Analysis & Projections

Energy In Brief

What is a cap-and-trade program and how does it work?

A cap-and-trade program is designed to reduce emissions of a pollutant by placing a limit (or cap) on the total amount of emissions. The cap is implemented through a system of allowances that can be traded to minimize costs to affected sources. Cap-and-trade programs for greenhouse gas emissions would increase the costs of using fossil fuels.


What are renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and how do they affect generation of electricity from renewable sources?

Renewable portfolio standards are policies designed to increase electricity generation from renewable resources, including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. Many States have their own renewable portfolio standards, although currently there is no program at the National level. States with renewable portfolio programs have seen an increase in the amount of electricity generated from renewable fuels.

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Features

man looking through binoculars at a mountain range Short-Term Energy Outlook

Released December 11, 2012 | Next Release: January 8, 2013

EIA's monthly energy projections through 2013. Includes supply, consumption, and price projections for oil and liquid fuels, natural gas, coal, electricity, renewable energy, and the Winter Fuels Outlook. The Market Prices and Uncertainty Report is a regular monthly supplement to the Short-Term Energy Outlook.


Annual Energy Outlook 2013 Early Release cover
Annual Energy Outlook 2013 Early Release

Released December 5, 2013

This is an abridged version of the Annual Energy Outlook that highlights changes in the AEO Reference case projections for key energy topics. The Early Release includes data tables for the Reference case only. The full AEO2013 will be released Spring of 2013. The projection period now extends to 2040, 5 years beyond AEO2012 projections.