| Description |
ii, 30 p. : digital, PDF file |
| System Details |
System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. |
|
Mode of access via the GAO web site. |
| Note |
Title from PDF title screen (viewed Feb. 26, 2009). |
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"GAO contact, Frank Rusco" -- P. 30 |
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"October 2008." |
| Summary |
In recent years, global demand for petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel fuel has grown more quickly than the capacity to produce them, creating a tight market. U.S. refiners have been running near capacity, particularly during peak summer demand. In such conditions, unexpected refinery outages can result in price increases that adversely affect consumers. GAO was asked to evaluate (1) the trends in U.S. refinery outages over the last 5 years, in terms of reduced production capacity, frequency, and geographic location, and (2) the federal requirements for reporting outages at U.S. refineries. To evaluate these objectives, GAO obtained and analyzed Energy Information Administration (EIA) and commercial data, and obtained and analyzed federal legislation and policies, and interviewed federal agency, academic, and industry trade group officials. GAO is recommending that the Secretary of Energy direct the Administrator of EIA to (1) reevaluate its monthly refinery production survey and other data to determine whether those data allow EIA to adequately conduct future analyses of outage effects on petroleum product prices, and (2) report to the Congress on the costs and benefits of collecting any additional data on newer fuels. EIA officials provided verbal comments suggesting GAO distinguish between the types of outages and data collected, among other things, which we addressed as appropriate. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Note |
"GAO-09-87." |
| Subject |
United States. Energy Information Administration.
|
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Energy industries -- United States.
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Power resources -- United States.
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Petroleum refineries -- United States.
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| Added Author |
Rusco, F. W. (Frank W.)
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| Added Title |
Refinery outages can impact petroleum product prices, but no federal requirements to report outages exist |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-09-87 |
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