Department of Agriculture

Economic Research Service  

Natural Resources and Environment Division
Production Management and Technology Branch
1800 M Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-5831

ERS Information Center
(202) 694-5050
FAX: (202) 694-5775
E-Mail:  service@ers.usda.gov
URL:  http://www.ers.usda.gov

Provides current and historical statistics on energy use, prices, and expenditures in agriculture by fuel source, such as gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, fuel oil, etc. Provides information on grain-based fuel alcohol, including supply, demand, economics, capacity, imports, and energy-related legislation, particularly that affecting alcohol fuels.

Forest Service  

U.S. Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 96090
Washington, DC 20090-6090

Chris Barone, Public Affairs Specialist
(202) 205-0954

Willette Squire, Public Affairs Specialist
(202) 205-1013

Fax: (202) 205-0885
E-mail:  wo_fs-contact@fs.fed.us
URL:  http://www.fs.fed.us

Conducts forest biomass energy-related research. Coordinates research activities with Federal and State agencies, as well as universities. Obtains, analyzes, and projects national statistics on woody biomass supply and use, as well as research in agriculture, harvesting, and utilization. Administers national forest lands in a multiple-use approach that includes sales of industrial wood and personal/ industrial use of fuel wood.

Rural Utilities Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th and Independence Avenue, S.W, MC1538
Washington, DC 20250

Legislative and Public Affairs Staff
(202) 720-1255
Fax: (202) 205-9219
URL:  http://www.usda.gov/rus/

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a new agency created in late 1994 by the reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks to improve the quality of life in rural America via a variety of economic development programs in the electric, telecommunications, water and waste disposal areas.

It administers electric and telephone loan programs previously handled by the Rural Electrification Administration, which was abolished by the reorganization, and the water and waste disposal loan and grant programs, which were previously in the Rural Development Administration.

RUS provided financial assistance via direct loans, guarantees of loans made by others, approval of loan security arrangements, which permits agency borrowers to obtain financing without a guarantee, grants for emergency water system repairs, technical assistance and replacement and contract technical aid in the water and waste disposal areas.

Department of Commerce

Bureau of Census

Foreign Trade Division
Room 2281, FOB 3
Washington, DC 20233

For trade data:
(301) 457-2227
Fax: (301) 457-2647

Provides statistical information on U.S. exports and imports merchandise trade.

Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

Public Information Office, BE-53
1441 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20230

(202) 606-9900
Fax: (202) 606-5310
URL: http://www.bea.doc.gov

Produce and disseminate accurate, timely, relevant, and cost-effective economic statistics that provide government, businesses, households, and individuals with a comprehensive, up-to-date picture of economic activity. BEA’s national, regional, and international economic accounts present information on key issues, such as U.S. economic growth, regional economic development, and the Nation’s position in the world economy.

BEA’s Web site features the Survey of Current Business, our monthly journal, all the news releases and the news release schedule, the BEA Catalog of Products, which now contains links for specific products to files that can be downloaded free of charge (see BEA Product Guide), the "BEA Telephone Contacts for Data Users," and descriptions of the methodologies used to prepare BEA’s national, regional, and international accounts. Detailed estimates from the national, regional, and international economic accounts, and estimates underlying these accounts are available on diskettes and CD ROM’s from BEA. These products can be ordered from BEA’s Order Desk by calling toll-free 1-800-704-0415. Outside of the United States, call (202) 606-9666.

International Trade Administration

14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20230
Basic Industries
Michael Kelly, Director
Office of Chemicals and Allied Products
(202) 482-5147
Fax: (202) 482-5666
E-Mail:  Michael_Kelly@ita.doc.gov
URL:  http://www.ita.doc.gov

Serves as the principal resource for chemical and petrochemical analysis and information in the Department of Commerce. Monitors the industry structure, production, capacity, prices, and other economic factors, both domestic and international. Analytical results are used both within the Department of Commerce for policy planning and by industry and other Government agencies. Responsible for competitive assessment programs, policy and legislation, and export promotions.

Office of Energy, Infrastructure, and Machinery

Joseph Ayoub, Director
Energy Division
Room 4054
Washington, DC 20230
(202) 482-0313
Fax: (202) 482-5361 or (202) 482-0170
E-Mail:  Joseph_Ayoub@ita.doc.gov

The primary role is to foster and assist the basic energy fuels industries (coal, oil, natural gas, uranium, renewable fuels, and electric power generation) to improve their market competitiveness and participation in international trade.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

National Climate Data Center
Thomas Karl, Director
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001

For climate data, call:
(828) 271-4800
Fax: (828) 271-4876
E-Mail: orders@ncdc.noaa.gov
URL: http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html

Provides, for the cost of reproduction, available climatic data and summaries for sites in or near a locality. More sites record a daily precipitation measurement with some sites having automatic gauges which provide a continuous record of precipitation. At many stations, twenty-four hour high and low temperatures are also recorded. More detailed data are available for many airport sites which are located in major U.S. cities. This data is recorded at hourly intervals and consists of such elements as wind, temperature, humidity, type of weather, atmospheric pressure, visibility, and clouds. Summaries, monthly and annual, are available for most sites. In addition, wind tabulations, solar radiation, rainfall event statistics, long term normals, accounts of major storms, satellite and radar images, upper air data, weather charts, heating/cooling degree day data, forecasts and warnings, miscellaneous publications, and special studies are available. Data is variously provided as paper copy, on diskette, on cd-roms, or as downloads from the Internet.

