Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Emission 
July 18, 2022 
Reduction Legislation: 108th Through 117th 
Jonathan L. Ramseur 
Congresses 
Specialist in Environmental Policy 
Congressional interest in market-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emission control legislation has 
  
fluctuated over the past 20 years. Market-based approaches that would address GHG emissions typically involve either a cap-and-trade system or a carbon tax or emissions fee program. Both 
 
approaches would place a price—directly or indirectly—on GHG emissions or their inputs, namely fossil fuels. Both would increase the price of fossil fuels, and both would reduce GHG emissions to some degree. Both would allow covered entities to choose the best way to meet their emission requirements or reduce costs, potentially by using market forces to minimize national costs of emission reductions. Preference between the two approaches ultimately depends on which variable policymakers prefer to precisely control—emission levels or emission prices.  
A primary policy concern with either approach is the economic impacts that may result. Expected energy price increases could have both economy-wide impacts (e.g., on the U.S. gross domestic product) and disproportionate effects on specific industries and particular demographic groups. The degree of these potential effects would depend on a number of factors, including the magnitude, design, and scope of the program and the use of tax or fee revenues or emission allowance values.  
As the figure below illustrates, between the 108th and 111th Congresses, most of the introduced bills would have established cap-and-trade systems. Between the 112th and 117th Congresses, most of the introduced bills would have established carbon tax or emissions fee programs. The proposals ranged in the scope of emissions covered from CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion to multiple GHG emissions from a broader array of sources. In addition, the proposals differed by how, to whom, and for what purpose the fee revenues or allowance value would be applied. Some economic analyses indicate that policy choices to distribute the tax, fee, or emission allowance revenue would yield greater economic impacts than the direct impacts of the carbon price. 
Number and Type of Introduced GHG Emission Reduction Bills 
108th Congress through 117th Congress 
 
Source: Prepared by CRS. Notes: “Other Approaches” include (1) proposals that did not specify the overall framework but would have authorized EPA to establish a GHG emission reduction program and (2) proposals that combine elements from a cap-and-trade system with price control features in a carbon tax or emissions fee system, sometimes described as hybrid approaches. 
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This report includes a separate table for each Congress, comparing GHG emission reduction legislation by the following characteristics:  
  General framework: the proposed program structure and scope in terms of emissions covered, multiple 
GHG emissions, or just carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. 
  Covered entities/materials: a list of the industries, sectors, or materials that would be subject to the 
program. 
  Emissions limit or target: the GHG or CO2 emissions target or cap for a specified year.   Distribution of allowance value or tax revenue: how emission allowance value or carbon tax or fee 
revenue would be distributed. 
  Offset and international allowance treatment: the degree to which offsets and international allowances 
could be used for compliance purposes and the types of offset activities that would qualify. 
  Mechanism to address carbon-intensive imports: a U.S. GHG reduction program may create a 
competitive disadvantage for some domestic businesses, particularly carbon-intensive, trade-exposed industries. 
  Additional GHG reduction measures: other mechanisms designed to further reduce GHG emissions that 
are not covered in the central program. 
 
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Contents 
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 
Background ..................................................................................................................................... 4 
What Is a GHG Emissions Cap-and-Trade System? ................................................................. 4 
What Is a Carbon Tax or Emissions Fee? .................................................................................. 5 
GHG Emission Reduction Legislation by Congress ....................................................................... 6 
 
Figures 
Figure 1. Number and Type of Market-Based GHG Emission Reduction Bills Introduced 
in 108th Congress Through 117th Congress ................................................................................... 3 
  
Tables 
Table 1. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 108th Congress ....................................................... 8 
Table 2. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 109th Congress ...................................................... 11 
Table 3. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 110th Congress ..................................................... 18 
Table 4. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 111th Congress ..................................................... 28 
Table 5. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 112th Congress ..................................................... 36 
Table 6. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 113th Congress ..................................................... 38 
Table 7. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 114th Congress ..................................................... 41 
Table 8. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 115th Congress ..................................................... 47 
Table 9. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 116th Congress ..................................................... 59 
Table 10. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 117th Congress ................................................... 72 
  
Contacts 
Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 81 
 
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Introduction 
Human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and industrial operations, have raised the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) since the late 1700s—for example, CO2 has increased by over 40%.1 Almost all climate scientists agree that these GHG increases have contributed to a warmer climate today and that, if they continue, they will contribute to future climate change.2 Although a range of actions that seek to reduce GHG emissions are currently under way or being developed on the international3 and subnational level (e.g., individual state actions or regional partnerships),4 federal policymakers and stakeholders have different viewpoints over what, if anything, to do about future climate change and related impacts. 
Congressional interest in GHG emission control legislation has fluctuated over the last 20 years. A number of proposals to limit GHG emissions have focused on market-based approaches, such as a GHG emission cap-and-trade program or a GHG emissions tax (often referred to as a carbon tax) or fee. In general, a market-based approach would place a price on GHG emissions (e.g., through an emissions cap or emission tax or fee), allowing covered entities to determine their pathway of compliance.5 This report focuses on these types of approaches to address GHG emissions. 
Other approaches include a range of policy options, including performance-based or technology-based standards (e.g., best available control technology), public investment in research and development, and tax policies.6 Although not discussed in this report, Members have introduced multiple, nonmarket-based proposals that would have likely resulted in reductions in GHG emissions. Several of these proposals were enacted, including tax incentives to promote 
                                                 1 U.S. EPA, “EPA’s Climate Change Indicators in the United States,” https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-atmospheric-concentrations-greenhouse-gases. 
2 For the latest U.S. assessment of the human contribution to climate change, see Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Global Warming of 1.5°C, Special Report, 2018; and U.S. Global Change Research Program, Fourth National 
Climate Assessment, vol. II: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States, 2018. See also CRS Report R45086, Evolving Assessments of Human and Natural Contributions to Climate Change, by Jane A. Leggett. 
3 Some countries have levied carbon taxes (or something similar) for over 20 years. For a review of carbon prices in other countries, see World Bank, State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2020, https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/33809. The European Union established a cap-and-trade program in 2005 and covers emissions from the electricity sector, selected energy-intensive industries, and aviation. See, for example, Climate Action Tracker, https://climateactiontracker.org; and Climate Watch, https://www.climatewatchdata.org/. 
4 A number of U.S. states have taken action requiring GHG emission reductions. The most aggressive actions have come from California and from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)—a coalition of 11 states from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The RGGI is a cap-and-trade system that took effect in 2009 that applies to CO2 emissions from electric power plants. (See CRS Report R41836, The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Background, 
Impacts, and Selected Issues, by Jonathan L. Ramseur.) California established a cap-and-trade program that took effect in 2013. California’s cap covers multiple GHGs, which account for approximately 85% of California’s GHG emissions. For more details, see the California Air Resources Board website, https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/capandtrade.htm. In addition to its emissions cap, California has adopted a range of other climate change mitigation policies (e.g., renewable energy portfolio standards).  
5 The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments established a market-based cap-and-trade program to control the air emissions (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) that lead to acid rain. Although controversial at its inception, the program is widely considered a success. See, for example, Gabriel Chan et al., The SO2 Allowance Trading System and the Clean Air Act 
Amendments of 1990: Reflections on Twenty Years of Policy Innovation, Harvard Environmental Economics Program, 2012, https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/legacy/files/so2-brief_digital4_final.pdf. 
6 See CRS In Focus IF11791, Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Selected Policy Options, by Jonathan L. Ramseur et al.; CRS Report R41973, Climate Change: Conceptual Approaches and Policy Tools, by Jane A. Leggett. 
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renewable energy sources7 and carbon capture and sequestration efforts.8 In addition, Congress enacted the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 to phase down hydrofluorocarbons, potent GHGs used in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.9 
Members of Congress have expressed a range of perspectives regarding climate change issues. For example, between the 112th Congress and going through the 115th Congress, Members introduced resolutions in both the House and Senate expressing the view that a carbon tax is not in the economic interests of the United States. In 2014 and 2018, the House passed resolutions “expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy” (H.Con.Res. 89 and H.Con.Res. 119, respectively). In the 117th Congress, during debate on S.Con.Res. 5, the Senate voted (50-50) on S.Amdt. 887, which would “establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to prohibiting a Federal carbon tax.” 
This report provides a comparison of the legislative proposals from the 108th through the 117th Congresses that were and are designed primarily to reduce GHG emissions using market-based approaches such as cap-and-trade or carbon tax/fee programs. As Figure 1 illustrates, between the 108th and 111th Congresses, most of the market-based climate mitigation bills would have established cap-and-trade systems. Between the 112th and 117th Congresses, most of the introduced bills would have established carbon tax or emissions fee programs. 
In the 111th Congress, Members offered multiple and varied proposals,10 ultimately resulting in the House passage of H.R. 2454, an economy-wide cap-and-trade bill.11 A companion bill in the Senate (S. 1733) was ordered reported from the Committee on Environment and Public Works, but the bill was never brought to the Senate floor for consideration. 
In subsequent Congresses, some Members continued to offer GHG emission control legislation, but these proposals saw minimal legislative activity. During that time frame, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) used existing Clean Air Act authorities to promulgate GHG emission standards for key sectors, including the electric power and transportation sectors.12 Key EPA rulemakings in the electric power sector include the Obama Administration’s 2015 Clean Power Plan (CPP) final rule13 and the Trump Administration’s 2019 Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) final rule,14 which repealed and replaced the CPP. In January 2021, a federal appellate court vacated and remanded the ACE rule.15 In June 2022, the Supreme Court held that                                                  7 See CRS In Focus IF11316, A Brief History of U.S. Electricity Portfolio Standard Proposals, by Ashley J. Lawson; and CRS In Focus IF10479, The Energy Credit or Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC), by Molly F. Sherlock. 
8 See CRS Report R44902, Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in the United States, by Peter Folger. 9 P.L. 116-260, Division S, §103, enacted December 27, 2020. See CRS In Focus IF11779, Hydrofluorocarbon 
Phasedown: Issues for Congress, by Kate C. Shouse. 
10 See CRS Report R40556, Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Control: Selected Proposals in the 111th Congress, by Larry Parker, Brent D. Yacobucci, and Jonathan L. Ramseur. 
11 H.R. 2454 (111th Congress), which was introduced by Reps. Waxman and Markey, would have covered approximately 85% of the U.S. GHG emissions. Although not complete coverage, this approach is typically described as economy-wide. 
12 See CRS Report R45204, Vehicle Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Standards: Frequently Asked Questions, by Richard K. Lattanzio, Linda Tsang, and Bill Canis. 
13 For more details, see CRS Report R44341, EPA’s Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants: Frequently Asked 
Questions, by James E. McCarthy et al.  
14 For more details, see CRS Report R46482, EPA’s Affordable Clean Energy Rule and Related Issues: Frequently 
Asked Questions, coordinated by Kate C. Shouse. 
15 For more background, see CRS Legal Sidebar LSB10666, Congress’s Delegation of “Major Questions”: The 
Supreme Court’s Review of EPA’s Authority to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions May Have Broad Impacts, by Linda Tsang and Kate R. Bowers. See also Am. Lung Ass'n. v. EPA, No. 19-1140 (D.C. Cir. Jan.. 19, 2021), 
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when EPA promulgated the 2015 CPP, the agency exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act. Under the West Virginia v. EPA decision, EPA retains the ability to regulate GHG emissions from power plants and other sources, but it now faces more constraints in how it regulates those emissions. For more details, see CRS Legal Sidebar LSB10791, Supreme Court Addresses Major 
Questions Doctrine and EPA’s Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, by Kate R. Bowers. Subsequent executive action from the Biden Administration in this setting will likely continue to generate interest and debate in Congress. 
The proposals in the 117th Congress range in their scope of emissions covered from CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion to multiple GHG emissions from a broader array of sources. In addition, the proposals differ by how, to whom, and for what purpose the fee revenues or allowance value would be applied. Some economic analyses indicate that policy choices to distribute the tax, fee, or emission allowance revenue would yield greater economic impacts than the direct impacts of the carbon price.16  
The first section of this report provides background information on cap-and-trade and carbon tax or emission fee programs. The second section compares the GHG emission reduction legislation in each Congress (108th-117th). 
Figure 1. Number and Type of Market-Based GHG Emission Reduction Bills 
Introduced in 108th Congress Through 117th Congress 
 
Source: Prepared by CRS. Notes: “Other Approaches” include (1) proposals that did not specify the overall framework but would have provided EPA with the authority to establish a GHG emission reduction program and (2) proposals that combine elements from a cap-and-trade system with price control features in a carbon tax or emissions fee system, sometimes described as hybrid approaches. 
                                                 https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/6356486C5963F49185258662005677F6/$file/19-1140.correctedopinion.pdf. 
16 For more information, see CRS Report R45625, Attaching a Price to Greenhouse Gas Emissions with a Carbon Tax 
or Emissions Fee: Considerations and Potential Impacts, by Jonathan L. Ramseur and Jane A. Leggett. 
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Background 
Over the last 15 years, broad GHG emission reduction legislation has generally involved market-based approaches—such as cap-and-trade systems or carbon tax programs—that rely on private-sector choices and market forces to minimize the costs of emission reductions and spur innovation.17 Both carbon tax and emissions cap-and-trade programs would place a price—directly or indirectly—on GHG emissions or their inputs (e.g., fossil fuels), both would increase the price of fossil fuels for the consumer, and both would reduce GHG emissions to some degree. Preference between the two approaches ultimately depends on which variable policymakers prefer to precisely control: emission levels or emission prices. As a practical matter, these market-based policies may include complementary or hybrid designs, incorporating elements to increase certainty in price or emissions quantity. For example, legislation could provide mechanisms for adjusting a carbon tax/fee if a targeted range of emissions reductions were not achieved in a given period. Alternatively, legislation could include mechanisms that would bound the range of market prices for a cap-and-trade system’s emissions allowances to improve price certainty. 
What Is a GHG Emissions Cap-and-Trade System? 
A GHG cap-and-trade system creates an overall limit, or cap, on GHG emissions from certain sources. Cap-and-trade programs can vary by the sources covered, which often include major emitting sectors (e.g., power plants and carbon-intensive industries), fuel producers and/or processors (e.g., coal mines or petroleum refineries), or some combination of both. 
The emissions cap is partitioned into emission allowances. Typically, in a GHG cap-and-trade system, one emission allowance represents the authority to emit one metric ton18 of carbon dioxide-equivalent (mtCO2e).19 The emissions cap creates a new commodity—the emission allowance. Policymakers may decide to distribute the emission allowances to covered entities at no cost (based on, for example, previous years’ emissions), sell the allowances (e.g., through an auction), or use some combination of these strategies. The distribution of emission allowances is typically a source of significant debate during a cap-and-trade program’s development, because the allowances have monetary value. 
At the end of each established compliance period (e.g., a calendar year or multiple years), covered sources submit emission allowances to an implementing agency to cover the number of tons emitted. If a source did not provide enough allowances to cover its emissions, the source would be subject to penalties. Covered sources would have a financial incentive to make reductions beyond what is required, because they could (1) sell or trade unused emission 
                                                 17 In some instances, legislation would have directed EPA to establish a GHG emissions reduction program with a market-based approach as one option. An alternative approach to a market-based system might involve regulatory directives that require emission performance standards for specific sources or the application of best available control technology. 
18 A metric ton is approximately 2,205 pounds. A short ton equals 2,000 pounds. 19 This term of measure (CO2e) is used because GHGs vary by global warming potential (GWP). GWP is an index developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that allows comparisons of the heat-trapping ability of different gases over a period of time, typically 100 years. Consistent with international GHG reporting requirements, EPA’s most recent GHG inventory (2018) uses the GWP values presented in the IPCC’s 2007 Fourth Assessment Report. For example, based on these GWP values, a ton of methane is 25 times more potent than a ton of CO2 when averaged over a 100-year time frame. The IPCC has since updated the 100-year GWP estimates, with some increasing and some decreasing. For example, the IPCC 2013 Fifth Assessment Report reported the 100-year GWP for methane as ranging from 28 to 36. EPA compares the 100-year GWP values in Table 1-3 of its 2018 GHG Inventory. 
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allowances to entities that face higher costs to reduce their facility emissions, (2) reduce the number of emission allowance they need to purchase, or (3) bank them, if allowed, to use in a future year.  
The use of emission offsets as a compliance option received attention during debate over cap-and-trade programs. An offset is a measurable reduction, avoidance, or sequestration of GHG emissions from a source not covered by an emission reduction program. Economic analyses of cap-and-trade proposals concluded that offset treatment (i.e., whether or not to allow their use and, if so, to what degree) would have a substantial impact on overall program cost. This is because some emissions and sources often not covered in cap-and-trade programs can reduce emissions at a lower cost per ton than many typically covered sources. However, the use of offsets generates considerable controversy, primarily over the concern that difficult-to-assess or fraudulent offsets could create uncertainty about the quantity of emission reductions.20 
In addition, other mechanisms—such as allowance banking or borrowing—may be included to increase the flexibility of the program and, generally, reduce the costs. 
What Is a Carbon Tax or Emissions Fee? 
In a carbon tax or emissions fee program, policymakers attach a price to GHG emissions or the inputs that create them. A carbon tax/fee on emissions or emissions inputs—namely fossil fuels—would increase the relative price of the more carbon-intensive energy sources. This result is expected to spur innovation in less carbon-intensive technologies and stimulate other behavior that may decrease emissions.21  
Economic modeling indicates that a carbon tax/fee approach could achieve emission reductions, the level of which would depend on the scope and stringency (i.e., tax or fee level) of the program.22 For example, to address emissions from fossil fuel combustion—76% of total U.S. GHG emissions23—policymakers could apply a tax/fee to fossil fuels at approximately 3,000 entities, including coal mines, petroleum refineries, and entities required to report natural gas deliveries.24 
A carbon tax/fee would generate a new revenue stream. The magnitude of the revenues would depend on the scope and rate of the tax or fee, the responsiveness of covered entities in reducing their potential emissions, and multiple other market factors. A 2016 Congressional Budget Office study estimated that a $25/ton carbon tax would yield approximately $100 billion in the first year of the program.25  
When designing a carbon tax/fee system, one of the more controversial and challenging questions for policymakers is how, to whom, and for what purpose the new tax or fee revenues could be                                                  20 Both the RGGI and California cap-and-trade systems allow offsets as a compliance option (see footnote 4).  21 This differs from a price system that applies to energy content, such as a tax based on British thermal units (Btu). In 1993, President Clinton proposed a deficit reduction package that included a tax based on energy content, measured in Btu. The goals of the 1993 Btu tax proposal were to promote energy conservation and raise revenue. At the time, the proposed tax would have generated a new revenue stream of about $30 billion per year. The proposal was met with strong opposition and was not enacted; Congress ultimately enacted an approximately five-cent-per-gallon increase in the motor fuels taxes. 
22 See, for example, Alexander R. Barron et al., “Policy Insights from the EMF 32 Study on U.S. Carbon Tax Scenarios,” Climate Change Economics, vol. 9, no. 1 (2018). 23 EPA, Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, 1990-2017, April 2019. 24 See Table A-1 in CRS Report R45625, Attaching a Price to Greenhouse Gas Emissions with a Carbon Tax or 
Emissions Fee: Considerations and Potential Impacts, by Jonathan L. Ramseur and Jane A. Leggett.  
25 Congressional Budget Office, Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017-2026, 2016. 
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applied. Congress would face the same issues that would be encountered during a debate over emission allowance value distribution in a cap-and-trade system.  
When deciding how to allocate the revenues, policymakers would encounter trade-offs among objectives. The central trade-offs involve minimizing economy-wide costs, lessening the costs borne by specific groups—particularly low-income households and displaced workers or communities—and supporting a range of specific policy objectives. 
A primary argument against a carbon tax/fee system (and a cap-and-trade program) is the concern about the economy-wide costs that a carbon price could impose. The potential costs would depend on a number of factors, including the magnitude, design, and use of revenues of the carbon tax or fee. 
Others who may oppose a carbon tax system express opposition to federal taxes in general or the possibility that the revenues would enable greater federal spending. Owners of coal resources, in particular, would likely lose asset values under a carbon tax system—as under a cap-and-trade system—to the degree that coal becomes less competitive under the costs of emission reductions. 
GHG Emission Reduction Legislation by Congress 
This section compares GHG emission reduction legislation from the 108th Congress to the 116th Congress by including a separate legislative table for each Congress.26 The tables compare the bills by their overall framework, scope, stringency, and selected design elements. Categories of comparison include the following: 
  General framework: the proposed program structure—emissions cap, emissions 
tax or fee, or some combination of both—and scope in terms of emissions covered (multiple GHG emissions or just CO2 emissions). 
  Covered entities/materials: the industries, sectors, or materials that would be 
subject to the program. 
  Emissions limit or target: the GHG or CO2 emissions target or cap for a 
particular year. Some targets/caps would apply only to covered sources; others apply to total U.S. GHG emissions. 
  Distribution of allowance value or tax revenue: how emission allowance value 
or carbon tax or fee revenue would be distributed (if applicable).  
  Offset and international allowance treatment: the degree to which offsets and 
international allowances could be used for compliance purposes and the types of offset activities that would qualify. Some proposals limit offsets by percentage of required reductions; others limit offsets as a percentage of allowance submissions.  
  Mechanism to address carbon-intensive imports: a central concern with a U.S. 
GHG reduction program is that it could raise U.S. prices more than goods manufactured abroad, potentially creating a competitive disadvantage for some domestic businesses, particularly carbon-intensive, trade-exposed industries. Policymakers could address these potential impacts in several ways—for example, through border adjustments, tax rebates, or emission allowances provided at no cost to selected industrial sectors. For more information, see CRS 
                                                 26 One GHG emission reduction bill was introduced in the 107th Congress. Sen. Jeffords introduced S. 556, which would have amended the Clean Air Act to reduce CO2 emissions from electric power plants to below 1990 levels. 
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Report R47167, Border Carbon Adjustments: Background and Recent 
Developments, by Jonathan L. Ramseur, Brandon J. Murrill, and Christopher A. Casey. 
  Additional GHG reduction measures: other mechanisms that are designed to 
further reduce GHG emissions that are not covered in the central program. 
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Table 1. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 108th Congress 
Ordered Chronologically by Introduced Date 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Distribution of 
Mechanism 
Introduced 
Allowance 
Offset and 
to Address 
Additional 
Date, and 
Value or 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
S. 139 
Cap-and-trade 
Electric power, industrial, 
Cap of 5,896 mtCO2e 
Determined by 
From 2010 
No specific 
No specific 
Lieberman 
system for 
or commercial entities that 
for covered sources by 
the Secretary of 
through 2015, 
provision 
provision 
Jan. 9, 2003 
GHG emissions  emit over 10,000 mtCO2e 
2010 (equivalent to 
Commerce; 
up to 15% of 
Discharged by 
from multiple 
annually; any refiner or 
2000 levels), reduced by  allowances 
submitted 
unanimous 
sectors 
importer of petroleum 
the level of emissions 
provided to 
allowances can 
consent by the 
products for transportation  from non-covered 
covered entities at  come from 
Senate Committee 
use that, when combusted, 
sources; cap of 5,123 
no cost and to the 
domestic or 
on Environment 
wil  emit over 10,000 
mtCO2e for covered 
newly established, 
international 
and Public Works 
mtCO2e annually; and any 
sources by 2016 
nonprofit Climate 
offsets; after 
on Oct. 29, 2003 
importer or producer of 
(equivalent to 1990 
Change Credit 
2015, 10% of 
HFC, PFC, and SF
levels), reduced by the 
Corporation, 
submitted 
S.Amdt. 2028, 
6 that, 
when used, wil  emit over 
level of emissions from 
which may use 
allowance can 
which contained 
10,000 mtCO
non-covered sources 
allowance to help 
come from 
similar provisions, 
2e 
energy consumers 
offsets 
was not agreed to 
with increased 
on Oct. 30, 2003 
prices and provide transition assistance to dislocated workers and communities 
S. 366 
Cap-and-trade 
Fossil-fuel-fired electric 
Cap on electric power 
EPA allocates free 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific 
Jeffords 
system for CO2  generating facilities with a 
emissions of 2.05 bil ion 
allowances to the 
provision 
provision 
provision 
Feb. 12, 2003 
emissions from 
capacity of greater than 15 
metric tons in 2009 
fol owing: 
power plants; 
megawatts 
(equivalent to 1995 
60% to 
also addresses 
emissions) 
households to 
other air 
alleviate increased 
pol utants 
electricity prices 
(mercury, 
CRS-8 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Distribution of 
Mechanism 
Introduced 
Allowance 
Offset and 
to Address 
Additional 
Date, and 
Value or 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
sulfur dioxide, 
6% for worker 
nitrogen oxide) 
transition assistance 20% for renewable energy and energy efficiency 10% to electricity generation facilities 1% for forest sequestration 2% for geologic sequestration 
S. 843 
Cap-and-trade 
Fossil-fuel-fired electric 
Cap on electric power 
Allotted to 
Determined by 
No specific 
No specific 
Carper 
system for CO2  generating facility that has a  emissions of 2006 levels  covered sources 
EPA 
provision 
provision 
Apr. 9, 2003 
emissions from 
capacity of greater than 25 
in 2009; lowered to 
at no cost based 
electricity 
megawatts and generates 
2001 levels in 2013 
on previous year’s 
sector; also 
electricity for sale 
emission levels 
addresses 
(minus a reserve 
other air 
set aside for new 
pol utants 
units) 
(mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide) 
H.R. 2042 
Directs EPA to 
Fossil-fuel-fired electric 
1990 CO2 levels for 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific 
Waxman 
issue 
generating facility that has a  power plants by 2009 
provision 
provision 
provision 
provision 
May 8, 2003 
regulations to 
capacity of greater than 25 
meet CO2 
megawatts and generates 
emissions goals;  electricity for sale may include a market-based 
CRS-9 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Distribution of 
Mechanism 
Introduced 
Allowance 
Offset and 
to Address 
Additional 
Date, and 
Value or 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
approach; also addresses other air pol utants (mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide) 
H.R. 4067 
Cap-and-trade 
Electric power, industrial, 
1990 GHG levels for 
Determined by 
Up to 15% of 
No specific 
No specific 
Gilchrest 
system for 
or commercial entities that 
covered sources, 
the Secretary of 
submitted 
provision 
provision 
Mar. 30, 2004 
GHG emissions  emit over 10,000 mtCO2e 
reduced by the level of 
Commerce; 
allowances can 
from multiple 
annually; any refiner or 
emissions from non-
allowances 
come from 
sectors 
importer of petroleum 
covered sources by 
provided to 
domestic or 
products for transportation  2020 
covered entities at  international 
use that, when combusted, 
no cost and to the 
offsets; if offsets 
wil  emit over 10,000 
newly established, 
account for 15% 
mtCO2e annually; and any 
nonprofit Climate 
of allowances, at 
importer or producer of 
Change Credit 
least 1.5% must 
HFC, PFC, and SF6 that, 
Corporation, 
come from 
when used, wil  emit over 
which may use 
agricultural 
10,000 mtCO2e 
allowance to help 
sequestration 
energy consumers with increased prices and provide transition assistance to dislocated workers and communities, among other objectives 
Source: Prepared by CRS. 
CRS-10 
 
