Resources on technology in the United
States, including biotechnology, energy,
engineering, space exploration, and the
Internet.
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Technology
Digital Economy Overviews
- Digital Economy
U.S. Economic & Statistics Administration's fifth annual report on American industries that produce information technology (IT) goods and services, and its impact on U.S. economic strength.
- Electronic Commerce: An Introduction
This report for Congress looks at the continuing growth of electronic commercial transactions over the Internet and e-commerce policy issues. These include protection and security issues, e-commerce taxation, the exclusion of small businesses from e-commerce growth, and the impact of the European Union (EU) and World Trade Organization (WTO) on global e-commerce policy.
- International
Electronic Commerce: Definitions and
Policy Implications
This report provides information on emerging issues regarding international electronic commerce (IEC), including: the U.S. Government's collection of data on IEC; the removal of obstacles and facilitation of IEC; the adaptation of commercial and legal frameworks; and the addressing of barriers through international trade agreements and negotiations.
- Electronic Signatures: a Review of the Exceptions to the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act
This report contains a detailed review of the nine exceptions to the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN), an examination of how the exceptions are handled in electronic commercial and personal transactions, and recommendations regarding whether each exception should remain in the Act for the protection of consumers.
- Main Street in the Digital Age: How Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Are Using the Tools of the New Economy
This report examines the information
technology investment and usage trends of
U.S. small and medium size enterprises (SMEs).
The report contains statistics for SMEs on
capital equipment expenditures, Internet
access for manufacuturing plants, and employees'
workplace usage of computers.
- Digital
Freedom Initiative Annual Report
The goal of the Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI) is to promote economic growth by transferring the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and supporting institutions. This document reports on the program's progress in Senegal, Peru, Indonesia, and Jordan.
- The Bayh-Dole Act: Selected Issues in Patent Policy and the Commercialization of Technology
This paper discusses the rationale behind the passage of the Bayh-Dole Act, its provisions, and implementation of the law.
The Internet
- Internet Statistics: Explanation and Sources
This report for Congress addresses the complexities of measuring e-commerce growth, and provides background information on U.S. Government and private firms' methods for estimating expansion. The report also includes selected statistics on the estimated size and growth of e-commerce.
- Taxing Internet Transactions
A discussion of selected issues and legislation regarding the taxation of transactions taking place over the Internet.
- Internet Tax Bills in the 109th Congress
A discussion of the five main issues surrounding legislation to extend the Internet tax moratorium.
- Economic Issues in Taxing Internet and Mail-Order Sales
This paper, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) at the request of the Senate Finance Committee, uses an economic framework to evaluate the various arguments that have been advanced by proponents and opponents of remote collection of sales taxes. In keeping with CBO's mandate to provide objective analysis, the report makes no recommendations.
- Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs
This report discusses some of the policy issues surrounding legislation that seeks to provide federal financial assistance for broadband deployment in the form of grants, loans, subsidies, and tax credits.
- Internet Communities Linking the World
Links to articles and additional resources on global issues.
- Broadband Internet Regulation and Access: Background and Issues
This report offers a discussion on the regulatory debate over federal broadband financial assistance programs.
- Net Neutrality: Background and Issues
CRS Report for the 109th Congress that reviews the ongoing debate concerning telecommunications.
- Characteristics and Choices of Internet Users
This report presents the results of a survey of Internet users, including which Internet access methods Internet users thought were available to them, why users chose their providers, and how various applications (e.g., e-mail) and content (i.e., information sources or Web pages) available from their Internet service provider (ISP) or on the Internet were used.
- A Nation Online: How Americans Are Expanding Their Use of the Internet
This report provides comprehensive information on Americans' connectivity to the Internet, broadband services, and computers. Increasing numbers of Americans have integrated these technologies into their daily lives and are using them in a variety of places and for a wide range of activities.
- Internet Access and Usage, and Online Service Usage
This table contains statistical information regarding Internet access and usage as well as online service usage.
- Computer Attack and Cyber Terrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress
Links to Report for Congress on Computer Attack and Cyber Terrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress.
