Climate Change Legislation in the 110th Congress

June 29, 2007 – November 7, 2008 RL34067

Congressional interest in climate change legislation has grown in recent years. In the 110th Congress, Members have introduced numerous bills that directly address various aspects of climate change. These bills cover a wide spectrum, ranging from climate change research to comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cap-and-trade programs. As of the date of this report, Congress has enacted six broader pieces of legislation that—among many other non-climate-related provisions—address climate change in some fashion:

P.L. 110-140 expands the carbon capture research and development program, requires a national assessment of geologic storage capacity for CO2, and supports technologies for the large-scale capture of CO2 from industrial sources. The act also establishes an Office of Climate Change and the Environment to coordinate research and implement strategies to address climate change-related transportation issues.

P.L. 110-161 directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop regulations that establish a mandatory GHG reporting program that applies “above appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the economy.”

P.L. 110-181 directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to assess the risks of projected climate change to the department’s facilities, capabilities, and missions.

P.L. 110-229 requires the Secretary of Energy, when reviewing research and development activities for possible inclusion in the steel research and development initiative, to expand the plan in order to consider among steel project priorities the development of technologies that reduce GHG emissions.

P.L. 110-246 directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish technical guidelines to “measure the environmental services benefits from conservation and land management activities in order to facilitate the participation of farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in emerging environmental services markets.” USDA is to give priority to carbon markets.

P.L. 110-343 provides a tax credit for select (geologic) carbon sequestration activities. In addition, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is “to identify the types of and specific tax provisions that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and to estimate the magnitude of those effects.” NAS is to report its findings to Congress by October 3, 2010.

This report briefly discusses the basic concepts on which climate change bills are based, and compares major provisions of the bills in each of the following categories: climate change research; emissions reduction technologies; U.S. actions pursuant to international emission reduction agreements; adaptation to the effects of climate change; GHG reporting and registration; and GHG emissions reduction programs.

Climate Change Legislation in the 110th Congress

November 7, 2008 (RL34067)

Summary

Congressional interest in climate change legislation has grown in recent years. In the 110th Congress, Members have introduced numerous bills that directly address various aspects of climate change. These bills cover a wide spectrum, ranging from climate change research to comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cap-and-trade programs. As of the date of this report, Congress has enacted six broader pieces of legislation that—among many other non-climate-related provisions—address climate change in some fashion:

P.L. 110-140 expands the carbon capture research and development program, requires a national assessment of geologic storage capacity for CO2, and supports technologies for the large-scale capture of CO2 from industrial sources. The act also establishes an Office of Climate Change and the Environment to coordinate research and implement strategies to address climate change-related transportation issues.

P.L. 110-161 directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop regulations that establish a mandatory GHG reporting program that applies "above appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the economy."

P.L. 110-181 directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to assess the risks of projected climate change to the department's facilities, capabilities, and missions.

P.L. 110-229 requires the Secretary of Energy, when reviewing research and development activities for possible inclusion in the steel research and development initiative, to expand the plan in order to consider among steel project priorities the development of technologies that reduce GHG emissions.

P.L. 110-246 directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish technical guidelines to "measure the environmental services benefits from conservation and land management activities in order to facilitate the participation of farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in emerging environmental services markets." USDA is to give priority to carbon markets.

P.L. 110-343 provides a tax credit for select (geologic) carbon sequestration activities. In addition, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is "to identify the types of and specific tax provisions that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and to estimate the magnitude of those effects." NAS is to report its findings to Congress by October 3, 2010.

This report briefly discusses the basic concepts on which climate change bills are based, and compares major provisions of the bills in each of the following categories: climate change research; emissions reduction technologies; U.S. actions pursuant to international emission reduction agreements; adaptation to the effects of climate change; GHG reporting and registration; and GHG emissions reduction programs.

