Climate Change Legislation
in the 113th Congress

Jonathan L. Ramseur
Specialist in Environmental Policy
September 16, 2013
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R43230


Climate Change Legislation in the 113th Congress

Summary
In the 113th Congress, Members have introduced multiple bills that include provisions that would
directly or indirectly address climate change-related issues. In some cases, it is difficult to
distinguish between direct and indirect climate change bills, because a specific bill or action may
seek to achieve multiple objectives. The bills listed in this report include provisions that directly
address climate change, as opposed to those that primarily address other issues (e.g., energy
efficiency) but could have ancillary impacts on climate.
Observations about the climate change-related proposals in the 113th Congress include the
following:
• as of the date of this report, one bill (S. 332) would attach a price to GHG
emissions;
• a large number of the identified bills include provisions to encourage or require
climate change adaptation activities; and
• a considerable number of proposals include provisions to prohibit federal
agencies, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency, from taking action
to require GHG emission reductions.

Congressional Research Service

Climate Change Legislation in the 113th Congress

Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1

Tables
Table 1. Major Focus Areas of Climate Change Provisions in Bills from the 113th
Congress ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Table 2. Key Climate Change Provisions in Legislation from the 113th Congress .......................... 5
Table 3. Comparison of Selected Market-Based, Carbon Price Programs .................................... 15

Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 19

Congressional Research Service

Climate Change Legislation in the 113th Congress

Introduction
In the 113th Congress, Members have introduced multiple bills that include provisions that would
directly or indirectly address climate change. This report describes and compares the bills and
provisions that directly address climate change, as opposed to those that primarily address other
issues (e.g., energy efficiency)1 but could have ancillary impacts on climate.2 In some cases, it is
difficult to distinguish between direct and indirect climate change bills, because a specific bill or
action may seek to achieve multiple objectives.
This report focuses on legislative actions—including comprehensive bills with individual climate
change titles, sections, or provisions—that explicitly address climate change issues. The
provisions in these bills fall into six general categories:
1. carbon price (i.e., tax or fee) on greenhouse (GHG) emissions;
2. other mechanisms intended to encourage mitigation of GHG emissions (e.g.,
sequestration of emissions);
3. research on climate change-related issues;
4. adaptation activities related to expected climate change impacts;
5. support for international climate change-related activities; and
6. action that limits or prohibits climate change-related authorities, efforts, or
considerations.
Table 1 lists the proposals in the 113th Congress by these six broad categories. These categories
are not mutually exclusive, and several bills address more than one of the above categories. Other
reviews of the same legislation may identify a different list of bills with different categorization.
Table 2 provides a brief summary about each bill, including the primary sponsor, short title,
major actions, and key climate change-related provisions.
As of the date of this report, one bill—S. 332 (Sanders)—would attach a price to GHG
emissions.3 Table 3 compares that carbon price proposal with selected state and international
programs. In addition, Representative Waxman and Senator Whitehouse offered a carbon tax
“discussion draft” on March 12, 2013.4

1 For more information on energy policy, including energy efficiency legislation, see CRS Report R42756, Energy
Policy: 113th Congress Issues
, by Carl E. Behrens.
2 Congressional resolutions that address climate change-related issues are likewise not included in this report.
3 In the 112th Congress, Members offered two pricing carbon proposals (H.R. 3242 and H.R. 6338); for earlier
Congresses, see CRS Report RL34067, Climate Change Legislation in the 110th Congress, by Jonathan L. Ramseur and
Brent D. Yacobucci; CRS Report R40556, Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Control: Selected Proposals in the 111th
Congress
, by Larry Parker, Brent D. Yacobucci, and Jonathan L. Ramseur.
4 The text of this “discussion draft” is available at http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/download/?id=17727510-aaba-
44c5-821c-ca3499bfd999.
Congressional Research Service
1


