PUBLIC AFFAIRS - American Embassy
Sylvie VACHERET
Tel: 01 43 12 29 28
E Mail: vacheretsr@state.gov
GENERAL INTEREST
Annual Energy Outlook 2010 with Projections to 2035
Energy Information Administration – May 11, 2010 – 231 pages
http://www.eia.gov/oiaf/aeo/pdf/0383(2010).pdf
This report “presents long-term projections of energy supply, demand, and prices through 2035, based on results from EIA’s National Energy Modeling System (NEMS).” “In addition to considering alternative scenarios for oil prices, economic growth, and the uptake of more energy-efficient technologies, the AEO2010 includes cases that examine the impact of changes in selected policies, such as the extension of existing policies that are currently scheduled to sunset as well as the sensitivity of natural gas shale production to variations in drilling activity and the size of the resource base.”
U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions in 2009: A Retrospective Review
Environmental Protection Agency – May 5, 2010 – 15 pages
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/environment/emissions/carbon/pdf/2009_co2_analysis.pdf
“While emissions have declined in three out of the last four years, 2009 was exceptional. As discussed below, emissions developments in 2009 reflect a combination of factors, including some particular to the economic downturn, other special circumstances during the year, and other factors that may reflect persistent trends in our economy and our energy use.”
A Pivotal Industry: Energy’s Ups and Downs Drive Economies
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City – TEN magazine – Spring 2010 – 6 pages
http://www.kansascityfed.org/PUBLICAT/TEN/PDF/Spring2010/Pivotal_Industry.pdf
This article discusses the central role of the energy industry in some U.S. states and the effect of the recession on these industries.
Growing Challenges of Energy and Environment – Part I and II
Susan Froetschel - BP unleashed the oil spill disaster, but all Americans are complicit
Olivier Cattaneo -Taxing carbon at the border could be protectionism in disguise
YaleGlobal – June 22 and 24, 2010
http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/growing-challenges-energy-and-environment-part-i
http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/growing-challenges-energy-and-environment-part-ii
“Emerging economies have joined developed nations in the wild scramble for energy, all taking greater risks in drilling for oil and gas supplies while largely shrugging about effects on climate, the environment or public health. Nations and corporations go to great lengths to explore and drill, but repairs are not so easy, as seen with a broken well gushing oil into the Gulf of Mexico since April 20. This two-part series examines governments’ failure to end dangerous dependence on fossil fuels. The first article analyzes what the Gulf oil spill reveals about the intricate global connections and entrenched interests of the energy industry and the second article describes US and European proposals to impose tariffs on nations that lag in limiting carbon emissions.”
ENERGY POLICY
Toward a New National Energy Policy: Assessing the Options (1)
Resources for the Future – Study – July 2010
http://www.rff.org/toward-a-new-energy-policy
“This two-year study analyzes and appraises U.S. energy policy choices and provides policymakers with a wealth of valuable information for developing a coordinated national energy policy. Carried out by RFF and the National Energy Policy Institute with support from the George Kaiser Family Foundation, it assesses 35 different policies and policy combinations based on their societal costs and their ability to reduce oil consumption and CO2 emissions. Each is evaluated and ranked using a consistent and rigorous methodology, underpinned by an RFF version of the Energy Information Administration’s National Energy Modeling System.”
Toward a New National Energy Policy: Assessing the Options (2)
Resources for the Future – Event – June 23, 2010
http://www.rff.org/Events/Pages/Toward-a-New-National-Energy-Policy-Assessing-the-Options.aspx
“Among the many pressing issues facing Congress is the drive to create a new and comprehensive national energy policy, one that will make significant progress on addressing the twin challenges of energy security and climate change…. As the dialogue continues to unfold on Capitol Hill, how should policymakers choose among these different options and potential combinations of options?”
Promoting a Clean Energy Economy
U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee – Hearing - July 27, 2010
http://jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Hearings&ContentRecord_id=b41ac54d-53f8-42ae-94c3-eeb99a151905
The hearing focused on ways to promote innovation in clean energy technologies. In particular, this JEC hearing explored the critical role of federal investments in spurring energy innovation. Innovation in both the production and consumption of energy can achieve the dual goal of helping the US economy recover while preserving and promoting a cleaner environment. Witnesses include Dr. Michael Greenstone, an MIT professor specializing in estimating the costs and benefits of environmental quality and the consequences of government regulation; Mr. Anthony Malkin, a leader in existing building energy efficiency retrofits who is coordinating the Empire State Building project; and, Dr. E.G. (Skip) Ward, a specialist in ultra-deep water gas and petroleum exploration and development.
