US ENERGY 2007

ENERGY

Ending Oil Dependence

The Brookings Institute – Position Paper and Fact Sheet – March 2007

http://www.opportunity08.org/Issues/OurWorld/32/r1/Default.aspx

“Oil use continues to climb in the United States and around the world, creating national security, environmental and economic problems. Yet new technologies and an emerging political consensus bring solutions within reach. David Sandalow present options for ending the United States’ oil dependence.”

First in a Series of Hearings on Energy and Tax Policy

House Committee on Ways and Means – Hearing - February 28, 2007

http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=529

“In announcing the hearing, Chairman Rangel said, “Climate change and global warming will have a tremendous impact on the quality of life here in America and around the world. The Federal government needs a better understanding of what contributes to global warming so that we may play a significant role in preventing further damage.” This hearing will focus on a scientific discussion of the factors contributing to global warming and the effects of such changes on climate changes.”

Challenges Remain for Developing and Deploying Advanced Energy Technologies to Meet Future Needs

Jim Wells House Committee on Appropriations, GAO-07-550T – February 28, 2007 – 15 pages

http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-550T

This report “examined the (1) R&D funding trends and strategies for developing advanced energy technologies; (2) key barriers to developing and deploying advanced energy technologies; and (3) efforts of the states and six selected countries to develop and deploy advanced energy technologies. GAO reviewed DOE R&D budget data and strategic plans and obtained the views of experts in DOE, industry, and academia, as well as state and foreign government officials.”

Advanced Energy Technologies

Senate – Committee on Energy and Natural Resources – Hearing – March 7, 2007

http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=1612

“The purpose of the hearing is to investigate market constraints on large investments in advanced energy technologies and investigate ways to stimulate additional private-sector investment in the deployment of these technologies.”

Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings in the U.S.: Reducing Dependence on Oil

Linda BaileyICF International for the American Public Transportation Association - January 2007 – 35 pages

http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/documents/apta_public_transportation_fuel_savings_final_010807.pdf

This analysis looks at what public transportation could save in gasoline consumption both individually and nationally, and it explores the possible future benefits of more Americans using public transportation. The study found that public transportation usage reduces gasoline consumption by 1.4 billion gallons each year--based on current public transportation usage. It also found that this savings amounts to 108 million fewer cars on the road; 34 fewer supertankers leaving the Middle East; over 140,000 fewer tanker trucks making deliveries; and a cumulative saving of 3.9 million gallons of gas each day.

California’s Electricity Market: A Post-Crisis Progress Report

Carl Pechman Public Policy Institute of California – Report - January 2007 - 21 pages

http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/cep/EP_107CPEP.pdf

“California's electric power crisis of 2000-2001 raised the blood pressure of millions of state residents. It also pushed a major utility into bankruptcy, and cost the state billions of dollars in lost productivity and expensive spot-market power. Most experts point the blame at the flawed way California deregulated its electric power markets in the late 1990s. This issue of CEP provides a progress report on the problems and successes of the state's post-crisis re-regulation strategies. These seek to balance consumer costs, environmental protection, and competition in the power marketplace.”

The Ethanol Mandate Should Not Be Expanded

Ben LiebermanThe Heritage Foundation - Backgrounder #2020 - M arch 28, 2007

http://www.heritage.org/Research/EnergyandEnvironment/bg2020.cfm


“The new ethanol mandate is perhaps the most dis­appointing program in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Since taking effect in 2006, this measure has increased energy and food prices while doing little to reduce oil imports or improve the environment.”