Table 1. Major Focus Areas of Climate Change Provisions in Bills from the 113th Congress
Does not include resolutions or amendments
Prohibit Climate
Adaptation—
International
Change Activities
Bill Number
Carbon Price
Other Mitigation
Research
Planning
Activities
or Considerations
House Proposals
H.R. 70



x


H.R. 71


x



H.R. 400

x


x

H.R. 518



x


H.R. 547






H.R. 570

x




H.R. 621





x
H.R. 662




x

H.R. 764



x


H.R. 974

x




H.R. 1137



x


H.R. 1138

x




H.R. 1187



x


H.R. 1348


x
x


H.R. 1351



x


H.R. 1486





x
H.R. 1582





x
H.R. 1793


x
x
x

H.R. 1807

x




H.R. 1834



x

x
CRS-2


Prohibit Climate
Adaptation—
International
Change Activities
Bill Number
Carbon Price
Other Mitigation
Research
Planning
Activities
or Considerations
H.R. 1881





x
H.R. 1890

x

x


H.R. 1943


x



H.R. 1947




x

H.R. 2023


x
x
x

H.R. 2081





x
H.R. 2368


x
x


H.R. 2498

x
x

x

H.R. 2553

x




H.R. 2601


x



H.R. 2610





x
H.R. 2685


x



H.R. 2855




x
x
H.R. 2863

x




H.R. 2948


x



H.R. 3033





x
Senate Proposals
S. 10




x

S. 17





x
S. 106


x



S. 107





x
S. 163





x
S. 332
x





CRS-3


Prohibit Climate
Adaptation—
International
Change Activities
Bill Number
Carbon Price
Other Mitigation
Research
Planning
Activities
or Considerations
S. 360



x


S. 387

x




S. 570

x




S. 839



x


S. 923

x

x


S. 954

x
x

x

S. 1202


x
x


S. 1324





x
S. 1372



x
x

Source: Prepared by CRS.
Note: The “Other Mitigation” category includes provisions that would reduce or encourage the reduction of GHG emissions through non-market mechanisms.
CRS-4


Table 2. Key Climate Change Provisions in Legislation from the 113th Congress
Does not include resolutions or amendments
Key Provisions That Directly Address
Bill Number
Sponsor
Short Title (if provided)
Major Actions
Climate Change
House Proposals
H.R. 70
Lee
Deficit Reduction, Job
Introduced on January 3, 2013;
Establishes a grant program to support coastal
Creation, and Energy Security referred to multiple committees.
communities and natural resources; eligible funding
Act
activities include “mitigation, restoration, protection,
and relocation of coastal communities threatened by the
impacts of climate change”
H.R. 71
Bordallo
Coral Reef Conservation Act
Introduced on January 3, 2013;
Amends coral reef conservation program (16 U.S.C.
Reauthorization and
referred to the House Committee
§6401) to include assessment of climate change-related
Enhancement Amendments
on Natural Resources
impacts
of 2013
H.R. 400
Matsui
Clean Energy Technology
Introduced on January 23, 2013;
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Clean
Manufacturing and Export
referred to the House Committee
Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance
Assistance Act of 2013
on Foreign Affairs and Committee
Fund that will be administered through the International
on Energy and Commerce
Trade Administration; the fund supports clean energy
technology firms and exports of clean energy; clean
energy is defined as energy that will contribute to a
stabilization of atmospheric GHG concentrations
H.R. 518
Markey
Not provided
Introduced on February 5, 2013;
Amends the Reclamation States Emergency Drought
referred to the House Committee
Relief Act of 1991 (43 U.S.C. §2223) to require drought
on Natural Resources
contingency plans to consider climate change impacts
and modify plans accordingly
H.R. 547
Grijalva
Border Security and
Introduced on February 6, 2013;
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to
Responsibility Act of 2013
referred to multiple committees
implement a monitoring and mitigation plan to address
the ecological and environmental impacts of border
security infrastructure, measures, and activities; the plan
must include measures that ensure species are able to
adapt to climate change
CRS-5