- The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace
CRS Report for the 109th Congress that reviews the ongoing debate concerning telecommunications.
Biotechnology
- The Promise of Biotechnology
An exploration of some of the most promising applications of biotechnology, from microorganisms engineered to produce hydrogen gas from organic waste and bacteria engineered to break down environmental pollutants, to crops that add vitamins to what we eat and novel drugs for treating human diseases such as Alzheimer's and diabetes.
- A Survey of the Use of Biotechnology in U.S. Industry
The U.S. Technology Administration's analysis of survey data provides information about the current development and adoption of biotechnology in more than 1,000 companies and in various industries. These unique results represent the culmination of more than two years of discussion with biotechnology firms, state agencies and governments, numerous federal agencies, and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).
- Frequently Asked Questions about Biotechnology
Provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about biotechnology, including how it is used and what are its benefits.
- United States Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology Responsible Agencies - Overview
Provides contact information as well as the laws, regulations, and rules set fort by the Agencies primarily responsible for regulating biotechnology in the United States.
Energy
- Department
of Energy Strategic Plan
This strategic plan, prepared by the
Office of Science of the U.S. Department
of Energy after extensive consultations
with the U.S. scientific community,
sets concrete goals and priorities that
will dramatically influence the direction
of basic research in the U.S. for decades
to come.
- Energy
and Utilities
This report prepared by U.S. Energy
Information Agency presents statistics
on fuel resources, energy production
and consumption, electric energy, hydroelectric
power, nuclear power, solar energy,
wood energy, and the electric and gas
utility industries.
- Energy
Supply and Disposition
This table presents historical statistics
on U.S. energy supply and disposition
by type of fuel.
- National
Energy Policy
Prepared by the National Energy Policy
Development Group, this document represents
the official U.S. national energy policy.
- Energy
Policy: Setting the Stage for the Current
Debate
This report provides background and
analysis as well as a historical perspective
on U.S. energy policy.
- Annual
Energy Outlook
The Energy Information Administration's
Annual Energy Outlook presents a forecast
and analysis of U.S. energy supply,
demand, and prices through 2030. The
projections are based on results from
the Energy Information Administration’s
National Energy Modeling System. The
report includes the reference case,
additional cases examining energy markets,
and complete documentation.
- Nuclear
Energy Policy
This report for Congress provides an
overview of U.S. nuclear energy policy
with information regarding research
and development, safety and regulation,
nuclear waste management, and federal
funding.
- Energy
Efficiency: Findings and Recommendations
Issued by the Consumer Energy Council
of America (CECA), this release presents
the findings and recommendations of
a report prepared by a blue-ribbon panel
of energy experts.
- Energy
Efficiency: Budget, Oil Conservation,
and Electricity Conservation Issues
This report for Congress offers a discussion
on energy efficiency, legislation, and
security.
- Hydrogen
Posture Plan
An outline of the activities, milestones,
and deliverables the U.S. Department
of Energy plans to pursue to support
America’s shift to a hydrogen-based
transportation energy system.
- Innovating
for Better Environmental Results: A
Report on EPA Progress from the Innovation
Action Council
This report, prepared by the Innovation
Action Council of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), focuses on
solving a set of priority environmental
problems, developing new tools to enhance
environmental problem-solving, strengthening
partnerships with states and tribes,
and fostering innovation in EPA’s
culture and organizational systems.
- Challenges
to Energy Security
This journal reflects international
aspects of energy strategy derived from
that debate. It includes views and insights
from key government officials, industry
representatives, experts, and leading
scholars on how best to use the world's
energy resources to meet growing demand
and fuel sustainable development.
- Clean
Energy Solutions
This journal discusses how projected
increases in energy consumption in the
coming decades, combined with a higher
risk of climate change, require a massive
global response based on technological
innovation and the power of the marketplace.
Experts and government officials describe
the options before us, including renewable
energy, novel vehicles, and low-carbon
power generation, and discuss the best
ways leading to a sustainable energy
future.
Engineering
Environment
Space
Exploration
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