Policy Leadership Forum: The Road to a Low-Carbon Energy Future
Resources for the Future – Event – May 12, 2010
http://www.rff.org/Events/Pages/The-Road-to-a-Low-Carbon-Energy-Future.aspx
John W. Rowe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Exelon Corporation “discussed U.S. legislative and regulatory actions to address climate change, and why we must focus on economic approaches that will provide the country with cleaner, more secure energy while minimizing the costs to consumers and putting more people to work.”
Assessing the American Power Act: The Economic, Employment, Energy Security, and Environmental Impact of Senator Kerry and Senator Lieberman’s Discussion Draft
Peterson Institute for International Economics – May 2010 – 18 pages
http://www.piie.com/publications/pb/pb10-12.pdf
“The senators promised that if passed the bill will: (1) reduce US oil consumption and dependence on oil imports; (2) cut US carbon pollution 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and over 80 percent by 2050; and (3) create jobs and restore US global economic leadership. In this policy brief we evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed American Power Act in achieving those goals.”
Daniel J. Weiss
The “Energy-Only Bill” Mirage: Why an Energy Bill Could Fail Without Pollution Reduction Measures or Revenue
Center for American Progress – June 25, 2010
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/06/energy_mirage.html
“The time for Senate action on clean energy legislation is rapidly leaking away, yet some senators continue to advocate passage of an ‘energy-only’ bill that ignores comprehensive reductions in global warming pollution…. CAP analysis determined that the clean energy incentives and loan guarantees in these bills would cost $70 billion.”
Daniel J. Weiss and Susan Lyon
Senate Oil Savings' Greatest Hits: The Best Provisions to Cut Our Consumption
Center for American Progress – June 29, 2010
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/06/oilsavings_greatest_hits.html
“There are three primary ways to reduce oil use: make cars much more fuel efficient, launch cleaner alternative fuels such as electricity for cars and natural gas for trucks, and invest in public transportation. CAP evaluated the major oil savings proposals in senators’ bills that address all three of these needs and chose the provisions with the most oil savings in each category.”
Implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill Energy Title
House Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research – Hearing - June 9, 2010
http://agriculture.house.gov/testimony/111/h060910/CookCoppessBailey.pdf
Cheryl Cook, Deputy Under Secretary, Rural Development discuss successes and challenges of implementing Title IX, the Energy Title, of the 2008 Farm Bill.
Van Jones
Speaking of “Small People”: Will the Energy Bill Hurt or Help All Americans?
Center for American Progress – June 18, 2010
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/06/jones_small_people.html
“Overall, the present version of the American Power Act is quite promising. It does include some strong provisions to lower consumer costs and provide access to new clean energy jobs. But it lacks some fundamental provisions to truly scale up the clean energy economy, ensure that green jobs are good jobs, and put some green rungs on the ladder out of poverty.”
Power to the People: Renewable Energy for Underserved Communities
Santa Clara University – Event – April 22, 2010
http://www.scu.edu/sts/PublicEngagement/conferences/archives/20092010/powertothepeople.cfm#delio
Power to the People brought together social benefit entrepreneurs, investors, policy innovators, energy technologists, and community organizations to examine innovations in technology, business models, and public policy required to deliver cost-effective renewable energy solutions to the underserved both domestically and in the developing world.
STATE POLICIES
Energy Regulation in the States: A Wake-up Call
Institute for Energy Research – 191 pages
http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/pdf/statereport.pdf
Interactive map: http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/states/
“Some of the most contentious of these ongoing [energy regulation] battles are happening right now in state capitals across the country. This report analyzes many such policies and explains how state governments are increasing the price of energy and the price of using energy through additional regulations.”
Advancing Clean Energy: A Report on the Clean Energy States Grant Program
National Governor’s Association – April 2010 – 36 pages
http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/1004ADVANCINGCLEANENERGY.pdf
“Throughout the decade, states have launched initiatives to improve energy efficiency, promote alternative energy sources and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The report profiles the work of 12 states, which were selected for participation in the Clean Energy States Grant Program, as part of the Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative. The program provided states an opportunity to explore and expand new techniques for promoting clean energy, as well as develop and implement their own state programs.”