Key Provisions That Directly Address
Bill Number
Sponsor
Short Title (if provided)
Major Actions
Climate Change
H.R. 621
Poe
Ensuring Affordable Energy
Introduced on February 12, 2013;
Prohibits Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from
Act
referred to the House Committee
using funds to implement or enforce a GHG emission
on Energy and Commerce
cap-and-trade program or a regulatory program
pursuant to the Clean Air Act that addresses GHG
emissions from stationary sources
H.R. 662
Luetkemeyer
Not provided
Introduced on February 13, 2013;
Prohibits the use of funding to federal agencies to make
referred to the House Committee
contributions on behalf of the United States to the
on Foreign Affairs
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change
H.R. 764
Capps
Coastal State Climate Change Introduced on February 15, 2013;
Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act (16 U.S.C.
Planning Act
referred to the House Committee
§1451 et seq.) to require the Secretary of Commerce to
on Natural Resources
establish a coastal climate change adaptation planning
and response program, which includes a grant program
to help states develop adaptation plans
H.R. 974
Sires
MOVE Freight Act of 2013
Introduced on March 5, 2013;
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a
referred to the House Committee
grant program to fund certain transportation projects;
on Transportation and Infrastructure
GHG emission reduction is a factor in project selection
H.R. 1137
Kind
Joint Ventures for Bird
Introduced on March 13, 2013;
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a
Habitat Conservation Act of
referred to the House Committee
Joint Venture program for migratory birds; the program
2013
on Natural Resources
should consider the effects of climate change on
migratory bird populations
H.R. 1138
Matsui
Smal Business Clean Energy
Introduced on March 13, 2013;
Directs the Administrator of the Small Business
Financing Act of 2013
referred to the House Committee
Administration to establish a loan guarantee program for
on Small Business
small businesses that manufacture clean energy; clean
energy is defined as energy that will contribute to a
stabilization of atmospheric GHG concentrations
H.R. 1187
Maloney
Northern Rockies Ecosystem
Introduced on March 14, 2013;
Establishes the Northern Rockies Habitat and Corridors
Protection Act
referred to the House Committee
Information System that, among other things, monitors
on Natural Resources
shifts in species’ habitats due to climate change
CRS-6


Key Provisions That Directly Address
Bill Number
Sponsor
Short Title (if provided)
Major Actions
Climate Change
H.R. 1348
Grijalva
Great Bend of the Gila
Introduced on March 21, 2013;
Establishes the Great Bend of the Gila National
National Monument
referred to the House Committee
Monument; authorizes research on effects of climate
Establishment Act
on Natural Resources
change on monument resources to facilitate climate
change adaptation
H.R. 1351
Grijalva
Public Lands Service Corps
Introduced on March 21, 2013;
Amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C.
Act of 2013
referred to multiple committees
§1721 et seq.) to modify the conservation projects
program to include projects that “enhance adaptability
and resilience of eligible service lands and resources to
climate change”
H.R. 1486
Rahal
No Carbon Tax Act of 2013
Introduced on April 11, 2013;
Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury and the
referred to the House Committee
Administrator of the EPA from implementing a carbon
on Energy and Commerce and
tax, fee, or price on carbon dioxide emissions or the
Committee on Ways and Means
fuels that generate them
H.R. 1582
Cassidy
Energy Consumers Relief Act
Introduced on April 16, 2013;
Prohibits the EPA from promulgating an energy-related
of 2013
reported by the House Committee
rule that is estimated to cost more than $1 billion if the
on Energy and Commerce on July 22, Secretary of Energy determines the rule will cause
2013 (H.Rept. 113-164)
significant adverse effects to the economy; prohibits EPA
from using a social cost of carbon estimate in certain
rulemakings
H.R. 1793
Connol y
Global Partnerships Act of
Introduced on April 26, 2013;
Authorizes foreign assistance funding to be used to
2013
referred to multiple committees
support climate change mitigation and adaptation;
requires the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) to prepare Country
Development Cooperation Strategies that must contain,
among other elements, an assessment of a country’s
vulnerability to climate change; when providing funding
for agricultural research, USAID should give priority to
research that, among other factors, mitigates the
impacts of climate change; requires that a Global Health
Strategy address health-related challenges posed by
climate change
CRS-7