Table 2. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 109th Congress 
Ordered Chronologically by Introduced Date 
Bill 
Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
Distribution of 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
Covered 
Limit or 
Allowance Value or 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
General Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
S. 150 
Cap-and-trade system for 
Fossil-fuel-fired 
Cap on 
In 2010, EPA allocates 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific 
Jeffords 
CO2 emissions from power 
electric generating 
electric 
free allowance to the 
provision 
provision 
provision 
Jan. 25, 2005 
plants; also addresses other 
facilities with a 
power 
fol owing: 
air pol utants (mercury, 
capacity of greater 
emissions of 
60% to households to 
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen 
than 15 megawatts 
2.05 bil ion 
alleviate increased 
oxide) 
metric tons 
electricity prices 
in 2010 
6% for worker transition assistance 20% for renewable energy and energy efficiency 10% to electricity generation facilities 1% for forest sequestration 2% for geologic sequestration 
S. 342 
Cap-and-trade system for 
Electric power, 
Cap of 
Determined by the 
Up to 15% of 
No specific 
No specific 
McCain 
GHG emissions from 
industrial, or 
5,896 
Secretary of 
submitted 
provision 
provision 
Feb. 10, 2005 
multiple sectors 
commercial entities 
mtCO2e for 
Commerce; allowances 
allowances can 
that emit over 10,000 
covered 
provided to covered 
come from 
mtCO2e annually; any 
sources by 
entities at no cost and 
domestic or 
refiner or importer of  2010 
to the newly 
international 
petroleum products 
(equivalent 
established, nonprofit 
offsets; if offsets 
for transportation use  to 2000 
Climate Change Credit 
account for 15% 
that, when 
levels), 
Corporation, which 
of allowances, at 
CRS-11 
 
Bill 
Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
Distribution of 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
Covered 
Limit or 
Allowance Value or 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
General Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
combusted, wil  emit 
reduced by 
may use allowance to 
least 1.5% must 
over 10,000 mtCO2e 
the level of 
help energy consumers 
come from 
annually; and any 
emissions 
with increased prices 
agricultural 
importer or producer  from non-
and provide transition 
sequestration 
of HFC, PFC, and SF6 
covered 
assistance to dislocated 
that, when used, wil  
sources 
workers and 
emit over 10,000 
communities, among 
mtCO2e 
other objectives 
H.R. 759 
Cap-and-trade system for 
Electric power, 
Cap of 
Determined by the 
Up to 15% of 
No specific 
No specific 
Gilchrest 
GHG emissions from 
industrial, or 
5,896 
Secretary of 
submitted 
provision 
provision 
Feb. 10, 2005 
multiple sectors 
commercial entities 
mtCO2e for 
Commerce; allowances 
allowances can 
that emit over 10,000 
covered 
provided to covered 
come from 
mtCO2e annually; any 
sources by 
entities at no cost and 
domestic or 
refiner or importer of  2010 
to the newly 
international 
petroleum products 
(equivalent 
established, nonprofit 
offsets; if offsets 
for transportation use  to 2000 
Climate Change Credit 
account for 15% 
that, when 
levels), 
Corporation, which 
of allowances, at 
combusted, wil  emit 
reduced by 
may use allowance to 
least 1.5% must 
over 10,000 mtCO2e 
the level of 
help energy consumers 
come from 
annually; and any 
emissions 
with increased prices 
agricultural 
importer or producer  from non-
and provide transition 
sequestration 
of HFC, PFC, and SF6 
covered 
assistance to dislocated 
that, when used, wil  
sources 
workers and 
emit over 10,000 
communities, among 
mtCO2e 
other objectives 
H.R. 1451 
Directs EPA to issue 
Fossil-fuel-fired 
1990 CO2 
No specific provision 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific 
Waxman 
regulations to meet CO2 
electric generating 
levels for 
provision 
provision 
provision 
Mar. 17, 2005 
emissions goals; may include  facilities that have a 
power 
a market-based approach; 
capacity of greater 
plants by 
also addresses other air 
than 25 megawatts 
2010 
CRS-12 
 
Bill 
Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
Distribution of 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
Covered 
Limit or 
Allowance Value or 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
General Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
pol utants (mercury, sulfur 
and generate 
dioxide, nitrogen oxide) 
electricity for sale 
S. 730 
EPA determines the 
Fossil-fuel-fired 
Cap on 
No specific provision 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific 
Leahy 
framework of the program; 
electric generating 
electric 
provision 
provision 
provision 
Apr. 6, 2005 
also addresses other air 
facilities (no minimum 
power 
pol utants (mercury, sulfur 
threshold) 
emissions of 
dioxide, nitrogen oxide) 
2.05 bil ion metric tons in 2010 
H.R. 1873 
Cap-and-trade system for 
Fossil-fuel-fired 
Cap on 
Allotted to covered 
Determined by 
No specific 
No specific 
Bass 
CO2 emissions from 
electric generating 
electric 
sources at no cost 
EPA 
provision 
provision 
Apr. 27, 2005 
electricity sector; also 
facilities that have a 
power 
based on previous 
addresses other air 
capacity of greater 
emissions of 
years emission levels 
pol utants (mercury, sulfur 
than 25 megawatts 
2006 levels 
(minus a reserve set 
dioxide, nitrogen oxide) 
and generate 
in 2010; 
aside for new units) 
electricity for sale 
lowered to 2001 levels in 2015 
S. 1151 
Cap-and-trade system for 
Electric power, 
Cap of 
Determined by the 
Up to 15% of 
No specific 
No specific 
McCain 
GHG emissions from 
industrial, or 
5,896 
Secretary of 
submitted 
provision 
provision 
May 26, 2005 
multiple sectors 
commercial entities 
mtCO2e for 
Commerce; allowances 
allowances can 
that emit over 10,000 
covered 
provided to covered 
come from 
mtCO2e annually; any 
sources by 
entities at no cost and 
domestic or 
refiner or importer of  2010 
to the newly 
international 
petroleum products 
(equivalent 
established, nonprofit 
offsets; if offsets 
for transportation use  to 2000 
Climate Change Credit 
account for 15% 
that, when 
levels), 
Corporation, which 
of allowances, at 
combusted, wil  emit 
reduced by 
may use allowance to 
least 1.5% must 
over 10,000 mtCO2e 
the level of 
help energy consumers 
come from 
annually; and any 
emissions 
with increased prices 
CRS-13 
 
Bill 
Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
Distribution of 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
Covered 
Limit or 
Allowance Value or 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
General Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
importer or producer  from non-
and provide transition 
agricultural 
of HFC, PFC, and SF6 
covered 
assistance to dislocated 
sequestration 
that, when used, wil  
sources 
workers and 
emit over 10,000 
communities, among 
mtCO2e 
other objectives 
H.R. 2828 
Cap-and-trade system for 
Electric power, 
Cap of 
Determined by the 
Up to 15% of 
No specific 
No specific 
Inslee 
GHG emissions from 
industrial, or 
5,896 
Secretary of 
submitted 
provision 
provision 
June 9, 2005 
multiple sectors 
commercial entities 
mtCO2e for 
Commerce; allowances 
allowances can 
that emit over 10,000 
covered 
provided to covered 
come from 
mtCO2e annually; any 
sources by 
entities at no cost and 
domestic or 
refiner or importer of  2010 
to the newly 
international 
petroleum products 
(equivalent 
established, nonprofit 
offsets; if offsets 
for transportation use  to 2000 
Climate Change Credit 
account for 15% 
that, when 
levels), 
Corporation, which 
of allowances, at 
combusted, wil  emit 
reduced by 
may use allowance to 
least 1.5% must 
over 10,000 mtCO2e 
the level of 
help energy consumers 
come from 
annually; and any 
emissions 
with increased prices 
agricultural 
importer or producer  from non-
and provide transition 
sequestration 
of HFC, PFC, and SF6 
covered 
assistance to dislocated 
that, when used, wil  
sources 
workers and 
emit over 10,000 
communities, among 
mtCO2e 
other objectives 
H.R. 5049 
Cap-and-trade system for 
Emissions from 
Maintains 
20% to electric power, 
Provides 
No specific 
No specific 
Udall 
GHG emissions from 
domestic and 
existing 
fossil fuel production, 
additional 
provision 
provision 
Mar. 29, 2006 
multiple sectors, with a 
imported fossil fuels; 
emission 
and energy intensive 
allowances for 
price ceiling of $25 per ton 
emissions from 
levels; the 
industries 
sequestration 
of carbon, indexed to 
agricultural, industrial,  number of 
15% to states for 
projects 
inflation 
and manufacturing 
allowances 
worker transition 
processes, excluding 
distributed 
assistance 
methane from animals  based on 
emissions 
CRS-14 
 
Bill 
Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
Distribution of 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
Covered 
Limit or 
Allowance Value or 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
General Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
from years 
5% to states for energy 
prior to 
assistance to low-
enactment, 
income households 
without 
25% to the Department 
reductions 
of Energy to support 
in 
energy research and 
subsequent 
development 
years 
10% to the Department of State to invest in low-emission and emission-free policies in developing countries 25% to the Department of the Treasury to be sold at auction with the proceeds deposited in the Treasury 
S. 2724 
Cap-and-trade system for 
Fossil-fuel-fired 
2001 CO2 
Allotted to covered 
Determined by 
No specific 
No specific 
Carper 
CO2 emissions from 
electric generating 
emission 
sources based on 
EPA 
provision 
provision 
May 4, 2006 
electricity sector; also 
facilities that have a 
levels by 
previous years emission 
addresses other air 
capacity of greater 
2015 
levels 
pol utants (mercury, sulfur 
than 25 megawatts 
dioxide, nitrogen oxide) 
and generate electricity for sale 
H.R. 5642 
Cap-and-trade system for 
Determined by EPA 
1990 GHG 
Determined by the 
No specific 
No specific 
EPA to 
Waxman 
GHG 
levels for 
President based on plan  provision 
provision 
promulgate 
June 20, 2006 
covered 
submitted to Congress; 
additional 
sources by 
sell via auction and 
regulations to 
2020; 80% 
distribute to non-
reduce GHG 
below 1990 
covered sources to 
emissions, 
CRS-15 
 
Bill 
Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
Distribution of 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
Covered 
Limit or 
Allowance Value or 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
General Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
levels by 
achieve specified goals: 
including 
2050 
maximize public 
performance 
benefit, mitigate energy 
standards, 
costs to consumers, 
efficiency 
provide worker 
standards, 
transition assistance, 
technology 
among others 
requirements, among others; directs Department of Energy to promulgate renewable portfolio standards 
S. 3698 
Directs EPA to issue 
Determined by EPA 
1990 GHG 
Determined by EPA; 
No specific 
No specific 
Directs EPA to 
Jeffords 
regulations to meet GHG 
levels by 
allowances to covered 
provision 
provision; 
issue CO2 
July 20, 2006 
emissions goals; may include 
2020; 80% 
entities; remaining 
allowances may 
emissions 
a market-based approach 
below1990 
allowances to 
be allotted to 
standards for 
levels by 
households, 
companies that 
vehicles and 
2050 
communities, and other 
experience 
CO2 emissions 
groups for various 
disproportionate 
standards for 
objectives 
impacts from 
new power 
lower-carbon 
plants, create 
economy 
low-carbon electricity generation standards and trading program, promulgate 
CRS-16 
 
Bill 
Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
Distribution of 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
Covered 
Limit or 
Allowance Value or 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
General Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
electricity efficiency standards, and establish renewable energy portfolio standards 
S. 4039 
Cap-and-trade system for 
Determined by EPA 
1990 GHG 
Determined by the 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific 
Kerry 
GHG emissions 
through a rulemaking 
levels for 
President; Congress 
provision 
provision 
provision 
Sept. 29, 2006 
process 
covered 
may enact alternative 
sources by 
plan within one year 
2020 
Source: Prepared by CRS. 
CRS-17 
 
