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The Obama administration's FY 2013 budget proposal emphasizes an "all of the above" energy strategy, prioritizing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and infrastructure. Key funding increases are directed toward the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, building technology research, and high-speed rail. The proposal also calls for the elimination of $4 billion in fossil fuel subsidies and a significant investment in surface transportation, funded by savings from reduced overseas military operations.

The briefing outlines the differences between the House bill (H.R. 7) and the Senate bill (S. 1813) regarding funding levels, revenue sources, and priorities for public transit and infrastructure. While the Senate bill is a bipartisan two-year compromise, the House bill is a more divisive five-year proposal that suggests funding infrastructure through oil drilling and pension contribution increases.

This fact sheet provides an overview of the techniques and technologies used in the development of shale gas and oil, specifically focusing on hydraulic fracturing.

The document distinguishes between dry gas (primarily methane) and wet gas (methane mixed with marketable higher hydrocarbons like ethane, propane, and butane). It identifies gaseous wastes including hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, methane, and carbon dioxide. It further details liquid wastes, specifically produced water, which can contain carcinogenic chemicals, salts, and naturally occurring radioactive elements such as radium and uranium, noting that many wastewater treatment plants lack the capacity to remove these radioactive chemicals to meet federal drinking water standards.

The document argues that while the industrial sector is the largest energy consumer in the U.S. and relies heavily on fossil fuels for heat, solar thermal technology remains largely unexploited. It details three temperature ranges for industrial heat—low (below 80C), medium (80C to 250C), and high (over 250C)—and explains that low and medium ranges are already commercially viable for industries such as food, beverage, and textiles. Key barriers to adoption include high upfront costs, the variability of solar output, and the need for effective energy storage and process integration. The report notes that global capacity is dominated by China and Europe, while the U.S. lacks large-scale incentives specifically for industrial solar heating. Case studies from Arizona, New York, and Germany demonstrate the feasibility of using flat plate, parabolic trough, and vacuum tube collectors for pre-heating, cooling, and production processes.

The document outlines the uncertain status of farm bill energy programs amid proposed spending cuts, the failure of the Regulatory Relief Act to delay EPA boiler rules, and conflicting House and Senate funding levels for Department of Energy bioenergy programs for 2012.

The document provides a glossary of terms for shale gas and oil resources. It distinguishes between undiscovered resources (believed to exist but not precisely located) and discovered resources. It further differentiates between technical recoverability (extractable using current technology) and economic recoverability (financially feasible based on market conditions). Finally, it categorizes reserves by certainty levels: proven (usually >90% certainty), probable, possible, and other (inferred or indicated) reserves.

A coalition of agricultural and environmental organizations argues that farm bill conservation programs should not face further cuts, noting they have already contributed over $2 billion in reductions since 2008 and face demand that far exceeds available funding.

The document argues that claims by Texas Governor Rick Perry and Luminant Generation Co. regarding the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) are misleading. It contends that the rule does not jeopardize grid reliability, as new capacity additions would offset coal plant closures and many plants already possess the necessary scrubbers. The briefing further asserts that Texas was properly notified of its inclusion in the sulfur dioxide (SO2) program and that the compliance deadline is March 2013, not January 2012. It concludes that the rule is necessary for public health, estimating that by 2014 it would reduce premature deaths by 13,000-34,000.

The report examines the role of US forests and forest products in mitigating climate change, emphasizing that a rational policy must look beyond simple sequestration to include the carbon storage and substitution benefits of harvested wood. It analyzes forest carbon stocks and flows, the impact of climate-driven disturbances like wildfire and pests, and the life-cycle carbon benefits of using wood instead of steel or concrete. The authors critique the high transaction costs and measurement uncertainties of project-based carbon offsets, suggesting alternative policies such as information disclosure and updated building codes to promote the use of sustainable forest products.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute explains the mechanics, energy sources, and benefits of district energy systems, which provide centralized heating and cooling to multiple buildings via underground pipe networks.

H.R. 2401, the 'Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011', seeks to create a multi-agency committee chaired by the Secretary of Commerce to assess the impacts of EPA regulations. The bill mandates analyses for the years 2016, 2020, and 2030, focusing on global competitiveness, electricity and fuel prices, employment, and power supply reliability. It specifically targets rules related to air quality, hazardous pollutants, and climate change, and proposes deferring the final action of certain EPA rules until after the committee's final report is submitted.

District energy systems provide centralized heating and cooling to multiple buildings via underground pipes, utilizing sources such as combined heat and power (CHP) plants, waste heat, and renewables. In the United States, over 700 such systems exist, offering benefits like reduced fuel consumption, lower peak electrical demand, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. While high upfront infrastructure costs can be a barrier, examples from universities and city centers demonstrate significant energy savings and carbon reductions.

The document details the early application of EPA greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations for stationary sources, focusing on the role of state regulators in issuing pre-construction permits. It describes the Best Available Control Technology (BACT) analysis process, the EPA's case-by-case guidance, and the specific three-year deferral of CO2 permitting for biogenic sources. Case studies from Louisiana, Utah, and Michigan illustrate varying levels of state compliance and interpretation of EPA guidelines, while noting ongoing legal and legislative challenges to the EPA's authority.

A coalition of energy and agricultural organizations argues that funding cuts proposed in H.R. 2112 would undermine U.S. domestic energy security and rural development. The letter specifically advocates for the restoration of funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), the Biorefinery Assistance Program, and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), asserting that these programs are essential for deploying renewable electricity, advanced biofuels, and energy efficiency in rural areas.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is implementing a wide range of energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. These initiatives aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower long-term costs, and enhance mission effectiveness by decreasing dependence on liquid fossil fuels. Key goals include achieving 'net-zero' energy for numerous installations by 2020 and 2030, increasing the use of alternative fuel blends for aviation and naval vessels, and deploying diverse renewable technologies—such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass—at domestic and overseas bases. The DoD's efforts are guided by internal strategies, a 2010 Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Energy, and federal mandates including Executive Orders 13423 and 13514.

The EPA is implementing a phased approach to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, starting with the largest industrial sources. Following a 2007 Supreme Court ruling and a 2009 Endangerment Finding, the EPA established permitting requirements for new or modified facilities emitting significant amounts of CO2e. These requirements include a Best Available Control Technology (BACT) analysis. The agency has also implemented a three-year deferral for biomass facilities and plans to establish New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for power plants and oil refineries by 2012.

The document examines the role of high-performance manufactured housing in providing sustainable, affordable housing in the U.S. It highlights the energy inefficiency of older mobile homes and proposes a shift toward an integrated design approach to lower operating costs and emissions. The brief outlines six key federal recommendations, including updating the HUD Code's energy standards and improving procurement specifications for disaster housing.

This executive summary from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute discusses the nature and scale of fossil fuel subsidies in the United States, distinguishing between direct spending and indirect tax expenditures, and calls for a re-examination of these policies in light of industry maturity and environmental externalities.

The document outlines job estimates for various green energy sectors in the U.S., distinguishing between direct, indirect, and induced employment. It provides specific figures for wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass industries, while noting the difficulty in quantifying energy efficiency jobs due to their integration into larger industries.