Key Provisions That Directly Address
Bill Number
Sponsor
Short Title (if provided)
Major Actions
Climate Change
H.R. 1807
Matsui
The Residential Energy and
Introduced on April 26, 2013;
Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant
Economic Savings (TREES)
referred to the House Committee
program to assist retail power providers with a
Act
on Energy and Commerce
residential tree-planting program, with an expressed
purpose of climate change mitigation
H.R. 1834
Grijalva
21st Century Great Outdoors Introduced on May 6, 2013; referred
Establishes a 21st Century Great Outdoors Commission
Commission Act
to the House Committee on Natural
to assess various issues involving public resources,
Resources
including climate change impacts
H.R. 1881
Bishop
Energy Production and
Introduced on May 8, 2013; referred
Amends the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. §1539)
Project Delivery Act of 2013
to multiple committees
to prohibit the consideration of the impacts of climate
change on fish, wildlife, or plant species during the
implementation of the act
H.R. 1890
Blumenauer
Balancing Food, Farm, and
Introduced on May 8, 2013; referred
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
the Environment Act of 2013
to the House Committee on
§3839aa) by altering the stated purposes of the
Agriculture
environmental quality incentives program to include
support for climate change adaptation; establishes a
regional conservation partnership program that, among
other elements, encourages producers to employ
practices/systems that mitigate climate change effects
H.R. 1943
Peters
Super Pol utant Emissions
Introduced May 9, 2013; referred to
Directs the President to create a Task Force on Super
Reduction (SUPER) Act of
the House Committee on Energy
Pol utants to review existing activities and to develop
2013
and Commerce
best practices for the reduction of short-lived climate
pol utants, such as methane and hydrofluorocarbons
H.R. 1947
Lucas
Federal Agriculture Reform
Introduced on May 13, 2013;
Amends the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of
and Risk Management Act of
reported by the House Committee
1990 (7 U.S.C. §6704) by authorizing $6 million annually
2013
on Agriculture on May 29, 2013
between FY2014 and FY2018 to support the Office of
(H.Rept. 113-92, Part I); reported by
International Forestry
the House Committee on Judiciary
on June 10, 2013 (H.Rept. 113-92,
Part II); House Committee on
Agriculture filed a supplemental
report on June 12, 2013 (H.Rept.
113-92, Part III); vote in House fails
on June 20, 2013
CRS-8


Key Provisions That Directly Address
Bill Number
Sponsor
Short Title (if provided)
Major Actions
Climate Change
H.R. 2023
Capps
Climate Change Health
Introduced on May 16, 2013;
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to
Protection and Promotion
referred to the House Committee
publish a strategic plan to assist health professionals to
Act
on Energy and Commerce
prepare and respond to the impacts of climate change
on public health in the United States and other nations;
establishes a science advisory board to provide related
advice and recommendations; calls for a report from the
National Research Council that assesses the needs of
health professionals to respond to climate change
impacts
H.R. 2081
Thornberry
No More Excuses Energy Act Introduced on May 21, 2013;
Amends the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §7601 et seq.) by
of 2013
referred to multiple committees
modifying the definition of “air pol utant” to not include
GHGs; prohibits EPA from regulating or taking action to
address GHG emissions
H.R. 2368
McNerney
Grants for Renewable Energy Introduced on June 13, 2013;
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants
Education for the Nation
referred to the House Committee
to develop programs of study in climate change
(GREEN) Act
on Education and Workforce
mitigation and adaptation, among other areas.
H.R. 2498
Loebsack
Agriculture Reform, Food,
Introduced on June 25, 2013;
Amends the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of
and Jobs Act of 2013
referred to the House Committee
1990 (7 U.S.C. §6704) by extending appropriation
on Agriculture
authority for the Office of International Forestry from
FY2012 to FY2018; directs the Secretary of Agriculture
to revise the strategic plan for forestry inventory (16
U.S.C. §1642) by describing needs to address, among
other issues, information on renewable biomass supplies
and carbon stocks at the local, state, regional, and
national level; establishes the Regional Conservation
Partnership Program, which allows for the
“enhancement of carbon sequestration” as an “eligible
activity;” directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide
scientific information for pulse crops, such as research
on improving nitrogen fixation to reduce the carbon and
energy footprint of agriculture
H.R. 2553
DeLauro
National Infrastructure
Introduced on June 27, 2013;
Establishes a National Infrastructure Development Bank
Development Bank Act of
referred to multiple committees
to support infrastructure projects; multiple factors
2013
determine project funding, including reduction in GHG
emissions
CRS-9