Climate Change Legislation in the 110th Congress

Introduction

In the 110th Congress, Members have introduced numerous bills that would directly or indirectly address climate change. This report describes and compares bills that directly address climate change, as opposed to those that primarily address other issues (e.g., energy efficiency and conservation) but could have ancillary impacts on climate.1 In some cases, it is difficult to draw a line 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 or sections—that explicitly address climate change issues. These bills fall into six major categories: (1) research on the causes and effects of climate change and on methods to measure and predict climate change; (2) deployment of emission-reducing technologies in the United States or other countries; (3) requirements for U.S. participation in international climate agreements; (4) investments in systems to adapt to changes in climate; (5) establishment of greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring systems as a basis for research or for any potential reduction program; and (6) implementation of mandatory GHG emission reduction programs. These categories are not mutually exclusive, and several bills address more than one of the above categories.

There has been considerable interest in climate change issues in the 110th Congress. As of the date of this report, Members have introduced more than 100 bills that would directly address climate change issues. Congress has enacted six legislation proposals that address climate change to some degree:

  • P.L. 110-140: The President signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 December 19, 2007. Among other provisions, some of which indirectly address GHG emissions, this act amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expand the carbon capture research and development program. It also directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a national assessment of geologic storage capacity for carbon dioxide (CO2), and instructs the Department of Energy to implement a program to demonstrate technologies for the large-scale capture of CO2 from industrial sources of CO2.2 In addition, the act establishes within the Department of Transportation an Office of Climate Change and the Environment to coordinate research and implement strategies to address transportation issues associated with climate change.
  • P.L. 110-161: The President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 into law December 26, 2007. Among other provisions, this statute directs EPA to promulgate regulations that require mandatory reporting of GHG emissions "above appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the economy." The act directs EPA to develop the proposed rule by September 2008 and the final rule by June 2009. In addition, the act instructs NOAA to work with the National Academy of Sciences to establish a Climate Change Study Committee that will study climate change issues and make recommendations regarding climate change mitigation strategies.
  • P.L. 110-181: On January 28, 2008, the President signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. In addition to many non-climate related provisions, the act directs the Department of Defense to assess the risks of projected climate change to the department's facilities, capabilities, and missions.
  • P.L. 110-229: On May 8, 2008, the President signed the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008. Among other provisions, the act requires the Secretary of Energy, when reviewing research and development activities for possible inclusion in the steel research and development initiative, to expand the plan in order to consider among steel project priorities the development of technologies that reduce GHG emissions.
  • P.L. 110-246: On June 18, 2008, Congress enacted (overriding the President's veto) the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act.3 Among many other provisions, the act (Section 2709) directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish technical guidelines to "measure the environmental services benefits from conservation and land management activities in order to facilitate the participation of farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in emerging environmental services markets." USDA is to give priority to carbon markets.4
  • P.L. 110-343: On October 3, 2008, the President signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Among many other provisions, the legislation provides a tax credit for select (geologic) carbon sequestration activities. In addition, the act directs the Department of Treasury to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to "undertake a comprehensive review of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to identify the types of and specific tax provisions that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and to estimate the magnitude of those effects." NAS is to report its findings to Congress by October 3, 2010.

In addition to enacted legislation, the House and Senate have passed several bills. Numerous bills have been reported out of committees. These bills address a range of climate change topics. These topics are discussed briefly below.

Appendix A categorizes the bills and enacted legislation by the topics discussed below. Appendix B provides a brief summary of each bill's provisions and status in the legislative process.

Climate Change Research and Studies

Global climate change is a complex issue. While most scientists agree that the climate is changing in response to GHG emissions, uncertainties concerning the causes and effects of climate change remain and are a continuing subject of extensive scientific research.5 These uncertainties include the potential effects on natural systems, as well as effects on social and political systems. Further, research is ongoing regarding technologies that improve efficiency, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and capture and store carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Deployment of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Technology

One approach to addressing climate change is to promote the deployment and diffusion of technologies to reduce GHG emissions, such as carbon capture and storage (or sequestration). Within the legislative proposals, there are different methods of promoting technology deployment. One deployment strategy may involve tax incentives for investment in technologies to improve efficiency and/or lower emissions. Other deployment strategies would provide grants, loans, and other incentives for technology transfer to developing countries.

