CRS Issue Statement on Transportation, Energy, and Environment

Brent D. Yacobucci, Coordinator
Specialist in Energy and Environmental Policy


Concerns over energy supply and prices and growing concerns over the environmental effects of transportation have led to increased interest in technologies and strategies to limit energy consumption or to move toward more sustainable mobility. Further, the role of the transportation sector—a source of roughly one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions— will be at the forefront as Congress considers legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. 

The potential for improved air quality, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy security, and other benefits of energy conservation, biofuels, new technologies, or new transport modes are viewed by proponents as warranting greater government support and mandates. But opponents argue that such measures could distort markets and cause economic harm, and they contend that supply and demand should determine the nation's transportation choices. Further, in some cases, the energy efficiency, total cost, and overall environmental cost/benefit of some transportation strategies have been questioned.


Date of Report: January 8, 2010
Number of Pages: 3
Order Number: IS40402
Price: $7.95

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