Key Provisions That Directly Address
Bill Number
Sponsor
Short Title (if provided)
Major Actions
Climate Change
H.R. 2601
Pal one
Beach Act of 2013
Introduced on June 28, 2013;
Directs the Administrator of EPA to conduct a study on
referred to the House Committee
the long-term impact of climate change on pathogenic
on Transportation and Infrastructure
contamination of coastal recreation waters
H.R. 2610
Latham
Transportation, Housing and
Introduced on July 2, 2013; reported
Prohibits federal funds from being used to implement
Urban Development, and
by the House Committee on
the aviation activities pursuant to the European Union
Related Agencies
Appropriations on July 2, 2013
Emission Trading System
Appropriations Act, 2014
(H.Rept. 113-136)
H.R. 2642
Lucas
Federal Agriculture Reform
Introduced on July 10, 2013; passed
Amends the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of
and Risk Management Act of
House on July 11, 2013; S. 954
1990 (7 U.S.C. §6704) by authorizing $6 million annually
2013
passed Senate on July 18, 2013a
between FY2014 and FY2018 to support the Office of
International Forestry; directs the Secretary of
Agriculture to revise the strategic plan for forestry
inventory (16 U.S.C. §1642) by describing needs to
address, among other issues, information on renewable
biomass supplies and carbon stocks at the local, state,
regional, and national level; repeals carbon cycle
research in 7 U.S.C. §6711
H.R. 2685
McNerney
Smart Grid Advancement Act Introduced on July 11, 2013; referred Directs the EPA and Department of Energy to each
of 2013
to the House Committee on Energy
prepare analyses of, among other things, energy saving
and Commerce
and GHG emission reductions associated with
assessments of Energy Star products
H.R. 2855
Granger
Not provided
Introduced on July 30, 2013;
Eliminates appropriations to several international funds,
reported by the House Committee
including the Strategic Climate Fund and the Clean
on Appropriations on July 30, 2013
Technology Fundb
(H.Rept. 113-185)
H.R. 2863
Payne
Growing Responsible Energy
Introduced July 30, 2013; referred to
Amends the Community Development Banking and
Efficient Neighborhoods Jobs
the House Committee on Financial
Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. §4707) by
Act of 2013
Services
authorizing financial assistance to support “green jobs,”
which the bill defines as those that, among other things,
reduce GHG emissions
CRS-10


Key Provisions That Directly Address
Bill Number
Sponsor
Short Title (if provided)
Major Actions
Climate Change
H.R. 2948
Matheson
Transparency in Regulatory
Introduced August 1, 2013; referred
Directs the President to establish a Committee to
Analysis of Impacts on the
to the House Committee on Energy
analyze certain EPA regulatory activities, including
Nation Act of 2013
and Commerce and Committee on
specific emission standards and rules intended to
Transportation and Infrastructure
address climate change; the Committee is to examine
various economic impacts from the regulatory activity,
solicit public comments, and submit the analyses to
Congress
H.R. 3033
Latta
Energy Security and
Introduced August 2, 2013; referred
Prohibits the federal government (with some
Employment Act
to multiple committees
exceptions) from promulgating or implementing
regulations that control GHG emissions
Senate Proposals
S. 10
Reid
Agriculture Reform, Food,
Introduced on January 22, 2013;
Amends the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of
and Jobs Act of 2013
referred to the Senate Committee
1990 (7 U.S.C. §6704) by authorizing $10 million
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
annual y between FY2014 and FY2018 to support the
Forestry
Office of International Forestry
S. 17
Vitter
Energy Production and
Introduced on February 27, 2013;
Amends the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. §1539)
Project Delivery Act of 2013
referred to the Senate Committee
to prohibit the consideration of the impacts of climate
on Energy and Natural Resources
change on fish, wildlife, or plant species during the
implementation of the act
S. 106
Vitter
Public Access to Historical
Introduced on January 23, 2013;
Directs the National Aeronautics and Space
Records Act
referred to the Senate Committee
Administration to establish an official dataset of the
on Commerce, Science, and
historical temperature record; requires climate
Transportation
researchers to use this dataset as at least one of their
primary sources of historical temperatures, in order to
receive federal funding for their climate research
S. 107
Vitter
Not provided
Introduced on January 23, 2013;
Prohibits EPA or other federal agencies from issuing
referred to the Senate Committee
regulations or taking other action that requires carbon
on Environmental and Public Works
dioxide emission reductions until China, India, and
Russia have implemented comparable measures
S. 163
Vitter
Not provided
Introduced on January 28, 2013;
Prohibits EPA and other federal agencies from regulating
referred to the Senate Committee
or taking other action that requires carbon dioxide or
on Environmental and Public Works
GHG emission reductions until China, India, and Russia
have implemented comparable measures
CRS-11