In the 110th Congress, some bills deal solely with technology deployment through tax incentives for lower-carbon technology or grants to develop and deploy carbon capture and sequestration, or through requirements that the federal government use technology with lower emissions. Other bills that create mandatory GHG reduction programs also include technology deployment as one component.

International Agreements

The United States ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. Five years later, the United States signed the convention's Kyoto Protocol, but it was never submitted to the Senate for ratification.6 In 2001, President George W. Bush rejected the Kyoto Protocol and withdrew the United States from subsequent negotiations. Since that time, the United States has entered into other cooperative agreements, including the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate. This partnership focuses on voluntary action by member states to promote cleaner technology and related goals. However, U.S. participation in discussions over binding agreements has been limited.

Adaptation Bills

Some critics of GHG regulation argue that the effects on global GHG concentrations—and consequently the effects on climate—from any reduction scheme will be limited. Some therefore contend that investment should focus on preparing communities and systems to adapt to the effects of a changing climate. This notion is shared by some proponents of GHG regulation, who argue that because of earlier greenhouse gas emissions, some level of warming will occur regardless of mitigation activity. Those stakeholders support adaptation initiatives in concert with mitigation efforts.

Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Registry Bills

Pursuant to the UNFCCC, the United States publishes annual reports on its GHG emissions.7 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports this information using various techniques (e.g., fuel analysis for CO2). The 2005 emissions estimates indicate that the three dominant sources of GHG emissions are electricity generation (33%), transportation (28%), and industry (19%).8

At the national level, the 1990 Clean Air Act requires most electric utilities to report their GHG emissions, but there is no overall national GHG reporting requirement. However, some states also gather data through voluntary registries or mandatory GHG emissions reporting mechanisms.9

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Bills

The United States has no federal GHG reduction requirements, although there have been proposals to require such reductions.10 These proposals include "command and control" regulations and market-based techniques to limit emissions. Market-based programs typically take as their model the Clean Air Act's acid rain program, which employs a cap-and-trade design to control several air pollutants.11

Cap-and-trade systems set strict limits on specific emissions from a particular group of sources. Sources may reduce their own emissions or purchase credits (i.e., trade) from other sources that have reduced emissions below their individual allotment. This flexibility in who makes reductions can lead to lower costs. In an efficient market, entities that face relatively low emission-reduction costs would have an incentive to achieve extra emission reductions, because these additional reductions could be sold to entities that face higher emission-reduction costs. An entity facing higher costs could purchase allowances that would allow it to emit more than its initial emissions allotment. Total U.S. emissions may decrease or increase, depending on the entities covered, the GHGs controlled, and the emissions trading schemes. In the 110th Congress, some bills cover just the electric utility sector, while others cover most or all emissions throughout the economy.12

Another market-based option is to establish a "carbon tax"—a direct tax on GHG emissions or on the fuels that generate emissions when combusted. To the extent that emissions reductions can be achieved at costs lower than the tax rate, those reductions will be undertaken; if emissions reductions are more expensive, covered entities would opt to pay the tax. In this way, there is an upper limit to the cost of the control program.13

Sector-Specific Reduction Bills

Members have introduced several bills in the 110th Congress that would control emissions from only the electric utility sector. The rationale for such a policy is that electricity generation emits the highest percentage of GHGs by sector, and the number of covered sources would be relatively small compared to other sectors (e.g., transportation). Moreover, power plants have experience with reporting (if not reducing) their CO2 emissions under the Clean Air Act.

