National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (U.S.)'s Books

Sediment Dredging at Superfund Megasites

Assessing the Effectiveness

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology,Committee on Sediment Dredging at Superfund Megasites

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Sediment Dredging at Superfund Megasites

Assessing the Effectiveness

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology,Committee on Sediment Dredging at Superfund Megasites

Some of the nation's estuaries, lakes and other water bodies contain contaminated sediments that can adversely affect fish and wildlife and may then find their way into people's diets. Dredging is one of the few options available for attempting to clean up contaminated sediments, but it can uncover and re-suspend buried contaminants, creating additional exposures for wildlife and people. At the request of Congress, EPA asked the National Research Council (NRC) to evaluate dredging as a cleanup technique. The book finds that, based on a review of available evidence, dredging's ability to decrease environmental and health risks is still an open question. Analysis of pre-dredging and post-dredging at about 20 sites found a wide range of outcomes in terms of surface sediment concentrations of contaminants: some sites showed increases, some no change, and some decreases in concentrations. Evaluating the potential long-term benefits of dredging will require that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency step up monitoring activities before, during and after individual cleanups to determine whether it is working there and what combinations of techniques are most effective.

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317

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309109779

ISBN 13

9780309109772

Superfund and Mining Megasites

Lessons from the Coeur d'Alene River Basin

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology,Committee on Superfund Site Assessment and Remediation in the Coeur d' Alene River Basin

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Superfund and Mining Megasites

Lessons from the Coeur d'Alene River Basin

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology,Committee on Superfund Site Assessment and Remediation in the Coeur d' Alene River Basin

For more than 100 years, the Coeur d' Alene River Basin has been known as "The Silver Valley" for being one of the most productive silver, lead, and zinc mining areas in the United States. Over time, high levels of metals (including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc) were discovered in the local environment and elevated blood lead levels were found in children in communities near the metal-refining and smelter complex. In 1983, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed a 21-square mile mining area in northern Idaho as a Superfund site. EPA extended those boundaries in 1998 to include areas throughout the 1500-square mile area Coeur d'Alene River Basin project area. Under Superfund, EPA has developed a plan to clean up the contaminated area that will cost an estimated $359 million over 3 decades-and this effort is only the first step in the cleanup process. Superfund and Mining Megasites: Lessons from Coeur d'Alene River Basin evaluates the issues and concerns that have been raised regarding EPA's decisions about cleaning up the area. The scientific and technical practices used by EPA to make decisions about human health risks at the Coeur d'Alene River Basin Superfund site are generally sound; however, there are substantial concerns regarding environmental protection decisions, particularly dealing with the effectiveness of long-term plans.

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505

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309097142

ISBN 13

9780309097147

Confronting the Nation's Water Problems

The Role of Research

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Water Science and Technology Board,Committee on Assessment of Water Resources Research

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Confronting the Nation's Water Problems

The Role of Research

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Water Science and Technology Board,Committee on Assessment of Water Resources Research

In order to confront the increasingly severe water problems faced by all parts of the country, the United States needs to make a new commitment to research on water resources. A new mechanism is needed to coordinate water research currently fragmented among nearly 20 federal agencies. Given the competition for water among farmers, communities, aquatic ecosystems and other users-as well as emerging challenges such as climate change and the threat of waterborne diseases-Confronting the Nation's Water Problems concludes that an additional $70 million in federal funding should go annually to water research. Funding should go specifically to the areas of water demand and use, water supply augmentation, and other institutional research topics. The book notes that overall federal funding for water research has been stagnant in real terms for the past 30 years and that the portion dedicated to research on water use and social science topics has declined considerably.