Key Provisions That Directly Address
Bill Number
Sponsor
Short Title (if provided)
Major Actions
Climate Change
S. 332
Sanders
Climate Protection Act of
Introduced on February 14, 2013;
Establishes a fee on fossil fuels based on the material’s
2013
referred to the Senate Committee
carbon dioxide (and methane) content
on Environment and Public Works
See details in Table 3 below
S. 360
Udall
Public Lands Service Corps
Introduced on February 14, 2013;
Amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C.
Act of 2013
referred to the Senate Committee
§1721 et seq.) by modifying the conservation projects
on Energy and Natural Resources
program to include projects that “enhance adaptability
and resilience of eligible service lands and resources to
climate change”
S. 387
Rockefeller
American Infrastructure
Introduced on February 26, 2013;
Establishes the American Infrastructure Investment Fund
Investment Fund Act
referred to the Senate Committee
to finance projects that, among other objectives,
on Commerce, Science, and
improve the environmental sustainability of a national or
Transportation
regional transportation network, which is partially
measured by reduction in GHG emissions; GHG
emission reduction is a factor in project funding
decisions
S. 570
Bennet
Clean Energy Race to the
Introduced on March 14, 2013l
Establishes a grant program in the Department of Energy
Top Act of 2013
referred to the Senate Committee
to support clean energy and carbon reduction measures,
on Finance
including participation in a regional GHG reduction
program
S. 839
Nelson
Coral Reef Conservation
Introduced on April 25, 2013;
Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Amendments Act of 2013
referred to the Senate Committee
Atmospheric Administration to address climate change
on Commerce, Science, and
in a national coral reef ecosystem action strategy
Transportation
S. 923
Udal
Balancing Food, Farm, and
Introduced on May 9, 2013; referred
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
the Environment Act of 2013
to the Senate Committee on
§3839aa) by altering the stated purposes of the
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
environmental quality incentives program to include
support for climate change adaptation; establishes a
regional conservation partnership program that, among
other elements, encourages producers to employ
practices/systems that mitigate climate change effects
CRS-12


Key Provisions That Directly Address
Bill Number
Sponsor
Short Title (if provided)
Major Actions
Climate Change
S. 954
Stabenow
Agriculture Reform, Food,
Introduced on May 14, 2013;
Amends the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of
and Jobs Act of 2013
reported by the Senate Committee
1990 (7 U.S.C. §6704) by extending appropriation
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
authority for the Office of International Forestry from
Forestry on May 14, 2013 (S.Rept.
FY2012 to FY2018; directs the Secretary of Agriculture
113-88); passed the Senate June 10,
to revise the strategic plan for forestry inventory (16
2013
U.S.C. §1642) by describing needs to address, among
other issues, information on renewable biomass supplies
and carbon stocks at the local, state, regional, and
national level; establishes the Regional Conservation
Partnership Program, which allows for the
“enhancement of carbon sequestration” as an “eligible
activity;” directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide
scientific information for pulse crops, such as research
on improving nitrogen fixation to reduce the carbon and
energy footprint of agriculture
S. 1202
Whitehouse
Safeguarding America’s
Introduced June 20, 2013; referred
Directs the President to establish a Natural Resources
Future and Environment
to the Senate Committee on
Climate Change Adaptation Panel, comprised of federal
(SAFE) Act
Environment and Public Works
agency officials and State and tribal representatives;
requires the panel to adopt a climate adaptation
strategy; creates a science advisory board to advise the
panel on related issues; establishes a National Climate
Change and Wildlife Science Center within the U.S.
Geological Survey to develop means of addressing
climate change impacts; requires federal agencies on the
panel to prepare natural resource adaptation plans;
provides adaptation funding (through existing programs)
to states if they develop adaptation plans
S. 1205
Franken
Local Energy Supply and
Introduced on June 20, 2013;
Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a technical
Resiliency Act of 2013
referred to the Senate Committee
assistance program to support energy infrastructure
on Energy and Natural Resources
activities; the Secretary shall prioritize projects based on
several factors, including minimizing environmental
impacts, such as GHG emissions; reducing GHG
emissions is a stated purpose of the bill
S. 1324
Barrasso
National Energy Tax Repeal
Introduced on July 18, 2013; referred Prohibits a federal agency from promulgating regulations
Act
to the Senate Committee on
relating to power sector carbon pol ution standards
Environment and Public Works
unless specifically authorized by Congress
CRS-13