Araceli Ruano and Sean Pool
A California Campaign with Global Consequences: Proposition 23 Puts Clean Energy in Danger
Center for American Progress – July 15, 2010
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/07/prop23.html
“Texas oil companies have taken advantage of California’s quirky initiative system to place Proposition 23 on the ballot. This proposition has one purpose: to undo California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (also known as Assembly Bill 32, or ‘A.B. 32’), which stands as a landmark piece of bipartisan clean energy legislation and is a model for federal action.”
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Green Housing for the 21st Century: Retrofitting the Past and Building an Energy-Efficient Future
Senate Committee on Banking – June 30, 2010
http://banking.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=523fdfb6-9876-44a2-b69d-2f99e0e0ef9e
“I hope that this hearing will make clear that energy-efficient housing connects tackling climate change and reducing our dependence on foreign fossil fuels to cutting government outlays and trimming household budgets, to renovation, design, and construction jobs that can’t be exported. Despite this promise, energy efficient options in housing are not well understood by consumers, and homebuyers today often pass up green opportunities that are in their economic interest. Our challenge as legislators is to devise programs to inform consumers and jumpstart the green housing economy.”
RESEARCH
Sean Pool
How to Power the Energy Innovation Lifecycle: Better Policies Can Carry New Energy Sources to Market
Center for American Progress – June 2010 – 21 pages
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/06/pdf/energy_innovation.pdf
“We’ll first define the different stages of the innovation lifecycle, then describe the network of players engaged at each stage of the process. This ‘network lifecycle’ approach can help us better understand who does innovation, the processes that drive it, and the opportunities for public policy to aid it at various points in the process. As you’ll see, our innovation economy in the energy arena needs some key reforms to perform at its peak again.”
White House Innovation Conference: Summary Report
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation – May 7, 2010 – 21 pages
http://www.energyinnovationnetwork.org/en/Backpages/~/media/Files/WH_summary_report.ashx
“The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation co-convened a conference on Energy Innovation…. The conference was designed to bring together diverse stakeholders in a forum for discussion on how to leverage private- and public-sector investments and direct philanthropic support to accelerate innovation and job creation in the energy sector.”
James Duderstadt, Mark Muro, and Sarah Rahman
Hubs of Transformation: Leveraging the Great Lakes Research Complex for Energy Innovation
Brookings Institution – June 2010 – 8 pages
http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2010/0602_innovation_muro.aspx
“America needs to transform its energy system, and the Great Lakes region… possesses many of the needed innovation assets. For that reason, the federal government should leverage this troubled region’s research and engineering strengths by launching a region-wide network of collaborative, high-intensity energy research and innovation centers.”
TRANSPORTATION
The Recovery Act: Transforming America’s Transportation Sector – Batteries and Electric Vehicles
U.S. Department of Energy – July 14, 2010 – 8 pages
http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/Battery-and-Electric-Vehicle-Report-FINAL.pdf
“The Obama Administration is investing in a broad portfolio of advanced vehicle technologies…. Investments in batteries alone, for example, should help lower the cost of some electric car batteries by nearly 70 percent before the end of 2015. What’s more, thanks in part to these investments, U.S. factories will be able to produce batteries and components to support up to 500,000 electric-drive vehicles annually by 2015. Overall, these investments will create tens of thousands of American jobs.”
Policies to Reduce Oil Consumption Through the Promotion of Accelerated Deployment of Electric-Drive Vehicles, as Proposed in S. 3495, the Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2010
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources – Hearing – June 22, 2010
http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=40d7de7c-0bca-170d-d5e8-8e3b4ce8ba0b
Witnesses:
David Sandalow - Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy
Frederick Smith - Chairman, President, and CEO, FedEx Corporation
Kathryn Clay - Director of Research, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
Brian Wynne - President, Electric Drive Transportation Association
David Friedman - Research Director, Union of Concerned Scientists
Alan Crane - Senior Program Officer, National Research Council
ELECTRICITY
Smart Grid
Pew Center on Global Climate Change – Fact Sheet
http://www.pewclimate.org/technology/factsheet/SmartGrid
“The smart grid is a concept referring to the application of digital technology to the electric power sector to improve reliability, reduce cost, increase efficiency, and enable new components and applications.”
