Congressional Research Service / Linda Luther http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40850_20100927.pdf [Summary] Electronic waste (e-waste) is a term that is used loosely to refer to obsolete, broken, or irreparable electronic devices like televisions, computer central processing units (CPUs), computer monitors (flat screen and cathode ray tubes), laptops, printers, scanners, and associated wiring. E-waste has become a concern in the … Continue reading »
Posted on November 8, 2010 …
Marine Protected Areas: An Overview
Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/RL32154/ There continues to be congressional interest in limiting human activity in certain areas of the marine environment, as one response to mounting evidence of declining environmental quality and populations of living resources. The purposes of proposed additional limits would be both to stem declines and to permit the rehabilitation of these … Continue reading »
Prospects for Producing Low Carbon Transportation Fuels from Captured CO2 in a Climate Constrained World
Tom Kreutz, Princeton University http://tinyurl.com/3x5y3jm [Abstract] The climate implications of technologies that capture CO2 to produce transportation fuels (CCTF) are investigated by studying two examples: biodiesel from microalgae and Sandia National Laboratory’s S2P process. Simple performance and economic models for each technology are examined in the context of a bifurcated – “pre-CCS” vs. “post-CCS” – … Continue reading »
Changes in the Arctic : Background and Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service http://rfflibrary.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/changes-in-the-arctic-background-and-issues-for-congress/ First update since March 30, 2010 now available.
Pesticide Use and Water Quality: Are the Laws Complementary or in Conflict?
Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/RL32884/ This report provides background on the emerging conflict over interpretation and implementation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA). For the more than 30 years since they were enacted, there had been little apparent conflict between them. But their relationship has recently been … Continue reading »
Biomass Feedstocks for Biopower: Background and Selected Issues
Congressional Research Service / Kelsi Bracmort http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R41440_20101006.pdf [Summary] Biopower—a form of renewable energy—is the generation of electric power from biomass feedstocks. Biopower, which comprised about 1% of electricity generation in 2008, may reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide energy security, and promote economic development. A large range of feedstocks can be used, from woody and herbaceous … Continue reading »
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Overview and Issues
Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/R40155/2010-10-14/?25586 Federal policy has played a key role in the emergence of the U.S. biofuels industry. Policy measures include minimum renewable fuel usage requirements, blending and production tax credits, an import tariff, loans and loan guarantees, and research grants. This report focuses on the mandated minimum usage requirements—referred to as the Renewable … Continue reading »