Office of Public Affairs/EPA
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-2090

The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment–air, water, and land–upon which life depends.

EPA’s purpose is to ensure that:

All Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn and work. National efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best available scientific information. Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively. Environmental protection is an integral consideration in U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy. All parts of society–communities, individuals, business, state and local governments, tribal governments–have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks. Environmental protection contributes to making our communities and ecosystems diverse, sustainable and economically productive. The United States plays a leadership role in working with other nations to protect the global environment.

Clean Air Markets Division
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code 6204N
Washington, DC 20460
Acid Rain Hotline: 202-564-9620
URL: http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/index.html

EPA's Clean Air Market Programs include several regulatory programs designed to address a variety of environmental issues. The regulations are available, along with accompanying guidance. In addition, information is provided about the US-Canada Air Quality Agreement and other international programs that use cap and trade concepts.

Climate Protection Partnerships Division
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (MC 6202J)
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-1471
E-Mail:  webmasters.cpd@epa.gov
URL: http://www.epa.gov/cpd.html

The Climate Protection Partnerships Division (CPPD) is committed to reducing greenhouse gases through energy-efficiency and cost-effective partnerships with industries in all sectors of our economy where emissions reductions can be achieved.

Most of CPPD's voluntary programs were launched in the 1993 Climate Change Action Plan to achieve the goals of the Earth Summit signed in Rio De Janeiro in 1992. Congress, in the Clean Air Act, charges EPA with developing "nonregulatory strategies" for air pollution prevention.

CPPD is housed along with the Global Programs Division and the Clean Air Markets Division in the Office of Atmospheric Programs which is in the Office of Air and Radiation.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Division of Energy Assistance
370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, DC 20447
(202) 401-9351
Fax: (202) 401-5661
E-Mail:  liheap@acf.dhhs.gov
URL: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/liheap/liheap.htm

Administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) block grants to the States, Indian tribes, and U.S. territories to assist low-income households with home energy costs through heating and cooling assistance, crisis assistance, and weatherization assistance.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Community Planning and Development

Energy Division
451 7th Street, S.W., Room 7250
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 708-1112
Fax: (202) 708-1455
URL:  http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/index.cfm

Serves as HUD's principal coordinator for energy activities and provides advice and staff support on energy matters affecting State and local governments and the general public; provides technical assistance to State and local governments in achieving the energy objectives of programs administered by the Department, including public housing, the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Affordable Housing Act programs.

Prepares the HUD Five-Year Energy Plan, administers and participates in demonstrations, feasibility studies, and cooperative efforts with the Department of Energy and other agencies in such diverse areas as energy efficiency of buildings, economic/community development, district heating, municipal waste- to-energy systems, energy and the elderly, and sustainable development.

HUD USER

P.O. Box 6091
Rockville, MD 20849-6091
(800) 245-2691
Fax: (301) 519-5767
E-Mail: huduser@aspensys.com
URL: http://www.huduser.org

Operates a computer-based information service. Provides literature searches from HUD's data base, summaries of HUD research results, special products, and document distribution service. In the data base collection, energy and utilities information is included. Other information includes, but is not limited to, building technology, community development/public finance, elderly and handicapped, environmental research, housing finance, housing management, and housing programs. HUD USER does charge for service and handling of information and documents.

Department of Interior (DOI)

Minerals Management Service

Dian Lawhon
Public Affairs
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20240
(202) 208-3985
E-Mail:  dian.lawhon@mms.gov
URL:  http://www.mms.gov

Responsible for the offshore leasing program, resource evaluation, and classification functions; environmental review of leasing activities; regulation of operations and lease management; and inspection and enforcement activities for all leaseable minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Responsible for the collection of all royalty payments, rentals, bonus payments, fines, penalties, and assessments and for other revenues due the Federal Government and Indian lessors as monies or royalties-in-kind from the extraction of mineral resources from Federal and Indian lands on-shore and from the leasing and extraction of mineral resources on the OCS.

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Office of Surface Mining
1951 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20240
(202) 208-2719
E-Mail:  getinfo@osmre.gov
URL:  http://www.osmre.gov

Formulates policy for State, Federal, and Indian Abandoned Mine Land (AML) reclamation programs, and develops annual work plans. Develops grant distributions to the States and Tribes from the AML Reclamation Fund. Provides guidance for monitoring and evaluating Federal and State/Tribal AML programs for establishing programmatic requirements for AML grants and for administering emergency reclamation responsibilities. Maintains an inventory and tracking system for projects funded from the AML Reclamation Fund. Coordinates the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement's Value Engineering activities.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

U.S. National Center
Trudy Harlow, Public Affairs Officer
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192
(703) 648-4483
E-Mail:  tharlow@usgs.gov
URL:  http://www.usgs.gov

Answers questions on all aspects of geology such as earthquakes, volcanoes, energy resources, the geology of specific areas, and geologic maps and mapping. Information on geologic map indexes and a limited number of copies are also available.