Table 3. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 110th Congress 
Ordered Chronologically by Introduced Date 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
S. 280 
Cap-and-trade 
Electric power, 
1990 GHG 
Determined by EPA 
Up to 15% of 
No specific 
No specific provision 
Lieberman 
system for GHG 
industrial, or 
levels for 
submitted 
provision 
Jan. 12, 2007 
emissions from 
commercial entities that  covered 
allowances can 
multiple sectors 
emit over 10,000 
sources by 
come from 
mtCO2e annually; any 
2020, 
domestic or 
refiner or importer of 
reduced by 
international 
petroleum products for 
the level of 
offsets; if offsets 
transportation use that, 
emissions 
account for 15% 
when combusted, wil  
from non-
of allowances, at 
emit over 10,000 
covered 
least 1.5% must 
mtCO2e annually; and 
sources 
come from 
any importer or 
agricultural 
producer of HFC, PFC, 
sequestration 
and SF6 that, when used, wil  emit over 10,000 mtCO2e 
S. 309 
Determined by 
Determined by EPA 
1990 GHG 
Determined by EPA 
No specific 
No specific 
GHG emission 
Sanders 
EPA, but must be  through a rulemaking 
levels for all 
provision 
provision 
standards for 
Jan. 16, 2007 
a market-based 
process 
sources by 
vehicles, new electric 
program for 
2020 
power plants, and an 
GHG emissions 
energy efficiency performance standard 
S. 317 
Cap-and-trade 
Fossil-fuel-fired electric 
5% below 
Initially provided to 
Up to 25% of 
No specific 
No specific provision 
Feinstein 
system for GHG 
generating facilities with 
2001 GHG 
covered entities at 
required 
provision 
Jan. 17, 2007 
emissions from 
a capacity of greater 
levels for 
no cost; percentage 
reductions may 
electricity sector 
than 25 megawatts 
electric 
of allowances sold 
be achieved with 
via auction gradually 
EPA-approved 
CRS-18 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
generators by  increases: by 2036, 
international 
2020 
100% sold via 
credits 
auction; activities funded by auction revenues include technology development and energy efficiency 
H.R. 620 
Cap-and-trade 
Electric power, 
1990 GHG 
Determined by EPA 
Up to 15% of 
No specific 
No specific provision 
Olver 
system for GHG 
industrial, or 
levels for 
allowance 
provision 
Jan. 22, 2007 
emissions from 
commercial entities that  covered 
submission can 
multiple sectors 
emit over 10,000 
sources by 
come from 
mtCO2e annually; any 
2020, 
domestic and/or 
refiner or importer of 
reduced by 
international 
petroleum products for 
the level of 
offsets 
transportation use that, 
emissions 
when combusted, wil  
from non-
emit over 10,000 
covered 
mtCO2e annually; and 
sources  
any importer or producer of HFCs, PFCs, or SF6 that, when used, wil  emit over 10,000 mtCO2e 
S. 485 
Cap-and-trade 
Determined by EPA 
1990 GHG 
Determined by the 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific provision 
Kerry 
system for GHG 
through a rulemaking 
levels for 
President; Congress 
provision 
provision 
Feb. 1, 2007 
emissions 
process 
covered 
may enact 
sources by 
alternative plan 
2020 
within one year 
CRS-19 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
H.R. 1590 
Cap-and-trade 
Determined by EPA 
1990 GHG 
Determined by the 
No specific 
No specific 
GHG emission 
Waxman 
system for GHG 
through a rulemaking 
levels for all 
President; Congress 
provision 
provision 
standards for 
Mar. 20, 2007 
emissions 
process 
sources by 
may enact 
vehicles, energy 
2020 
alternative plan 
efficiency standards, 
within one year 
renewable portfolio standards 
S. 1177 
Cap-and-trade 
Fossil-fuel-fired electric 
2001 CO2 
Allotted to covered 
Determined by 
No specific 
No specific provision 
Carper 
system for CO2 
generating facilities that 
emission 
sources based on 
EPA 
provision 
Apr. 20, 2007 
emissions from 
have a capacity of 
levels by 
previous years 
electricity 
greater than 25 
2015 
emission levels 
sector; also 
megawatts and generate 
addresses other 
electricity for sale 
air pol utants (mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide) 
H.R. 2069 
Tax starting at 
Manufacturers, 
Tax rate 
No specific 
NA 
No specific 
No specific provision 
Stark 
$10/short ton of 
producers, or 
freeze if CO2 
provision 
provision 
Apr. 26, 2007 
carbon content 
importers who sell a 
emissions do 
in taxable fuels, 
taxable fuel, which 
not exceed 
which equates to  includes coal, 
20% of U.S. 
approximately 
petroleum and 
1990 CO2 
$2.70/tCO2 
petroleum products, 
emissions by 
emissions 
and natural gas 
2020 
The rate increases $10 per year (in nominal dol ars) 
CRS-20 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
S. 1766 
Cap-and-trade 
Petroleum refineries, 
1990 GHG 
In 2012, 53% of 
Unlimited use of 
International 
No specific provision 
Bingaman 
system for GHG 
natural gas processing 
levels for 
allowances allocated  domestic offsets; 
reserve 
July 11, 2007 
emissions from 
plants, and imports of 
covered 
to covered and 
international 
allowances must 
multiple sectors 
petroleum products, 
sources by 
certain industrial 
offsets limited to 
accompany 
with allowance 
coke, or natural gas; 
2020 
entities 
10% of a 
imports of any 
price ceiling: in 
entities that consume 
23% allocated to 
regulated entity’s 
covered GHG 
2012, $12/ton, 
more than 5,000 tons of 
states and for 
emissions target 
intensive goods 
increasing by 5% 
coal a year; importers 
sequestration and 
and primary 
annually plus 
of HFCs, PFC, SF6, 
early reduction 
products to the 
inflation 
N2O, or products 
activities 
United States 
containing such 
Least developed 
compounds, and adipic 
24% are auctioned 
nations or those 
acid and nitric acid 
to fund low-income 
that contribute 
plants, aluminum 
assistance, carbon 
no more than 
smelters, and facilities 
capture and storage, 
0.5% of global 
that emit HFCs as a 
and adaptation 
emissions are 
byproduct of HCFC 
activities 
excluded 
production 
The percentage auctioned increases steadily, reaching 53% by 2030 
H.R. 3416 
Tax on CO2 
Manufacturers, 
No specific 
In first year (2008), 
Allows for 
No specific 
No specific provision 
Larson 
content on fossil 
producers, or 
provision 
approximately 76% 
domestic offset 
provision other 
Aug. 3, 2007 
fuels, starting at 
importers of coal, 
would support a 
projects (as 
than direct 
$15/short ton 
petroleum, and natural 
payrol  tax rebate 
prescribed by the 
assistance to 
CO2 emissions, 
gas 
16% would fund 
Secretary of the 
affected 
increasing by 
clean energy 
Treasury) to be 
industries 
10% annually 
technology 
submitted as tax 
(determined by 
plus inflation 
credits or tax 
the Secretaries 
8% would support 
refunds 
of the Treasury 
affected industry 
and Labor) 
transition assistance 
CRS-21 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
(declining to zero by 2017) 
H.R. 4226 
Cap-and-trade 
Electric power, 
85% of 2006 
Determined by EPA 
Up to 15% of 
The President 
No specific provision 
Gilchrest 
system for GHG 
industrial, or 
GHG levels 
allowance 
may establish a 
Nov. 15, 2007 
emissions from 
commercial entities that  from covered 
submission can 
program to 
multiple sectors 
emit over 10,000 
sources, 
come from 
require 
A Carbon 
mtCO2e annually; 
reduced by 
domestic and/or 
importers to pay 
Market Efficiency  refiners or importers of 
the level of 
international 
the value of 
Board may 
petroleum products for 
emissions 
offsets 
GHGs emitted 
implement cost-
transportation use that, 
from non-
during the 
relief measures 
when combusted, wil  
covered 
production of 
emit over 10,000 
sources by 
goods or 
mtCO2e annually; and 
2020 
services 
importers or producers 
imported into 
of HFCs, PFCs, or SF6 
the United 
that, when used, wil  
States from 
emit over 10,000 
countries that 
mtCO2e 
have no comparable emission restrictions to those of the United States 
S. 2191 
Cap-and-trade 
Producers or importers 
Emission cap 
In 2012: 40% of 
Up to 15% of 
International 
Low carbon fuel 
Lieberman 
system for GHG 
of petroleum or coal-
for covered 
allowances allocated  allowance 
reserve 
standard for 
Oct. 18, 2007 
emissions from 
based liquid or gaseous 
sources in 
to covered electric 
requirement may 
allowances must 
transportation fuels 
Ordered 
multiple sectors  
fuel that emits GHGs, 
2020 is 4.924 
utilities, industrial 
be achieved 
accompany 
reported by the 
or facilities that 
bil ion tCO2e 
facilities, and coops 
through domestic 
imports of any 
Senate 
produce or import 
(19% below 
9% allocated to 
offsets; 
covered GHG-
Committee on 
more than 10,000 
2005 levels 
states for 
international 
intensive goods 
Environment 
mtCO2e of GHG 
conservation, extra 
and primary 
chemicals annually; 
CRS-22 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
and Public 
facilities that use more 
for covered 
reductions, and 
offsets can satisfy 
products to the 
Works on Dec. 
than 5,000 tons of coal 
sources) 
other activities 
an additional 15% 
United States 
5, 2007 
annually; natural gas 
11.5% for various 
Least developed 
processing plants or 
sequestration 
nations or those 
importers (including 
activities 
that contribute 
liquid natural gas 
no more than 
[LNG]); or facilities that 
10% allocated for 
0.5% of global 
emit more than 10,000 
electricity consumer 
emissions are 
mtCO
assistance 
2e of HFCs 
excluded 
annually as a byproduct 
5% for early 
of HFC production 
reductions 0.5% for tribal governments 18% (plus an early auction of 6%) auctioned to fund technology deployment, carbon capture and storage, low-income and rural assistance, and adaptation activities 
S. 3036 
Cap-and-trade 
Producers or importers 
Emission cap 
A share of 
Up to 15% of 
International 
Low carbon fuel 
Boxer 
system for GHG 
of petroleum- or coal-
for covered 
allowances are 
allowance 
reserve 
standard for 
May 20, 2008 
emissions from 
based liquid or gaseous 
sources in 
auctioned for deficit 
requirement may 
allowances must 
transportation fuels 
S.Amdt. 4825 
multiple sectors 
fuel that emits GHGs, 
2020 is 4.924 
reduction increasing  be achieved 
accompany 
(in the nature of 
A Carbon 
or facilities that 
bil ion tCO2e 
from 6.1% in 2012 
through domestic 
imports of any 
substitute) failed 
Market Efficiency  produce or import 
(19% below 
to 15.99% in 2031 
offsets; 
covered GHG-
a cloture motion 
Board may 
more than 10,000 
2005 levels 
and thereafter 
international 
intensive goods 
on June 6, 2008 
implement cost-
mtCO2e of GHG 
for covered 
The “remainder 
allowances can 
and primary 
chemicals annually; 
sources) 
allowances” are 
facilities that use more 
CRS-23 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
relief measures if 
than 5,000 tons of coal 
 
distributed in 2012 
satisfy an 
products to the 
necessary 
annually; natural gas 
(adjusted in future 
additional 15% 
United States 
processing plants or 
years) as fol ows:  
Least developed 
importers (including 
38% of allowances 
nations or those 
LNG); or facilities that 
to covered electric 
that contribute 
emit more than 10,000 
utilities, industrial 
no more than 
mtCO2e of HFCs 
facilities, and co-ops 
0.5% of global 
annually as a byproduct 
emissions are 
of HFC production 
10.5% to states for conservation, extra 
excluded 
reductions, and other activities 7.5% for various sequestration activities 11% allocated for electricity and natural gas consumer assistance 5% for early reductions 0.5% for tribal governments 1% for methane reduction projects  21.5% (plus an early auction of 5%) auctioned to fund technology deployment, carbon capture and storage, 
CRS-24 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
low income and rural assistance, and adaptation activities, as well as program management 
H.R. 6186 
Cap-and-trade 
Electric power or 
Emission cap 
Between 2012 and 
Up to 15% of 
International 
EPA to develop 
Markey 
system for GHG 
industrial facilities that 
for covered 
2019, 6% of 
allowance 
reserve 
emission 
June 4, 2008 
emissions from 
emit over 10,000 
sources in 
allowances would 
requirement may 
allowances must 
performance 
multiple sectors 
mtCO2e; producers or 
2020 is 4.983 
be distributed to 
be achieved 
accompany 
standards for certain 
importers of petroleum 
bil ion tCO2e 
manufacturers of 
through domestic 
imports of any 
non-covered entities 
or coal-based liquid 
“trade-exposed 
offsets; 
covered GHG 
that exceed 10,000 
products that, when 
primary goods” 
international 
intensive goods 
tCO2e per year 
combusted, wil  emit 
Remaining 94% 
offsets or 
and primary 
Low-carbon fuel 
over 10,000 mtCO2e 
auctioned (100% by 
allowances can 
products to the 
standard for 
annually; local 
2020), with 
satisfy an 
United States 
transportation fuels 
distribution companies 
revenues distributed  additional 15% 
Least developed 
that deliver natural gas 
Performance 
(in FY2010-FY2019) 
nations or those 
that, when combusted, 
standard for certain 
as fol ows: 
that contribute 
wil  emit over 10,000 
coal-fired power 
no more than 
tCO
58.5% to middle- 
plants to capture and 
2e annually; 
0.5% of global 
producers or importers 
and low-income 
geologically sequester 
emissions are 
of HFCs, PFCs, SF
households as tax 
not less than 85% of 
6, or 
excluded 
NF
credits and/or 
their CO2 emissions 
3 that, when used, 
wil  emit over 10,000 
rebates 
mtCO2e; sites at which 
12.5% for 
CO2 is geological y 
development and 
sequestered on a 
promotion of low-
commercial scale 
carbon technology 12.5% for energy efficiency programs 
CRS-25 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
4.5% for biological sequestration 1.5% for worker transition assistance 2% for domestic adaptation efforts 1.5% for protection of natural resources 1.5% for international forest protection 3.5% for international clean technology 2% for international adaptation efforts 
H.R. 6316 
Cap-and-trade 
Producers or importers 
Emission cap 
In 2012, 5% of the 
Up to 10% of 
International 
EPA to promulgate 
Doggett 
system for GHG 
of petroleum- or coal-
for covered 
allowances are 
allowance 
reserve 
regulations that 
June 19, 2008 
emissions from 
based liquid or gaseous 
sources in 
allocated to electric 
requirement may 
allowances must 
address emissions in 
multiple sectors 
fuel that emits GHGs, 
2020 is 6.087 
generators; 10% are 
be achieved 
accompany 
uncovered sectors 
A Carbon 
or facilities that 
bil ion 
allocated to energy 
through domestic 
imports of any 
Market Efficiency  produce or import 
mtCO2e 
intensive industries 
offsets; 
covered GHG-
Board may 
more than 10,000 
Remaining 
international 
intensive goods 
implement cost-
mtCO2e of GHG 
allowances are 
allowances can 
and primary 
relief measures 
chemicals annually; 
auctioned with 
satisfy an 
products to the 
facilities that use more 
revenues used for 
additional 15% 
United States 
than 5,000 tons of coal 
the fol owing: 
Least developed 
annually; natural gas 
nations or those 
processing plants or 
54% for consumer 
that contribute 
importers (including 
assistance (66% of which goes toward 
no more than 
CRS-26 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
LNG); or, facilities that 
providing health 
0.5% of global 
emit more than 10,000 
insurance coverage, 
emissions are 
mtCO2e of HFCs 
the remainder for 
excluded 
annually as a byproduct 
rebates and tax 
of HFC production 
relief) 15% of revenues for deficit reduction 11.4% for international activities 7.5% for energy efficiency 7% for natural resource adaptation 7% for green energy research 4% for worker assistance 3% for forestry and agricultural activities 2.7% for states and tribes 2% for transportation alternatives 1% for early action 0.4% for education 
Source: Prepared by CRS. 
CRS-27 
 
Table 4. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 111th Congress 
Ordered Chronologically by Introduced Date 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Mechanism to 
Introduced 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Date, and 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Additional GHG 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Reduction Measures 
H.R. 594 
Tax on CO2 
Manufacturers, 
Tax freezes if 
No specific 
NA 
No specific 
No specific provision 
Stark 
content in fossil 
producers, or 
CO2 
provision 
provision 
Jan. 15, 2009 
fuels, starting at 
importers who sell a 
emissions do 
$10/short ton, 
taxable fuel, which 
not exceed 
increasing by $10  includes coal, 
20% of U.S. 
per year 
petroleum and 
1990 CO2 
petroleum products, 
emissions by 
and natural gas 
2020 
H.R. 1337 
Tax on CO2 
Manufacturers, 
EPA is to 
In first year: 
Instructs 
Department of 
No specific provision 
Larson 
content in fossil 
producers, or 
establish 
76% would support 
Department of 
the Treasury 
Mar. 5, 2009 
fuels, starting at 
importers of coal, 
(within five 
a payrol  tax rebate 
the Treasury (in 
imposes a 
$15/short ton, 
petroleum, and natural 
years after 
consultation with 
carbon 
increasing by $10  gas 
enactment) 
16% would fund 
Department of 
equivalency fee 
each year 
annual CO
clean energy 
2 
Energy) to submit 
on imported 
emissions target 
emission 
technology 
a report of 
carbon-intensive 
is not met  
targets in 
8% would support 
qualified offset 
goods, including 
order to 
affected industry 
projects but does 
steel, aluminum, 
reach goal of 
transition assistance 
not allow for 
and paper; fee 
80% below 
(declining to zero by  projects to 
based on 
2005 CO2 
2017) 
generate tax 
emissions 
emissions by 
credits 
associated with 
2050 
production of carbon-intensive goods 
H.R. 1666 
Cap-and-trade 
Not explicitly defined 
Target of 4.9 
Oversight board 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific provision 
Doggett 
system for GHG 
bil ion 
administers auctions  provision 
provision 
Mar. 23, 2009 
emissions, with 
mtCO2e for 
to manage the 
an oversight 
covered 
allowance price 
board to manage 
path; precise use of 
CRS-28 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Mechanism to 
Introduced 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Date, and 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Additional GHG 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Reduction Measures 
price path 
entities by 
auction revenues is 
between 2012 
2020 
not specified 
and 2019   
H.R. 1683 
Hybrid cap/tax 
Coal producers, 
25% below 
Establishes trust 
No specific 
Department of 
No specific provision 
McDermott 
system for GHG 
petroleum refineries; 
2005 GHG 
fund that would 
provision 
the Treasury 
Mar. 24, 2009 
emissions: 
producers of other 
emissions by 
receive 
imposes a GHG 
covered persons 
GHG emission 
2020 
appropriations equal 
emission permit 
must purchase 
substances (including 
to revenue received 
equivalency fee 
an emission 
natural gas, among 
 
by selling emission 
on imported 
permit from the 
others); importers of 
permits 
carbon-intensive 
Department of 
GHG emission 
Precise use of the 
goods, including 
the Treasury 
substances 
revenue is not 
steel, aluminum, 
when a “GHG 
specified 
and paper 
emission 
 