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324

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

030916589X

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9780309165891

Sustainability and the U.S. EPA

By: National Research Council,Policy and Global Affairs,Science and Technology for Sustainability Program,Committee on Incorporating Sustainability in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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Sustainability and the U.S. EPA

By: National Research Council,Policy and Global Affairs,Science and Technology for Sustainability Program,Committee on Incorporating Sustainability in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Sustainability is based on a simple and long-recognized factual premise: Everything that humans require for their survival and well-being depends, directly or indirectly, on the natural environment. The environment provides the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Recognizing the importance of sustainability to its work, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working to create programs and applications in a variety of areas to better incorporate sustainability into decision-making at the agency. To further strengthen the scientific basis for sustainability as it applies to human health and environmental protection, the EPA asked the National Research Council (NRC) to provide a framework for incorporating sustainability into the EPA's principles and decision-making. This framework, Sustainability and the U.S. EPA, provides recommendations for a sustainability approach that both incorporates and goes beyond an approach based on assessing and managing the risks posed by pollutants that has largely shaped environmental policy since the 1980s. Although risk-based methods have led to many successes and remain important tools, the report concludes that they are not adequate to address many of the complex problems that put current and future generations at risk, such as depletion of natural resources, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. Moreover, sophisticated tools are increasingly available to address cross-cutting, complex, and challenging issues that go beyond risk management. The report recommends that EPA formally adopt as its sustainability paradigm the widely used "three pillars" approach, which means considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts of an action or decision. Health should be expressly included in the "social" pillar. EPA should also articulate its vision for sustainability and develop a set of sustainability principles that would underlie all agency policies and programs.

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162

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309212553

ISBN 13

9780309212557

America's Energy Future

Technology and Transformation: Summary Edition

By: National Research Council,National Academy of Engineering,National Academy of Sciences,Committee on America's Energy Future

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America's Energy Future

Technology and Transformation: Summary Edition

By: National Research Council,National Academy of Engineering,National Academy of Sciences,Committee on America's Energy Future

Energy production and use touch our lives in countless ways. We are reminded of the cost of energy every time we fill up at the gas pump, pay an electricity bill, or purchase an airline ticket. Energy use also has important indirect impacts, not all of which are reflected in current energy prices: depletion of natural resources, degradation of the environment, and threats to national security arising from a growing dependence on geopolitically unstable regions for some of our energy supplies. These indirect impacts could increase in the future if the demand for energy rises faster than available energy supplies. Our nation's challenge is to develop an energy portfolio that reduces these impacts while providing sufficient and affordable energy supplies to sustain our future economic prosperity. The United States has enormous economic and intellectual resources that can be brought to bear on these challenges through a sustained national effort in the decades ahead. America's Energy Future is intended to inform the development of wise energy policies by fostering a better understanding of technological options for increasing energy supplies and improving the efficiency of energy use. This summary edition of the book will also be a useful resource for professionals working in the energy industry or involved in advocacy and researchers and academics in energy-related fields of study. America's Energy Future examines the deployment potential, costs, barriers, and impacts of energy supply and end-use technologies during the next two to three decades, including energy efficiency, alternative transportation fuels, renewable energy, fossil fuel energy, and nuclear energy, as well as technologies for improving the nation's electrical transmission and distribution systems.

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208

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309141451

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9780309141451

Geological and Geotechnical Engineering in the New Millennium

Opportunities for Research and Technological Innovation

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Earth Sciences and Resources,Committee on Geological and Geotechnical Engineering,Committee on Geological and Geotechnical Engineering in the New Millennium: Opportunities for Research and Technological Innovation

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Geological and Geotechnical Engineering in the New Millennium

Opportunities for Research and Technological Innovation

The field of geoengineering is at a crossroads where the path to high-tech solutions meets the path to expanding applications of geotechnology. In this report, the term "geoengineering" includes all types of engineering that deal with Earth materials, such as geotechnical engineering, geological engineering, hydrological engineering, and Earth-related parts of petroleum engineering and mining engineering. The rapid expansion of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information technology begs the question of how these new approaches might come to play in developing better solutions for geotechnological problems. This report presents a vision for the future of geotechnology aimed at National Science Foundation (NSF) program managers, the geological and geotechnical engineering community as a whole, and other interested parties, including Congress, federal and state agencies, industry, academia, and other stakeholders in geoengineering research. Some of the ideas may be close to reality whereas others may turn out to be elusive, but they all present possibilities to strive for and potential goals for the future. Geoengineers are poised to expand their roles and lead in finding solutions for modern Earth systems problems, such as global change, emissions-free energy supply, global water supply, and urban systems.

