 7, 2009 hearing "Moving America Toward a Clean Energy Economy and Reducing Global Warming Pollution: Legislative Tools" held before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. From the opening statement of Barbara Boxer: "Today's hearing is the kickoff of a historic Senator effort to pass legislation that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create millions of clean energy jobs, and protect our children from pollution. The central theme in Thomas Friedman's book, Hot, Flat and Crowded, is this: the nation that aggressively addresses the issue of climate change will be the nation that will thrive, the nation that will lead, and will be the nation that will prosper. Here is what Friedman writes, in his own words: ''The ability to develop clean power and energy efficient technologies is going to become the defining measure of a country's economic standing, environmental health, energy security and national security over the next 50 years.''" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Steven Chu, Lisa P. Jackson, Thomas Vilsack, Ken Salazar, Haley Barbour, Rich Wells, David Hawkins, and John Fetterman.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2016
• Renewable Energy: Background and Issues for the 110th Congress [September 6, 2007]

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  "Renewable energy can be used to produce liquid fuels and electricity. A variety of funding, tax incentives, and regulatory policies have been enacted to support renewables as a means for addressing concerns about energy security, air pollution, international competitiveness, and climate change. This report reviews the background for renewables and describes the current congressional debate. Budget and funding issues are key concerns. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorized several new renewable energy demonstration and deployment programs, but most of them have not been funded. […] Tax and regulatory policies are also at issue. The interaction of the federal renewable energy electricity production tax credit (PTC) with state renewable portfolio standard (RPS) policies has forged a strong incentive for wind energy development. […] The ethanol fuel issue has intensified. Corn ethanol production is rising rapidly, but appears to be causing food price increases. Concerns about rising food prices and apparent limits to the long-term potential for corn ethanol have brought a focus on cellulosic ethanol. […] Key challenges to the omnibus energy bills remain. First, there are significant differences between H.R. 3221 and H.R. 6. Second, because the House and Senate have passed different measures, further action would be required in at least one chamber before a conference committee could be arranged. Third, concerns about the oil and natural gas revenue offset provisions, and the lack of measures to increase oil and gas production have led the Administration to threaten to veto each bill."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2007-09-06
• Fuel Ethanol: Background and Public Policy Issues [Updated April 24, 2008]

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  "Ethanol plays a key role in policy discussions about energy, agriculture, taxes, and the environment. In the United States it is mostly made from corn; in other countries it is often made from cane sugar. Fuel ethanol is generally blended in gasoline to reduce emissions, increase octane, and extend gasoline stocks. Recent high oil and gasoline prices have led to increased interest in alternatives to petroleum fuels for transportation. Further, concerns over climate change have raised interest in developing fuels with lower fuel-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions. Supporters of ethanol argue that its use can lead to lower emissions of toxic and ozone-forming pollutants, and greenhouse gases, especially if higher-level blends are used. They further argue that ethanol use displaces petroleum imports, thus promoting energy security. Ethanol's detractors argue that various federal and state policies supporting ethanol distort the market and amount to corporate welfare for corn growers and ethanol producers. Further, they argue that the energy and chemical inputs needed to turn corn into ethanol actually increase emissions and energy consumption, although most recent studies have found modest energy and emissions benefits from ethanol use relative to gasoline, depending on how the ethanol is produced. The market for fuel ethanol is heavily dependent on federal incentives and regulations. Ethanol production is encouraged by a federal tax credit of 51 cents per gallon. This incentive allows ethanol -- which has historically been more expensive than conventional gasoline -- to compete with gasoline and other blending components."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Yacobucci, Brent D.