substance” is produced or enters the United States; permits may not be sold or exchanged; price for emission permits based on achieving annual emission targets  
H.R. 1862 
Cap-and-trade 
Person who makes the 
25% below 
100% of allowances 
No specific 
Department of 
No specific provision 
Van Hol en 
system for CO2 
first sale in United 
2005 CO2 
sold via auction; 
provision 
the Treasury 
Apr. 1, 2009 
emissions from 
States of coal, oil, 
emissions by 
proceeds used to 
imposes a 
multiple sectors 
natural gas, and any 
2020 
fund consumer 
carbon 
fossil-fuel-derived 
dividend payments; 
equivalency fee 
products used as a 
each month, every 
on imported 
combustible fuel 
person with a Social 
carbon-intensive 
Security number 
goods, including 
CRS-29 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Mechanism to 
Introduced 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Date, and 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Additional GHG 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Reduction Measures 
would receive an 
steel, aluminum, 
equal payment 
and paper 
H.R. 2380 
Tax on fossil 
Manufacturers, 
No specific 
Tax revenue used 
No specific 
Imposes a tax on  No specific provision 
Inglis 
fuels, starting at 
producers, or 
provision 
to offset a 
provision 
“imported 
May 13, 2009 
$15/short ton of 
importers of coal, 
corresponding 
taxable 
CO2 emissions, 
petroleum, and natural 
reduction in payrol  
products” in 
and increasing by  gas 
tax rates (employee, 
relation to fossil 
approximately 
employer, and self-
fuels used or the 
6.5% each year, 
employed) 
CO2 emissions 
plus cost-of-
generated during 
living 
the product’s 
adjustments 
manufacturing process 
H.R. 2454 
Cap-and-trade 
Electricity generators, 
17% below 
Emission allowance 
In 2016, 
Energy-intensive,  Establishes a separate 
Waxman-Markey 
system for GHG 
various fuel producers 
2005 
value distributed (as 
approximately 
trade-exposed 
cap-and-trade program 
May 15, 2009 
emissions from 
and importers, 
emissions 
no-cost allowances 
27% of an entity’s 
industries to 
that controls HFC 
Reported by the 
multiple sectors 
fluorinated gas 
from covered  or auction revenue) 
allowance 
receive 
emissions 
Committee on 
producers and 
sources by 
in the fol owing 
obligation can be 
allowances at no 
Directs EPA to 
Energy and 
importers, geological 
2020 
manner in 2016: 
satisfied with 
cost until phased  establish emission 
Commerce on June 
sequestration sites, 
30% (at minimum) 
offsets; this 
out in mid-
performance standards 
5, 2009 
various industrial 
to electricity LDCs; 
percentage 
2030s; and 
for select sources not 
sources, and local 
increases to 36% 
Passed the House 
0.5% for small 
EPA to 
covered by the 
distribution companies 
by 2030 
on June 26, 2009 
electric LDCs; 9% 
promulgate rules  emissions cap 
(LDCs) that deliver 
to natural gas LDCs;  Up to half of an 
establishing an 
For more 
natural gas 
1.5% to states for 
entity’s offsets 
international 
information, see 
Covered entity 
home-heating oil 
can come from 
reserve 
CRS Report 
coverage is phased in by 
consumers 
domestic sources 
allowance 
R40643, 
category so that all of 
and up to half 
system for any 
Greenhouse Gas 
15% directly to low-
the above are under the 
from international  covered good of 
Legislation: 
income consumers 
cap in 2016 
sources 
an eligible 
Summary and 
13.4% to energy-
industrial sector 
Analysis of H.R. 
intensive, trade-
Unless otherwise 
2454 as Passed by 
exposed industries; 
determined by 
CRS-30 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Mechanism to 
Introduced 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Date, and 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Additional GHG 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Reduction Measures 
the House of 
up to 3.5% to 
EPA, covered 
from a covered 
Representatives, 
merchant coal units;  entities may use 
country 
coordinated by 
2% to petroleum 
unlimited amount 
Exemptions are 
Mark Holt and 
refineries plus 
of international 
provided for (1) 
Gene Whitney 
0.25% for small 
allowances from 
least developed 
business refineries; 
“qualifying 
countries, (2) 
up to 1.5% for 
programs” 
countries that 
certain long-term 
emit less than 
power contract 
0.5% of global 
operators 
GHG emissions, 
7.1% to states to 
and (3) countries 
support renewable 
meeting specific 
energy and energy 
criteria 
efficiency efforts 6% to promote technological advances 5% to reduce international deforestation 0.2% for deficit reduction 5% to further other objectives 
S. 1733 
Cap-and-trade 
Electricity generators, 
20% below 
Emission allowance 
In 2016, 
Trade-exposed, 
Establishes a separate 
Kerry-Boxer 
system for GHG 
various fuel producers 
2005 
value is distributed 
approximately 
carbon-intensive 
cap-and-trade program 
Sept. 30, 2009 
emissions from 
and importers, 
emissions 
in the fol owing 
35% of an entity’s 
industries to 
that controls HFCs 
Reported by the 
multiple sectors 
fluorinated gas 
from covered  manner in 2016:  
allowance 
receive 
Committee on 
producers and 
sources by 
25.8% (at minimum) 
submission can 
allowances at no 
Environment and 
importers, geological 
2020 
to electricity LDCs; 
comprise offsets; 
cost; in addition, 
Public Works (a 
sequestration sites, 
up to 75% of an 
the bil  states: 
various industrial 
entity’s offsets 
CRS-31 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Mechanism to 
Introduced 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Date, and 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Additional GHG 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Reduction Measures 
“Manager’s 
sources, and LDCs that 
0.94% for small 
can come from 
“It is the sense 
Amendment” in 
deliver natural gas 
electric LDCs 
domestic sources 
of the Senate 
the nature of 
Coverage is phased in 
7.7% to natural gas 
and up to 25% 
that this Act wil  
substitute) on Nov. 
by category so that all 
LDCs 
from international  contain a trade 
5, 2009 
of the above are under 
sources 
title that wil  
1.3% to states for 
the cap in 2016 
include a border 
home-heating oil 
Unless otherwise 
measure that is 
consumers 
determined by EPA, unlimited 
consistent with 
12.9% directly to 
use of 
our international 
low-income 
international 
obligations and 
consumers 
allowances from 
designed to 
12.1% to energy-
“qualifying 
work in 
intensive, trade-
programs” 
conjunction with 
exposed industries 
provisions that 
up to 3.0% to 
allocate 
merchant coal units 
allowances to energy-intensive 
0.64% to petroleum 
and trade-
refineries plus 
exposed 
0.86% for small 
industries” 
business refineries and 0.43% for medium refineries up to 1.3% for certain long-term power contract operators 5.97% to states to support renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts 
CRS-32 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Mechanism to 
Introduced 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Date, and 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Additional GHG 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Reduction Measures 
5.6% to promote technological advances 1.92% for GHG reductions in the transportation sector 10.3% for deficit reduction 8% to further other objectives 
S. 2877 
Hybrid cap/tax 
Fossil fuel producers 
20% below 
All carbon shares 
Offsets are not 
Treasury may 
No specific provision 
Cantwell 
system for CO2 
(e.g., mines, wells) and 
2005 GHG 
sold in auctions 
allowed for 
impose fees for 
Dec. 11, 2009 
emissions: 
importers who 
levels from all  Subject to the 
compliance 
the “production 
covered entities 
introduce “fossil 
sources by 
appropriations 
purposes 
process carbon” 
submit “carbon 
carbon” into the United  2020 
process, 75% of the 
associated with 
shares” for CO2 
States economy 
revenue would be 
commodities 
emissions 
distributed monthly 
imported into 
associated with 
in non-taxable 
the United 
the use of the 
dividends to all 
States 
fossil fuels 
legally residing 
Trading of 
individuals in the 
carbon shares is 
United States 
restricted to a 
Subject to the 
dedicated 
appropriations 
exchange 
process, 25% could 
established by 
be used to support 
Treasury 
a myriad of policy 
Price ceiling for 
objectives, including 
carbon shares: 
worker transition 
initially at 
assistance, 
$21/tCO2 in 
adaptation, 
CRS-33 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Mechanism to 
Introduced 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Date, and 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Additional GHG 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Reduction Measures 
2012; if reached, 
technology 
additional shares 
development, 
made available, 
energy efficiency, 
and this revenue 
biological 
would support 
sequestration, and 
mitigation from 
deficit reduction 
non-covered entities 
Kerry-Lieberman 
Cap-and-trade 
Electricity generators, 
17% below 
Emission allowance 
In 2016, 
Trade-exposed, 
Establishes a separate 
Discussion Draft 
system for GHG 
various fuel producers 
2005 
value distributed in 
approximately 
carbon-intensive 
cap-and-trade program 
May 12, 2010 
emissions from 
and importers, 
emissions 
the fol owing 
35% of an entity’s 
industries to 
that controls HFC 
(considered by 
multiple sectors 
fluorinated gas 
from covered  manner in 2016: 
allowance 
receive 
 
many to be the 
producers and 
sources by 
30% (at minimum) 
submission can 
allowances at no 
primary 
importers, geological 
2020 
to electric LDCs; 
comprise offsets; 
cost 
legislative vehicle 
sequestration sites, 
9% for natural gas 
up to 75% of an 
EPA to establish 
in the Senate at 
various industrial 
LDCs; 1.5% to 
entity’s offsets 
an international 
the time) 
sources, and LDCs that 
states for home-
can come from 
reserve 
deliver natural gas 
heating oil and 
domestic sources 
allowance 
Covered entity 
propane consumers;   and up to 25% 
system for 
coverage is phased in by 
from international 
12.3% directly to 
covered goods 
category so that all of 
sources 
low-income 
of an eligible 
the above are under the 
consumers 
Unless otherwise 
industrial sector 
cap in 2016 
determined by 
from a covered 
15% to trade-
EPA, unlimited 
country 
exposed industries; 
use of 
up to 0.5% to 
Exemptions are 
international 
merchant coal units; 
provided for (1) 
allowances from 
3.75% to petroleum 
least developed 
“qualifying 
refineries; up to 
countries, (2) 
programs” 
4.5% to long-term 
countries that 
power contract 
emit less than 
operators 
0.5% of global GHG emissions, and (3) countries 
CRS-34 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Mechanism to 
Introduced 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Date, and 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Additional GHG 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Reduction Measures 
2% to states to 
meeting the 
support renewable 
specific criteria 
energy and energy efficiency efforts 4% to promote technological advances 9.2% to support transportation infrastructure and efficiency 6.75% for deficit reduction 1.5% auctioned to help mitigate against high allowance prices 
Source: Prepared by CRS. 
CRS-35 
 
Table 5. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 112th Congress 
Ordered Chronologically by Introduced Date 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
H.R. 3242 
Tax on CO2 
Manufacturers, 
80% 
Tax revenue is 
No specific 
Border 
No specific provision 
Stark 
emissions from 
producers, or 
reduction of 
distributed annually 
provision 
adjustment fees 
Oct. 24, 2011 
combustion of 
importers who sell coal,  CO2 emission  in pro rata 
for comparable 
fossil fuels and 
petroleum and 
levels in 1990 
payments to 
imported 
other materials 
petroleum products, 
individuals with a 
products 
Rate starts at 
natural gas, biomass, 
taxpayer 
$10/short ton of 
municipal solid waste, 
identification 
CO
and any other organic 
number 
2 emissions, 
increasing by $10  material sold for energy per year until 
use 
emissions target reached 
H.R. 6338 
Hybrid cap/tax 
Coal producers, 
Average 
75% of the permit 
No specific 
Unless an 
No specific provision 
McDermott 
approach on 
petroleum refineries, 
emissions 
revenue is used to 
provision 
exporting nation 
Aug. 2, 2012 
GHG emissions: 
first seller of natural 
between 
send monthly 
has implemented 
covered entities 
gas, producers and 
2015 and 
dividend payments 
equivalent 
purchase permits  importers of GHG 
2019 equal to  to taxpayers 
measures, 
from the 
emission substances 
GHG 
25% retained for 
imports of 
Department of 
emissions in 
deficit reduction 
carbon-intensive 
the Treasury for 
2005 by 2020 
goods wil  be 
expected 
subject to a 
emissions 
fee—determined 
associated with 
by the Secretary 
combustion or 
of the 
use of covered 
Treasury—that 
material (e.g., 
is equivalent to 
fossil fuels) 
the costs domestic producers of 
CRS-36 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Permits cannot 
comparable 
be sold or 
products incur 
traded 
due to the 
Price floor and 
carbon price 
price ceiling (i.e., 
Exporters of 
price col ar), 
carbon-intensive 
ranges between 
goods may 
$6.25 and $18.75 
receive a 
in 2015 
payment related to the increased costs of inputs (i.e., fossil fuels) subject to the fee 
Source: Prepared by CRS.  
CRS-37 
 
Table 6. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 113th Congress 
Ordered Chronologically by Introduced Date 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
S. 332 
Upstream tax/fee  EPA would impose a fee  GHG 
60% distributed to 
No specific 
A carbon 
Directs EPA to 
Sanders 
on fossil fuels 
on coal, petroleum, and 
emissions at 
EPA to provide 
provision 
equivalency fee 
submit report to 
Feb. 14, 2013 
based on their 
natural gas produced or 
80% below 
monthly rebates to 
would apply to 
Congress describing 
carbon content 
imported into the 
2005 levels 
legal residents 
imports of 
fugitive methane 
United States 
by 2050 
40% finances a trust 
carbon-
emissions related to 
fund that distributes 
pol ution-
leaks in natural gas 
the fol owing 
intensive goods 
infrastructure and 
amounts annually 
recommending ways 
for 10 years:  
to address these leaks; directs EPA to 
$7.5 bil ion to 
enter agreement with 
mitigate economic 
the National 
impacts of Energy 
Academy of Sciences 
Intensive Trade 
to study GHG 
Exposed (EITE) 
emissions from non-
industries (25% 
covered sources and 
must be energy 
make 
efficiency 
recommendations for 
investments in EITE 
reducing these 
industries) 
emissions 
$5 bil ion to support the Weatherization Assistance Program $1 bil ion for job training and transition assistance $2 bil ion for Advanced Research 
CRS-38 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Projects Agency-Energy Any remaining funds in the trust fund are applied to deficit reduction Revenues from 
the carbon 
equivalency fee 
on imports:  
50% to EPA to distribute to state/local programs for adaptation, infrastructure improvement, and environmental protection 
50% to the Department of Transportation to support state/local critical infrastructure and transportation projects that reduce vehicular traffic 
S. 2940 
Fee on fossil 
Fee applies to coal at 
Fee continues  Fee revenue used to  No specific 
Imports of 
Separate fee for non-
Whitehouse 
fuels based on 
mines, petroleum at 
until national 
create the American  provisions 
carbon-intensive 
CO2 GHG emissions 
Nov. 19, 2014 
their carbon 
refineries, natural gas at 
GHG 
Opportunity Fund, 
goods subject to 
at facilities that (1) 
processors, imported 
emissions are 
appropriations from 
a fee—
are subject to GHG 
CRS-39 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
content and 
fossil fuels, and facilities 
80% below 
the fund could 
determined by 
reporting 
certain facilities 
that (1) are subject to 
2005 levels 
support the 
the Secretary of 
requirements in 40 
Fee set at 
GHG reporting 
fol owing 
the Treasury—
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
$42/mtCO
requirements in 40 
(percentages not 
that is equivalent  emit more than 
2 
emissions in 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
specified): 
to the difference 
25,000 mtCO2e (not 
2015, increasing 
emit more than 25,000 
income assistance 
in (1) costs 
including CO2 
by 2% plus 
tons of CO2 annually 
to low-income 
domestic 
emissions) 
inflation each 
households facing 
producers of 
Additional fee for 
year 
disproportionate 
comparable 
methane emissions 
energy costs 
products incur 
from fossil fuel 
due to the 
tax cut offsets 
extraction, 
carbon price and  distribution, and 
Social Security 
(2) the 
combustion 
benefit increases 
comparable 
tuition assistance-
costs (e.g., GHG 
infrastructure 
fees) imposed by 
improvements 
the nation 
dividends to 
exporting the 
individuals and 
material 
families 
Exporters of 
transition assistance 
carbon-intensive 
to workers in 
goods may 
energy-intensive 
receive a refund 
industries 
related to the increased costs 
climate mitigation 
of inputs (i.e., 
and adaptation 
fossil fuels) 
national debt 
subject to the 
reduction 
fee 
Source: Prepared by CRS. 
CRS-40 
 
Table 7. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 114th Congress 
Ordered Chronologically by Introduced Date 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
H.R. 972 
Hybrid cap/tax 
Coal producers, 
Average 
100% of the permit 
No specific 
Unless an 
No specific provision 
McDermott 
approach on 
petroleum refineries, 
emissions 
revenue is used to 
provision 
exporting nation 
Feb. 13, 2015 
GHG emissions: 
first seller of natural 
between 
send monthly 
has implemented 
covered entities 
gas, producers and 
2016 and 
dividend payments 
equivalent 
purchase permits  importers of GHG 
2020 equal to  to taxpayers 
measures, 
from the 
emission substances 
90% of GHG 
imports of 
Department of 
emissions in 
carbon-intensive 
the Treasury for 
2005 by 2020 
goods wil  be 
expected 
subject to a 
emissions 
fee—determined 
associated with 
by the Secretary 
fossil fuel use  
of the 
Permits cannot 
Treasury—that 
be sold or 
is equivalent to 
traded 
the costs domestic 
Price floor and 
producers of 
price ceiling, 
comparable 
ranging between 
products incur 
$18.75 and 
due to the 
$31.25 in 2017, 
carbon price 
increasing each year 
Exporters of carbon-intensive goods may receive a payment related to the increased costs of inputs (i.e., fossil fuels) 
CRS-41 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
subject to the fee 
H.R. 2202 
Imposes an 
Tax applies to GHG 
No specific 
Distributes monthly 
A tax refund is 
The Secretary of 
No specific provision 
Delaney 
excise tax on 
emissions associated 
provisions 
energy refund 
provided for 
the Treasury 
May 1, 2015 
GHG emissions 
with fossil fuel 
payments to 
GHG emissions 
may impose an 
Tax starts at 
combustion and GHG 
households based 
that are captured 
equivalency fee 
$30/mtCO
emissions from facilities 
on the household’s 
and permanently 
on the person 
2e, 
increasing each 
that (1) are subject to 
gross income level; 
sequestered 
importing a good 
year by 4% plus 
GHG reporting 
households with 
that would have 
inflation 
requirements in 40 
incomes up to 200% 
had an increased 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
above poverty line 
cost (imposed by 
emit more than 25,000 
are eligible, but 
the carbon tax) 
tons of GHGs annually 
higher-income 
if the good were 
Directs the Treasury 
households may 
produced in the 
Secretary to apply the 
receive scaled 
United States 
tax at natural 
refunds under 
Exporters of 
“chokepoints” in the 
certain conditions; 
carbon-intensive 
supply chain in a way 
payments are based 
goods may 
that maximizes the 
on estimates 
receive 
coverage of the tax on 
(calculated by the 
compensation 
sources of emission 
Energy Information 
for losses 
while minimizing the 
Administration) of 
related to the 
burden on 
loss of purchasing 
tax system 
administration and 
power due to the 
compliance 
carbon tax During the first 10 years of the tax, 2% of the revenues may be used to provide assistance to workers in the coal 
CRS-42 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
industry displaced by the act Although not explicitly tied to the GHG tax revenue, the bil  would gradually reduce the highest tax rate on corporate income from 35% to 28% 
S. 1548 
Fee on fossil 
Fee applies to coal at 
Fee continues  The bil  reduces the 
No specific 
Imports of 
Separate fee for 
Whitehouse 
fuels based on 
mines, petroleum at 
until national 
highest tax rate on 
provisions 
carbon-intensive 
fluorinated GHGs 
June 10, 2015 
their carbon 
refineries, natural gas at 
GHG 
corporate income 
goods subject to 
Separate fee for 
content and on 
processors, imported 
emissions are 
from 35% to 29%, 
a fee—
GHGs (other than 
certain facilities 
fossil fuels, and facilities 
80% below 
provides an annual 
determined by 
CO2 and fluorinated 
for GHG 
that (1) are subject to 
2005 levels 
tax credit for each 
the Secretary of 
gas emissions) set at 
emissions 
GHG reporting 
individual, provides 
the Treasury—
$45/mtCO2e in 2016, 
requirements in 40 
an equivalent benefit 
that is equivalent  increasing by 2% plus 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
to individuals not 
to the difference 
inflation each year 
emit more than 25,000 
eligible for the tax 
in (1) costs 
tons of GHGs 
credit, provides up 
domestic 
Additional fee for 
to $20 bil ion in 
producers of 
methane emissions 
annual cost-
comparable 
from fossil fuel 
mitigation grants to 
products incur 
extraction, 
states to be used to 
due to the 
distribution, and 
assist low-income 
carbon price, 
combustion (as 
and rural 
and (2) the 
determined by 
households with 
comparable 
Secretary of the 
energy costs and 
costs (e.g., GHG 
Treasury) 
support job training 
fees) imposed by 
and worker 
the nation 
assistance programs  
CRS-43 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
exporting the material Exporters of energy-intensive goods may receive a refund related to the increased costs of inputs (i.e., fossil fuels) subject to the fee 
S. 2399 
Fee on fossil 
A carbon content fee is 
Target of 5.8 
Distributes 
No specific 
A carbon 
Establishes the 
Sanders 
fuels based on 
imposed on 
bil ion metric 
col ected revenue 
provisions 
equivalency fee 
Interagency Climate 
Dec. 10, 2015 
carbon content 
manufacturers, 
tons in 2020, 
from fees in equal 
would apply to 
Council to monitor 
Fee starts at $15 
producers, or 
which is 
quarterly rebates to 
imports of 
GHG emission 
mtCO
importers of a carbon 
equivalent to 
each citizen or 
carbon-
progress and issue 
2e, 
increasing 
pol uting substance, 
20% below 
permanent resident; 
pol ution-
regulations to help 
annually by $2 to  which includes fossil 
2005 CO2 
Secretary of the 
intensive goods, 
meet reduction 
$4, until reaching  fuels; carbon content 
emissions 
Treasury to issue 
as determined 
targets; creates a 
$73 in 2035; 
determined by the 
from fossil 
regulations 
by the Secretary 
grant program to 
increasing 
Secretary of the 
fuel 
implementing rebate 
of the Treasury 
promote no-til  
thereafter by 5% 
Treasury 
combustion 
system; the rebates 
farming practices and 
plus inflation 
are phased out and 
a nitrogen uptake 
eliminated for 
pilot program 
households earning over $100,000/year (with annual inflation adjustments); fees from imported materials would be 
CRS-44 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
used to support other objectives, including energy efficiency 
H.R. 4283 
Tax on fossil 
Tax imposed on 
Tax ceases if 
Tax revenue used 
No specific 
Imports of 
No specific 
McNerney 
fuels based on 
producers, miners, or 
life-cycle 
to provide quarterly  provisions 
goods containing 
provisions 
Dec. 17, 2015 
their carbon 
importers of fossil fuels 
emissions 
dividends to every 
or produced 
content “of the 
from fossil 
person with a Social 
using fossil fuels 
life cycle 
fuels reach 
Security number 
subject to a 
emissions” 
50% below 
carbon 
Tax starts in 
2005 levels 
equivalency 
2016 at $15 per 
(as 
fee—determined 
metric ton of 
determined 
by the Secretary 
CO
by the 
of the 
2 emissions; 
tax rate 
Secretary of 
Treasury—that 
increases 
the Treasury 
is equal to the 
annually by 
in 
cost that U.S. 
$10/ton; if 
consultation 
producers of a 
emission targets 
with EPA) 
comparable 
are met, tax 
 
good incur as a 
ceases to apply 
result of the U.S. 
for four years; 
carbon tax; this 
tax reapplies if 
fee expires if the 
subsequent 
exporting nation 
targets not met 
implements equivalent measures or if an international agreement requires equivalent measures 
CRS-45 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Distribution of 
Offset and 
Address 
Committee 
Emissions 
Allowance Value 
International 
Carbon-
Additional GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
or Tax/Fee 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Exporters of fossil fuels or materials that used fossil fuels during production or manufacture may receive a tax refund related to the increased costs of inputs (i.e., fossil fuels) subject to the carbon tax 
Source: Prepared by CRS. 
CRS-46 
 
