A report of a study done to enhance the understanding of the relationship between Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) development and the economics, communities and households of the Gulf of Mexico region.

"This study examines historical, social, and economic changes in three coastal areas -- South Louisiana (Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes), Coastal Bend, Tex. (San Patricio County), and Mobile Bay (Baldwin and Mobile counties) -- since 1930 and the roles of the offshore oil industry in those change."

Concentrating solar power systems use the heat from the sun's rays to generate electricity. Reflective surfaces concentrate the sun's rays up to 10,000 times to heat a receiver filled with a heat-exchange fluid, such as oil. The heated fluid is then used to generate electricity in a steam turbine or heat engine. Mechanical drives slowly turn the reflective surfaces during the day to keep the solar radiation focused on the receiver.

A report on the use of explosive platform removal and its negative impact on fish in the Gulf of Mexico.

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board published an exposure draft of a proposed statement of federal accounting standards. This standard amends the Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards 7 by deleting a requirement regarding an element of reconciling budgetary and financial accounting information."

Document containing a guest list for the First Annual First Ladies Luncheon with names of attendees checked off. This event was hosted by the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters on April 5, 2001.

A report which forecasts the number of new offshore structures to be installed, removed, and operated on the Gulf of Mexico OCS region during the time period between 1999-2023.

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This annual performance and accountability report assesses what GAO was able to accomplish in fiscal year 2000 and describes the agency's plans for continued progress through fiscal year 2002. In the last year, GAO's work resulted in a number of significant improvements to government that will benefit all Americans. By acting on GAO's recommendations, the government improved public health and safety, strengthened national security, better protected consumers, and improved its financial management and information systems. GAO also provided information critical to the public debates on Social Security and Medicare reform and called attention to looming problems, such as the security of government computer systems and the human capital crisis facing the federal workforce. Taxpayers benefited from the near-record $23 billion in savings identified through GAO's work--a $61 return on every dollar invested in GAO. GAO realigned its organization to better meet its goals and objectives, and it began to institute new ways of doing business. GAO also gained new legislative authorities that will help it to address its human capital requirements and help ensure that GAO remains prepared to meet Congress' future needs. The nation's leaders …

This government report describes pollutants which are carried between continents by air currents. The report also addresses current and future research to better understand how these pollutants are transported.

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This journal of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) includes articles regarding (1) the role of integral auditing in promoting a new approach to governmental auditing processes, (2) adjusting external audits to facilitate results-oriented governance, (3) Nigeria's governmental auditing systems, and (4) activities within INTOSAI."

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This journal of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) includes articles regarding (1) the role of integral auditing in promoting a new approach to governmental auditing processes, (2) adjusting external audits to facilitate results-oriented governance, (3) Nigeria's governmental auditing systems, and (4) activities within INTOSAI."

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO provided information on the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program's current financial management initiatives, activities, and practices."

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO published a document on establishing core competencies for project managers. This document identifies competencies in three areas (1) financial management, (2) human resources, and (3) technical skills."

Document containing a guest list for the First Annual First Ladies Luncheon which was hosted by the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters on April 5, 2001. This event celebrated women and was hosted at the Dallas Convention Center Theatre Complex.

In high-value niche markets, such as remote, stand-alone power for telecommunications, PV is the most cost-effective option. The international market continues to show strong growth for applications ranging from water pumping, communications, and lighting, to village power. As manufacturing costs fall, PV is increasingly used for homes and other buildings already connected to the grid.

Summary describing the work completed at Louisiana State University, Center for Energy Studies for Forecasting the Number of Offshore Platforms on the Gulf of Mexico OCS to the Year 2023. It includes background information on the project funding and sponsorship, goals, methodology, and findings.

Summary describing the work completed at Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.). Coastal Studies Institute for Interpretive Synthesis of LATEX Shelf and Slope Circulation Patterns from Satellite and In-situ Measurements. It includes background information on the project funding and sponsorship, goals, methodology, and findings.

