Lennard G. Kruger
Specialist in Science
and Technology Policy
The United States
Fire Administration (USFA)—which includes the National Fire Academy (NFA)—is
currently housed within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS). The objective of the USFA is to significantly
reduce the nation’s loss of life from fire, while also achieving a
reduction in property loss and non-fatal injury due to fire.
P.L. 112-74, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2012, provided $44.038
million for USFA in FY2012. The FY2013 budget proposal requested $42.52
million for USFA, a 3.4% reduction from the FY2012 level. Of the requested
total appropriation, $13.327 million would be allocated to the National
Fire Academy. On May 16, 2012, The House Appropriations Committee approved its
version of the FY2013 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill (H.R.
5855). The Committee recommended $42.46 million for USFA, which is $60,000
below the Administration request and $1.578 million below the FY2012 level
(a 3.6% reduction). On May 22, 2012, the Senate Appropriations Committee
approved $44.020 million for USFA for FY2013 (S. 3216). The Senate mark is
$1.5 million above the Administration request.
The current authorization of the USFA expires on September 30, 2012. On March
29, 2012, S. 2218, the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization
Act of 2012 was introduced. S. 2218 would authorize USFA at a level of
$76.491 million for each of the fiscal years 2013 through 2017. On May 16,
2012, S. 2218 was ordered to be reported without amendment by the Senate Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
As is the case with many federal programs, concerns in the 112th Congress over
the federal budget deficit could impact budget levels for the USFA. Debate
over the USFA budget has focused on whether the USFA is receiving an
appropriate level of funding to accomplish its mission, given that
appropriations for USFA have consistently been well below the agency’s
authorized level. An ongoing issue is the viability and status of the USFA
and National Fire Academy within the Department of Homeland Security.
Date of Report: June 1, 2012
Number of Pages: 10
Order Number: RS20071
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP
or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny
Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American
Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card.
Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred
and receive priority processing.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
U.S. Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing: Industry Trends, Global Competition, Federal Support
Michaela D. Platzer
Specialist in Industrial Organization and Business
Every President since Richard Nixon has sought to increase U.S. energy supply diversity. In recent years, job creation and the development of a domestic renewable energy manufacturing base have joined national security and environmental concerns as rationales for promoting the manufacturing of solar power equipment in the United States. The federal government maintains a variety of tax credits, loan guarantees, and targeted research and development programs to encourage the solar manufacturing sector, and state-level mandates that utilities obtain specified percentages of their electricity from renewable sources have bolstered demand for large solar projects.
The most widely used solar technology involves photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, which draw on semiconducting materials to convert sunlight into electricity. By year-end 2011, the total number of grid-connected PV systems nationwide reached almost 215,000. Domestic demand is met both by imports and by about 100 U.S. manufacturing facilities employing an estimated 25,000 U.S. workers in 2011. Production is clustered in a few states, including California, Oregon, Texas, and Ohio.
Domestic PV manufacturers operate in a dynamic and highly competitive global market now dominated by Chinese and Taiwanese companies. All major PV solar manufacturers maintain global sourcing strategies; the only U.S.-based manufacturer ranked among the top 10 global cell producers in 2010 sourced the majority of its panels from its factory in Malaysia. Some PV manufacturers have expanded their operations beyond China to places like the Philippines and Mexico. Overcapacity has led to a significant drop in module prices, with solar panel prices falling more than 50% over the course of 2011. Several PV manufacturers have entered bankruptcy and others are reassessing their business models. Although hundreds of small companies are engaged in PV manufacturing around the world, profitability concerns appear to be driving consolidation, with 10 firms now controlling half of global cell and module production.
The Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission are investigating allegations that U.S. producers have been injured by dumped and subsidized imports from China. If significant duties are ultimately imposed, U.S. production could become more competitive with imports, but the cost of installing solar systems might rise. On the other hand, a number of federal policies that have helped to spur domestic demand for solar PV products have expired or reached their funding limits. These include the 1603 cash grant program and the advanced energy manufacturing tax credit; S. 591, which would extend the credit, has been introduced in the 112th Congress. Under current law, the Investment Tax Credit for PV systems will sunset at the end of 2016.
The competitiveness of solar PV as a source of electric generation in the United States will likely be adversely affected both by the expiration of these tax provisions and by the rapid development of shale gas, which has the potential to lower the cost of gas-fired power generation and reduce the cost-competitiveness of solar power, particularly as an energy source for utilities. In light of these developments, the ability to build a significant U.S. production base for PV equipment is in question.
Date of Report: May 30, 2012
Number of Pages: 32
Order Number: R42509
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Specialist in Industrial Organization and Business
Every President since Richard Nixon has sought to increase U.S. energy supply diversity. In recent years, job creation and the development of a domestic renewable energy manufacturing base have joined national security and environmental concerns as rationales for promoting the manufacturing of solar power equipment in the United States. The federal government maintains a variety of tax credits, loan guarantees, and targeted research and development programs to encourage the solar manufacturing sector, and state-level mandates that utilities obtain specified percentages of their electricity from renewable sources have bolstered demand for large solar projects.