Table 8. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 115th Congress 
Ordered Chronologically by Introduced Date 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
H.R. 2014 
Imposes an 
Tax applies to GHG 
No specific 
Distributes monthly energy refund 
A tax refund is 
The Secretary of 
 
Delaney 
excise tax on 
emissions associated 
provisions 
payments to households, based on 
provided for 
the Treasury may 
Apr. 6, 2017 
GHG emissions 
with fossil fuel 
the household’s gross income level;  GHG emissions 
impose an 
Tax starts at 
combustion and GHG 
households with incomes up to 
that are captured  equivalency fee on 
$30/metric ton of  emissions from 
200% above poverty line are 
and permanently 
the person 
CO
persons who (1) are 
eligible, but higher-income 
sequestered 
importing a good 
2e, increasing 
each year by 4% 
subject to GHG 
households may receive scaled 
that would have 
plus inflation 
reporting 
refunds under certain conditions; 
had an increased 
requirements in 40 
payments are based on estimates 
cost (imposed by 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
(calculated by the Energy 
the carbon tax) if 
emit more than 25,000 
Information Administration) of loss 
the good is 
tons of GHGs annually 
of purchasing power due to the 
produced in the 
Directs the Treasury 
carbon tax 
United States 
Secretary to apply the 
During the first 10 years of the tax, 
Exporters of 
tax at natural 
2% of the revenues may be used to 
carbon-intensive 
chokepoints in the 
provide assistance to workers in 
goods may receive 
supply chain in a way 
the coal industry displaced by the 
compensation for 
that maximizes the 
act 
losses related to 
coverage of the tax on 
Although not explicitly tied to the 
the tax system 
sources of emission 
GHG tax revenue, the bil  would 
while minimizing the 
gradually reduce the highest tax 
burden on 
rate on corporate income from 
administration and 
35% to 28% 
compliance 
S. 1639 
Fee on fossil fuels  Fee applies to coal at 
Fee continues 
The bil  reduces the highest tax 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee 
Whitehouse 
based on their 
mines, petroleum at 
until national 
rate on corporate income from 
provisions 
intensive goods 
for fluorinated 
July 26, 2017 
carbon content 
refineries, natural gas 
GHG emissions 
35% to 29%, provides an annual tax 
subject to a fee—
GHGs 
and certain 
at processors, 
credit for each individual, provides 
determined by the 
imported fossil fuels, 
an equivalent benefit to individuals 
Secretary of the 
CRS-47 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
facilities for GHG  and facilities that (1) 
are 80% below 
not eligible for the tax credit, 
Treasury—that is 
Fee for facilities 
emissions 
are subject to GHG 
2005 levels 
provides up to $20 bil ion in annual 
equivalent to the 
that (1) are 
Fee set at 
reporting 
cost-mitigation grants to states to 
difference in (1) 
subject to 
$49/ton CO
requirements in 40 
be used to assist low-income and 
costs domestic 
GHG reporting 
2 
emissions in 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
rural households with energy costs 
producers of 
requirements 
2018, increasing 
emit more than 25,000 
and support job training and 
comparable 
in 40 C.F.R. 
by 2% plus 
tons of GHGs annually 
worker assistance programs  
products incur due  Part 98 and (2) 
inflation each 
to the carbon 
emit more than 
year 
price, and (2) the 
25,000 
comparable costs 
mtCO2e 
(e.g., GHG fees) 
emissions 
imposed by the 
(other than 
nation exporting 
CO2 or 
the material 
fluorinated 
Exporters of 
GHGs) 
energy-intensive 
Additional fee 
goods may receive 
for GHG 
a refund related to  emissions the increased 
resulting from 
costs of inputs 
venting, flaring, 
(i.e., fossil fuels) 
and leaking 
subject to the fee 
across the coal, natural gas, and petroleum supply chains (as determined by Secretary of the Treasury) 
H.R. 3420 
Fee on fossil fuels  Fee applies to coal at 
Fee continues 
The bil  reduces the highest tax 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee 
Blumenauer 
based on their 
mines, petroleum at 
until national 
rate on corporate income from 
provisions 
intensive goods 
for fluorinated 
July 26, 2017 
carbon content 
refineries, natural gas 
GHG emissions 
35% to 29%, provides an annual tax 
subject to a fee—
GHGs 
and certain 
at processors, 
credit for each individual, provides 
determined by the 
CRS-48 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
facilities for GHG  imported fossil fuels, 
are 80% below 
an equivalent benefit to individuals 
Secretary of the 
Fee for facilities 
emissions 
and facilities that (1) 
2005 levels 
not eligible for the tax credit, 
Treasury—that is 
that (1) are 
Fee set at 
are subject to GHG 
provides up to $20 bil ion in annual 
equivalent to the 
subject to 
$49/ton CO
reporting 
cost-mitigation grants to states to 
difference in (1) 
GHG reporting 
2 
emissions in 
requirements in 40 
be used to assist low-income and 
costs domestic 
requirements 
2018, increasing 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
rural households with energy costs 
producers of 
in 40 C.F.R. 
by 2% plus 
emit more than 25,000 
and support job training and 
comparable 
Part 98 and (2) 
inflation each 
tons of GHGs annually 
worker assistance programs  
products incur due  emit more than 
year 
to the carbon 
25,000 
price and (2) the 
mtCO2e (other 
comparable costs 
than CO2 or 
(e.g., GHG fees) 
fluorinated 
imposed by the 
GHGs) 
nation exporting 
Additional fee 
the material 
for GHG 
Exporters of 
emissions 
energy-intensive 
resulting from 
goods may receive 
venting, flaring, 
a refund related to  and leaking the increased 
across the coal, 
costs of inputs 
natural gas, and 
(i.e., fossil fuels) 
petroleum 
subject to the fee 
supply chains (as determined by Secretary of the Treasury) 
H.R. 4209 
Tax on fossil 
Tax applies to 
No specific 
Establishes a trust fund that would 
No specific 
The Secretary of 
No specific 
Larson 
fuels based on 
manufacturers, 
provision 
receive appropriations equal to tax 
provisions 
the Treasury shall 
provisions 
Nov. 1, 2017 
their carbon 
producers, or 
revenue received in the Treasury; 
impose a fee on 
content 
importers of coal, 
the trust fund would provide 
imports of carbon-
Tax set at 
petroleum, and natural 
annual funding for the fol owing 
intensive goods; 
$49/mtCO
gas 
infrastructure programs: 
the fee wil  be 
2 in 
CRS-49 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
2019, increasing 
$50 bil ion (plus the Highway Trust 
equivalent to the 
by 2% plus 
Fund shortfall) for highway (80%) 
cost that domestic 
inflation each 
and mass transit (20%); 
producers incur 
year 
$5 bil ion for the Transportation 
due to the carbon 
Investments Generating Economic 
tax; this fee 
Recovery program; 
expires if the 
$3 bil ion for aviation; 
exporting nation 
$5 bil ion for passenger rail; 
implements 
$6 bil ion for harbors, waterways, 
equivalent 
flood protection, and dams; 
measures or if an 
$6 bil ion for wastewater and 
international 
drinking water; and 
agreement 
$3 bil ion for broadband 
requires equivalent 
In addition, the trust fund provides: 
measures 
$5 bil ion annually for worker transition assistance in the fossil fuel industries; and 12.5% for an energy refund program that would provide monthly payments to households with incomes up to 150% of poverty line Any remaining revenues supports a consumer tax rebate for households with incomes up to 350% of the poverty line 
S. 2352 
Cap-and-trade 
Covered materials 
2020 limit: 
Auction revenue distributed via 
No specific 
Unless an 
EPA directed 
Van Hol en 
system for CO2 
include crude oil, coal, 
permits sold 
quarterly dividend payments to all 
provisions 
exporting nation 
to promulgate 
Jan. 29, 2018 
emissions from 
natural gas, and 
equal to 20% 
persons with a valid Social Security 
has implemented 
regulations to 
fossil fuel 
products derived from 
below 2005 
number 
equivalent 
address other 
combustion 
measures, imports 
GHG 
CRS-50 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Permits sold 
these materials used 
2025 limit: 
of carbon-
emissions that 
through quarterly  for combustion 
permits sold 
intensive goods 
are not 
auctions by the 
Covered entities 
equal to 30% 
wil  be subject to a  covered by the 
Department of 
include petroleum 
below 2005 U.S. 
fee—determined 
permit 
the Treasury 
refineries and 
CO2 emissions 
by the Secretary of  program; 
Auction revenue 
importers, coal mines 
2030 limit: 
the Treasury—
emissions 
distributed to 
and importers, and 
permits sold 
that is equivalent 
“directly 
individuals, often 
natural gas deliverers 
equal to 40% 
to the costs 
attributable to 
described as a 
(as reported on Energy  below 2005 U.S. 
domestic 
the production 
“cap and 
Information 
CO
producers of 
of animals for 
2 emissions 
dividend” 
Administration Form 
comparable 
food or food 
2040 limit: 
approach 
176) and some natural 
products incur due  products” are 
permits sold 
to the carbon 
excluded 
A permit reserve 
gas processors 
equal to 60% 
price 
and borrowed 
below 2005 U.S. 
permits from 
CO
Exporters of 
2 emissions 
future years may 
carbon-intensive 
be used to help 
goods may receive 
stabilize auction 
compensation for 
prices 
losses related to the permit system 
H.R. 4889 
Cap-and-trade 
Covered materials 
2020 target: 
Auction revenue distributed via 
No specific 
Unless an 
EPA directed 
Beyer 
system for CO2 
include crude oil, coal, 
reduce U.S. 
quarterly dividend payments to all 
provisions 
exporting nation 
to promulgate 
Jan. 29, 2018 
emissions from 
natural gas, and 
CO2 emissions 
persons with a valid Social Security 
has implemented 
regulations to 
fossil fuel 
products derived from 
to 20% below 
number 
equivalent 
address other 
combustion 
these materials used 
2005 levels 
measures, imports 
GHG 
Permits sold 
for combustion 
2030 target: 
of carbon-
emissions that 
through quarterly  Covered entities 
40% below 2005 
intensive goods 
are not 
auctions by the 
include petroleum 
levels 
wil  be subject to a  covered by the 
Department of 
refineries and 
fee—determined 
permit 
the Treasury 
importers, coal mines 
by the Secretary of  program; 
and importers, and 
the Treasury—
emissions 
natural gas deliverers 
that is equivalent 
“directly 
CRS-51 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Auction revenue 
(as reported on Energy 
to the costs 
attributable to 
distributed to 
Information 
domestic 
the production 
individuals, often 
Administration Form 
producers of 
of animals for 
described as a 
176) and some natural 
comparable 
food or food 
“cap and 
gas processors 
products incur due  products” are 
dividend” 
to the carbon 
excluded 
approach 
price 
A permit reserve 
Exporters of 
and borrowed 
carbon-intensive 
permits from 
goods may receive 
future years may 
compensation for 
be used to help 
losses related to 
stabilize auction 
the permit system 
prices 
S. 2368 
Fee on fossil fuels  Fee applies to coal at 
Fee continues 
The bil  provides an annual tax 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee 
Whitehouse 
based on their 
mines, petroleum at 
until national 
credit for each individual, provides 
provisions 
intensive goods 
for fluorinated 
Feb. 5, 2018 
carbon content 
refineries, natural gas 
GHG emissions 
an equivalent benefit to individuals 
subject to a fee—
GHGs 
 
and certain 
at processors, 
are 80% below 
not eligible for the tax credit, 
determined by the 
Separate fee 
facilities for GHG  imported fossil fuels, 
2005 levels 
provides up to $10 bil ion in annual 
Secretary of the 
for GHGs 
emissions 
and facilities that (1) 
cost-mitigation grants to states to 
Treasury—that is 
(other than 
Fee set at 
are subject to GHG 
be used to assist low-income and 
equivalent to the 
CO2 and 
$50/ton CO
reporting 
rural households with energy costs 
difference in (1) 
2 
fluorinated gas 
emissions in 
requirements in 40 
and support job training and 
costs domestic 
emissions) at 
2019, increasing 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
worker assistance programs; this 
producers of 
facilities that 
by 2% plus 
emit more than 25,000 
amount increases annually  
comparable 
(1) are subject 
inflation each 
tons of GHGs annually 
products incur due  to GHG 
year 
to the carbon 
reporting 
price and (2) the 
requirements 
comparable costs 
in 40 C.F.R. 
(e.g., GHG fees) 
Part 98 and (2) 
imposed by the 
emit more than 25,000 
CRS-52 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
nation exporting 
mtCO2e 
the material 
emissions  
Exporters of 
Additional fee 
energy-intensive 
for GHG 
goods may receive 
emissions 
a refund related to  resulting from the increased 
venting, flaring, 
costs of inputs 
and leaking 
(i.e., fossil fuels) 
across the coal, 
subject to the fee 
natural gas, and petroleum supply chains (as determined by Secretary of the Treasury) 
H.R. 4926 
Fee on fossil fuels  Fee applies to coal at 
Fee continues 
The bil  provides an annual tax 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee 
Blumenauer 
based on their 
mines, petroleum at 
until national 
credit for each individual, provides 
provisions 
intensive goods 
for fluorinated 
Feb. 5, 2018 
carbon content 
refineries, natural gas 
GHG emissions 
an equivalent benefit to individuals 
subject to a fee—
GHGs 
and certain 
at processors, 
are 80% below 
not eligible for the tax credit, 
determined by the 
Separate fee 
facilities for GHG  imported fossil fuels, 
2005 levels 
provides up to $10 bil ion in annual 
Secretary of the 
for GHGs 
emissions 
and facilities that (1) 
cost-mitigation grants to states to 
Treasury—that is 
(other than 
Fee set at 
are subject to GHG 
be used to assist low-income and 
equivalent to the 
CO2 and 
$50/ton CO
reporting 
rural households with energy costs 
difference in (1) 
2 
fluorinated gas 
emissions in 
requirements in 40 
and support job training and 
costs domestic 
emissions) at 
2019, increasing 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
worker assistance programs; this 
producers of 
facilities that 
by 2% plus 
emit more than 25,000 
amount increases annually  
comparable 
(1) are subject 
inflation each 
tons of GHGs annually 
products incur due  to GHG 
year 
to the carbon 
reporting 
price and (2) the 
requirements 
comparable costs 
in 40 C.F.R. 
(e.g., GHG fees) 
Part 98 and (2) 
imposed by the 
emit more than 
CRS-53 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
nation exporting 
25,000 
the material 
mtCO2e  
Exporters of 
Additional fee 
energy-intensive 
for GHG 
goods may receive 
emissions 
a refund related to  resulting from the increased 
venting, flaring, 
costs of inputs 
and leaking 
(i.e., fossil fuels) 
across the coal, 
subject to the fee 
natural gas, and petroleum supply chains (as determined by Secretary of the Treasury) 
H.R. 6463 
Tax on fossil 
Tax applies to coal at 
No specific 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Establishes a 
Curbelo 
fuels based on 
mines, petroleum at 
provision  
receives appropriations equal to 
provisions 
intensive goods 
conditional 
July 23, 2018 
their carbon 
refineries, natural gas 
Authorizes the 
75% of tax revenue deposited in 
subject to a 
moratorium on 
content and on 
at processors, 
Secretary of the 
the Treasury; from this amount, 
border tax—
Clean Air Act 
emissions from 
imported fossil fuels, 
Treasury to 
the trust fund provides annual 
determined by the 
GHG 
specific facilities 
facilities in specified 
increase the tax 
funding for the fol owing objectives 
Secretary of the 
regulations for 
and sources  
industrial sectors that 
rate if annual, 
(“as provided in appropriations 
Treasury—that is 
stationary 
Tax starts at 
emit more than 25,000 
cumulative 
acts”) between FY2021 and 
equivalent to the 
emissions 
$24/metric ton of  metric tons of CO2e 
emission 
FY2030: 
costs in 
sources (with 
CO
annually, facilities that 
comparable 
some 
2e, increasing 
reduction 
70% to the Federal Highway Trust 
by 2% plus 
manufacture or import 
targets are not 
Fund; 
domestic 
exceptions) 
inflation each 
specified products, and 
met (e.g., 5,177 
manufactured 
10% to the states as grants to low-
Creates a 
year 
facilities that combust 
mil ion metric 
goods (associated 
National 
biomass with emissions 
income households; 
tons CO2
with the carbon 
e in 
Climate 
above 25,000 metric 
2020) 
5.0% for frequent and chronic 
tax) 
Commission to 
tons of CO2e 
coastal flooding mitigation and 
Exporters of 
set five-year 
adaptation infrastructure projects; 
energy-intensive 
emission 
CRS-54 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
3.0% for displaced energy workers; 
goods may receive 
reduction goals 
2.7% for various energy-related 
a tax refund 
between 2025 
research and development 
related to the 
and 2050 and 
objectives (e.g., carbon capture and 
increased costs of 
assess the 
storage); 
inputs (i.e., fossil 
effectiveness of 
fuels) subject to 
federal policies 
3.0% to support agricultural GHG 
the tax 
in meeting 
sequestration projects; 
these goals 
2.5% for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund; 2.0% for the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund; 1.5% for the Department of Energy weatherization program; 0.1% for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank trust fund; 0.1% for the Reforestation Trust Fund; 0.1% to decrease the environmental impact of renewable energy activities pursuant to Section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
H.R. 6928 
Tax on fossil 
Tax imposed on 
Tax ceases if 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of goods 
No specific 
McNerney 
fuels based on 
producers, miners, or 
emission targets 
receives appropriations equal to 
provisions 
containing or 
provisions 
Sept. 27, 2018 
their carbon 
importers of fossil 
are met; targets 
carbon tax revenues received in 
produced using 
content “of the 
fuels 
based on life-
the Treasury 
fossil fuels subject 
life cycle 
cycle emission 
Subject to the appropriations 
to a carbon 
emissions” 
reductions (as 
process, tax revenue used to offset 
equivalency fee—
Tax starts in 
determined by 
a corresponding reduction in 
determined by the 
2020 at $25 per 
EPA) from fossil 
individual income tax rates starting 
Secretary of the 
CRS-55 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
metric ton of 
fuels below 
in 2019; remaining revenues would 
Treasury—that is 
CO2 emissions; 
2005 levels: 
be allocated as fol ows: 
equal to the cost 
tax rate increases 
 
