CRS Report Reviews Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy Legislation
RL33831
- AuthorsSissine, Fred
- Institutional AuthorsCongressional Research Service
- Code Sections
- Subject Area/Tax Topics
- Jurisdictions
- LanguageEnglish
- Tax Analysts Document NumberDoc 2007-2343
- Tax Analysts Electronic Citation2007 TNT 20-28
Order Code RL33831
January 25, 2007
Fred Sissine
Specialist in Energy Policy
Resources, Science, and Industry Division
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation
in the 110th Congress
Summary
This report reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation introduced during the 110th Congress. Action has focused on the CLEAN Energy Act (H.R. 6), which passed the House on January 18. The bill proposes to use revenue from certain oil and natural gas policy revisions to create a Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewables Reserve aimed at reducing foreign oil dependence and serving other purposes. The actual uses of the Reserve would be determined by ensuing legislation that would attempt to draw down its financial resources.
The 109th Congress did not complete action on appropriations for FY2007. Federal agencies are currently operating on funding provided by continuing resolution (P.L. 109-383, H.J.Res. 102), which will expire on February 15, 2007. To avoid a shutdown of activities after that date, the 110th Congress would have to pass legislation that would fund these programs through the end of the fiscal year. This legislation could take the form of another continuing resolution or an omnibus appropriations bill.
More than 40 bills on energy efficiency and renewable energy have been introduced so far. About half of these bills are focused on renewable fuels and about one-third would provide a tax incentive for investment, energy production, fuel use, or fuel reduction.
For each bill listed in this report, a brief description and a summary of action are given, including references to committee hearings and reports. Also, a selected list of CRS documents on energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation in the 109th Congress is included. This report will be updated periodically.
Contents
Introduction
Report Contents
CLEAN Energy Act (H.R. 6)
FY2007 Appropriations
Legislation
House Bills (with Senate Companions)
Senate Bills (with House Companions)
Congressional Hearings, Reports, and Documents
CRS Reports
List of Tables
Table 1. Action on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Legislation, 110th Congress
Table 2. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bills by Topic,
110th Congress
Legislation in the 110th Congress
Introduction
Report Contents
This report summarizes action on more than 40 energy efficiency and renewable energy bills introduced during the 110th Congress.1 These bills cover a wide range of policy and issue areas that include appropriations, authorizations, budget, research and development (R&D), grants, loans, financing, regulation (including a renewable fuel standard), tax incentives, goals, plans, impacts, and the environment/climate change. Most of these bills have focused on grants and tax incentives. The bills also cover a range of sectors that include buildings, defense, education, federal lands/energy management, farms, American Indians, and international activities. Thus far, the sector of international activities has generated the greatest number of bills. Table 2 groups the bills by topic.
The bills can also be categorized by type of renewable resource, type of energy efficiency measure, and technology. They cover a broad range of energy efficiency measures and technologies, including distributed generation, net metering, equipment and appliance standards, fuel economy standards, and transportation efficiency. Most of these bills address transportation and fuel economy. These bills also cover a broad range of renewable energy resources and technologies, including alcohol fuels, biofuels, biodiesel, biopower, biomass, geothermal, hydrogen, hydropower, solar, and wind. So far, the fuels area has generated the greatest number of bills.
For each bill listed in this report, a brief description and a summary of action are given, including references to committee hearings and reports.
CLEAN Energy Act (H.R. 6)
On January 18, 2007, the House passed H.R. 6 by a vote of 264-163. The bill proposes to use revenue from certain oil and natural gas policy revisions to create an Energy Efficiency and Renewables Reserve aimed at reducing foreign oil dependence and serving other purposes.2 The actual uses of the Reserve would be determined by ensuing legislation that would attempt to draw down its financial resources.