The most widely used solar technology involves photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, which draw on semiconducting materials to convert sunlight into electricity. By year-end 2011, the total number of grid-connected PV systems nationwide reached almost 215,000. Domestic demand is met both by imports and by about 100 U.S. manufacturing facilities employing an estimated 25,000 U.S. workers in 2011. Production is clustered in a few states, including California, Oregon, Texas, and Ohio.
Domestic PV manufacturers operate in a dynamic and highly competitive global market now dominated by Chinese and Taiwanese companies. All major PV solar manufacturers maintain global sourcing strategies; the only U.S.-based manufacturer ranked among the top 10 global cell producers in 2010 sourced the majority of its panels from its factory in Malaysia. Some PV manufacturers have expanded their operations beyond China to places like the Philippines and Mexico. Overcapacity has led to a significant drop in module prices, with solar panel prices falling more than 50% over the course of 2011. Several PV manufacturers have entered bankruptcy and others are reassessing their business models. Although hundreds of small companies are engaged in PV manufacturing around the world, profitability concerns appear to be driving consolidation, with 10 firms now controlling half of global cell and module production.
The Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission are investigating allegations that U.S. producers have been injured by dumped and subsidized imports from China. If significant duties are ultimately imposed, U.S. production could become more competitive with imports, but the cost of installing solar systems might rise. On the other hand, a number of federal policies that have helped to spur domestic demand for solar PV products have expired or reached their funding limits. These include the 1603 cash grant program and the advanced energy manufacturing tax credit; S. 591, which would extend the credit, has been introduced in the 112th Congress. Under current law, the Investment Tax Credit for PV systems will sunset at the end of 2016.
The competitiveness of solar PV as a source of electric generation in the United States will likely be adversely affected both by the expiration of these tax provisions and by the rapid development of shale gas, which has the potential to lower the cost of gas-fired power generation and reduce the cost-competitiveness of solar power, particularly as an energy source for utilities. In light of these developments, the ability to build a significant U.S. production base for PV equipment is in question.
Date of Report: May 30, 2012
Number of Pages: 32
Order Number: R42509
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources
Rita Tehan
Information Research Specialist
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities challenge governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide. Attacks have been initiated by individuals, as well as countries. Targets have included government networks, military defenses, companies, or political organizations, depending upon whether the attacker was seeking military intelligence, conducting diplomatic or industrial espionage, or intimidating political activists. In addition, national borders mean little or nothing to cyberattackers, and attributing an attack to a specific location can be difficult, which also makes a response problematic.
Congress has been actively involved in cybersecurity issues, holding hearings every year since 2001. There is no shortage of data on this topic: government agencies, academic institutions, think tanks, security consultants, and trade associations have issued hundreds of reports, studies, analyses, and statistics.
This report provides links to selected authoritative resources related to cybersecurity issues. This report includes information on
- “Legislation”
- “Hearings in the 112th Congress”
- “Executive Orders and Presidential Directives”
- “Data and Statistics”
- “Cybersecurity Glossaries”
- “Reports by Topic”
o
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
reports
o
White House/Office of Management and Budget
reports
o
Military/DOD
o
Cloud Computing
o
Critical Infrastructure
o
National Strategy for Trusted Identities in
Cyberspace (NSTIC)
o
Cybercrime/Cyberwar
o
International
o
Education/Training/Workforce
o
Research and Development (R&D)
- “Related Resources: Other Websites”
Date of Report: May 31, 2012
Number of Pages: 58
Order Number: R42507
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources
Rita Tehan
Information Research Specialist
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities challenge governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide. Attacks have been initiated by individuals, as well as countries. Targets have included government networks, military defenses, companies, or political organizations, depending upon whether the attacker was seeking military intelligence, conducting diplomatic or industrial espionage, or intimidating political activists. In addition, national borders mean little or nothing to cyberattackers, and attributing an attack to a specific location can be difficult, which also makes a response problematic.
Congress has been actively involved in cybersecurity issues, holding hearings every year since 2001. There is no shortage of data on this topic: government agencies, academic institutions, think tanks, security consultants, and trade associations have issued hundreds of reports, studies, analyses, and statistics.
This report provides links to selected authoritative resources related to cybersecurity issues. This report includes information on
·
“Legislation”
·
“Hearings in the 112th Congress”
·
“Executive Orders and
Presidential Directives”
·
“Data and Statistics”
·
“Cybersecurity Glossaries”
·
“Reports by Topic”
o
Government Accountability
Office (GAO) reports
o
White House/Office of
Management and Budget reports
o
Military/DOD
o
Cloud Computing
o
Critical Infrastructure
o
National Strategy for Trusted
Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC)
o
Cybercrime/Cyberwar
o
International
o
Education/Training/Workforce
o
Research and Development
(R&D)
o
“Related Resources: Other
Websites”
The report will be updated
as needed. .Date of Report: May 8, 2012
Number of Pages: 57
Order Number: R42507
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