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220

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309100097

ISBN 13

9780309100090

Review of New York State Low-Level Radioactive Waste Siting Process

By: National Research Council,Commission on Geosciences, Environment and Resources,Committee to Review New York State's Siting and Methodology Selection for Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal

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Review of New York State Low-Level Radioactive Waste Siting Process

By: National Research Council,Commission on Geosciences, Environment and Resources,Committee to Review New York State's Siting and Methodology Selection for Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal

This book reviews the efforts of New York state to site a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility. It evaluates the nature, sources, and quality of the data, analyses, and procedures used by the New York State Siting Commission in its decisionmaking process, which identified five potential sites for low-level waste disposal. Finally, the committee offers a chapter highlighting the lessons in siting low-level radioactive waste facilities that can be learned from New York State's experience.

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306

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309055393

ISBN 13

9780309055390

America's Climate Choices

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on America's Climate Choices

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America's Climate Choices

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on America's Climate Choices

Climate change is occurring. It is very likely caused by the emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, and poses significant risks for a range of human and natural systems. And these emissions continue to increase, which will result in further change and greater risks. America's Climate Choices makes the case that the environmental, economic, and humanitarian risks posed by climate change indicate a pressing need for substantial action now to limit the magnitude of climate change and to prepare for adapting to its impacts. Although there is some uncertainty about future risk, acting now will reduce the risks posed by climate change and the pressure to make larger, more rapid, and potentially more expensive reductions later. Most actions taken to reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts are common sense investments that will offer protection against natural climate variations and extreme events. In addition, crucial investment decisions made now about equipment and infrastructure can "lock in" commitments to greenhouse gas emissions for decades to come. Finally, while it may be possible to scale back or reverse many responses to climate change, it is difficult or impossible to "undo" climate change, once manifested. Current efforts of local, state, and private-sector actors are important, but not likely to yield progress comparable to what could be achieved with the addition of strong federal policies that establish coherent national goals and incentives, and that promote strong U.S. engagement in international-level response efforts. The inherent complexities and uncertainties of climate change are best met by applying an iterative risk management framework and making efforts to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions; prepare for adapting to impacts; invest in scientific research, technology development, and information systems; and facilitate engagement between scientific and technical experts and the many types of stakeholders making America's climate choices.

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134

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309145856

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9780309145855

The environmental future emerging challenges and opportunities for EPA : a report from the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT).

By: National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (U.S.)

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The environmental future emerging challenges and opportunities for EPA : a report from the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT).

By: National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (U.S.)

NACEPT reviews and recommends environmental foresight methods, and identifies emerging trends and issues relevant to EPA in the next five to ten years.

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DIANE Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

1428900349

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9781428900349

The United States Government Manual

1999/2000

By: Estados Unidos. Office of the Federal Register,National Archives & Records Administrati

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The United States Government Manual

1999/2000

By: Estados Unidos. Office of the Federal Register,National Archives & Records Administrati

The Manual provides comprehensive information on a large number of U.S. government agencies. Along with entries on the agencies of the executive, judicial, & legislative branches of the government, users will also find information on quasi-official agencies, international organizations in which the U.S. participates, & other boards, commissions & committees. The Declaration of Independence & the Constitution of the United States are also included. This laminated edition features a sturdy cover, extra strong bindings, & heavy, acid-free paper. Recommended in: ALA's Guide to Reference Books, Walford's Guide to Reference Material.

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874

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U.S. Government Printing Office

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ISBN 10

0160501172

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9780160501173

The environmental future emerging challenges and opportunities for EPA : a report from the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT).

By: National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (U.S.)

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The environmental future emerging challenges and opportunities for EPA : a report from the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT).

