New expert background reports of interest to environmental journalists and the public have been published by the Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy. Congress does not let the taxpayer-funded Congressional Research Service publish them.

• "Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress," [2] Congressional Research Service (RL34391), September 2, 2015, by Ronald O'Rourke.
• "Gold King Mine Spill May Renew Interest in 'Good Samaritan' Legislation," [3] Congressional Research Service (IN10348), August 27, 2015, by Claudia Copeland.
• "Powering Africa: Challenges of and U.S. Aid for Electrification in Africa," [4] Congressional Research Service (R43593), August 17, 2015, by Nicolas Cook, Richard J. Campbell, Phillip Brown and Michael Ratner.
• "Biopower: Background and Federal Support," [5] Congressional Research Service (R41440), August 14, 2015, by Kelsi Bracmor.
• "California Drought: Hydrological and Regulatory Water Supply Issues," [6] Congressional Research Service (R40979), August 14, 2015, by Betsy A. Cody, Peter Folger and Cynthia Brown.
• "Presidential Permit Review for Cross-Border Pipelines and Electric Transmission ," [7] Congressional Research Service (R44140), August 6, 2015, by Linda Luther and Paul W. Parfomak.
• "EPA’s Clean Power Plan: Highlights of the Final Rule," [8] Congressional Research Service (R44145), August 14, 2015, by Jonathan L. Ramseur and James E. McCarthy.
• "Nuclear Cooperation with Other Countries: A Primer," [9] Congressional Research Service (RS22937), August 5, 2015, by Paul K. Kerr and Mary Beth D. Nikitin.