Key Provisions That Directly Address
Bill Number
Sponsor
Short Title (if provided)
Major Actions
Climate Change
S. 1372
Leahy
Department of State, Foreign
Introduced on July 25, 2013;
Appropriates funds to support international climate
Operations, and Related
reported by Senate Committee on
change activities, including adaptation efforts and
Programs Appropriations
Appropriations on July 25, 2013
support for the International Panel on Climate Change
Act, Fiscal Year 2014
(S.Rept. 113-81)
Source: Prepared by CRS.
a. For further information, see CRS Report R43076, The 2013 Farm Bill: A Comparison of the Senate-Passed (S. 954) and House-Passed (H.R. 2642) Bills with Current Law,
coordinated by Ralph M. Chite.
b. For further information on these funds, see CRS Report R41302, International Climate Change Financing: The Climate Investment Funds (CIFs), by Richard K. Lattanzio.

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Table 3. Comparison of Selected Market-Based, Carbon Price Programs
Proposals in the 113th Congress Compared to Existing State and International Programs
Emission
Expected or
Distribution of Revenue or
Program
Start Date
Scope
Reduction Targets
Observed Prices
Allowance Value
S. 332
2014 or 180 days
Establishes a fee on coal, petroleum,
A short-term target
The fee would start at 60% distributed to EPA to provide
after enactment
and natural gas based on the
(e.g., 2020) is not
$20/ton CO2 and
monthly rebates to legal residents
material’s carbon dioxide (and
provided, but the bill
increase by 5.6% each
methane) content, as determined by
lists a goal of GHG
year for 12 years;
40% finances a trust fund that
EPA
emissions at 80%
after that time, the
distributes the fol owing amounts
below 2005 levels by
fee remains flat, but is annual y for 10 years:
This fee would address between 79%
2050
subject to further
and 85% of U.S. GHG emissions,
-$7.5 billion to mitigate economic
evaluation in an EPA
depending on which sources are
impacts of Energy Intensive Trade
report to Congress
subject to the feea
Exposed (EITE) industries (25% must
be energy efficiency investments in
A carbon equivalency fee would apply
EITE industries)
to imports of carbon pollution-
-$5 billion to support the
intensive goods
Weatherization Assistance Program
-$1 billion for job training and
transition assistance
-$2 billion for Advanced Research
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
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Emission
Expected or
Distribution of Revenue or
Program
Start Date
Scope
Reduction Targets
Observed Prices
Allowance Value
Regional
2009
A cap-and-trade system that covers
The initial objective of The June 5, 2013,
RGGI states (as a group) have
Greenhouse
CO2 emissions from electric
the cap was to
auction clearing price
contributed the majority of the
Gas Initiative
generators (above 25 Megawatts) in
stabilize CO2
was $3.21/tCO2
emission allowance value (65%) to
(RGGI)b
the nine RGGI statesc
emissions for several
support energy efficiency, renewable
years (2009-2014) at
Auction clearing
energy, or other climate-related
Covered emissions account for
the expected 2009
prices have ranged
efforts
approximately 22% of al GHG
levels (based on 2005
from $1.86/tCO2 to
emissions in the RGGI statesd
assumptions), and
$3.51/tCO2
In February 2013, RGGI states
then decrease them
proposed to reduce the 2014 cap (by
by 10% from the 2009
45%) to match 2012 emission levels;
level by 2019
between 2015 and 2020, the cap
would decline by 2.5% each year
Californiae
2013
A cap-and-trade system that applies
The 2013 cap set at
Auction price floor
In 2015 (when all covered sectors are
to multiple GHG emissions from
2% below levels
initial y at $10/tCO2e,
subject), approximately 23% of
electric generators and importers
projected for 2012;
increasing annual y by
allowance value is distributed to
(emitting above 25,000 metric tons)
declines by 2% in
5% + inflation
electrical distribution utilities (to
and large industrial facilities; in 2015,
2014 and 3% each
benefit consumers); other al ocation
applies to fuel distributors; eventually
year between 2015
A limited number of
percentages are uncertain at this time
covers approximately 85% of