Smart Power: Climate Change, Smart Grid and the Future of Electric Utilities
Brookings Institution – Event – April 9, 2010 – 60 pages
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/events/2010/0409_electric_utilities/20100409_electric_utilities.pdf
On April 9, the Brookings Institution hosted Dr. Fox-Penner for a discussion of Smart Power. Following his presentation, a panel of experts shared their perspectives on the future of U.S. energy and climate policy and the importance of the development of the smart grid for meeting our energy goals. Senior Fellow Charles Ebinger, director of the Energy Security Initiative at Brookings, provided introductory remarks and moderated this discussion.
Smart Grid’s Future: Evaluating Policy Opportunities and Challenges After the Recovery Act
Brookings Institution – Event – July 14, 2010
http://www.brookings.edu/events/2010/0714_smart_grid.aspx
“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 earmarked $11 billion for smart grid technologies to modernize and enhance the nation’s electric transmission infrastructure. A year later, what are the most promising benefits for everyday citizens who gain access to the grid? What is the right policy path moving forward to realize the promise of the smart grid?”
Smart Grid Architecture and Standards: Assessing Coordination and Progress
House Committee on Science and Technology – Hearing – July 1, 2010
http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?NewsID=2866
“Today we will delve into the standards process in a little more detail, discuss the work that has been done, and see where things are headed. I am particularly interested in the witnesses’ views on the strength of this process thus far and when the witnesses think certification systems will be in place to bring more assurances that the technologies will work together as intended. I will also be interested in the progress of addressing privacy and security challenges posed by the smart grid and the level of international engagement that is necessary for the U.S. to continue its leadership in smart grid technologies.”
Real-Time Forecasting for Renewable Energy Development
House Committee on Science and Technology – Hearing – June 16, 2010
http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?NewsID=2857
“Right now, electric grid managers throughout the country are doing their best to integrate and balance several gigawatts of wind with baseload power options on an hour-by-hour and even minute-by-minute basis. To ensure a steady flow of electricity to their consumers, these managers rely on forecasts of power production…
Recent studies led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have shown that improving the accuracy and frequency of these forecasts can have a major impact on the economic viability of renewable energy resources.”
The Galvin Electricity Initiative
http://galvinpower.org/about-us/galvin-electricity-initiative
“The Galvin Electricity Initiative is leading a campaign to transform our nation's power system into one that truly meets our needs for reliable, efficient, clean electricity service. The imperfect quality of power service today robs thousands of dollars a year from each American household, and the transformation of service quality to twenty-first century digital standards is critical to resolving the serious economic and environmental threats facing our nation. The Initiative believes that these threats can only be resolved if we shift to a new industry paradigm that is consumer-centric and driven by entrepreneurial innovation and smart technology.”
NUCLEAR
Nuclear Energy Research and Development Roadmap
Department of Energy – Report to Congress – 60 pages
http://nuclear.gov/pdfFiles/NuclearEnergy_Roadmap_Final.pdf
“To achieve energy security and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction objectives, the United States must develop and deploy clean, affordable, domestic energy sources as quickly as possible. Nuclear power will continue to be a key component of a portfolio of technologies that meets our energy goals. This document provides a roadmap for the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) research, development, and demonstration activities that will ensure nuclear energy remains viable energy option for the United States.”
Charting the Course for American Nuclear Technology: Evaluating the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy Research and Development Roadmap
House Committee on Science and Technology – Hearing – May 19, 2010
http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?NewsID=2818
“I would like to welcome our expert panelists who will discuss and evaluate the four main objectives highlighted in the Roadmap and help us understand how innovation in nuclear energy can affect our national energy portfolio, our economic competitiveness, and our national security.”
OIL
OPEC Revenues Fact Sheet
Energy Information Administration – May 2010 – 3 pages
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/OPEC_Revenues/pdf.pdf
“Members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could earn $783 billion of net oil export revenues in 2010 and $846 billion in 2011. Last year, OPEC earned $573 billion in net oil export revenues, a 41 percent decrease from 2008. Saudi Arabia earned the largest share of these earnings, $154 billion, representing 27 percent of total OPEC revenues. On a per-capita basis, OPEC net oil export earnings reached $1,553 in 2009, a 42 percent decrease from 2008.”