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This study focuses on privacy issues related to record-linkage--a computer-based process that combines multiple sources of existing data. Federally sponsored linkage projects conducted for research and statistical purposes have many potential benefits, such as informing policy debates; tracking program outcomes; helping local government or business planning; or contributing knowledge that, in some cases, might help millions of people. Despite these benefits, concerns about personal privacy are relevant because linkages often involve data on identifiable persons. GAO describes (1) how record linkage can create new research and statistical information, (2) why linkage heightens certain privacy issues, and (3) how data stewardship might be enhanced."

Different speakers addressed the Panel, and some highlighted the importance of sound data for monitoring and predicting the climate system and noted with concern the decline in observational networks. Others emphasized the value of the scientific information provided by the IPCC for the Convention process and highlighted the need to integrate scientific assessments in sustainable development consideration and to communicate with a wider audience.

Text for an article published in the May 2001 issue of the Texas Highways magazine about A Hill Country Sculpture and Meditation Garden in Kerrville, Texas.

Today's buildings use a third of the energy currently consumed in the United States and are responsible for two-thirds of peak electrical demand. Because of this, the potential for using solar thermal technologies to reduce utility peak loads in place of conventional gas- or electric-based technologies is substantial.

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This testimony discusses the management challenges that continue to face the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These challenges include (1) computer security, (2) financial management, (3) organizational modernization and performance management, and (4) business systems modernization management. IRS must make progress in all four areas to improve the agency's efficiency and to significantly improve service to taxpayers. IRS has taken important steps in all of these areas, but significant obstacles remain. In the area of computer security, IRS corrected many previously reported weaknesses and is launching a computer security management program that should help it manage its risks in this area. However, serious weaknesses persist that could impair IRS' ability to perform vital functions. In financial management, IRS was able to prepare financial statements this year that received an unqualified opinion. However, this achievement came through the use of substantial, costly, and time-consuming processes to work around IRS' system deficiencies. IRS has reorganized into four taxpayer-focused divisions and has developed a performance management approach consistent with management principles contained in the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act and the Government Performance and Results Act. However, much work remains to be …

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This testimony discusses internal control weaknesses in the Department of Education's payment process. GAO identified internal control weaknesses that sharply increase Education's vulnerability to improper payments. GAO classified the weaknesses into the following four broad categories: (1) poor segregation of duties, (2) lack of supervisory review, (3) inadequate audit trails, and (4) inadequate computer systems' application controls. GAO found that some individuals at Education can control the entire payment process for some transactions. As a result, individuals could be using agency funds for personal expenses. GAO also found that Education has serious deficiencies in its process for reviewing and approving purchases made with government credit cards. During fiscal year 2000, Education employees made more than $8 million in purchases using their government purchase cards. Without proper review and approval of these expenditures, improper use of the government charge cards may go undetected. Regarding audit trails, Education lacks adequate control over changes made to sensitive information for certain types of payments, including contracting and third party drafts. Finally, weaknesses in Education's information systems controls increases the risk of unauthorized access or disruption in services and make Education's sensitive grant …

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The rapid pace of technological change and innovation has offered unprecedented opportunities for both the government and commercial sectors to use information technology (IT) to improve performance, reduce costs, and enhance service. A range of issues have emerged about how to best manage and integrate complex information technologies and management processes so that they are aligned with mission goals, strategies, and objectives. Although IT can help the government provide services more efficiently and at lower costs, many challenges must be overcome to increase the government's ability to use the information resources at its disposal effectively, securely, and with the best service to the American people. A central focal point such as a federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) can help ensure that attention to IT issues is sustained and increase the likelihood that progress is charted and achieved. Although GAO's research has found that there is no one right way to establish a CIO position, critical success factors GAO found in leading organizations, such as aligning the position for value creation, are extremely important considerations. Finally, the experiences of statewide CIOs offer a rich set of experiences to draw …