In House floor debate on H.R. 6, opponents argued that the reduction in oil and natural gas incentives would dampen production, cause job losses, and lead to higher prices for gasoline and other fuels. Opponents also complained that the proposal for the Reserve does not identify specific policies and programs that would receive funding. Proponents of the bill counter-argued that record profits show that the oil and natural gas incentives were not needed. They also contended that the Reserve could be used to support a variety of R&D, deployment, and tax incentives for renewable fuels, and that the specifics would evolve as legislative proposals come forth for using resources from the Reserve.3FY2007 Appropriations The Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Agriculture (USDA) receive annual appropriations for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.4 The appropriations process for FY2007 was not completed during the 109th Congress, which provided funding only by continuing resolution (P.L. 109-383, H.J.Res. 102) through February 15, 2007. In order to avoid a shutdown of activities after that date, the 110th Congress would have to pass legislation that would fund these programs through the end of the fiscal year. This legislation could take the form of either another continuing resolution or an omnibus appropriations bill.
Table 1. Action on Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy Legislation, 110th Congress
Bill Category Action Date
H.R. 6 CLEAN Energy Act Passed House 1/18/2007
H.J.Res. 102
(109th Cong.) Continuing Appropriations P.L. 109-383 12/9/2006
Table 2. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bills
by Topic, 110th Congress
I. Policy and Issue Areas
Appropriations. H.R. 6
Authorizations. H.R. 121
Budget. H.Res. 6, H.R. 6
Research and Development. H.R. 80, H.R. 364, H.R. 395, H.R.
547, S. 167
Grants. H.R. 84, H.R. 85, H.R. 182, H.R. 395, H.R. 570/S. 331,
S. 167
Loans/Financing. H.R. 80
Renewable Fuel Standard. H.R. 349, H.R. 635, H.R. 517, S. 23
Tax Incentive for Investment. H.R. 76, H.R. 86, H.R. 550, S.
23, S. 339
Tax Incentive for Energy Production. H.R. 197, H.R. 517, H.R.
683
Tax Incentive for Fuel Use. H.R. 395, S. 23, S. 162
Tax Incentive for Fuel Reduction. H.R. 139
Goals/Plans/Impact Information. H.R. 121, H.R. 157, S. 129, S.
339
Environment/Climate Change. H.R. 620, S.Res. 30, S. 6, S. 280
II. Sectors
Buildings. H.R. 84, H.R. 121
Defense/Security. H.R. 559, S. 6, S. 23, S. 133/H.R. 670
Federal Lands/Energy Management. H.R. 277, S. 146
Farms/American Indians. H.R. 80, H.Con.Res. 25/ S.Con.Res. 3
International/Trade. H.Res. 12, H.R. 196, S.Res. 30, S. 193
III. Energy Efficiency Measures and Technologies
Distributed Generation/Net Metering/Electric Power. H.R. 550
Equipment/Lighting/Appliances. S. 129
Fuel Economy. H.R. 570/S. 331, H.R. 656, S. 183, S. 339
Transportation. H.R. 139, H.R. 157, H.R. 498, S. 146
IV. Renewable Energy Resources and Technologies
Alcohol Fuels/Biofuels/Biodiesel. H.Con.Res. 3, H.R. 76, H.R.
86, H.R. 182, H.R. 196, H.R. 277, H.R. 349, H.R. 395, H.R. 517, H.R.
547, H.R. 559, H.R. 570/S. 331, H.R. 635, H.R. 682, S. 23, S.
133/H.R. 670, S. 162, S. 167, S. 339
Biopower/Biomass. H.R. 197, H.R. 517, H.R. 683
Geothermal. H.R. 197
Hydrogen. H.R. 498
Hydropower. H.R. 197, H.R. 632
Solar. H.R. 197
Wind. H.R. 197, H.R. 517
House Bills (with Senate Companions)
The sense of the Congress would be expressed that it is the goal of the United States that, not later than January 1, 2025, the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United States should provide from renewable resources not less than 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber. House bill introduced January 10, 2007; referred to Committees on Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources. Senate bill introduced January 17, 2006; referred to Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
H.Res. 12 (Bartlett)
The sense of the House of Representatives would be expressed that the United States (1) must move rapidly to increase the productivity with which it uses fossil fuel, and to accelerate the transition to renewable fuels and a sustainable, clean energy economy; and (2) should establish, in collaboration with other international allies, an energy project with the magnitude, creativity, and sense of urgency of the "Man on the Moon" project to develop a comprehensive plan to address the challenges presented by Peak Oil (the peak in the world's oil production believed by some petroleum experts likely to occur in the next decade). Introduced January 4, 2006; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 6 (Rahall)
CLEAN Energy Act of 2007. Certain tax and royalty policies for oil and natural gas would be revised, and the resulting revenue would be used to support a reserve for new energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. The bill is one part of the "100 hours" initiatives put forward by the Democratic Leadership of the House. Introduced January 12, 2007; referred to Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Budget, and Rules. Brought to the House Floor and passed House (264-163) January 18.
