Implementing energy conservation strategies in energy materials transport: U. S. Department of Energy and other government agency policy-making mechanisms

Abstract

This report defines policy-making channels within Federal agencies for the strategy implementation efforts of a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) project entitled ''Development and Implementation of Strategies to Conserve Energy in Energy Materials Transport and Through Modal Shifts.'' The report's research involved review and analysis of government-agency policy-making mechanisms. Research methods included interviews with 36 regulatory officials, and review of pertinent legislative, organizational and other technical materials. Emphasis was placed upon relevant Federal agencies and summary treatment given other federal, state, and local agencies. In addition to DOE, the ICC, DOT, DOI, EPA, and Council on Environmental Quality were found to be highly important to the implementation of strategies developed during this project. Brief case studies were also made of states and localities which have had significant effects upon energy materials transport systems. The main findings of the report are that two primary channels exist for effecting this project's policy-oriented strategies: inputs to legislation and inducement of regulatory involvements. In addition, interviews with Federal agency officials during the research produced two significant suggestions for implementing strategies--to hold internal DOE and inter-agency briefings.