Afghanistan: State and USAID Should Evaluate Actions Taken to Mitigate Effects of Attrition among Local Staff, GAO-16-100: Published: Dec 3, 2015. Publicly Released: Dec 3, 2015: “Resignations of Afghan local staff at the Department of State (State) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) after receiving a special immigrant visa (SIV) reached their highest… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Energy
U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2014
U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2014 Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increased by 50 million metric tons (MMmt), from 5,355 MMmt in 2013 to 5,406 MMmt in 2014. The increase in 2014 was influenced by the following factors: Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.4%; The carbon intensity of the energy supply (CO2/Btu) declined… Continue Reading
The Islamic State – Frequently Asked Questions: Threats, Global Implications, and U.S. Policy Responses
CRS – The Islamic State — Frequently Asked Questions: Threats, Global Implications, and U.S. Policy Responses, John W. Rollins, Specialist in Terrorism and National Security. Heidi M. Peters, Information Research Specialist. November 19, 2015. “When addressing threats emanating from the Islamic State (IS), numerous strategy and operational considerations arise that might be of interest to… Continue Reading
Baltic Dry Index
“The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is an economic indicator issued daily by the London-based Baltic Exchange. Not restricted to Baltic Sea countries, the index provides “an assessment of the price of moving the major raw materials by sea. Taking in 23 shipping routes measured on a timecharter basis, the index covers Handysize, Supramax, Panamax, and… Continue Reading
GAO Reports – Medicare Part B, Government Cybersecurity, Federal Real Property, Climate Change, Bulk Fuel Pricing
Medicare Part B: Expenditures for New Drugs Concentrated among a Few Drugs, and Most Were Costly for Beneficiaries, GAO-16-12: Published: Oct 23, 2015. Publicly Released: Nov 20, 2015. Critical Infrastructure Protection: Sector-Specific Agencies Need to Better Measure Cybersecurity Progress, GAO-16-79: Published: Nov 19, 2015. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2015. Federal Real Property: Additional Authorities and… Continue Reading
GAO Reports – Critical Infrastructure Protection, Federal Real Property, Climate Change, Fuel Pricing
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Sector-Specific Agencies Need to Better Measure Cybersecurity Progress, GAO-16-79: Published: Nov 19, 2015. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2015. Federal Real Property: Additional Authorities and Accountability Would Enhance the Implementation of the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010, GAO-16-39: Published: Oct 20, 2015. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2015. Highlights of a Forum:… Continue Reading
Federal Support for Development, Production, and Use of Fuels and Energy Technologies
CBO – “The federal government provides financial support for the development, production, and use of fuels and energy technologies both through tax preferences and through spending programs administered by the Department of Energy (DOE). Policymakers have provided that support with several goals in mind, including increasing domestic energy production, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and encouraging… Continue Reading
Global Concern about Climate Change, Broad Support for Limiting Emissions
“Nearly three-quarters of Americans see global climate change as a “very serious” (45%) or “somewhat serious” (29%) threat, and two-thirds (66%) say people will have to make major changes in the way they live to reduce the effects of climate change, according to a Pew Research Center report released earlier this month. People have received all sorts of advice… Continue Reading
G20 subsidies to oil, gas and coal production
Oil Change International – “This research discovers that G20 country governments’ support to fossil fuel production marries bad economics with potentially disastrous consequences for climate change. In effect, governments are propping up the production of oil, gas and coal, much of which cannot be used if the world is to avoid dangerous climate change. The… Continue Reading
EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook
Full Report – “The monthly average price of U.S. regular retail gasoline was $2.29/gallon (gal) in October, a decrease of 8 cents/gal from September and 88 cents/gal lower than in October 2014. EIA expects monthly gasoline prices to decline to an average of $2.06/gal in December 2015. EIA forecasts U.S. regular gasoline retail prices to… Continue Reading
2015 World Energy Outlook
IEA: “An extended period of lower oil prices would benefit consumers but would trigger energy-security concerns by heightening reliance on a small number of low-cost producers, or risk a sharp rebound in price if investment falls short, says the International Energy Agency (IEA) in the 2015 edition of its flagship World Energy Outlook publication (WEO-2015). The… Continue Reading
As American homes get bigger, energy efficiency gains are wiped out
Pew FactTank: “U.S. homes have become considerably more energy-efficient over the past four decades, according to government data. But homes also are a lot bigger than they used to be, and their growing girth wipes out nearly all the efficiency gains. According to preliminary figures from the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable… Continue Reading
