Climate Change Litigation : A Survey

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/RL32764/ [Summary] The scientific, economic, and political questions surrounding climate change have long been with us. This report focuses instead on a relative newcomer: the legal debate. Though the first court decision related to climate change appeared 19 years ago, such litigation has proliferated in just the past six. Representatives of some [...]

Drought in the United States : Causes and Issues for Congress

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/RL34580/ [Summary] Drought is commonly defined as a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period of time, usually a season or more, relative to some long-term average condition. Droughts have affected the United States, particularly the American West, for centuries. Drought affects societies because of the combination of reduced supply (e.g., less [...]

35 Years of Water Policy : The 1973 National Water Commission and Present Challenges

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/R40573/ [Summary] Concern about the availability and use of water to support the nations people, economy, and environment has bolstered interest in establishing a national water commission. The commission structure proposed in recent legislation (e.g., H.R. 135) is similar to that of the 1968-1973 National Water Commission (NWC or Commission). As proposed [...]

Climate Change : Potential Regulation of Stationary Greenhouse Gas Sources Under the Clean Air Act

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/R40585/ [Summary] In the 111th Congress, both the House and Senate committees of jurisdiction are expected to give climate change legislation high priority. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has already held hearings on draft legislation, and expects to hold markup before Memorial Day. The schedule for Senate action is less certain, [...]

Cars and Climate: What Can EPA Do to Control Greenhouse Gases from Mobile Sources?

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/R40506/ [Summary] As Congress considers legislation to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change, attention has focused on cap-and-trade legislation. Such legislation would set a national cap on GHG emissions, with allowances (permits) to emit limited amounts of the gases distributed or auctioned to affected parties. Recently, there [...]

The Role of Offsets in a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap-and-Trade Program: Potential Benefits and Concerns

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/RL34436/ [Summary] If Congress establishes a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction program (e.g., cap-and-trade system), the treatment of GHG emission offsets would likely be a critical design element. If allowed as part of an emissions program, offsets could provide cost savings and other benefits. However, offsets have generated concern. An offset is [...]

Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Control : Selected Proposals in the 111th Congress

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/R40556/ [Summary] As of the date of this report (May 27, 2009), Members in the 111th Congress have introduced seven stand-alone proposals that would control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The proposals offered to date would employ market-based approacheseither a cap-and-trade or carbon tax system, or some combination thereofto reduce GHG emissions. The [...]

State Renewable Electricity Profiles 2007

US DOE, Energy Information Administration http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/2008forms/consolidate_923.html#E923 [Abstract] This data series presents detailed State-level renewable capacity and generation data for 2003 through 2007.

Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) : Background, Status, and Selected Issues for Congress

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/RL34497/ [Summary] In August 2007, Congress authorized the establishment of the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) within the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the America COMPETES Act (P.L. 110-69). Modeled on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), ARPA-E would support transformational energy technology research projects with the [...]

The National Nanotechnology Initiative : Overview, Reauthorization, and Appropriations Issues

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/RL34401/ [Summary] Nanotechnology, a term encompassing the science, engineering, and applications of submicron materials involves the harnessing of unique physical, chemical, and biological properties of nanoscale substances in fundamentally new and useful ways. The economic and societal promise of nanotechnology has led to substantial and sustained investments by governments and companies around [...]