Since the last report of the Institutional Barrier Panel (December 21, 1976), the federal energy establishment has been reorganized and a National Energy Plan proposed there has been some progress toward resolution of the major institutional impediments with which the panel has concerned itself, but little in the way of final resolution, as can be seen from the discussion in this report. However, in the two most severe problem areas, Federal Tax Policy and Federal Leasing and Permitting, initiatives proposed in the National Energy Plan are nearing implementation