Sector-specific bills generally fall into two categories: (1) bills that would control only GHGs and (2) bills that would control both GHGs and other pollutants such as mercury, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. This latter category of bills is generally referred to as "multi-pollutant" legislation.14

Comprehensive GHG Emissions Reductions

A broader approach is to require emission reductions from multiple economic sectors. Several bills in the 110th Congress would apply to most or all U.S. GHG emissions. These bills are often described as an "economy-wide" GHG reduction approach. These bills vary in their coverage: some bills cover the most high-emitting sectors (e.g., electricity generation, industry, and transportation) while excluding other sectors (e.g., residential and commercial); other bills grant EPA broad authority to establish regulations to reduce the most emissions at the lowest cost.

Appendix A. Major Focus Areas of Climate Change Bills and Enacted Legislation in the 110th Congress

Bill Number and Sponsor

Climate Change Research

Technology Deployment

International Agreements

Adaptation

GHG Reporting / Registry

GHG Reductions

Causes or Effects on Natural Systems

Effects on Social and Political Systems

Emission Mitigation Techniques

Domestic

Foreign

Economy-
Wide

Sector-
Specific

Multi-
Pollutant

ENACTED LEGISLATION

P.L. 110-140

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

P.L. 110-161

X

  

X

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

P.L. 110-181

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

P.L. 110-229

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

P.L. 110-246

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

P.L. 110-343

  

X

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

SENATE BILLS

H.R. 6 - Senate
Version (Reid)

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 183
(Stevens)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

S. 280
(Lieberman)

  

  

X

X

X

  

X

X

X

  

  

S. 309
(Sanders)

X

  

  

X

  

X

  

X

X

X

  

S. 317
(Feinstein)

  

  

X

X

X

  

  

X

  

X

  

S. 485
(Kerry)

X

  

X

X

  

X

  

X

X

X

  

S. 962
(Bingaman)

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 1018
(Durbin)

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 1059
(Clinton)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 1072
(Stevens)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 1073
(Feinstein)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

S. 1168
(Alexander)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

X

X

S. 1177
(Carper)

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

X

  

X

X

S. 1201
(Sanders)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

X

  

X

X

S. 1297
(Boxer)

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

S. 1321
(Bingaman)

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 1324
(Obama)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

S. 1387
(Klobuchar)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

S. 1411
(Lautenberg)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

S. 1419
(Reid)

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 1424
(Schumer)

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 1508
(Dorgan)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 1538
(Rockefeller)

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 1547
(Levin)

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 1554
(Collins)

X

  

  

X

  

  

  

X

  

X

X

S. 1581
(Lautenberg)

X

X

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

S. 1602
(Hagel)

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

S. 1696
(Feinstein)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

S. 1766
(Bingaman)

  

  

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

  

  

S. 1874
(Landrieu)

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

X15

  

  

S. 2149
(Dorgan)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 2155
(Byrd)

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 2191
(Lieberman)

X

X

X

X

  

X

X

X

X

  

  

S. 2204
(Whitehouse)

X

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

S. 2211
(Whitehouse)

X

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

S. 2307
(Kerry)

X

X

X

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

S. 2355
(Cantwell)

X

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

S. 2423
(Feinstein)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X16

  

  

S. 2739
(Bingaman)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

S. 3036
(Boxer)

X

X

X

X

  

X

X

X

X

  

  

S.Res. 30
(Biden)

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

HOUSE BILLS

H.R. 620
(Olver)

X

X

X

X

  

  

X

X

X

  

  

H.R. 823
(Welch)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 906
(Udall)

X

X

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 1126
(Lipinski)

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 1215
(Rogers)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 1451
(Lungren)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 1507
(McDermott)

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 1585
(Skelton)

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 1590
(Waxman)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

X

X

X

  

H.R. 1691
(Markey)

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 1933
(Udall)

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 2069
(Stark)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X17

  

  

H.R. 2082
(Reyes)

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 2144
(DeLauro)

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 2215
(Inslee)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

H.R. 2337
(Rahall)

X

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 2338
(Dicks)

