Abstract
All sectors of the U.S. economy are examining ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily CO2. Prior to the awarding of the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the U.S. Congress passed the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA 2007) which contained specific goals for the use of renewable fuels (36 billion gallons by 2022) and more efficient engines (55% peak efficiency for diesels by 2013.) The IPCC goals are longer term but extremely challenging; reduce all GHG emissions to 80% of 1990 base levels by 2050. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will play primary roles in meeting both the EISA and IPCC goals. DOE has increased fuel efficiency, through research on efficiency and enabling technologies as well as developing and promoting renewable fuels in research and demonstration activities. These activities ultimately will reduce GHG emissions from transportation, particularly fossil-derived CO2, through fuel savings.