80% used to provide quarterly 
that U.S. 
annually by 
2025: 30% 
dividends to every person with a 
producers of a 
$10/ton; if 
2030: 40%  
Social Security number 
comparable good 
emission targets 
2035: 50%  
incur as a result of 
are met, tax 
20% used to support a range of 
2040: 70%  
the U.S. carbon 
ceases to apply 
objectives, including: 
2050: 80%  
tax; this fee 
for four years; 
-worker transition assistance 
expires if the 
tax reapplies if 
-rural energy assistance 
exporting nation 
subsequent 
-technology-neutral research and 
implements 
targets not met 
development 
equivalent 
-electric grid innovation 
measures or if an 
-infrastructure resilience 
international 
-energy efficiency and conservation 
agreement requires equivalent measures Exporters of fossil fuels or materials that used fossil fuels during production or manufacture may receive a tax refund related to the increased costs of inputs (i.e., fossil fuels) subject to the carbon tax 
CRS-56 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
H.R. 7173 
Fee on fossil fuels  Covered entities 
Emission 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee 
Deutch 
based on their 
include petroleum 
reduction 
receives appropriations equal to 
provisions 
intensive products 
for fluorinated 
Nov. 27, 2018 
GHG content 
refineries and 
targets apply to 
emission fee revenues received in 
subject to a fee—
GHGs set at 
Fee set at 
importers, coal mines 
fossil fuel 
the Treasury; monies in the trust 
determined by the 
10% of fee for 
$15/mtCO
and importers, natural 
combustion 
fund are available (after 
Secretary of the 
fossil fuel 
2e 
emissions in 
gas deliverers, and 
emissions; 
administrative expenses) to 
Treasury—that is 
emissions 
2019, increasing 
some natural gas 
starting in 2022, 
provide monthly payments to 
equivalent to the 
Suspends 
by $10 each year 
processors 
annual 
eligible individuals (i.e., persons 
excess of (1) GHG  enforcement of 
reductions of 
with a Social Security number or 
emissions from 
If emission 
certain Clean 
5% of 2015 
taxpayer identification number); 
production 
reduction targets 
Air Act GHG 
levels (253 
adults get one share and children 
multiplied by the 
are not met, fee 
regulations; if 
mil ion 
receive a half-share 
relevant U.S. 
increases by $15; 
EPA 
mtCO
emissions fee over 
if targets met, fee 
2e) 
determines (in 
between 2022 
(2) the total 
does not increase 
2030 and every 
and 2029; less 
foreign product 
five years 
Provides a rebate 
stringent 
cost of carbon; 
thereafter) 
for fuels used on 
reductions in 
Exporters of 
emission 
a farm 
subsequent 
carbon-intensive 
targets are not 
years 
products (and 
met, the 
covered fuels) may  enforcement receive a refund 
suspension 
under an 
would cease 
analogous formula 
and EPA must promulgate regulations to reduce emissions from covered fuels 
S. 3791 
Fee on fossil fuels  Covered entities 
Emission 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee 
Coons 
based on their 
include petroleum 
reduction 
receives appropriations equal to 
provisions 
intensive products 
for fluorinated 
Dec. 19, 2018 
GHG content 
refineries and 
targets apply to 
emission fee revenues received in 
subject to a fee—
GHGs set at 
importers, coal mines 
fossil fuel 
the Treasury; monies in the trust 
determined by the 
10% of fee for 
CRS-57 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
Offset and 
Address 
Additional 
Committee 
Emissions 
International 
Carbon-
GHG 
or Floor 
General 
Covered 
Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Fee set at 
and importers, natural 
combustion 
fund are available (after 
Secretary of the 
fossil fuel 
$15/mtCO2e 
gas deliverers, and 
emissions; 
administrative expenses) to 
Treasury—that is 
emissions 
emissions in 
some natural gas 
starting in 2022, 
provide monthly payments to 
equivalent to the 
Directs EPA to 
2019, increasing 
processors 
annual 
eligible individuals (i.e., persons 
excess of(1) GHG 
evaluate 
by $10 each year 
reductions of 
with a Social Security number or 
emissions from 
effectiveness of 
If emission 
5% of 2015 
taxpayer identification number); 
production 
fee program in 
reduction targets 
levels (253 
adults get one share and children 
multiplied by the 
meeting 
are not met, fee 
mil ion 
receive a half-share 
relevant U.S. 
emission 
increases by $15; 
mtCO2e) 
emissions fee over 
reduction 
if targets met, fee 
between 2022 
(2) the total 
targets; if 
does not increase 
and 2029; this 
foreign product 
targets are 
equates to a 
cost; 
Provides a rebate 
met, EPA may 
50% reduction 
for fuels used on 
Exporters of 
review existing 
in 2030 
a farm 
carbon-intensive 
regulations on 
compared to 
products (and 
fossil fuel 
2005 levels; less 
covered fuels) may  combustion 
stringent 
receive a refund 
and fluorinated 
reductions in 
under an 
GHG 
subsequent 
analogous formula 
emissions 
years 
Source: Prepared by CRS. 
CRS-58 
 
Table 9. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 116th Congress 
Ordered Chronologically by Introduced Date 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
H.R. 763 
Fee on fossil 
Covered entities 
Emission reduction 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee for 
Deutch 
fuels based on 
include petroleum 
targets apply to fossil 
receives appropriations equal 
provisions 
intensive products 
fluorinated GHGs set 
Jan. 24, 2019 
their GHG 
refineries and 
fuel combustion 
to emission fee revenues 
subject to a fee—
at 10% of fee for 
content 
importers, coal 
emissions; starting in 
received in the Treasury; 
determined by the 
fossil fuel emissions 
Fee set at 
mines and 
2025, annual 
monies in the trust fund are 
Secretary of the 
Suspends 
$15/mtCO
importers, natural 
reductions of 5% of 
available (after administrative 
Treasury—that is 
2e 
enforcement of 
emissions in 
gas deliverers and 
2016 levels (248 
expenses) to provide monthly 
equivalent to the 
certain Clean Air Act 
2019, increasing 
importers 
mil ion mtCO2e) 
payments to eligible individuals 
excess of (1) GHG 
GHG regulations; if 
by $10 each year 
between 2025 and 
(i.e., persons with a Social 
emissions from 
EPA determines (in 
plus inflation 
2034; annual 
Security number or taxpayer 
production 
2030 and every five 
reductions of 2.5% of 
identification number); adults 
multiplied by the 
If emission 
years thereafter) 
2016 levels between 
get one share and children 
relevant U.S. 
reduction targets 
emission targets are 
2035 and 2050 
receive a half-share 
emissions fee over 
are not met, fee 
not met, the 
(2) the total foreign 
increases by $15 
Fee ceases if emissions 
enforcement 
product cost of 
plus inflation; if 
from covered fuels 
suspension would 
carbon 
targets met, fee 
decrease to 10% of 
cease and EPA must 
does not 
2016 emission levels 
Exporters of 
promulgate 
increase 
of covered fuels (500 
carbon-intensive 
regulations to reduce 
mil ion mtCO
products (and 
emissions from 
Provides a 
2e) and 
monthly dividend 
covered fuels) may 
covered fuels 
rebate for fuels 
check reach certain 
receive a refund 
used on a farm 
Directs Department 
levels 
under an analogous 
and for fuels or 
of Energy to enter 
formula 
their derivatives 
agreement with the 
used by U.S. 
National Academy of 
Armed Forces 
Sciences to study effects of the fee on emissions from biomass and resulting impacts on carbon sinks 
CRS-59 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
S. 940 
Cap-and-trade 
Covered materials 
2020 limit: permits 
Auction revenue distributed 
No specific 
Unless an 
EPA directed to 
Van Hol en 
system for CO2 
include crude oil, 
sold equal to 12.5% 
via quarterly dividend 
provisions 
exporting nation 
promulgate 
Mar. 28, 2019 
emissions from 
coal, natural gas, 
below 2005 U.S. CO2 
payments to all persons with a 
has implemented 
regulations to 
This proposal is 
fossil fuel 
and products 
emissions 
valid Social Security number 
equivalent 
address other GHG 
identical to H.R. 
combustion 
derived from these 
2025 limit: permits 
measures, imports 
emissions that are 
1960 (Beyer) 
Permits sold 
materials used for 
sold equal to 30% 
of carbon-intensive 
not covered by the 
through 
combustion 
below 2005 U.S. CO
goods wil  be 
permit program; 
2 
quarterly 
Covered entities 
emissions 
subject to a fee—
emissions “directly 
auctions by the 
include petroleum 
determined by the 
attributable to the 
2030 limit: permits 
Department of 
refineries and 
Secretary of the 
production of animals 
sold equal to 50% 
the Treasury 
importers, coal 
Treasury—that is 
for food or food 
below 2005 U.S. CO2 
equivalent to the 
products” are 
Auction revenue 
mines and 
emissions 
costs domestic 
excluded 
distributed to 
importers, and 
2040 limit: permits 
producers of 
individuals, often 
natural gas 
sold equal to 80% 
comparable 
described as a 
deliverers (as 
below 2005 U.S. CO2 
products incur due 
“cap and 
reported on Energy 
emissions 
to the carbon price 
dividend” 
Information 
approach 
Administration 
Exporters of 
Form 176) and 
carbon-intensive 
A permit reserve  some natural gas 
goods may receive 
and borrowed 
processors 
compensation for 
permits from 
losses related to 
future years may 
the permit system 
be used to help stabilize auction prices  
H.R. 1960 
Cap-and-trade 
Covered materials 
2020 limit: permits 
Auction revenue distributed 
No specific 
Unless an 
EPA directed to 
Beyer 
system for CO2 
include crude oil, 
sold equal to 12.5% 
via quarterly dividend 
provisions 
exporting nation 
promulgate 
Mar. 28, 2019 
emissions from 
coal, natural gas, 
below 2005 U.S. CO2 
payments to all persons with a 
has implemented 
regulations to 
This proposal is 
fossil fuel 
and products 
emissions 
valid Social Security number 
equivalent 
address other GHG 
identical to S. 940 
combustion 
derived from these 
2025 limit: permits 
measures, imports 
emissions that are 
(Van Hollen) 
Permits sold 
materials used for 
sold equal to 30% 
of carbon-intensive 
not covered by the 
through 
combustion 
goods wil  be 
permit program; 
CRS-60 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
quarterly 
Covered entities 
below 2005 U.S. CO2 
subject to a fee—
emissions “directly 
auctions by the 
include petroleum 
emissions 
determined by the 
attributable to the 
Department of 
refineries and 
2030 limit: permits 
Secretary of the 
production of animals 
the Treasury 
importers, coal 
sold equal to 50% 
Treasury—that is 
for food or food 
Auction revenue 
mines and 
below 2005 U.S. CO
equivalent to the 
products” are 
2 
distributed to 
importers, and 
emissions 
costs domestic 
excluded 
individuals, often 
natural gas 
producers of 
2040 limit: permits 
described as a 
deliverers (as 
comparable 
sold equal to 80% 
“cap and 
reported on Energy 
products incur due 
below 2005 U.S. CO2 
dividend” 
Information 
to the carbon price 
emissions 
approach 
Administration 
Exporters of 
Form 176) and 
A permit reserve 
carbon-intensive 
some natural gas 
and borrowed 
goods may receive 
processors 
permits from 
compensation for 
future years may 
losses related to 
be used to help 
the permit system 
stabilize auction prices  
S. 1128 
Fee on fossil 
Fee applies to coal 
Fee continues until 
The bil  provides an annual tax 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee for 
Whitehouse 
fuels based on 
at mines, petroleum 
national GHG 
credit for each individual; 
provisions 
intensive goods 
fluorinated GHGs 
Apr. 10, 2019 
their carbon 
at refineries, natural 
emissions are 80% 
provides an equivalent benefit 
subject to a fee—
Separate fee for 
content and 
gas at processors, 
below 2005 levels 
to individuals not eligible for 
determined by the 
GHGs (other than 
certain facilities 
imported fossil fuels, 
the tax credit 
Secretary of the 
CO2 and fluorinated 
for GHG 
and facilities that (1) 
Provides up to $10 bil ion in 
Treasury—that is 
gas emissions) at 
emissions 
are subject to GHG 
annual grants to states to be 
equivalent to the 
facilities that (1) are 
Fee set at 
reporting 
used to 
difference in (1) 
subject to GHG 
$52/ton CO
requirements in 40 
costs domestic 
2 
(1) assist low-income and rural 
reporting 
emissions in 
C.F.R. Part 98 and 
producers of 
households with energy costs,  
requirements in 40 
2020, increasing 
(2) emit more than 
comparable 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
by 6% plus 
25,000 tons of 
(2) support job training and 
products incur due 
emit more than 
inflation each 
GHGs annually 
worker assistance programs, 
to the carbon price  25,000 mtCO2e 
year 
and  
and (2) the 
emissions  
comparable costs 
CRS-61 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Fee also applies to 
(3) assist the state in climate 
(e.g., GHG fees) 
Additional fee for 
certain industrial 
change adaptation or transition 
imposed by the 
GHG emissions 
sources, regardless 
to a low-carbon economy; this 
nation exporting 
(described as 
of their emissions 
amount increases annually  
the material 
“associated 
output, including 
Exporters of 
emissions”) resulting 
aluminum 
energy-intensive 
from venting, flaring, 
production, HCFC-
goods may receive 
and leaking across 
22 production and 
a refund related to 
the coal, natural gas, 
HFC-23 destruction, 
the increased costs 
and petroleum supply 
and fluorinated gas 
of inputs (i.e., fossil 
chains (as determined 
production; this fee 
fuels) subject to 
by Secretary of the 
starts as a 
the fee 
Treasury) 
percentage of the fossil fuel fee and increases annually 
S. 2284 
Fee on fossil 
Covered entities 
Emission reduction 
Establishes a trust fund that 
Directs the 
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee for 
Coons 
fuels based on 
include petroleum 
targets apply to 
receives appropriations equal 
Department of 
intensive products 
fluorinated GHGs set 
July 25, 2019 
their GHG 
refineries and 
emissions from 
to emission fee revenues 
Agriculture (in 
subject to a fee—
at 20% of fee for 
This proposal is 
content 
importers, coal 
covered fuels; starting 
col ected in the Treasury; 
consultation with 
determined by the 
fossil fuel emissions 
identical to H.R. 
Fee on solid 
mines and 
in 2020, target equals 
monies in the trust fund (after 
EPA) to provide 
Secretary of the 
4051 (Panetta) 
biomass based 
importers, natural 
90% of 2017 levels, 
administrative expenses) are 
payments for 
Treasury—that is 
on GHG content  gas wells and 
reaching 59% of 2017 
allocated as fol ows: 
farmers and 
equivalent to the 
as determined by  importers, solid 
levels in 2025 and 45%  70% to provide monthly 
landowners for 
excess of (1) GHG 
EPA, using a life-
biomass combustion  of 2017 levels in 2030;  payments to eligible individuals  eligible 
emissions from 
cycle analysis 
facilities 
in subsequent years, 
(i.e., persons with a Social 
sequestration 
production 
the targets are 
activities; directs 
multiplied by the 
Fee set at 
Security number or taxpayer 
reduced by 2.25% of 
Department of 
relevant U.S. 
$15/mtCO
identification number); adults 
2e 
2017 emission levels 
Energy to provide 
emissions fee over 
emissions in 
get one share and children 
each year  
payments for 
(2) the total foreign 
2020, increasing 
receive a half-share; payments 
direct air capture 
product cost 
by $15 each year 
Fee ceases if emissions  are phased-out at certain from covered fuels 
income levels 
of CO2 emissions;  Exporters of 
If emission 
equal 10% of 2017 
the funding 
carbon-intensive 
reduction targets 
emission levels 
source for these 
products (and 
CRS-62 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
are not met, fee 
20% to support existing and 
payments is not 
covered fuels) may 
increases by $30; 
new infrastructure funding 
specified 
receive a refund 
if annual targets 
programs and other objectives 
under an analogous 
met, fee does 
5% to the Department of 
formula 
not increase  
Energy to support 
Fee col ected 
development of GHG 
quarterly 
mitigation technology and related technologies 5% to support transition assistance through new and existing programs 
H.R. 4051 
Fee on fossil 
Covered entities 
Emission reduction 
Establishes a trust fund that 
Directs the 
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee for 
Panetta 
fuels based on 
include petroleum 
targets apply to 
receives appropriations equal 
Department of 
intensive products 
fluorinated GHGs set 
July 25, 2019 
their GHG 
refineries and 
emissions from 
to emission fee revenues 
Agriculture (in 
subject to a fee—
at 20% of fee for 
This proposal is 
content 
importers, coal 
covered fuels; starting 
col ected in the Treasury; 
consultation with 
determined by the 
fossil fuel emissions 
identical to S. 
Fee on solid 
mines and 
in 2020, target equals 
monies in the trust fund (after 
EPA) to provide 
Secretary of the 
2284 (Coons) 
biomass based 
importers, natural 
90% of 2017 levels, 
administrative expenses) are 
payments for 
Treasury—that is 
on GHG content  gas wells and 
reaching 59% of 2017 
allocated as fol ows: 
farmers and 
equivalent to the 
as determined by  importers, solid 
levels in 2025 and 45%  70% to provide monthly 
landowners for 
excess of (1) GHG 
EPA using a life-
biomass combustion  of 2017 levels in 2030;  payments to eligible individuals  eligible 
emissions from 
cycle analysis 
facilities 
in subsequent years, 
(i.e., persons with a Social 
sequestration 
production 
the targets are 
activities; directs 
multiplied by the 
Fee set at 
Security number or taxpayer 
reduced by 2.25% of 
Department of 
relevant U.S. 
$15/mtCO
identification number); adults 
2e 
2017 emission levels 
Energy to provide 
emissions fee over 
emissions in 
get one share and children 
each year  
payments for 
(2) the total foreign 
2020, increasing 
receive a half-share; payments 
direct air capture 
product cost 
by $15 each year 
Fee ceases if emissions  are phased-out at certain from covered fuels 
income levels 
of CO2 emissions;  Exporters of 
If emission 
equal 10% of 2017 
the funding 
carbon-intensive 
reduction targets 
20% to support existing and 
emission levels 
source for these 
products (and 
are not met, fee 
new infrastructure funding 
payments is not 
covered fuels) may 
increases by $30; 
programs and other objectives 
specified 
receive a refund 
if annual targets 
5% to the Department of Energy to support 
CRS-63 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
met, fee does 
development of GHG 
under an analogous 
not increase  
mitigation technology and 
formula 
Fee col ected 
related technologies 
quarterly 
5% to support transition assistance through new and existing programs 
H.R. 3966 
Tax on fossil 
Tax imposed on 
GHG emissions target 
Net revenues from the tax on 
No specific 
Tax applies to 
Separate tax for 
Lipinski 
fuels based on 
manufacturers, 
of 80% below 2005 
fossil fuels, imported products, 
provisions 
specific imported 
fluorinated GHGs 
July 25, 2019 
their potential 
producers, and 
levels 
and fluorinated GHGs support 
products based on 
(based on metric 
CO2 emissions; 
importers of fossil 
the fol owing objectives: 
the lesser of the 
tons of CO2e) set at 
tax rate set in 
fuels at first point of 
10% used to increase monthly 
fossil fuels used 
10% of the tax rate 
2020 at 
sale 
payments to Social Security 
during production 
for fossil fuel 
$40/short ton of 
beneficiaries 
or the CO2 
emissions 
CO2, increasing 
emissions 
Suspends 
annually by 2.5% 
5% allocated to the Low-
attributable to 
enforcement of 
plus inflation; if 
Income Home Energy 
their production; 
certain Clean Air Act 
GHG emissions 
Assistance program 
eligible products 
GHG regulations; if 
target is met, the 
1% allocated to the 
based on a list of 
EPA determines (in 
rate increases 
Department of Energy’s 
domestic industries  2030 and every five 
only by inflation 
weatherization assistance 
(prepared by EPA) 
years thereafter) that 
program 
that, “in the 
emission targets are 
After these allocations, 
aggregate, account 
not met, the 
remaining revenues used to 
for 95% of the 
enforcement 
reduce the payrol  tax rates 
taxable carbon 
suspension would 
that apply to employees and 
substances used in 
cease and EPA must 
the self-employed 
the United States”  
promulgate 
Exporters may 
regulations to reduce 
receive a refund 
emissions from 
for fossil fuels and 
covered fuels 
any other product with increased 
CRS-64 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
costs attributable to the new tax 
H.R. 4058 
Tax on fossil 
Tax imposed on 
Emission reduction 
Tax revenue supports the 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Establishes a 
Rooney 
fuels based on 
coal at coal mines 
schedule for covered 
fol owing objectives: 
provisions 
intensive goods 
conditional 
July 25, 2019 
their potential 
and importers, 
emissions starts in 
52.5% to offset a reduction in 
subject to a border  moratorium on 
GHG emissions, 
petroleum products 
2021 at 5,000 
payrol  tax rates that apply to 
tax—determined 
Clean Air Act GHG 
GHG emissions 
at refineries and 
mmtCO2e; the annual 
employees, employers, and 
by the Secretary of 
regulations for 
from specific 
importers, and 
emission schedule is 
self-employed persons 
the Treasury—that 
stationary emissions 
industrial 
natural gas at 
cumulative, reaching 
is equivalent to the 
sources (with some 
sources, and 
processors or at 
49,000 mmtCO
7.5% to provide a payment to 
2e in 
costs in 
exceptions) 
GHG emissions 
point of sale for 
2031; assuming annual 
Social Security beneficiaries 
comparable 
Creates a credit 
from specific 
combustion 
emission levels 
7.5% to provide block grants 
domestic 
system, which phases 
products 
Tax imposed on 
fol owed this 
to states to offset higher 
manufactured 
out after five years, 
Tax rate set in 
facilities—in specific 
decreasing schedule, 
energy costs for low-income 
goods (associated 
for persons making 
2021 at 
industrial source 
covered emissions 
households 
with the carbon 
payments under 
$30/mtCO
would decrease to 
tax) 
2e, 
categories—that 
7.5% to support climate 
existing state GHG 
increasing 
emit more than 
4,200 mmtCO2e in 
adaptation, carbon 
Exporters of 
reduction programs 
annually by 5% 
25,000 mtCO
2031  
2e per 
sequestration, energy 
energy-intensive 
plus inflation; if 
year  
efficiency, and research and 
goods may receive 
covered 
Tax imposed on 
development programs 
a tax refund 
emissions do not 
facilities that 
related to the 
meet emission 
manufacture or 
increased costs of 
reduction 
import specified 
inputs (i.e., fossil 
schedule, the tax 
products or 
fuels) subject to 
rate increases by 
combust biomass 
the tax 
an additional $3 
with emissions above 25,000 mtCO2e 
H.R. 4142 
Tax on fossil 
Tax applies to 
No specific provisions 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
The Secretary of 
No specific 
Larson 
fuels based on 
manufacturers, 
would receive appropriations 
provisions 
the Treasury shall 
provisions 
Aug. 2, 2019 
their carbon 
producers, or 
equal to tax revenue received 
impose a fee on 
content 
importers of coal, 
in the Treasury; the trust fund 
imports of carbon-
CRS-65 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Tax set at 
petroleum, and 
would provide annual funding 
intensive goods; 
$52/mtCO2 in 
natural gas 
for the fol owing infrastructure 
the fee wil  be 
2020, increasing 
programs: 
equivalent to the 
by 6% plus 
$61 bil ion (plus the Highway 
cost that domestic 
inflation each 
Trust Fund shortfall) for 
producers incur 
year 
highway (80%) and mass transit 
due to the carbon 
(20%); 
tax; this fee expires if the exporting 
$6.4 bil ion for the 
nation implements 
Transportation Investments 
equivalent 
Generating Economic 
measures or if an 
Recovery program; 
international 
$4 bil ion for aviation; 
agreement requires 
$6.6 bil ion for passenger rail; 
equivalent 
$8 bil ion for harbors, 
measures 
waterways, flood protection, and dams; $8.4 bil ion for wastewater and drinking water; $4 bil ion for broadband; $3 bil ion for education infrastructure; $1.5 bil ion for health care research and infrastructure; $2 bil ion for the Public Housing Capital Fund; $4.4 bil ion for Department of Energy research and development programs; and 
CRS-66 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
$1.5 bil ion for Department of Agriculture climate-related research In addition, the trust fund provides: $7 bil ion annually for worker and community transition assistance, and 12.5% for an energy refund program that would provide monthly payments to households with incomes up to 150% of poverty line Any remaining revenues support a consumer tax rebate for households with incomes up to 350% of the poverty line 
H.R. 4520 
Tax on fossil 
Tax imposed on 
Emission reduction 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Establishes a 
Fitzpatrick 
fuels based on 
coal at coal mines 
schedule for covered 
would receive appropriations 
provisions 
intensive goods 
conditional 
Sept. 26, 2019 
their potential 
and importers, 
emissions starts in 
equal to 75% of the tax 
subject to a border  moratorium on 
GHG emissions, 
petroleum products 
2021 at 4,900 
revenue received in the 
tax—determined 
Clean Air Act GHG 
GHG emissions 
at refineries and 
mmtCO2e; the annual 
Treasury; the trust fund would 
by the Secretary of 
regulations for 
from specific 
importers, and 
emission schedule is 
provide annual funding for the 
the Treasury—that 
stationary emissions 
industrial 
natural gas at 
cumulative, reaching 
fol owing infrastructure 
is equivalent to the 
sources (with some 
sources, and 
processors or at 
48,800 mmtCO2e in 
programs (“as provided in 
costs in 
exceptions) 
GHG emissions 
point of sale for 
2031; assuming annual 
appropriations acts”) between 
comparable 
Creates a credit 
from specific 
combustion 
emission levels 
FY2021 and FY2030: 
domestic 
system, which phases 
products 
Tax imposed on 
fol owed this 
70% to the Federal Highway 
manufactured 
out after five years, 
Tax rate set in 
facilities—in specific 
decreasing schedule, 
Trust Fund; 
goods (associated 
for persons making 
2021 at 
industrial source 
covered emissions 
with the carbon 
payments under 
$35/mtCO
would decrease to 
tax) 
2e, 
categories—that 
increasing 
emit more than 
CRS-67 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
annually by 5% 
25,000 mtCO2e per 
4,000 mmtCO2e in 
10% to the states as grants to 
Exporters of 
existing state GHG 
plus inflation; if 
year  
2031  
allocate to low-income 
energy-intensive 
reduction programs 
covered 
Tax imposed on 
households; 
goods may receive 
Creates a National 
emissions do not 
facilities that 
4.2% for various energy-
a tax refund 
Climate Commission 
meet emission 
manufacture or 
related research and 
related to the 
to set five-year 
reduction 
import specified 
development objectives, 
increased costs of 
emission reduction 
schedule, the tax 
products or 
including carbon capture and 
inputs (i.e., fossil 
goals between 2025 
rate increases by 
combust biomass 
storage and battery 
fuels) subject to 
and 2050 and assess 
an additional $4 
with emissions 
technology; 
the tax 
the effectiveness of 
above 25,000 
4.0% for frequent and chronic 
federal policies in 
mtCO2e 
coastal flooding mitigation and 
meeting these goals 
adaptation infrastructure projects; 3.0% for displaced energy workers; 2.5% for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund; 1.5% for the Department of Energy weatherization program; 1.5% for the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund; 1.0% for the Reforestation Trust Fund; 0.5% to support agricultural GHG sequestration projects; 0.1% to decrease the environmental impact of renewable energy activities pursuant to Section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; 
CRS-68 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
0.1% for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank trust fund 
H.R. 5457 
Tax on fossil 
Tax imposed at coal 
No specific provision 
Provides a $1,000 income tax 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific 
Maloney 
fuels based on 
mines and oil and 
credit for individuals and each 
provisions 
provisions 
provisions 
Dec. 17, 2019 
their carbon 
gas wells and on 
of their dependents; tax credit 
content 
fuels “entered into 
phases out at adjusted gross 
Tax rate starts in  the United States” 
income levels exceeding 
2020 at $40 per 
$314,000; tax credit and 
ton of carbon, 
income phase-out level 
which equates to 
increases each year by a cost 
approximately 
of living adjustment 
$11/tCO2 emissions; tax rate increases annually by a cost of living adjustment as defined in the bil  
S. 4484  
Fee on fossil 
Fee imposed on coal  Fee increases are 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Directs EPA to enter 
Durbin 
fuels and other 
at coal mines and 
based on emission 
receives appropriations equal 
provisions 
intensive goods are  agreement with the 
Aug. 6, 2020 
selected GHG 
importers, crude oil 
targets; targets based 
to emission fees received in 
subject to a fee 
National Academy of 
emission sources  at refineries and 
on percentage 
the Treasury; after subtracting 
(determined by the 
Sciences to study 
Fee on fossil 
importers, and 
reductions compared 
fee rebates and, in the first 18 
Secretary of the 
effects of fee 
fuels starts in 
natural gas at 
to emission levels 
years, approximately $5.5 
Treasury) that is 
program 
2022 at 
producing wel s and 
from covered fuels 
bil ion per year, the remaining 
equivalent to the 
$25/mtCO
importers; and 
and sources in 2018: 
funds are allocated 
difference in (1) 
2e, 
increasing 
select sources that 
 