H.R. 76 (Bartlett)
For the alternative motor vehicle tax credit available to consumers, the number of eligible vehicles sold for use in the United States that would trigger the credit phase-out period would increase from 60,000 to 250,000. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
H.R. 80 (Bartlett)
R&D, demonstration, and commercial application activities would be required to enable the development of farms that are net producers of both food and energy. DOE would be directed to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to (1) develop recommendations for evaluation measures and criteria for programs under this Act; and (2) evaluate the feasibility of prize and best practices award programs as tools to promote self-powered farms. Further, it would direct DOE to (1) establish an award program for up to 30 state agricultural research programs for self-powered farm demonstrations; (2) provide low-cost revolving loans 5 and loan guarantees to eligible entities for the commercial application of energy or other technologies that will contribute to establishing self-powered farms, with highest preference given to applicants who propose to meet their energy needs from bio-based feed-stocks or other renewable energy sources produced on that farm; and (3) enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a review of the programs under this Act. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committees on Science and Technology and on Agriculture.
H.R. 84 (Biggert)
Energy Efficient Buildings Act of 2007. Directs DOE to (1) establish a pilot program to award grants to businesses and organizations for new construction or major renovations of energy efficient buildings that will result in innovative energy efficiency technologies, especially those sponsored by DOE; and (2) give due consideration to proposals for buildings that are likely to serve low and moderate income populations. Defines "energy efficient building" as one that, after construction or renovation, (1) uses heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems that perform at no less than Energy Star standards; or (2) if Energy Star standards are not applicable, uses Federal Energy Management Program recommended heating, ventilating, and air conditioning products. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Science and Technology.
H.R. 85 (Biggert)
Energy Technology Transfer Act. Directs DOE to award grants for a five-year period to nonprofit institutions, state and local governments, cooperative extension services, or universities (or consortia thereof) to establish a geographically dispersed network of Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers, located in areas DOE determines have the greatest need of their services. Requires DOE to give priority to applicants already operating or partnered with an outreach program capable of transferring such knowledge and information about advanced energy efficiency methods and technologies. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Science and Technology.
H.R. 86 (Biggert)
Oil and Gas-to-Alternatives Swap (OGAS) Act of 2007. Certain fossil energy tax incentives would be repealed and the limitation on the number of new qualified hybrid and advanced lean-burn technology vehicles eligible for the tax credit for alternative motor vehicles would be repealed. Also, the bill would extend through 2012 the alternative motor vehicles tax credit for (1) advanced lean burn technology motor vehicles; (2) qualified hybrid motor vehicles; and (3) qualified alternative fuel vehicles. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
H.R. 121 (Doyle)
High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007. Title I would establish a federal office of green buildings in the General Services Administration (GSA) to coordinate efforts in federal agencies. This activities of this office would include outreach to federal agencies, review related R&D findings, and develop guidance for life-cycle costing and contracting. Section 107 would authorize $4 million for Title I activities. Title II would identify incentives and procurement practices to promote federal use of green building activities. Section 203 directs GAO to audit the performance of this Act's provisions and report to Congress. Title III directs GSA to conduct an annual demonstration project from 2009 through 2014 and authorizes a total of $10 million for those projects, and it calls for annual demonstration projects at universities with an additional $10 million authorization. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 139 (Granger)