Kristie M. Engemann and Michael T. Owyang
Unconventional Oil Production: Stuck in a Rock and a Hard Place
FRB St Louis – The Regional Economist – July 2010 – 2 pages
http://stlouisfed.org/publications/pub_assets/pdf/re/2010/c/oil.pdf
“Highly variable oil prices and increasing world demand for oil have led producers to look for alternative sources of transportation fuel. Two popular alternatives are oil sands (aka tar sands) and oil shale. However, obtaining usable oil from oil sands or oil shale is more capital-intensive and more expensive than obtaining oil from conventional reserves. At what price of oil do these alternatives become cost-effective?”
Nicolas D. Loris, Claude G. Berube, James Jay Carafano, Ben Lieberman, Jack Spencer, and Matt Mayer
Stopping the Slick, Saving the Environment: A Framework for Response, Recovery, and Resiliency
Heritage Foundation – June 15, 2010 – 17 pages
http://thf_media.s3.amazonaws.com/2010/pdf/SR0080.pdf
“While the federal government may lack the resources and expertise to stop the flowing oil at the site of the disaster, it has the authority and responsibility to play a more proactive and responsive role in mitigating and recovering from the effects of the disaster. After months of observing the federal response, however, it is clear that the response is inadequate.”
Curry L. Hagerty and Jonathan L. Ramseur
Deep Horizon Oil Spill: Selected Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress – Report - June 18, 2010 – 44 pages
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/143929.pdf
“On April 20, 2010, an explosion and fire occurred on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. This resulted in 11 worker fatalities, a massive oil release, and a national response effort in the Gulf of Mexico region by the federal and state governments as well as BP. Based on estimates from the Flow Rate Technical Group, which is led by the U.S. Geological Survey, the 2010 Gulf spill has become the largest oil spill in U.S. waters, eclipsing the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill several times over. The oil spill has damaged natural resources and has had regional economic impacts. In addition, questions have been raised as to whether the regulations and regulators of offshore oil exploration have kept pace with the increasingly complex technologies needed to explore and develop deeper waters.”
Legislation to Respond to the BP Oil Spill and to Prevent Future Oil Well Blowouts
House -Subcommittee on Energy and Environment – Hearing - June 30,2010
http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2055:hearing-on-legislation-to-respond-to-the-bp-oil-spill-and-to-prevent-future-oil-well-blowouts&catid=130:subcommittee-on-energy-and-the-environment&Itemid=71
The hearing focused on the discussion draft entitled the “Blowout Preventer Act of 2010” which was released on Friday, June 26, 2010.
Drilling Down on America’s Energy Future: Safety, Security, and Clean Energy
House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment – Hearing - June 15, 2010
http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2034:hearing-on-drilling-down-on-americas-energy-future-safety-security-and-clean-energy&catid=130:subcommittee-on-energy-and-the-environment&Itemid=71
“The top executives of the five largest oil companies will testify regarding the impacts of the nation’s dependence on oil, the safety of drilling operations and the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and actions to develop and promote the use of renewable and alternative energy sources that can reduce our overall dependence on oil.”
Deepwater Drilling Technology, Research, and Development
House Committee on Science and Technology – Hearing – June 23, 2010
http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?NewsID=2862
“Whether the moratorium on drilling activities in the Gulf is lifted in 30 days or 30 years, we must accept that the hydrocarbon reserves in these fields will be produced someday. And if not there, it will certainly be done somewhere else in the world. Our charge is to understand the technological advances and best practices to further ensure that drilling in the deepwater can be done with minimal risk to workers and the environment.”
Daniel J. Weiss
The High Costs of Offshore Drilling: Deepwater Horizon Underscores Need to Find Sustainable Energy Solutions
Center for American Progress – May 3, 2010
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/05/oil_costs.html
“The BP oil disaster will put additional upward pressure on oil prices that were already climbing as global demand for oil increases dramatically over the next two decades. The United States cannot produce its way out of the supply-demand gap. The most cost-effective, speedy way to reduce our oil dependence is not offshore drilling—it is reducing U.S. oil demand.”
Toni Johnson
U.S. Deepwater Drilling's Future
Council on Foreign Relations – May 25, 2010
http://www.cfr.org/publication/22204/us_deepwater_drillings_future.html#
“The Gulf of Mexico oil spill spotlights the growth of deepwater drilling and the challenges of balancing environmental regulation with efforts to expand U.S. domestic oil production.”
