Introduction

No Sunset and Extended Policies cases
The Reference case often serves as a starting point for the analysis of proposed legislative or regulatory changes. While the definition of the Reference case is relatively straightforward, there may be considerable interest in a variety of alternative cases that reflect the updating or extension of current laws and regulations…

World oil price and production trends in AEO2011
In AEO2011, the High Oil Price and Low Oil Price cases have been expanded to incorporate alternative assumptions about liquids supply, economic developments, and liquids demand as key price determinants. The assumed price paths in the AEO2011 High and Low Oil Price cases bracket a broad range of possible future world oil price paths...

Increasing light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for model years 2017 to 2025
The notice provides an initial GHG emissions assessment for several potential levels of stringency, representing decreases of 3, 4, 5, and 6 percent per year in GHG emissions and corresponding increases in miles per gallon (mpg) equivalent fuel efficiency levels from the MY 2016 fleetwide average of 250 grams per mile. For each level of stringency, four technological pathways were analyzed...

Fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles
The EPA and NHTSA in November 2010 jointly issued a proposed rulemaking that would, for the first time, establish greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption standards for heavy-duty vehicles [47]...

Potential efficiency improvements in alternative cases for appliance standards and building codes
In 2009, the residential and commercial buildings sectors used 19.6 quadrillion Btu of delivered energy, or 21 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. The residential sector accounted for 57 percent of that energy use and the commercial sector 43 percent...

Potential of offshore crude oil and natural gas resources
The 2010 Macondo oil well accident in the Gulf of Mexico heightened awareness of the risks associated with exploration and development of offshore crude oil and natural gas resources, particularly in deep water. In addition, there is significant uncertainty about the offshore resources available in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska offshore areas.

Related Topics
Oil/Liquids, Natural gas

Prospects for shale gas
Production of natural gas from large underground shale formations (shale gas) in the United States grew by an average of 17 percent per year from 2000 to 2006. Early successes in shale gas production occurred primarily in the Barnett Shale of north central Texas. By 2006, successful shale gas operations in the Barnett shale, improvements in shale gas recovery technologies, and attractive natural gas prices encouraged the industry to accelerate its development activity in other shale plays.

Cost uncertanties for new electric power plants
Capital costs are a key consideration in decisions about the type of new generating plant or capacity addition that will be built to meet future demand for electricity. Capital costs for new power plants include materials, skilled labor, and generating equipment.

Carbon capture and sequestration: Economics and issues
Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is a process in which CO2 is separated from emission streams and injected into geologic formations, avoiding its release into the atmosphere.

Power sector environmental regulations on the horizon
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to enact several key regulations in the coming decade—pertaining to air emissions, solid waste, and cooling water intak—that will affect the U.S. electric power sector, particularly the fleet of coal-fired power plants.