The Synthetic Fuels Corporation's Progress in Aiding Synthetic Fuels Development

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed: (1) the Synthetic Fuels Corporation's progress in meeting the objectives of the Energy Security Act; (2) the Corporation's success in encouraging private sponsor participation; (3) the reasons project sponsors have dropped specific projects; (4) whether other available financing options under the act would have been more effective than those used; (5) the effect of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act on the economic viability of synthetic fuels projects; (6) what factors need to be considered by Congress in any reevaluation of the Corporation's funding needs; and (7) industry views on the potential effects of reductions in the fossil fuels research and development budget on the Corporation's commercialization activities.