  2008-04-24
• Renewable Energy: Background and Issues for the 110th Congress [Updated March 25, 2008]

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  "Renewable energy can be used to produce liquid fuels and electricity. A variety of funding, tax incentives, and regulatory policies have been enacted to support renewables as a means for addressing concerns about energy security, air pollution, international competitiveness, and climate change. This report reviews the background for renewables and describes the current congressional debate."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2008-03-25
• Wildfire Damages to Homes and Resources: Understanding Causes and Reducing Losses [June 2, 2008]

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  This CRS report discusses the background surrounding wildfires causes and damage to houses and other structures and resources. From the Summary: "Wildfires are getting more severe, with more acres and houses burned and more people at risk. This results from excess biomass in the forests, due to past logging and grazing and a century of fire suppression, combined with an expanding wildland-urban interface -- more people and houses in and near the forests -- along with climate change, exacerbating drought and insect and disease problems. Some assert that current efforts to reduce biomass (fuel treatments, such as thinning) and to protect houses are inadequate, and that public objections to activities on federal lands raise costs and delay action. Others counter that proposals for federal lands allow timber harvesting, with substantial environmental damage and little fire protection. Congress is addressing these issues through various legislative proposals and through funding for protection programs." This report also includes one appendix.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gorte, Ross W.

  2008-06-02
• World Bank Group Energy Sector Strategy [July 12, 2011]

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  "One in five people worldwide lack access to electricity. This is among the many challenges that financial institutions face when providing assistance to lower-income countries in order to promote economic and social development. Filling the need for access to modern energy sources has the potential to substantially increase world-wide economic growth, creating markets in the developing world for products from the developed world, and vice versa. Filling this need may also result in environmental problems that could threaten development, including an increase in pollution that damages fisheries, reduces farm fertility, poses health risks, and contributes to climate change. In response to these risks, the World Bank Group (WBG) has reported its intentions to revise its strategy for energy and infrastructure lending to better address energy poverty alleviation and environmentally sustainable development. […] While the U.S. Administration oversees the day-to-day participation in WBG operations, the U.S. Congress-- through its role in WBG appointments, appropriations, and legislative guidance--retains significant input. U.S. guidance to the WBG has focused on the institution's lending practices as a means to induce greater environmental sustainability in multilateral development assistance. The ESS [Energizing Sustainable Development: Energy Sector Strategy of the World Bank Group] thus becomes another potential vehicle for the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Administration to further address concerns regarding energy and infrastructure lending in lower-income countries."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lattanzio, Richard K.

  2011-07-12
• Bouncing Forward Sustainably: Pathways to a Post-COVID World Governance for Sustainability

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  From the Abstract: "The ongoing COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] crisis is generating massive adverse socio-economic impacts for societies around the globe and brings many issues of relevance for ongoing sustainability transformations into the spotlight. One such issue is the role of governance for sustainability, for which COVID-19 provides encouraging as well as challenging lessons. In this background note, we draw first, tentative lessons on how COVID-19 management has been governed across levels of governance, focusing on identifying opportunities for enhancing governance for sustainability including for tackling climate change."

  International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis; International Science Council

  Mechler, Reinhard; Stevance, Anne-Sophie; Deubelli, Teresa M. . . .

  2020-07-01
• Renewable Energy Policy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Regulatory Issues [July 28, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "High gasoline and natural gas prices have rekindled interest in the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean-energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking. The Bush Administration's FY2007 budget request for the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Renewable Energy Program seeks $359.2 million, which is $84.0 million, or 30.5%, more than the FY2006 appropriation. In support of the President's proposal for an Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI), the request includes major funding increases for solar energy (to support the Solar America initiative) and biomass (to support the Biorefinery Initiative). The main increases are for Solar Photovoltaics ($79.5 million) and Biomass ($59.0 million). Some significant cuts were also proposed, and the request sought to eliminate earmarks. Appropriations actions by the House and the Senate Appropriations Committee have approved most of the requested FY2007 funding increases for AEI and greatly reduced earmark funding. Compared with House-passed funding, the Senate Appropriations Committee recommendation seeks an increase of $66.1 million (5%). Table 3 shows other differences, most notably those for Biomass & Biorefinery, Geothermal, Hydro, and Weatherization programs. "