approximately as fol ows 
costs domestic 
annually by $10 
emit 25,000 
2030: 47% below 2018  during the first 10 years: 
producers of 
plus inflation; if 
mtCO2e or more of 
comparable 
2035: 60% below 2018  70% for direct payments to 
emission targets 
CO2 or methane 
eligible individuals, phasing out 
products incur due 
are not met, the 
per year 
2040: 70% below 2018  at certain income levels; 
to the fee and (2) 
CRS-69 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
fee increases are 
 
2045: 80% below 2018  5% to support agricultural and 
the comparable 
greater 
2050: 90% below 2018  forestry sequestration 
costs imposed by 
Fee on other 
activities; 
the exporting 
sources starts in 
10% for grants to eligible 
nation 
2024 
entities to support transition 
Exporters of fossil 
Fee is delayed in 
assistance to a lower carbon 
fuels and carbon 
2022 and 2023 if 
economy; 
intensive products 
unemployment 
15% for a newly established 
may receive a 
rate is 5% or 
Climate Change Finance 
rebate based on 
higher 
Corporation to finance “clean 
the emissions fee and manufacturing 
A rebate is 
energy” and climate change 
costs attributable 
provided for 
resiliency activities, including 
to the emissions 
carbon capture, 
research and development and 
fee 
sequestration, 
commercialization of 
and utilization 
technologies  
activities, if certain conditions are met 
H.R. 8175 
Tax on fossil 
Tax imposed on 
Tax ceases if emission 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of goods 
No specific 
McNerney 
fuels based on 
producers, miners, 
targets are met; 
receives appropriations equal 
provisions 
containing or 
provisions 
Sept. 4, 2020 
the carbon 
or importers of 
targets based on life-
to carbon tax revenues 
produced using 
content “of the 
fossil fuels 
cycle emission 
received in the Treasury 
fossil fuels subject 
life cycle 
percentage reductions 
Tax revenue used to offset a 
to a carbon 
emissions” 
(as determined by 
corresponding reduction in 
equivalency fee 
Tax starts in 
EPA) from fossil fuels 
individual income tax rates 
(determined by the 
2021 at $25 per 
below 2005 levels: 
starting in 2021; remaining 
Secretary of the 
metric ton of 
 
revenues would be allocated as 
Treasury) that is 
CO
equal to the cost 
2 emissions; 
2025: 30% 
fol ows: 
tax rate 
2030: 40% 
that U.S. producers 
increases 
2035: 50% below 
of a comparable 
annually by 
good incur as a 
CRS-70 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Mechanism to 
Date, and 
International 
Address Carbon-
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
$10/ton; if 
2040: 70%  
80% used to provide quarterly 
result of the U.S. 
emission targets 
2050: 80%  
dividends to every person with 
carbon tax; this fee 
are met, tax 
a Social Security number 
expires if the 
ceases to apply 
20% used to support a range 
exporting nation 
for four years; 
of objectives, including: 
implements 
tax reapplies if 
-worker transition assistance 
equivalent 
subsequent 
-rural energy assistance 
measures or if an 
targets not met 
-technology-neutral research 
international 
and development 
agreement requires 
-electric grid innovation 
equivalent 
-infrastructure resilience 
measures 
-energy efficiency and 
Exporters of fossil 
conservation 
fuels or materials that used fossil fuels during production or manufacture may receive a tax refund related to the increased costs of inputs (i.e., fossil fuels) subject to the carbon tax 
Source: Prepared by CRS.  
CRS-71 
 
Table 10. GHG Emission Reduction Proposals: 117th Congress 
Ordered Chronologically by Introduced Date 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Date, and 
International 
Mechanism to Address 
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Carbon-Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
H.R. 1512 
Among a range of 
Carbon fee applies 
EPA to set emission 
Carbon fees used to fund a 
Offsets may be 
No specific provisions 
The Climate 
Pallone 
other climate 
to fossil fuel storage 
reduction targets for 
“Race to Net-Zero Grant 
used by states as 
Leadership and 
Mar. 2, 2021 
mitigation 
terminals and 
CO2 and methane 
Program,” which provides 
part of their state 
Environmental Action 
provisions, 
distributors; electric  emissions from 
grants to sources that paid a 
climate plans; EPA 
for our Nation’s 
requires states to 
power generators; 
covered sources, so 
carbon fee in the current or 
is to develop 
Future (CLEAN 
prepare and 
and sources that 
that the national GHG  preceding fiscal year; grant 
process for 
Future Act) includes 
submit to EPA a 
emit more than 
emissions targets are 
used to support emission 
accounting for 
a number of 
plan for achieving 
25,000 mtCO2e 
achieved, including a 
reduction efforts at covered 
offsets; the type 
provisions that would 
GHG emission 
Carbon fee amount 
2030 target of 50% 
sources  
of offsets allowed 
directly or indirectly 
reductions 
determined by EPA, 
reduction in GHG 
is unspecified 
reduce GHG 
As part of their 
based on modeling 
emissions compared 
emissions, including a 
plans, states may 
analysis of the fee 
to 2005 levels 
clean electricity 
adopt emission 
needed to achieve 
standard, energy 
control strategies 
specific emission 
efficiency standards 
developed and 
reduction targets 
and incentives, 
administered by 
among other 
  
EPA, including 
approaches 
emissions trading systems Establishes a “federal backstop” carbon fee in a state that does not submit an acceptable climate plan, as determined by EPA 
CRS-72 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Date, and 
International 
Mechanism to Address 
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Carbon-Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
S. 645 
Directs Secretary 
Fee imposed on 
No specific provisions 
Transfers revenues from the 
No specific 
No specific provisions 
No specific 
Whitehouse 
of the Treasury to 
each company that 
fee on CH4 emissions to the 
provisions 
provisions 
Mar. 9, 2021 
estimate the 
produces, gathers, 
National Fish and Wildlife 
methane (CH4) 
processes, or 
Foundation to provide grants 
emissions and 
transmits oil or 
through the National Coastal 
emission rates 
natural gas 
Resilience Fund 
from each oil- and 
Fee on CH4 
natural-gas- 
emissions based on 
producing basin 
(1) proportion of oil 
Fee starts in 2023 
or natural gas 
at $1,800/ton, 
produced in a 
increasing annually 
particular location, 
by 2% plus 
or (2) another 
inflation 
method of measure proposed by a company and approved by the Secretary 
S. 685 
Fee on fossil fuels 
Fee imposed on coal  Fee increases are 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Directs EPA to enter 
Durbin 
and other selected  at coal mines and 
based on emission 
receives appropriations equal 
provisions 
intensive goods are subject  agreement with the 
Mar. 10, 2021 
GHG emission 
importers, crude oil 
targets; targets based 
to emission fees received in 
to a fee (determined by 
National Academy of 
sources 
at refineries and 
on percentage 
the Treasury; after subtracting 
the Secretary of the 
Sciences to study 
Fee on fossil fuels 
importers, and 
reductions compared 
fee rebates and, in the first 18 
Treasury) that is 
effects of fee 
starts in 2023 at 
natural gas at 
to emission levels 
years, approximately $5.5 
equivalent to the 
program 
$25/mtCO
producing wel s and 
from covered fuels 
bil ion per year, the remaining 
difference in (1) costs 
2e, 
Directs the Council 
increasing annually 
importers; and 
and sources in 2018: 
funds are allocated 
domestic producers of 
on Environmental 
by $10 plus 
select sources that 
 
approximately as fol ows 
comparable products incur  Quality to develop 
inflation; if 
emit 25,000 
2030: 45% below 2018  during the first 10 years: 
due to the fee and (2) the 
carbon sequestration 
emission targets 
mtCO2e or more of 
comparable costs imposed 
2035: 60% below 2018  70% for direct payments to 
targets and strategies 
are not met, the 
CO2 or methane 
eligible individuals, phasing out 
by the exporting nation 
for public and private 
fee increases are 
per year 
2040: 70% below 2018  at certain income levels; 
Exporters of fossil fuels 
land and water 
greater 
 
2045: 80% below 2018 
and carbon-intensive 
resources 
CRS-73 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Date, and 
International 
Mechanism to Address 
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Carbon-Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Fee on other 
2050: 90% below 2018  5% to support agricultural and 
products may receive a 
 
sources starts in 
forestry sequestration 
rebate based on the 
 
2025 
activities; 
emissions fee and 
A rebate is 
10% for grants to eligible 
manufacturing costs 
provided for 
entities to support transition 
attributable to the 
carbon capture, 
assistance to a lower carbon 
emissions fee 
sequestration, and 
economy; 
utilization 
15% for a newly established 
activities, if certain 
Climate Change Finance 
conditions are met 
Corporation to finance “clean energy” and climate change resiliency activities, including research and development and commercialization of technologies  
H.R. 2307 
Fee on fossil fuels 
Covered entities 
Emission reduction 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Directs Department 
Deutch 
based on their 
include petroleum 
targets apply to fossil 
receives appropriations equal 
provisions 
intensive products subject 
of Energy to enter 
Apr. 1, 2021 
GHG content 
refineries and 
fuel combustion 
to emission fee revenues 
to a fee—determined by 
agreement with the 
Fee set at 
importers, coal 
emissions; starting in 
received in the Treasury; 
the Secretary of the 
National Academy of 
$15/mtCO
mines and 
2023, annual 
monies in the trust fund are 
Treasury—equal to the 
Sciences to study 
2e 
emissions in 2021, 
importers, natural 
reductions of 5% of 
available (after administrative 
total carbon fee that 
effects of the fee on 
increasing by $10 
gas deliverers and 
2010 net GHG levels 
expenses) to provide monthly 
would have accumulated 
emissions from 
each year plus 
importers 
(287 mil ion mtCO2e) 
payments to eligible individuals 
upon the GHG content of 
biomass and resulting 
inflation 
between 2023 and 
(i.e., persons with a Social 
the product if the product 
impacts on carbon 
2030; annual 
Security number or taxpayer 
were produced in the 
sinks 
If emission 
reductions of 3% of 
identification number); adults 
United States; the 
reduction targets 
2010 net GHG levels 
get one share and children 
Secretary may modify this 
are not met, fee 
(172 mil ion mtCO
receive a half-share 
fee based on mitigation 
increases by $15 
2e) 
between 2031 and 
efforts/costs in the 
plus inflation; if 
2050 
country of export 
targets met, fee does not increase 
Fee ceases if emissions 
Exporters of carbon-
from covered fuels 
intensive products (and 
CRS-74 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Date, and 
International 
Mechanism to Address 
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Carbon-Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Provides a rebate 
decrease to 10% of 
covered fuels) may receive 
for fuels used on a 
2010 emissions from 
a refund based on fee 
farm and for fuels 
covered fuels (544 
levied before exportation 
or their 
mil ion mtCO2e) and 
derivatives used by 
monthly dividend 
U.S. Armed Forces 
check reach certain levels 
H.R. 2451 
Fee on fossil fuels 
Fee imposed on coal  Fee increases are 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Directs EPA to enter 
Newman 
and other selected  at coal mines and 
based on emission 
receives appropriations equal 
provisions 
intensive goods are subject  agreement with the 
Apr. 12, 2021 
GHG emission 
importers, crude oil 
targets; targets based 
to emission fees received in 
to a fee (determined by 
National Academy of 
 
sources 
at refineries and 
on percentage 
the Treasury; after subtracting 
the Secretary of the 
Sciences to study 
This proposal is 
Fee on fossil fuels 
importers, and 
reductions compared 
fee rebates and, in the first 18 
Treasury) that is 
effects of fee 
identical to S. 685 
starts in 2023 at 
natural gas at 
to emission levels 
years, approximately $5.5 
equivalent to the 
program 
(Durbin) 
$25/mtCO
producing wel s and 
from covered fuels 
bil ion per year, the remaining 
difference in (1) costs 
2e, 
Directs the Council 
increasing annually 
importers; and 
and sources in 2018: 
funds are allocated 
domestic producers of 
on Environmental 
by $10 plus 
select sources that 
 
approximately as fol ows 
comparable products incur  Quality to develop 
inflation; if 
emit 25,000 
2030: 45% below 2018  during the first 10 years: 
due to the fee and (2) the 
carbon sequestration 
emission targets 
mtCO2e or more of 
comparable costs imposed 
2035: 60% below 2018  70% for direct payments to 
targets and strategies 
are not met, the 
CO2 or methane 
eligible individuals, phasing out 
by the exporting nation 
for public and private 
fee increases are 
per year 
2040: 70% below 2018  at certain income levels; 
Exporters of fossil fuels 
land and water 
greater 
 