Idling Reduction Tax Credit Act of 2007. A business tax credit of 25% of the cost of a qualifying idling reduction device, up to $1,000, would be created. Defines "qualifying idling reduction device" as any device that is (1) installed on a heavy-duty diesel- powered on-highway vehicle to provide services that would otherwise require the operation of the main drive engine while the vehicle is temporarily parked or stationary; and (2) certified by DOE to reduce long-duration idling. Directs DOE to publish standards for certifying such devices. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
H.R. 157 (Holt)
Fuel Savings, Smarter Travel, and Efficient Roadways Act. Directs DOE to study and report to Congress on the potential fuel savings from intelligent transportation systems that help businesses and consumers plan travel and avoid delays. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 182 (Lofgren)
To Encourage Alternatively-fueled vehicle Manufacturing up for Energy Independence Act of 2007; also referred to as the "TEAM up for Energy Independence Act." An excise tax on non-alternative-fueled vehicles and gas-guzzler vehicles would be established. The revenue would be used to establish a trust fund at the Department of the Treasury. DOE would be directed to use the trust fund to make grants to fueling stations owned by entities which own or control 10 or fewer such businesses for alternative fuel refueling infrastructure projects, including new dispensing facilities and additional equipment or upgrades and improvements to existing refueling sites for alternative fuel vehicles. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 196 (Pomeroy)
Renewable Fuels and Energy Independence Promotion Act of 2007. Section 2 would make permanent certain tax incentives for biodiesel and alcohol fuels. Section 3 would modify the ethanol import duty. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
H.R. 197 (Pomeroy)
Extends the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) for five years, from the end of 2008 through the end of 2013. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
H.R. 277 (Cleaver)
Congress Leads by Example through Alt-fuel Resources (CLEAR) Act. Would prohibit Members of the House from using any portion of their representational allowance to provide any individual with a vehicle, including providing an individual with a vehicle under a long-term lease, which is not an alternative fuel vehicle. Introduced January 5, 2007; referred to Committee on House Administration.
H.R. 349 (Kline)
10 by 10 Act. Would require that motor fuels have a minimum renewable fuels content of 10% by the beginning of 2010. Introduced January 9, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 364 (Gordon)
An Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) would be established at DOE. Its goal would be to reduce the energy imports from foreign sources by 20% over the next 10 years. Introduced January 10, 2007; referred to Committee on Science and Technology.
H.R. 395 (Salazar)
Cellulosic Ethanol Development and Implementation Act of 2007. DOE would be required to provide grants to eligible entities to carry out R&D and demonstration projects on cellulosic ethanol and construct infrastructure that enables retail gas stations to dispense cellulosic ethanol for vehicle fuel to reduce the consumption of petroleum fuels. Introduced January 10, 2007; referred to Committees on Energy and Commerce and Science and Technology.
H.R. 498 (Wynn)
Energy Policy Reinvestment Act of 2007. Section 2 would repeal certain oil and natural gas tax subsidies and Section 3 would direct that the resulting revenue be used to support certain DOE hydrogen and fuel cell technology programs. Introduced January 16, 2007; referred to Committees on Ways and Means, Science and Technology, Oversight and Government Reform, and Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 517 (J. Davis)
Independence from Oil with Agriculture Act of 2007. Section 2 would extend certain tax credits for alcohol and biodiesel fuels and fuel mixtures. Section 3 would make permanent the renewable energy electricity production tax credit (PTC) for wind, open-loop biomass, and closed-loop biomass. Section 4 would make permanent the tax credit for clean fuel vehicle refueling property. Section 5 would increase the renewable fuel standard (RFS) set by EPACT from 7.5 billion gallons to 12.0 billion gallons in 2012. Introduced January 17, 2007; referred to Committees on Ways and Means and on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 547 (Gordon)
Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act. Section 3 would direct DOE, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of materials to be added to alternative biobased fuels to make them more compatible with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels to the point of final sale. Introduced January 18, 2007; referred to Committee on Science and Technology.