Written and telephone requests are handled by this Office or are referred to the appropriate information source.

Department of Labor (DOL)

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Consumer Price Index
(202) 691-7000
Utilities (202) 691-6985
Gasoline (202) 691-6982
E-Mail:  cpi_info@bls.gov
URL:  http://www.bls.gov/cpi/

Provides monthly prices for residential consumption of natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, and gasoline. Prices and indexes are calculated for the U.S., 14 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA), and other geographic areas and population categories. Price indices for natural gas, fuel oil, gasoline, and other fuels are also available.

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)

Office of Public Affairs
4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 601
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 235-1452
Fax: (703) 235-4323
URL:  http://www.msha.gov

Provides information on a wide variety of mine safety topics. Responsible for responding to information requests from media and the public. Various fact sheets are available on such subjects as coal mine safety and health activities. Provides inquiry assistance in conjunction with other MSHA policy, and education programs related to mine safety and training.

Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

Office of Highway Policy Information
Barna Juhasz, Director
400 7th Street, S.W., Room 3306
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-0180
Fax: (202) 366-7742
URL: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 366-0660

Compiles and publishes statistics on highway use of motor fuels, including total use of gasoline; vehicle registration and driver's licenses issued; financing of Federal, State and local highway systems; mileage of roads and streets, including type of pavement; traffic and travel characteristics, including vehicle-miles traveled. Most data are by State. Conducts the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey every 5 years.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

(888) DASH-2-DOT (888-327-4236)
URL: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

NHTSA is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. This is accomplished by setting and enforcing safety performance standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, and through grants to state and local governments to enable them to conduct effective local highway safety programs.

NHTSA investigates safety defects in motor vehicles, sets and enforces fuel economy standards, helps states and local communities reduce the threat of drunk drivers, promotes the use of safety belts, child safety seats and air bags, investigates odometer fraud, establishes and enforces vehicle anti-theft regulations and provides consumer information on motor vehicle safety topics.

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)

400 7th Street, S.W., Room 3430
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-1270
Fax: (202) 366-3640
URL: http://www.bts.gov

Information Services
(800) 853-1351
E-Mail:  answers@bts.gov

Products
(202) 366-DATA (3282)

As an operating administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), BTS is responsible for collecting, compiling, analyzing, and making accessible information on the nation’s transportation systems; identifying needs for new information and analysis and implementing programs to meet those needs; establishing and maintaining an Intermodel Transportation Data Base; and enhancing the quality and effectiveness of DOT’s statistical programs through research, the development of guidelines, coordination with related information-gathering activities conducted by other Federal agencies, and the promotion of improvements in data acquisition, archiving, dissemination, and use. BTS is a national statistical agency, DOT’s representative on the Federal Geographic Data Committee, and the home of the National Transportation Library.

Department of Treasury

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF)

Office of Liaison & Public Information
650 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Room 8290
Washington, DC 20226
(202) 927-8500
Fax: (202) 927-8868
E-Mail:  ATF@atfhq.atf.treas.gov/

Maintains pamphlets and fact sheets about the Bureau's history and responsibilities. Provides ATF news releases and information about Federal laws and ordinances that affect trade in and licensing of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives.

Independent Agencies

U.S. International Trade Commission
Tariff Information Center
500 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20436
(202) 205-3141
URL: http://www.usitc.gov/tata/index.htm

The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches of government, determines the impact of imports on U.S. industries, and directs actions against certain unfair trade practices, such as patent, trademark, and copyright infringement.

The mission of the Commission is twofold: administer U.S. trade remedy laws in a fair and objective manner; and provide the President, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Congress with independent, quality advice and information on matters of international trade and competitiveness. In so doing, the Commission contributes to the development and implementation of sound and informed U.S. trade policy.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Office of Public Affairs
Mail Stop T-2A13Washington, DC 20555
(800) 368-5642
(301) 415-8200
Fax: (301) 415-2234
E-Mail:  opa@nrc.gov
URL:  http://www.nrc.gov/

Serves as a public inquiry point for information on licensing (including decommissioning) of commercial nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities and the possession and use of nuclear materials for medical, industrial, educational, and research purposes; inspections and investigations designed to assure that licensed activities are conducted in compliance with the Agency's regulations and other requirements; confirmatory research in the areas of safety, safeguards, and environmental assessment and the establishment of regulations, standards, and guidelines governing the civilian use of nuclear facilities and materials; safeguarding of nuclear facilities and materials from diversion or sabotage; implementation of Agency responsibilities under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (high-level radioactive wastes), as amended in 1987, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980, as amended in 1985, and the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978; and packaging of radioactive materials for transport.