By: National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (U.S.)

NACEPT reviews and recommends environmental foresight methods, and identifies emerging trends and issues relevant to EPA in the next five to ten years.

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DIANE Publishing

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1428900349

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9781428900349

Alternative High-Level Waste Treatments at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Commission on Geosciences, Environment and Resources,Committee on Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) High-Level Waste Alternative Treatments

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Alternative High-Level Waste Treatments at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory

Printbegrænsninger: Der kan printes 10 sider ad gangen og max. 40 sider pr. session.

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200

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

030906628X

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9780309066280

Advancing the Science of Climate Change

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,America's Climate Choices: Panel on Advancing the Science of Climate Change

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Advancing the Science of Climate Change

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,America's Climate Choices: Panel on Advancing the Science of Climate Change

Climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for-and in many cases is already affecting-a broad range of human and natural systems. The compelling case for these conclusions is provided in Advancing the Science of Climate Change, part of a congressionally requested suite of studies known as America's Climate Choices. While noting that there is always more to learn and that the scientific process is never closed, the book shows that hypotheses about climate change are supported by multiple lines of evidence and have stood firm in the face of serious debate and careful evaluation of alternative explanations. As decision makers respond to these risks, the nation's scientific enterprise can contribute through research that improves understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change and also is useful to decision makers at the local, regional, national, and international levels. The book identifies decisions being made in 12 sectors, ranging from agriculture to transportation, to identify decisions being made in response to climate change. Advancing the Science of Climate Change calls for a single federal entity or program to coordinate a national, multidisciplinary research effort aimed at improving both understanding and responses to climate change. Seven cross-cutting research themes are identified to support this scientific enterprise. In addition, leaders of federal climate research should redouble efforts to deploy a comprehensive climate observing system, improve climate models and other analytical tools, invest in human capital, and improve linkages between research and decisions by forming partnerships with action-oriented programs.

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526

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309145880

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9780309145886

Reengineering the Census Bureau's Annual Economic Surveys

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education,Committee on National Statistics,Panel on Reengineering the Census Bureau's Annual Economic Surveys

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Reengineering the Census Bureau's Annual Economic Surveys

The U.S. Census Bureau maintains an important portfolio of economic statistics programs, including quinquennial economic censuses, annual economic surveys, and quarterly and monthly indicator surveys. Government, corporate, and academic users rely on the data to understand the complexity and dynamism of the U.S. economy. Historically, the Bureau's economic statistics programs developed sector by sector (e.g., separate surveys of manufacturing, retail trade, and wholesale trade), and they continue to operate largely independently. Consequently, inconsistencies in questionnaire content, sample and survey design, and survey operations make the data not only more difficult to use, but also more costly to collect and process and more burdensome to the business community than they could be. This report reviews the Census Bureau's annual economic surveys. Specifically, it examines the design, operations, and products of 11 surveys and makes recommendations to enable them to better answer questions about the evolving economy.

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237

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309475368

ISBN 13

9780309475365

Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration

A Research Agenda

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Ocean Studies Board,Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology,Board on Earth Sciences and Resources,Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources,Board on Energy and Environmental Systems,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on Developing a Research Agenda for Carbon Dioxide Removal and Reliable Sequestration

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Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration

A Research Agenda

To achieve goals for climate and economic growth, "negative emissions technologies" (NETs) that remove and sequester carbon dioxide from the air will need to play a significant role in mitigating climate change. Unlike carbon capture and storage technologies that remove carbon dioxide emissions directly from large point sources such as coal power plants, NETs remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or enhance natural carbon sinks. Storing the carbon dioxide from NETs has the same impact on the atmosphere and climate as simultaneously preventing an equal amount of carbon dioxide from being emitted. Recent analyses found that deploying NETs may be less expensive and less disruptive than reducing some emissions, such as a substantial portion of agricultural and land-use emissions and some transportation emissions. In 2015, the National Academies published Climate Intervention: Carbon Dioxide Removal and Reliable Sequestration, which described and initially assessed NETs and sequestration technologies. This report acknowledged the relative paucity of research on NETs and recommended development of a research agenda that covers all aspects of NETs from fundamental science to full-scale deployment. To address this need, Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda assesses the benefits, risks, and "sustainable scale potential" for NETs and sequestration. This report also defines the essential components of a research and development program, including its estimated costs and potential impact.

