New Environment-Related CRS Reports Available

Congress still forbids the Congressional Research Service to release publicly reports that taxpayers have paid for. Nobody will give a good reason (but the WatchDog thinks it may be politics).

Thanks to groups like the Federation of American Scientists, however, taxpayers can read the reports online despite the charade. Here are some recently published reports that could spawn or strengthen stories on the environment and energy beat.

• "'Dirty Bombs': Technical Background, Attack Prevention and Response, Issues for Congress," Congressional Research Service, June 24, 2011 (R41890), by Jonathan Medalia. See also: "'Dirty Bombs': Background in Brief."
• "Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes in the United States," Congressional Research Service, May 26, 2011 (R40097), by Peter Folger.
• "The Global Climate Change Initiative (GCCI): Budget Authority and Request, FY2008-FY2012," Congressional Research Service, June 1, 2011 (R41845), by Richard K. Lattanzio.
• "The Motor Vehicle Supply Chain: Effects of the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami," Congressional Research Service, May 23, 2011 (R41831), by Bill Canis.
• "Status of Mexican Trucks in the United States: Frequently Asked Questions," Congressional Research Service, May 16, 2011 (R41821), by John Frittelli.
• "Geospatial Information and Geographic Information Systems (GIS): An Overview for Congress," Congressional Research Service, May 18, 2011 (R41825), by Peter Folger; and "Issues and Challenges for Federal Geospatial Information," Congressional Research Service, May 18, 2011 (R41826), by Peter Folger.