2045: 80% below 2018  5% to support agricultural and 
and carbon intensive 
resources 
Fee on other 
2050: 90% below 2018  forestry sequestration 
products may receive a 
 
sources starts in 
activities; 
rebate based on the 
 
2025 
emissions fee and 
10% for grants to eligible 
manufacturing costs 
A rebate is 
entities to support transition 
attributable to the 
provided for 
assistance to a lower carbon 
emissions fee 
carbon capture, 
economy; 
sequestration, and 
15% for a newly established 
utilization 
Climate Change Finance 
activities, if certain 
Corporation to finance “clean 
conditions are met 
energy” and climate change resiliency activities, including 
CRS-75 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Date, and 
International 
Mechanism to Address 
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Carbon-Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
research and development and commercialization of technologies  
H.R. 3039 
Tax on fossil fuels 
Tax imposed on 
Emission reduction 
Establishes a trust fund that 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Establishes a 
Fitzpatrick 
based on their 
coal at coal mines 
schedule for covered 
would receive appropriations 
provisions 
intensive goods subject to 
conditional 
May 7, 2021 
potential GHG 
and importers, 
emissions starts in 
equal to 75% of the tax 
a border tax—determined 
moratorium on 
emissions, GHG 
petroleum products 
2023 at 4,900 
revenue received in the 
by the Secretary of the 
Clean Air Act GHG 
emissions from 
at refineries and 
mmtCO2e; the annual 
Treasury; the trust fund would 
Treasury—that is 
regulations for 
specific industrial 
importers, and 
emission schedule is 
provide annual funding for the 
equivalent to the costs in 
stationary emissions 
sources, and GHG  natural gas at 
cumulative, reaching 
fol owing infrastructure 
comparable domestic 
sources (with some 
emissions from 
processors or at 
47,100 mmtCO2e in 
programs (“as provided in 
manufactured goods 
exceptions) 
specific products 
point of sale for 
2033; assuming annual 
appropriations acts”) between 
(associated with the 
Creates a credit 
Creates a credit 
Tax rate set in 
Tax rate set in 
combustion 
combustion 
emission levels 
emission levels 
FY2023 and FY2032: 
FY2023 and FY2032: 
carbon tax) 
carbon tax) 
system, which phases 
system, which phases 
2023 at 
2023 at 
Tax imposed on 
Tax imposed on 
fol owed this 
fol owed this 
70% to the Federal Highway 
70% to the Federal Highway 
Exporters of goods that 
Exporters of goods that 
out after five years, 
out after five years, 
$35/mtCO
$35/mtCO
decreasing schedule, 
decreasing schedule, 
2e, 
2e, 
facilities—in specific 
facilities—in specific 
Trust Fund; 
Trust Fund; 
are both energy-intensive 
are both energy-intensive 
for persons making 
for persons making 
increasing annually 
increasing annually 
industrial source 
industrial source 
covered emissions 
covered emissions 
10% to the states as grants to 
10% to the states as grants to 
and trade-intensive may 
and trade-intensive may 
payments under 
payments under 
by 5% plus 
by 5% plus 
categories—that 
categories—that 
would decrease to 
would decrease to 
allocate to low-income 
allocate to low-income 
receive a tax refund 
receive a tax refund 
existing state GHG 
existing state GHG 
inflation; if 
inflation; if 
emit more than 
emit more than 
4,000 mmtCO2e in 
4,000 mmtCO2e in 
households; 
households; 
related to the increased 
related to the increased 
reduction programs 
reduction programs 
covered emissions 
covered emissions 
25,000 mtCO
25,000 mtCO
2033  
2033  
2e per 
2e per 
costs of inputs (i.e., fossil 
costs of inputs (i.e., fossil 
Creates a National 
Creates a National 
do not meet 
do not meet 
year  
year  
4.2% for various energy-
4.2% for various energy-
fuels) subject to the tax 
fuels) subject to the tax 
Climate Commission 
Climate Commission 
emission 
emission 
related research and 
related research and 
Tax imposed on 
Tax imposed on 
to set five-year 
to set five-year 
reduction 
reduction 
development objectives, 
development objectives, 
facilities that 
facilities that 
emission reduction 
emission reduction 
schedule, the tax 
schedule, the tax 
including carbon capture and 
including carbon capture and 
manufacture or 
manufacture or 
goals between 2027 
goals between 2027 
rate increases by 
rate increases by 
storage and battery 
storage and battery 
import specified 
import specified 
and 2052 and assess 
and 2052 and assess 
an additional $4 
an additional $4 
technology; 
technology; 
products or 
products or 
the effectiveness of 
the effectiveness of 
combust biomass 
combust biomass 
4.0% for frequent and chronic 
4.0% for frequent and chronic 
federal policies in 
federal policies in 
with emissions 
with emissions 
coastal flooding mitigation and 
coastal flooding mitigation and 
meeting these goals 
meeting these goals 
above 25,000 
above 25,000 
adaptation infrastructure 
adaptation infrastructure 
mtCO
mtCO
projects; 
projects; 
2e 
2e 
3.0% for displaced energy 
3.0% for displaced energy 
workers; workers; 
CRS-76 
CRS-76 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Date, and 
International 
Mechanism to Address 
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Carbon-Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
2.5% for the Airport and 
2.5% for the Airport and 
Airway Trust Fund; Airway Trust Fund; 
1.5% for the Department of 1.5% for the Department of 
Energy weatherization Energy weatherization 
program; program; 
1.5% for the Abandoned Mine 1.5% for the Abandoned Mine 
Reclamation Fund; Reclamation Fund; 
1.0% for the Reforestation 1.0% for the Reforestation 
Trust Fund; Trust Fund; 
0.5% to support agricultural 0.5% to support agricultural 
GHG sequestration projects; GHG sequestration projects; 
0.1% to decrease the 0.1% to decrease the 
environmental impact of environmental impact of 
renewable energy activities renewable energy activities 
pursuant to Section 931 of the pursuant to Section 931 of the 
Energy Policy Act of 2005; Energy Policy Act of 2005; 
0.1% for the Leaking 0.1% for the Leaking 
Underground Storage Tank Underground Storage Tank 
trust fund trust fund 
S. 2085 
S. 2085 
Fee on fossil fuels 
Fee on fossil fuels 
Fee applies to coal 
Fee applies to coal 
Fee continues until 
Fee continues until 
The bil  provides an annual tax 
The bil  provides an annual tax 
No specific 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Imports of carbon-
Separate fee for 
Separate fee for 
Whitehouse 
Whitehouse 
based on their 
based on their 
at mines and 
at mines and 
national GHG 
national GHG 
credit for each individual; 
credit for each individual; 
provisions 
provisions 
intensive goods subject to 
intensive goods subject to 
fluorinated GHGs 
fluorinated GHGs 
June 16, 2021 
June 16, 2021 
carbon content 
carbon content 
importers, 
importers, 
emissions are 80% 
emissions are 80% 
provides an equivalent benefit 
provides an equivalent benefit 
a fee—determined by the 
a fee—determined by the 
Separate fee for 
Separate fee for 
and certain 
and certain 
petroleum at 
petroleum at 
below 2005 levels 
below 2005 levels 
to individuals not eligible for 
to individuals not eligible for 
Secretary of the 
Secretary of the 
GHGs (other than 
GHGs (other than 
facilities for GHG 
facilities for GHG 
refineries and 
refineries and 
the tax credit 
the tax credit 
Treasury—that is 
Treasury—that is 
CO2 and fluorinated 
CO2 and fluorinated 
emissions 
emissions 
importers, natural 
importers, natural 
Provides up to $10 bil ion in 
Provides up to $10 bil ion in 
equivalent to the 
equivalent to the 
gas emissions) at 
gas emissions) at 
Fee set at $54/ton 
Fee set at $54/ton 
gas deliverers (as 
gas deliverers (as 
annual grants to states to be 
annual grants to states to be 
difference in (1) costs 
difference in (1) costs 
facilities that (1) are 
facilities that (1) are 
CO
CO
reported on Energy 
reported on Energy 
domestic producers of 
domestic producers of 
2 emissions in 
2 emissions in 
used to 
used to 
subject to GHG 
subject to GHG 
2023, increasing by  Information 
2023, increasing by  Information 
comparable products incur 
comparable products incur 
(1) assist low-income and rural 
(1) assist low-income and rural 
reporting 
reporting 
6% plus inflation 
6% plus inflation 
Administration 
Administration 
due to the carbon price 
due to the carbon price 
households with energy costs,  
households with energy costs,  
requirements in 40 
requirements in 40 
each year 
each year 
Form 176) and 
Form 176) and 
and (2) the comparable 
and (2) the comparable 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
C.F.R. Part 98 and (2) 
some natural gas 
some natural gas 
costs (e.g., GHG fees) 
costs (e.g., GHG fees) 
emit more than 
emit more than 
CRS-77 
CRS-77 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Date, and 
International 
Mechanism to Address 
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Carbon-Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
processors; and 
processors; and 
(2) support job training and 
(2) support job training and 
imposed by the nation 
imposed by the nation 
25,000 mtCO2e 
25,000 mtCO2e 
facilities that (1) are 
facilities that (1) are 
worker assistance programs, 
worker assistance programs, 
exporting the material 
exporting the material 
emissions  
emissions  
subject to GHG 
subject to GHG 
and  
and  
Exporters of energy-
Exporters of energy-
Additional fee for 
Additional fee for 
reporting 
reporting 
(3) assist the state in climate 
(3) assist the state in climate 
intensive goods may 
intensive goods may 
GHG emissions 
GHG emissions 
requirements in 40 
requirements in 40 
change adaptation or transition 
change adaptation or transition 
receive a refund related to 
receive a refund related to 
(described as 
(described as 
C.F.R. Part 98 and 
C.F.R. Part 98 and 
to a low-carbon economy; this 
to a low-carbon economy; this 
the increased costs of 
the increased costs of 
“associated 
“associated 
(2) emit more than 
(2) emit more than 
amount increases annually  
amount increases annually  
inputs (i.e., fossil fuels) 
inputs (i.e., fossil fuels) 
emissions”) resulting 
emissions”) resulting 
25,000 tons of 
25,000 tons of 
subject to the fee 
subject to the fee 
from venting, flaring, 
from venting, flaring, 
GHGs annually 
GHGs annually 
and leaking across 
and leaking across 
Fee also applies to 
Fee also applies to 
the coal, natural gas, 
the coal, natural gas, 
certain industrial 
certain industrial 
and petroleum supply 
and petroleum supply 
sources, regardless 
sources, regardless 
chains (as determined 
chains (as determined 
of their emissions 
of their emissions 
by Secretary of the 
by Secretary of the 
output, including 
output, including 
Treasury) 
Treasury) 
aluminum 
aluminum 
production, HCFC-production, HCFC-
22 production and 22 production and 
HFC-23 destruction, HFC-23 destruction, 
and fluorinated gas and fluorinated gas 
production; this fee production; this fee 
starts as a starts as a 
percentage of the percentage of the 
fossil fuel fee and fossil fuel fee and 
increases annually increases annually 
H.R. 4084 
H.R. 4084 
Directs Secretary 
Directs Secretary 
Fee imposed on 
Fee imposed on 
No specific provisions 
No specific provisions 
Transfers revenues from the 
Transfers revenues from the 
No specific 
No specific 
No specific provisions 
No specific provisions 
No specific 
No specific 
Deutch 
Deutch 
of the Treasury to 
of the Treasury to 
each company that 
each company that 
fee on CH4 emissions to the 
fee on CH4 emissions to the 
provisions 
provisions 
provisions 
provisions 
June 23, 2021 
June 23, 2021 
estimate the 
estimate the 
produces, gathers, 
produces, gathers, 
National Fish and Wildlife 
National Fish and Wildlife 
This proposal is 
methane (CH4) 
methane (CH4) 
processes, or 
processes, or 
Foundation to provide grants 
Foundation to provide grants 
identical to S. 645 
emissions and 
emissions and 
transmits oil or 
transmits oil or 
through the National Coastal 
through the National Coastal 
(Whitehouse) 
emission rates 
emission rates 
natural gas 
natural gas 
Resilience Fund 
Resilience Fund 
from each oil- and 
from each oil- and 
Fee on CH4 
Fee on CH4 
natural-gas- 
natural-gas- 
emissions based on 
emissions based on 
producing basin 
producing basin 
(1) proportion of oil 
(1) proportion of oil 
CRS-78 
CRS-78 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Date, and 
International 
Mechanism to Address 
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Carbon-Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
Fee starts in 2023 
Fee starts in 2023 
or natural gas 
or natural gas 
at $1,800/ton, 
at $1,800/ton, 
produced in a 
produced in a 
increasing annually 
increasing annually 
particular location, 
particular location, 
by 2% plus 
by 2% plus 
or (2) another 
or (2) another 
inflation 
inflation 
method of measure 
method of measure 
proposed by a proposed by a 
company and company and 
approved by the approved by the 
Secretary Secretary 
S. 4355 
S. 4355 
Imposes an 
Imposes an 
Domestic charge 
Domestic charge 
No specific provisions 
No specific provisions 
Allocates 75% of the emissions 
Allocates 75% of the emissions 
No specific 
No specific 
Imports of carbon-
Imports of carbon-
No specific 
No specific 
Whitehouse 
Whitehouse 
emissions charge 
emissions charge 
applies to facilities 
applies to facilities 
charge revenues to the 
charge revenues to the 
provisions 
provisions 
intensive goods (“primary 
intensive goods (“primary 
provisions 
provisions 
June 7, 2022 
June 7, 2022 
at certain facilities; 
at certain facilities; 
that are required to 
that are required to 
Department of the Treasury 
Department of the Treasury 
goods”) are subject to a 
goods”) are subject to a 
charge based on a 
charge based on a 
report GHG 
report GHG 
to establish and implement a 
to establish and implement a 
charge based on the 
charge based on the 
carbon price and 
carbon price and 
emissions to the 
emissions to the 
competitive grant program to 
competitive grant program to 
domestic carbon price and 
domestic carbon price and 
the degree to 
the degree to 
EPA’s GHG 
EPA’s GHG 
eligible entities for investments 
eligible entities for investments 
the difference in carbon 
the difference in carbon 
which a facility’s 
which a facility’s 
Reporting Program 
Reporting Program 
in technology that reduce their 
in technology that reduce their 
intensities between the 
intensities between the 
carbon intensity 
carbon intensity 
(40 CFR Part 98) 
(40 CFR Part 98) 
carbon intensity; authorizes 
carbon intensity; authorizes 
imported good and the 
imported good and the 
exceeds the 
exceeds the 
and produce 
and produce 
Treasury to “recapture” grant 
Treasury to “recapture” grant 
carbon intensity of the 
carbon intensity of the 
intensity of the 
intensity of the 
primary goods in 
primary goods in 
funds under certain conditions 
funds under certain conditions 
relevant U.S. industrial 
relevant U.S. industrial 
relevant industrial 
relevant industrial 
specific industries, 
specific industries, 
Allocates 25% of the revenues 
Allocates 25% of the revenues 
sector; the default 
sector; the default 
sector 
sector 
including 
including 
to the Department of State for 
to the Department of State for 
measure of carbon 
measure of carbon 
Carbon intensity is  petroleum and 
Carbon intensity is  petroleum and 
multilateral assistance to 
multilateral assistance to 
intensity for imported 
intensity for imported 
a measure of 
a measure of 
natural gas 
natural gas 
support climate and clean 
support climate and clean 
goods is the exporting 
goods is the exporting 
“covered 
“covered 
extraction; 
extraction; 
energy programs 
energy programs 
country’s gross domestic 
country’s gross domestic 
emissions” divided 
emissions” divided 
product divided by total 
product divided by total 
underground coal 
underground coal 
by total weight of 
by total weight of 
production-based 
production-based 
mining;  
mining;  
primary goods 
primary goods 
emissions; under certain 
emissions; under certain 
produced 
produced 
iron and steel; 
iron and steel; 
conditions, the 
conditions, the 
Department of the Department of the 
Carbon price 
Carbon price 
chemical 
chemical 
Treasury determines the  
Treasury determines the  
starts in 2024 at 
starts in 2024 at 
manufacturing; 
manufacturing; 
intensity measure for the 
intensity measure for the 
$55, increasing 
$55, increasing 
among other 
among other 
industrial sectors industrial sectors 
relevant industrial sector 
relevant industrial sector 
in the exporting country in the exporting country 
CRS-79 
CRS-79 
 
Bill Number, 
Sponsor, 
Introduced 
Offset and 
Date, and 
International 
Mechanism to Address 
Additional GHG 
Committee or 
General 
Covered 
Emissions Limit or 
Distribution of Allowance 
Allowance 
Carbon-Intensive 
Reduction 
Floor Action 
Framework 
Entities/Materials 
Target 
Value or Tax/Fee Revenue 
Treatment 
Imports 
Measures 
annually by 5% 
annually by 5% 
(emissions divided by total 
(emissions divided by total 
plus inflation 
plus inflation 
weight of product in that 
weight of product in that 
Directs the 
Directs the 
sector); alternatively, an 
sector); alternatively, an 
Department of the 
Department of the 
importer may submit a 
importer may submit a 
Treasury to 
Treasury to 
petition supporting a 
petition supporting a 
establish a 
establish a 
carbon intensity specific to 
carbon intensity specific to 
reporting program 
reporting program 
a particular manufacturer 
a particular manufacturer 
for facilities to 
for facilities to 
in the exporting country      
in the exporting country      
provide data for 
provide data for 
Charge on imported 
Charge on imported 
calculating their 
calculating their 
goods paid by entity that 
goods paid by entity that 
carbon intensity 
carbon intensity 
imports the goods 
imports the goods 
(e.g., process 
(e.g., process 
Primary goods produced 
Primary goods produced 
emissions, 
emissions, 
in a “relatively least 
in a “relatively least 
electricity use, 
electricity use, 
developed country” are 
developed country” are 
weight of primary 
weight of primary 
excluded from the import 
excluded from the import 
goods produced); 
goods produced); 
fee  
fee  
data to be 
data to be 
reported by June reported by June 
U.S. facilities that export 
U.S. facilities that export 
30, 2025 
30, 2025 
covered materials can seek 
covered materials can seek 
refund based on payment refund based on payment 
of the domestic charge of the domestic charge 
Source: Prepared by CRS.  Prepared by CRS. 
Notes: This table does not include two proposals in the 117th Congress (S. 2378 and H.R. 4534) that would establish a border carbon adjustment framework for : This table does not include two proposals in the 117th Congress (S. 2378 and H.R. 4534) that would establish a border carbon adjustment framework for 
imported carbon-intensive materials. These proposals are not included in the above table because the bil s would not establish a direct carbon price on domestic imported carbon-intensive materials. These proposals are not included in the above table because the bil s would not establish a direct carbon price on domestic 
emissions or their inputs. The proposed border carbon adjustment mechanisms but would be based on “domestic environmental costs,” which would include existing emissions or their inputs. The proposed border carbon adjustment mechanisms but would be based on “domestic environmental costs,” which would include existing 
Clean Air Act regulations, among other costs.  Clean Air Act regulations, among other costs.  
 
 
CRS-80 
CRS-80 
Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Legislation 
 
 
 
 
 
Author Information 
 
 Jonathan L. Ramseur Jonathan L. Ramseur 
   
   
Specialist in Environmental Policy 
Specialist in Environmental Policy         
 
 
 
Disclaimer  
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan 
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan 
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and 
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other 
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in 
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not 
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in 
its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or 
material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to 
copy or otherwise use copyrighted material. copy or otherwise use copyrighted material. 
 
 
Congressional Research Service  
Congressional Research Service  
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