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Lugar Practical Energy and Climate Plan

Author(s): OurEnergyPolicy.org

Date: October 20, 2011 at 5:10 PM

Note: Synopsis from Senator Lugar’s office.  June 9, 2010—U.S. Senator Dick Lugar’s Practical Energy and Climate Plan, S.3464, prioritizes targeted policies that can bring real money and energy savings while providing flexible frameworks that encourage investment in a more secure energy future. Title I. Reducing Foreign Oil Dependence Vehicle efficiency standards for passenger vehicles (Sec 101). Currently, fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars and trucks do not increase unless Congress or the Administration acts. This expectation will be reversed, providing long-term, predictable increases with annual 4% target CAFE improvements that are cost effective. Vehicle efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty… [more]

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Key provisions of the draft U.S. Senate bill the American Power Act

Author(s): OurEnergyPolicy.org

Date: at 5:09 PM

Note: Synopsis based on Our Energy Policy Foundation staff review of Congressional committee and office summaries, third party analyses, and media summaries. Synopsis intended solely for purposes of generating discussion. Greenhouse Gas Reductions Would require certain industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels along the following timeline: 4.75% by 2013, 17% by 2020, 42% by 2030, and 83% by 2050. Would institute a cap-and-trade mechanism for greenhouse gas reductions. The cap would include electricity generators, petroleum-based fuel producers, natural gas distributors, producers of certain fluorinated gases, and other sources. Requirements would take effect in 2013 for electricity generators… [more]

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Key provisions of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act

Author(s): OurEnergyPolicy.org

Date: at 5:08 PM

Note: Synopsis based on Our Energy Policy Foundation staff review of Congressional committee and office summaries, third party analyses, and media summaries. Synopsis intended solely for the purposes of generating discussion. Renewable Electricity Standard Would require electric utilities to meet 6% of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by 2012, and 20% by 2020. Qualifying renewable energy sources are solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, marine and hydrokinetic energy, certain biofuels, wastewater-treatment gas, landfill gas, coalmine methane, and post-1992 hydropower projects. Up to 1/4 of the 2020 requirement (or 5%) could be met through energy efficiency improvements. If… [more]

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Key provisions of S. 1462 the American Clean Energy Leadership Act

Author(s): OurEnergyPolicy.org

Date: at 5:07 PM

Note: Synopsis based on OurEnergyPolicy.org review of Congressional committee and office summaries, third party analyses, and media summaries. Synopsis intended solely for the purposes of generating discussion. Federal Energy Planning Would require a new comprehensive Federal energy plan one year into each new Presidential term. Emergent Energy Technology Investment Would establish the Clean Energy Deployment Administration to facilitate financing for clean energy technologies and expand the U.S. market for such technologies. Would establish a 4-year integrated plan to double the U.S. investment in energy innovation and technology, to a total of almost $6.6 billion, with a complementary set of programs… [more]

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Discussion Catalyst: Energy Work Force

Author(s): OurEnergyPolicy.org

Date: October 17, 2011 at 4:19 PM

[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.]   There is a shortage of workers in almost every area of the energy industry. It is the result of neglect since the early eighties and of transfer of critical professions and industries overseas. This is especially critical for battery technology, nuclear and geothermal. We need the people and the talent and we simply don’t have them. Academic researchers – after the great cutbacks in energy research in the 1980’s, the… [more]

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Discussion Catalyst: Reliable Energy Information

Author(s): OurEnergyPolicy.org

Date: at 4:18 PM

[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.]   We need to make energy decisions based on accurate data. In many areas we don’t have quality data. Since energy is so critical to the future of the U.S. and the world, it is worthy of a special quasi government body that will continually research the subject and provide more reliable data. The oil countries/companies are controlling the information flow on energy. Most energy think tanks in Washington are financed… [more]

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Discussion Catalyst: Cooperation between Federal and Local Governments

Author(s): OurEnergyPolicy.org

Date: at 4:18 PM

[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.]   One of the major roadblocks to the implementation of a national energy policy is the difference between federal, state and local agendas. Our energy policy is now an essential part of our national security. When it comes to “classical security” (i.e., DOD), the federal government enjoys greater power over state and local government (although not absolute). It is now time to increase the power of the federal government when it… [more]

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Discussion Catalyst: Carbon Policies

Author(s): OurEnergyPolicy.org

Date: at 4:17 PM

[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.]   There is a question what carbon policy is most suited to the U.S. The question boils down to the best way to force GHG emitters to spend enough money on reduction of CO2 and other GHG. Several policies have been discussed or tried around the world: Cap and Trade Cap and trade is a popular yet problematic solution. Firstly, it hasn’t produced the expected significant change in places it has… [more]

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Discussion Catalyst: Global Warming Research Priorities

Author(s): OurEnergyPolicy.org

Date: at 4:16 PM

[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.]   Research must help us to find the solution to GHG emissions from electricity generation. Given the current technologies and the growth rate of the developing countries (based mostly on coal), we need new technologies that when ready can be implemented as government policies. We strongly recommend increasing the research grants for global warming with emphasis on solutions. Therefore, the federal government should allocate special research funds for short term solutions… [more]

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Discussion Catalyst: Water and Electricity

Author(s): OurEnergyPolicy.org

Date: at 4:15 PM

[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.]   A significant amount of U.S. electricity is consumed by our water supply. For example: 7-8% of California’s energy use is for large water systems. If California’s consumer end usage is included, it reaches 19% of electricity load and 39% of natural gas! National data on energy consumption for water supply is not readily available! Our water supply systems are very inefficient. Significant percentage of the water is leaking from the… [more]

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