Stephen P. A. Brown
Some Implications of Tightening Regulation of U.S. Deepwater Drilling
Resources for the Future – June 2010 – 14 pages
http://www.rff.org/rff/documents/RFF-BCK-Brown-Regulations.pdf
“Can markets, the legal system, and current regulatory policy provide the proper incentives for producers (and consumers) to consider fully the possibility of oil spills and the risks that could ensue while drilling in deepwater offshore areas?”
Jonathon L. Ramseur
Oil Spills in U.S. Coastal Waters: Background, Governance, and Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service – April 30, 2010 – 38 pages
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33705_20100430.pdf
“This report reviews the history and trends of oil spills in the United States; identifies the legal authorities governing oil spill prevention, response, and cleanup; and examines the threats of future oil spills in U.S. coastal waters.”
Michael Greenstone
Liability and Financial Responsibility for Oil Spills Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and Related Statutes
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure – Testimony – June 9, 2010
http://www.brookings.edu/testimony/2010/0609_oil_spill_greenstone.aspx
“My primary argument here today is that the removal, or substantial increase, of the liability cap on economic damages from oil spills is the most effective way to align oil companies’ incentives with the American people’s interests…. [I]f the removal of a cap were to compromise energy security goals, it could be paired with economically sound polices that promote domestic production or reduce oil consumption without putting our environmental goals at risk. Such a pairing would allow us to achieve our energy security and environmental goals.”
GAS
Christopher Flavin and Saya Kitasei
The Role of Natural Gas in a Low-Carbon Energy Economy
Worldwatch Institute – April 2010 – 23 pages
http://www.worldwatch.org/files/pdf/Worldwatch%20Gas%20Paper%20April%202010.pdf
“The report provides an initiative designed to explore and communicate the potential of natural gas, renewable energy, and energy efficiency to work together to build a low-carbon economy. The project provides a forum to examine potential environmental, social, and political obstacles that must be addressed if natural gas is to accelerate, rather than delay, a low-carbon energy transformation.”
NUCLEAR
Nuclear Regulation in an Era of Growth and Change
Stanford University Energy Seminar – Event – May 18, 2010
http://energyseminar.stanford.edu/node/241
“Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko will discuss the simultaneous challenges of overseeing the existing fleet of reactors, managing in parallel multiple reactor design certification requests and multiple plant construction license requests, and overseeing the safety of and licensing an expansion of the nuclear fuel industry to support new plants, not to mention the storage of spent fuel.”
BIOFUELS – BIOGAS - BIOMASS
William T. Coyle
Next-Generation Biofuels: Near-Term Challenges and Implications for Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture – May 2010 – 26 pages
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/BIO0101/BIO0101.pdf
“In early 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency lowered the cellulosic biofuel mandate to 6.5 million gallons, more in line with production prospects. Even so, expansion of next-generation fuels will have to be rapid to meet subsequent annual mandates and the longer term goal of 16 billion gallons for cellulosic biofuel use by 2022. Near-term sector challenges include reducing high capital and production costs, acquiring financial resources for precommercial development, and developing new biomass supply arrangements, many of which will be with U.S. farmers.”
Using Biofuel Tax Credits to Achieve Energy and Environmental Policy Goals
Congressional Budget Office – July 2010
http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=11477
“The federal government supports the use of biofuels--transportation fuels produced mainly from renewable plant matter, such as corn--in the pursuit of national energy, environmental, and agricultural policy goals. Tax credits encourage the production and sale of biofuels in the United States, effectively lowering the private costs of producing biofuels, such as ethanol or biodiesel, relative to the costs of producing their substitutes--gasoline and diesel fuel. In addition, federal mandates require the use of specified minimum amounts and types of biofuel each year through 2022. Together, the credits and mandates increase domestic supplies of energy and reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases, albeit at a cost to taxpayers.”
A USDA Regional Roadmap to Meeting the Biofuels Goals of the Renewable Fuels Standard by 2022
USDA – Report – June 23, 2010 – 21 pages
http://www.usda.gov/documents/USDA_Biofuels_Report_6232010.pdf
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture is developing a comprehensive regional strategy to help recharge the rural American economy. The strategy targets barriers to the development of a successful biofuels market that will achieve, or surpass, the current U.S. Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS2)… USDA’s objectives for this report include: providing the practical knowledge from the field that can enhance various models for biofuel production, identify challenges and opportunities, and help develop solutions to this massive undertaking.”