H.R. 550 (McNulty)
Securing America's Energy Independence Act of 2007. The investment tax credit for solar energy property and qualified fuel cell property would be extended for nine years, from the end of 2008 to the end of 2017. Introduced January 18, 2007; referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
H.R. 559 (Delahunt)/S. 23 (Harkin)
Biofuels Security Act of 2007. Section 101 would modify the EPACT (§ 1501) requirement that renewable fuel content reach 7.5 billion gallons in 2012, accelerating the requirement to 10 billion gallons by 2010 and then rising to 30 billion gallons by 2020 and 60 billion gallons by 2030. Other provisions would require E85 pumps at branded gasoline stations (§ 102), increased use of alternative fuels in the federal fleet (§ 103), increased manufacturers percentage of dual-fueled vehicles (§ 201), and increased manufacturers incentives for dual-fueled vehicles (§ 202). House bill introduced January 18, 2007; referred to Committees on Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Judiciary. Senate bill introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
H.R. 570 (Rogers)/S. 331 (Thune)
Moneys collected from violations of the corporate average fuel economy (CAFÉ) program would be placed in an Energy Security Fund to provide grants that support infrastructure needed to increase the availability of alternative fuels. House bill introduced January 18, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce. Senate bill introduced January 18; referred to Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
H.R. 620 (Olver)
A national market-driven system of tradeable allowances would be established to curb greenhouse gas emissions, reduce foreign oil dependence, and ensure benefits to consumers. Introduced January 22, 2007; referred to Committees on Energy and Commerce, Science and Technology, and Natural Resources.
H.R. 632 (Lipinski)/S. 365 (Graham)
H-Prize Act of 2007. DOE would be authorized to establish monetary prizes for achievements in overcoming scientific and technical barriers associated with hydrogen energy. House bill introduced January 23, 2007; referred to Committee on Science and Technology. Senate bill introduced January 23, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
H.R. 635 (Upton)
After the year 2012, all gasoline sold to consumers in the United States for motor vehicles would be required to contain at least 10% renewable fuel. Introduced January 23, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 656 (Reichert)
Higher standards of automobile fuel efficiency would be required, with the goal of reducing the amount of oil used for automobile fuel by 10% starting in 2017. Introduced January 24, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 670 (Engel)/S. 133 (Obama)
American Fuels Act of 2007. The use of alternative fuels and new technology would be promoted to reduce oil dependence and improve national security and economic stability. House bill introduced January 24, 2007; referred to Committees on Energy and Commerce, Science and Technology, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Oversight and Government Reform. Senate bill introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Finance.
H.R. 682 (Kaptur)
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve would be expanded to include alternative fuels. Introduced January 24, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 683 (R. Lewis)
Biomass tax incentives would be promoted as a way to support energy independence. Introduced January 24, 2007; referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
Senate Bills (with House Companions)
The sense of the Congress would be expressed that it is the goal of the United States that, not later than January 1, 2025, the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United States should provide from renewable resources not less than 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber. Senate bill introduced January 17, 2006; referred to Committee on Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. House bill introduced January 10, 2007; referred to Committees on Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources.
S.Res. 30 (Biden)
The sense of the Senate would be expressed that the United States should return to international negotiations on climate change and take a leadership role in those negotiations. The resolution would recognize that there are security and economic benefits from reducing greenhouse gas emissions and from markets for new, climate-friendly technologies. Introduced January 16, 2006; referred to Committee on Foreign Relations.
S. 6 (Reid)
National Energy and Environmental Security Act of 2007. Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress should enact, and the President should sign, legislation to enhance the security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming by requiring greenhouse gas reductions and supporting environmentally friendly technologies. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Finance.
S. 23 (Harkin)/H.R. 559 (Delahunt)
Biofuels Security Act of 2007. Section 101 would modify the EPACT (§ 1501) requirement that renewable fuel content reach 7.5 billion gallons in 2012, accelerating the requirement to 10 billion gallons by 2010 and then rising to 30 billion gallons by 2020 and 60 billion gallons by 2030. Other provisions would require E85 pumps at branded gasoline stations (§ 102), increased use of alternative fuels in the federal fleet (§ 103), increased manufacturers percentage of dual-fueled vehicles (§ 201), and increased manufacturers incentives for dual-fueled vehicles (§ 202). Senate bill introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. House bill introduced January 18, 2007; referred to Committees on Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Judiciary.
S. 129 (Allard)
Energy-Efficient Computer Servers Study. Section 1 would direct EPA to study and report to Congress on the growth in energy use by computer servers. Section 2 would express the sense of the Senate that it is in the best interest of the United States for purchasers of computer servers to give high priority to energy efficiency as a factor in determining best value and performance. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S. 133 (Obama)/H.R. 670 (Engel)
American Fuels Act of 2007. The use of alternative fuels and new technology would be promoted to reduce oil dependence and improve national security and economic stability. Senate bill introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Finance. House bill introduced January 24, 2007; referred to Committees on Energy and Commerce, Science and Technology, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Oversight and Government Reform.