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511

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309484553

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9780309484558

Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologiesâ¬"Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Board on Energy and Environmental Systems,Committee on Assessment of Resource Needs for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies

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Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologiesâ¬"Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Board on Energy and Environmental Systems,Committee on Assessment of Resource Needs for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies

The nation has compelling reasons to reduce its consumption of oil and emissions of carbon dioxide. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) promise to contribute to both goals by allowing some miles to be driven on electricity drawn from the grid, with an internal combustion engine that kicks in when the batteries are discharged. However, while battery technology has made great strides in recent years, batteries are still very expensive. Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies-Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles builds on a 2008 National Research Council report on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The present volume reviews the current and projected technology status of PHEVs; considers the factors that will affect how rapidly PHEVs could enter the marketplace, including the interface with the electric transmission and distribution system; determines a maximum practical penetration rate for PHEVs consistent with the time frame and factors considered in the 2008 Hydrogen report; and incorporates PHEVs into the models used in the hydrogen study to estimate the costs and impacts on petroleum consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309154065

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9780309154062

Water and Sustainable Development

Opportunities for the Chemical Sciences: A Workshop Report to the Chemical Sciences Roundtable

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology,Chemical Sciences Roundtable

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Water and Sustainable Development

Opportunities for the Chemical Sciences: A Workshop Report to the Chemical Sciences Roundtable

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology,Chemical Sciences Roundtable

Experts in the areas of water science and chemistry from the government, industry, and academic arenas discussed ways to maximize opportunities for these disciplines to work together to develop and apply simple technologies while addressing some of the world's key water and health problems. Since global water challenges cross both scientific disciplines, the chemical sciences have the ability to be a key player in improving the lives of billions of people around the world.

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106

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309092000

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9780309092005

Thinking Strategically

The Appropriate Use of Metrics for the Climate Change Science Program

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Climate Research Committee,Committee on Metrics for Global Change Research

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Thinking Strategically

The Appropriate Use of Metrics for the Climate Change Science Program

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Climate Research Committee,Committee on Metrics for Global Change Research

The Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) and its predecessor U.S. Global Change Research Program have sponsored climate research and observations for nearly 15 years, yet the overall progress of the program has not been measured systematically. Metricsâ€"a system of measurement that includes the item being measured, the unit of measurement, and the value of the unitâ€"offer a tool for measuring such progress; improving program performance; and demonstrating program successes to Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, and the public. This report lays out a framework for creating and implementing metrics for the CCSP. A general set of metrics provides a starting point for identifying the most important measures, and the principles provide guidance for refining the metrics and avoiding unintended consequences.

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162

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309096596

ISBN 13

9780309096591

Enhancing the Resilience of the Nation's Electricity System

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Board on Energy and Environmental Systems,Committee on Enhancing the Resilience of the Nation's Electric Power Transmission and Distribution System

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Enhancing the Resilience of the Nation's Electricity System

Americans' safety, productivity, comfort, and convenience depend on the reliable supply of electric power. The electric power system is a complex "cyber-physical" system composed of a network of millions of components spread out across the continent. These components are owned, operated, and regulated by thousands of different entities. Power system operators work hard to assure safe and reliable service, but large outages occasionally happen. Given the nature of the system, there is simply no way that outages can be completely avoided, no matter how much time and money is devoted to such an effort. The system's reliability and resilience can be improved but never made perfect. Thus, system owners, operators, and regulators must prioritize their investments based on potential benefits. Enhancing the Resilience of the Nation's Electricity System focuses on identifying, developing, and implementing strategies to increase the power system's resilience in the face of events that can cause large-area, long-duration outages: blackouts that extend over multiple service areas and last several days or longer. Resilience is not just about lessening the likelihood that these outages will occur. It is also about limiting the scope and impact of outages when they do occur, restoring power rapidly afterwards, and learning from these experiences to better deal with events in the future.

