Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy Legislation

This book reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation introduced during the 110th Congress. Most action in the second session is focused on the FY2009 budget request, the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419), and the proposed Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act (H.R. 5351). DOE's FY2009 budget request seeks $1,256.1 million for DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) programs, compared to FY2008 appropriations of $1,722.4 million for EERE. H.R. 5351 is similar to H.R. 2776. It would extend or re-establish several tax incentives that would support renewable electricity production, biofuels production, transportation efficiency and conservation, buildings efficiency, and equipment efficiency. The bill proposes to offset the cost of those incentives primarily by reducing two subsidies for oil and natural gas production.

Increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy are the most important actions that can be taken to combat climate changes. As a result, the growth of clean energy will likely be one of the major economic engines of the coming decade.

This Handbook is written in response to needs expressed by developing countries for assistance in drafting legislative provisions for promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy, and particularly their environmental dimensions. It addresses the key environmental and implementation issues and presents legislative options for both developed and developing countries for dealing with them, including sample excerpts from legislation.--Publisher's description.

This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. Reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation introduced during the 109th Congress. Action in the second session has focused on appropriations bills; the first session focused on omnibus energy policy bill H.R. 6, H.R. 3, and several appropriations bills. Contents: (1) Intro.: Report Contents; Action in the 1st Session; Action in the 2nd Session; (2) Legislation: Public Laws; House Bills (with Senate Companions); House Bills Introduced after H.R. 6 Conference Report (July 27, 2005); Senate Bills (with House Companions); Senate Bills Introduced After H.R. 6 Conference Report (July 27, 2005); (3) Congressional Hearings, Reports, and Documents; 109th Congress: 1st Session, Second Session. CRS Reports. Illus.

A report on H.R. 2454, the Amer. Clean Energy and Security Act. The bill would amend the Clean Air Act to establish a cap-and-trade system designed to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83% below 2005 levels by 2050. The market-based approach would establish a cap on the emissions and would allow trading of emissions permits (¿allowances¿). The bill contains energy efficiency provisions that cover grants, standards, rebates and other programs for bldgs., lighting and commercial equip., water-using equip., wood stoves, industrial equip., and healthcare facilities. It contains provisions related to vehicles and fuels, incl. incentives to produce plug-in vehicles and other advanced technology vehicles. Illustrations.

Energy efficiency sounds good but so far the steps to reach it have been baby steps. This book deals with commercial and consumer product efficiency standards, new goals for energy efficiency and renewable energy in federal facilities and fleets, the Energy Star products program, reforming hydropower re-licensing, expanding programs for hydrogen fuel cell buses, and setting a renewable fuels standard for increased use of ethanol and bio-diesel. The energy facts are given and the policy is discussed.

As part of the mandate of the Academy, a significant topic of interregional research will be identified each year and the results presented at an annual meeting and published for wide dissemination. The research focus for 2003 is "The Law of Energy for Sustainable Development". As part of this effort, the Academy has assembled for the first time a volume of legal instruments which can be recognized as constituting the core of the law of energy for sustainable development. This volume will be an essential reference for all involved in environmental and energy research.