S. 146 (Boxer)
Government Fleet Fuel Economy Act of 2007. The federal government would be required to purchase and lease fuel efficient automobiles. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
S. 162 (Lugar)
National Fuels Initiative. Section 102 would modify and extend the alcohol fuel and alternative fuel tax credits. Section 103 would require major oil companies to phase-in the installation of E85 fuel pumps at gasoline stations, reaching 100% by 2017. Section 104 would require manufacturers to increase the share of dual fueled automobiles to 100% by 2017. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Finance.
S. 167 (Boxer)
Cellulosic Ethanol Development and Implementation Act of 2007. DOE would be required to provide grants to eligible entities to carry out research, development, and demonstration projects on cellulosic ethanol and construct infrastructure that enables retail gas stations to dispense cellulosic ethanol for vehicle fuel to reduce the consumption of petroleum-based fuel. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 183 (Stevens)
Improved Passenger Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2007. The corporate average fuel economy (CAFÉ) standard for passenger automobiles would be increased to 40 miles per gallon by 2017. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
S. 193 (Lugar)
Cooperation on energy issues between the U.S. government and foreign governments and other entities would be increased, as a way to help secure the strategic and economic interests of the United States. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Foreign Relations.
S. 280 (Lieberman)
A program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions would be established through a market-driven system of tradeable allowances and support for the deployment of new climate change-related technologies. Introduced January 12, 2007; referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 331 (Thune)/H.R. 570 (Rogers)
Moneys collected from violations of the corporate average fuel economy (CAFÉ) program would be placed in an Energy Security Fund to provide grants that support infrastructure needed to increase the availability of alternative fuels. Senate bill introduced January 18, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. House bill introduced January 18; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
S. 339 (Bayh)
DRIVE Act. The national security and stability of the United States economy would be promoted by reducing oil dependence through the use of alternative fuels and new technology. Title I would establish a national oil savings target and action plan; Title II would set policies for improving the fuel efficiency of vehicles; and Title III would set policies for renewable energy and alternative fuels. Introduced January 18, 2007; referred to Committee on Finance.
S. 365 (Graham)/H.R. 632 (Lipinski)
H-Prize Act of 2007. DOE would be authorized to establish monetary prizes for achievements in overcoming scientific and technical barriers associated with hydrogen energy. Senate bill introduced January 23, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. House bill introduced January 23, 2007; referred to Committee on Science and Technology.
Congressional Hearings, Reports, and Documents
CRS Reports
CRS Report RL32860, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation in the 109th Congress, by Fred Sissine.
CRS Report RL33588, Renewable Energy Policy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Regulatory Issues, by Fred Sissine.
CRS Report RL33599, Energy Efficiency Policy: Budget, Electricity Conservation, and Fuel Conservation Issues, by Fred Sissine.
CRS Report RL33294, DOE Budget Earmarks: A Selective Look at Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy R&D Programs, by Fred Sissine.
CRS Report RL33302, Energy Policy Act of 2005: Summary and Analysis of Enacted Provisions, by Mark Holt and Carol Glover.
FOOTNOTES
1 This report is intended to complement and support CRS Report RL33599, Energy Efficiency Policy: Budget, Electricity Conservation, and Fuel Conservation Issues, and CRS Report RL33588, Renewable Energy Policy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Regulatory Issues, both by Fred Sissine.
2 For more details about the Reserve, see CRS Report RS22571, The Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewables Reserve in the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 (H.R. 6), by Fred Sissine.
3Congressional Record, Jan. 18, 2007, p. H688 through H729.
4 Several other agencies receive less regular appropriations for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects and activities. These agencies have included Department of State, Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Transportation, and Architect of the Capitol.
END OF FOOTNOTES
- AuthorsSissine, Fred
- Institutional AuthorsCongressional Research Service
- Code Sections
- Subject Area/Tax Topics
- Jurisdictions
- LanguageEnglish
- Tax Analysts Document NumberDoc 2007-2343
- Tax Analysts Electronic Citation2007 TNT 20-28