and 2020
reserve allowances
California’s GHG emissions
sold at tiered pricing,
up to $50/tCO2e;
The cap-and-trade program is part of
tiers increase by 5% +
an overall goal of reducing California
inflation
GHG emissions to 1990 levels by
2020
In the most recent
auction (May 16,
2013),f the settlement
price was
$14.00/tCO2e
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Emission
Expected or
Distribution of Revenue or
Program
Start Date
Scope
Reduction Targets
Observed Prices
Allowance Value
European
2005
A cap-and-trade system that covers
21% below 2005
The emission
In 2013, 40% of allowances sold at
Union
CO2 emissions from 10,000 energy-
levels by 2020
allowance price in the auction, the rest are distributed at no
Emissions
intensive facilities across the 27 EU
EU ETS is subject to
charge to covered entities
Trading
Member countries, including electric
market forces and has
Scheme (EU
generating facilities, and as of 2012,
ranged from over €30 At least 50% of auction revenues
ETS)g
aviation emissions
to less than €1. On
“should be used to combat climate
June 25, 2013, the
change in Europe or other countries.”j
Covered entities emit about 45% of
allowance price was
the EU’s CO2 emissions
€4.04i
Several EU countries levy taxes or
fees on emissions from sectors or
sources of emissions not covered by
the EU ETSh
Australiak
2012
A tax covers emissions of CO2,
Overall goal to
In 2012 the price for
Over 50% of the revenues distributed
methane, and nitrous oxide from
reduce to 5% below
facilities is
(directly or indirectly) to households;
facilities that emit over 25,000 tCO2e
2000 GHG emission
$24/tCO2e, increasing approximately 40% of revenues used
per year; facilities must purchase
levels by 2020m
2.5% each year
to provide transition assistance to
carbon permits based on annual
industry
emissions or permits acquired
through other means.
Natural gas retailers are subject
based on gas supplied to customers
Covers perfluorocarbon emissions
from the aluminum sector
In July 2014, Australia is scheduled to
switch to a cap-and-trade systeml
Source: Prepared by CRS.
a. For a discussion of different options for imposing the fee, see Appendix A in CRS Report R42731, Carbon Tax: Deficit Reduction and Other Considerations, by Jonathan
L. Ramseur, Jane A. Leggett, and Mol y F. Sherlock.
b. For more details, see CRS Report R41836, The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Lessons Learned and Issues for Policymakers, by Jonathan L. Ramseur.
c. New Jersey participated in the program from 2009 through the end of 2011. See http://rggi.org/design/history/njparticipation.
d. Based on 2009 data from World Resources Institute, Climate Analysis Indicators Tool (CAIT US) Version 5.0, 2012, at http://cait.wri.org.
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e. For further details, see the Air Resources Board website at, http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/capandtrade.htm.
f.
In the November 14, 2012 auction, the settlement price was $10.09; in the February 19, 2013 auction, the settlement price was $13.62.
g. For more details, see CRS Report R42392, Aviation and the European Union’s Emission Trading Scheme, by Jane A. Leggett, Bart Elias, and Daniel T. Shedd.
h. The nations include Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.
i.
See e.g., http://www.eex.com.
j.
See http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets/cap/auctioning/index_en.htm.
k. For more details see Australian Government, Securing A Clean Energy Future: The Australian Government’s Climate Change Plan, 2011, and the Australian
Government carbon price website at http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/clean-energy-future/carbon-price/.
l.
See http://climatechange.gov.au/sites/climatechange/files/files/reducing-carbon/carbon-pricing-policy/moving-emissions-trading.pdf.
m. This reduction goal involves other climate-related policies described in Australia’s 2011 Climate Change Plan.

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Climate Change Legislation in the 113th Congress


Author Contact Information
Jonathan L. Ramseur
Specialist in Environmental Policy
jramseur@crs.loc.gov, 7-7919

Congressional Research Service
19