The National Academies Testimony before Congress

Public Laws Containing Studies for the National Academies

Briefings to Congress

Congressionally Mandated Reports

Policy Statements and Historical Documents

The OCGA staff

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
National Research Council
Division on Earth and Life Studies
Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology
Committee on the Review of the Basic Energy Sciences Catalysis Science Program

*****

Congressional Briefing
Friday, March 6, 2009
370 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. – 3:30 p.m.

on

Catalysis for Energy:
Fundamental Science and Long-Term Impacts of the
U.S. Department of Energy Basic Energy Science Catalysis Science Program

Requested by Congress in P.L. 109-58, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, this report presents an in-depth analysis of the investment in catalysis basic research by the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) Office of Basic Energy Sciences Catalysis Science Program. (Catalysis, the process by which a substance -- a catalyst -- increases the rate of a chemical reaction, is essential to the ability to control chemical reactions, including those involved in energy transformations. Catalysis is therefore integral to current and future energy solutions, for example, developing environmentally benign energy sources such as biomass and solar energy, and developing efficient energy systems such as fuel cells.)

This briefing was for members of Congress and congressional staff only. The report was publicly released on February 12, 2009 and can be found, in its entirety, on the Web site of the National Academies Press.