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2006-07-28
• Fuel Ethanol: Background and Public Policy Issues [Updated January 24, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "Ethanol plays a key role in policy discussions about energy, agriculture, taxes, and the environment. In the United States it is mostly made from corn; in other countries it is often made from cane sugar. Fuel ethanol is generally blended in gasoline to reduce emissions, increase octane, and extend gasoline stocks. Recent high oil and gasoline prices have led to increased interest in alternatives to petroleum fuels for transportation. Further, concerns over climate change have raised interest in developing fuels with lower fuel-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions. Supporters of ethanol argue that its use can lead to lower emissions of toxic and ozone-forming pollutants, and greenhouse gases, especially if higher-level blends are used. They further argue that ethanol use displaces petroleum imports, thus promoting energy security. Ethanol's detractors argue that various federal and state policies supporting ethanol distort the market and amount to corporate welfare for corn growers and ethanol producers. Further, they argue that the energy and chemical inputs needed to turn corn into ethanol actually increase emissions and energy consumption, although most recent studies have found modest energy and emissions benefits from ethanol use relative to gasoline. The market for fuel ethanol is heavily dependent on federal incentives and regulations. Ethanol production is encouraged by a federal tax credit of 51 cents per gallon. This incentive allows ethanol-which has historically been more expensive than conventional gasoline-to compete with gasoline and other blending components."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Yacobucci, Brent D.

  2007-01-24
• Kingdom of Bhutan [Updated June 22, 2021]

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  From the Background: "The Kingdom of Bhutan, also known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a small, landlocked Himalayan country situated between India and China. The mountainous kingdom is about half the size of Indiana, with an estimated population of 857,423, approximately 115,000 of them in and around the capital city, Thimphu. Bhutan's economy has grown primarily as a result of hydropower, agriculture, and forestry development. Hydropower exports account for 40% of total exports and 25% of government revenue. The United States has no significant trade relations with Bhutan, and its foreign aid mission and bilateral consular affairs are handled by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. Geopolitical tensions between China and India along their Himalayan border have generally increased U.S. policymakers' interest in the region. Bhutan has participated in a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) regional program for South Asia directed at developing power infrastructure, and it has implemented programs intended to help mitigate some of the effects of climate change. With 70% forest cover and extensive hydropower, Bhutan is a carbon negative country. Ninety-three percent of eligible adults in Bhutan reportedly received COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine by April 2021."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-

  2021-06-22
• Climate Conversations: Climate and COVID-19 [video]

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  From the Webpage: "Almost exactly one year after U.S. COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] lockdowns began, Laura Helmuth (Scientific American) moderated a conversation between Georges Benjamin (APHA) and Kris Ebi (University of Washington) that was both reflective about the intersections between climate change and COVID-19 over the last year, and forward-looking at the state of progress on addressing these issues in the U.S." The duration of the video is 56 minutes and 57 seconds.

  National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

  Benjamin, Georges C.; Ebi, Kristie L.; Helmuth, Laura

  2021-03-18
• U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Migration in Central America

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  From the Introduction: "Persistent instability and insecurity in Central America have gone on for too long. Poverty and economic inequality, pervasive crime and corruption, and political leaders' drift toward authoritarian rule have stunted economic growth and diverted critical resources from healthcare and education, robbing citizens of hope and spurring migration. The worsening impacts of climate change, manifesting as prolonged periods of drought and devastating storms, have exacerbated these conditions and undermine U.S. and international interests. All of these factors contribute to irregular migration, and none of them can ultimately be addressed without honest and inclusive democratic governance that is responsive to the needs of citizens in the region. The Root Causes Strategy, directed by the President in Executive Order 14010, focuses on a coordinated, place-based approach to improve the underlying causes that push Central Americans to migrate, and that 'take(s) into account, as appropriate, the views of bilateral, multilateral, and private sector partners, as well as civil society.' This Strategy lays out a framework to use the policy, resources, and diplomacy of the United States, and to leverage the expertise and resources of a broad group of public and private stakeholders, to build hope for citizens in the region that the life they desire can be found at home. The U.S. government consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to inform this Strategy, including governments in the region, Members of Congress and their staff, international organizations, civil society organizations, labor unions, and the private sector. Consultations will continue throughout implementation."

  National Security Council (U.S.)

  2021-07