AgSTAR Program
USDA – Website
http://www.epa.gov/agstar/
“The AgSTAR Program is a voluntary effort jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program encourages the use of methane recovery (biogas) technologies at the confined animal feeding operations that manage manure as liquids or slurries. These technologies reduce methane emissions while achieving other environmental benefits.”
Biomass 2010 Conference
U.S. Department of Energy – March 30-31, 2010
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/biomass2010/
“More than 600 attendees were able to discuss some of the most pressing issues in the biomass community as well as recent accomplishments and the challenges that lie ahead. We were able to focus on the role of biomass in our nation's energy portfolio and address important issues like technology innovation, biopower, rural development, and commercialization and feature a technical program that took a closer look at foundational science and applied R&D, feedstocks, hyrdrocarbon fuels, and sustainability.”
SOLAR AND WIND
Western Wind and Solar Integration Study
National Renewable Energy Laboratory – May 2010
http://www.nrel.gov/wind/systemsintegration/wwsis.html
This study assesses the operational impacts and economics of increased contributions from wind and solar energy producers on the power grid. It examines the benefits and challenges of integrating enough wind and solar energy capacity into the grid to produce 35 percent of its electricity by 2017. The study finds that this target is technically feasible and does not necessitate extensive additional infrastructure, but does require key changes to current operational practice.
Jenna Goodward
What’s Blocking the Sun?: Solar Photovoltaics for the U.S. Commercial Market
World Resources Institute – May 2010 – 26 pages
http://pdf.wri.org/working_papers/whats_blocking_the_sun.pdf
“This paper provides a snapshot of the current investment environment for solar PV in the United States from the commercial end user’s point of view…. Solar PV installations are concentrated in states with strong financial incentives and no regulatory barriers to distributed generation. Commercial investments have fared worse than the residential market during the economic downturn of the past two years. The policy landscape has improved since 2008, but multiple regulatory barriers remain at the state level and federal support is less certain after 2010…. An analysis of the hurdles remaining for solar PV finds that they are both economic and regulatory.”
Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, Thilo Hanemann, Lutz Weischer, and Matt Miller
Toward a Sunny Future? Global Integration in the Solar PV Industry
Peterson Institute for International Economics – May 2010 – 66 pages
http://piie.com/publications/wp/wp10-6.pdf
“This paper analyzes the global integration of the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector and looks in detail at the industry’s recent growth patterns, industry cost structure, trade and investment patterns, government support policies and employment generation potential…. Lowering existing trade barriers—by abolishing tariffs, reducing non-tariff barriers and harmonizing industry standards—would create a positive policy environment for further global integration.”
MISCELLANEOUS
Deborah Seligsohn and Kelly Levin
China’s Carbon Intensity Goal: A Guide for the Perplexed
World Resources Institute – China FAQs – April 20, 2010 – 7 pages
http://www.chinafaqs.org/files/chinainfo/ChinaFAQs_China's_Carbon_Intensity_Goal_A_Guide_for_the_Perplexed_0.pdf
“In late November 2009, China announced its intention to reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions within the Chinese economy by 40-45% by 2020, as compared with a 2005 baseline…. To enhance understanding of China’s commitment, we provide answers to the major questions related to the Chinese carbon intensity target below.”
Julian L. Wong
China’s Clean Energy Push: Evaluating the Implications for American Competitiveness
Center for American Progress – June 21, 2010
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/06/china_clean_energy_push.html
“Senior staff from the Center for American Progress brought a select group of Senate staffers to visit China in April to meet with policymakers, academics, and companies to better understand China’s clean energy economic development strategy. The visit provided convincing evidence to those involved that China has made large-scale investments in clean energy manufacturing and infrastructure, and that these signal China’s clear desire to lead the world in clean energy technology production, deployment, and eventually innovation.”
Country Analysis Briefs: Algeria
Energy Information Administration
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Algeria/pdf.pdf
“Algeria's hydrocarbons sector accounted for 60 percent of its budget revenues, nearly 30 percent of its GDP, and over 97 percent of its export earnings in 2008, according to the U.S. State Department. Algeria was the sixth largest natural gas producer in the world in 2008 after Russia, the United States, Canada, Iran, and Norway. Algeria produced 3.05 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in 2008, of which 69 percent was exported and 31 percent was consumed domestically.”
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