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171

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309463076

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9780309463072

Modeling the Economics of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Summary of a Workshop

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences

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Modeling the Economics of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Summary of a Workshop

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences

Models are fundamental for estimating the possible costs and effectiveness of different policies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. There is a wide array of models to perform such analysis, differing in the level of technological detail, treatment of technological progress, spatial and sector details, and representation of the interaction of the energy sector to the overall economy and environment. These differences impact model results, including cost estimates. More fundamentally, these models differ as to how they represent fundamental processes that have a large impact on policy analysis-such as how different models represent technological learning and cost reductions that come through increasing production volumes, or how different models represent baseline conditions. Reliable estimates of the costs and potential impacts on the United States economy of various emissions reduction and other mitigation strategies are critical to the development of the federal climate change research and development portfolio. At the request of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Academies organized a workshop, summarized in this volume, to consider some of these types of modeling issues.

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160

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309162351

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9780309162357

Analysis of Global Change Assessments

Lessons Learned

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on Analysis of Global Change Assessments

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Analysis of Global Change Assessments

Lessons Learned

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate,Committee on Analysis of Global Change Assessments

Global change assessments inform decision makers about the scientific underpinnings of a range of environmental issues, such as climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and loss of biodiversity. Dozens of assessments have been conducted to date by various U.S. and international groups, many of them influencing public policies, technology development, and research directions. This report analyzes strengths and weaknesses of eight past assessments to inform future efforts. Common elements of effective assessments include strong leadership, extensive engagement with interested and affected parties, a transparent science-policy interface, and well defined communication strategies. The report identifies 11 essential elements of effective assessments and recommends that future assessments include decision support tools that make use of information at the regional and local level where decisions are made.

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196

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309179122

ISBN 13

9780309179126

Evaluating Research Efficiency in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

By: Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (U.S.). Committee on Evaluating the Efficiency of Research and Development Programs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (U.S.),National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology

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Evaluating Research Efficiency in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Introduction: The government performance and results act, the program assessment rating tool, and the Environmental Protection Agency -- Efficiency metrics used by the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal research and development programs -- Are the efficiency metrics used by the federal research and development programs sufficient and outcome-based? -- A model for evaluating research and development programs -- Findings, principles, and recommendations -- Appendices -- Boxes, figures and tables.

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156

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ISBN 10

0309116848

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9780309116848

Science for Environmental Protection

The Road Ahead

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology,Committee on Science for EPA's Future

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Science for Environmental Protection

The Road Ahead

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology,Committee on Science for EPA's Future

In anticipation of future environmental science and engineering challenges and technologic advances, EPA asked the National Research Council (NRC) to assess the overall capabilities of the agency to develop, obtain, and use the best available scientific and technologic information and tools to meet persistent, emerging, and future mission challenges and opportunities. Although the committee cannot predict with certainty what new environmental problems EPA will face in the next 10 years or more, it worked to identify some of the common drivers and common characteristics of problems that are likely to occur. Tensions inherent to the structure of EPA's work contribute to the current and persistent challenges faced by the agency, and meeting those challenges will require development of leading-edge scientific methods, tools, and technologies, and a more deliberate approach to systems thinking and interdisciplinary science. Science for Environmental Protection: The Road Ahead outlines a framework for building science for environmental protection in the 21st century and identified key areas where enhanced leadership and capacity can strengthen the agency's abilities to address current and emerging environmental challenges as well as take advantage of new tools and technologies to address them. The foundation of EPA science is strong, but the agency needs to continue to address numerous present and future challenges if it is to maintain its science leadership and meet its expanding mandates.

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Page Count

188

Publisher

National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309264898

ISBN 13

9780309264891

Book's by National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (U.S.)

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