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 2342
(Allen)

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 2420
(Lantos)

  

  

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 2447
(Wynn)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 2483
(Hall)

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 2556
(Wilson)

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 2635
(Waxman)

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

H.R. 2651
(Engel)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

H.R. 3031
(Inslee)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 3093
(Mollohan)

X

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 3221
(Pelosi)

X

  

X

X

X

X

X

  

  

  

  

H.R. 3416
(Larson)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X18

  

  

H.R. 3274
(Israel)

  

  

  

X

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 3448
(Waxman)

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 3989
(McHugh)

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

X

  

X

X

H.R. 4174
(Allen)

X

X

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

H.R. 4226
(Gilchrest)

  

X

  

  

  

  

X

X

X

  

  

H.R. 4986
(Skelton)

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

H.R. 6186
(Markey)

  

  

  

  

  

X

X

X

X

  

  

H.R. 6316
(Doggett)

  

  

  

  

  

X

X

X

X

  

  

H.Con.Res. 96
(Dicks)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

H.Con.Res. 104
(Carnahan)

  

  

  

  

  

X

  

  

  

  

  

Appendix B. Key Provisions of Climate Change Legislation in the 110th Congress

Bill or P.L. No.

Sponsor

Short Title

Major Actions

Key Provisions That Directly Address Climate Change

ENACTED LEGISLATION

P.L. 110-140

  

Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007

Signed into law December 19, 2007

Among other provisions, many of which indirectly address greenhouse gas emissions, amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expand the carbon capture research and development program; directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a national assessment of geologic storage capacity for carbon dioxide (CO2); instructs the Department of Energy to implement a program to demonstrate technologies for the large-scale capture of CO2 from industrial sources of CO2; establishes within the Department of Transportation an Office of Climate Change and the Environment to coordinate research and implement strategies to address transportation issues associated with climate change.

P.L. 110-161

  

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008

Signed into law December 26, 2007

Directs the EPA to issue regulations requiring mandatory reporting of GHG emissions "above appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the economy;" the proposed rule and final rule must be published nine months (i.e., by September 2008) and 18 months (i.e., June 2009) after the date of the statute's enactment;

Instructs NOAA to work with the National Academy of Sciences to establish a Climate Change Study Committee that will study climate change issues and make recommendations regarding climate change mitigation strategies.

P.L. 110-181

  

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

Signed into law January 28, 2008

Among other provisions, requires the Department of Defense to assess the risks of projected climate change to the department's facilities, capabilities, and missions.

P.L. 110-229

  

Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008

Signed into law May 8, 2008

Among other provisions, requires the Secretary of Energy, when reviewing research and development activities for possible inclusion in the steel research and development initiative, to expand the plan in order to consider among steel project priorities the development of technologies which reduce GHG emissions.

P.L. 110-246

  

Food, Conservation, and Energy Act19

Congress enacted (overriding the President's veto) June 18, 2008

Among many other provisions, directs the Department of Agriculture to establish technical guidelines to "measure the environmental services benefits from conservation and land management activities in order to facilitate the participation of farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in emerging environmental services markets." USDA is to give priority to carbon markets.

P.L. 110-343

  

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

Signed into law October 3, 2008

Among many other provisions, offers a tax credit for select (geologic) carbon sequestration activities; directs the Department of Treasury to enter into an agreement with National Academy of Sciences to "undertake a comprehensive review of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to identify the types of and specific tax provisions that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and to estimate the magnitude of those effects;: directs NAS to report findings to Congress two years after enactment (October 3, 2010).

SENATE BILLS

H.R. 6 (Senate Version)20

Reid

Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007

Proposed June 12, 2007; passed the Senate June 21, 2007; signed into law December 19, 2007 (P.L. 110-140) (companion to H.R. 3221)

Among other provisions, many of which indirectly address greenhouse gas emissions, amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expand the carbon capture research and development program; directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a national assessment of geologic storage capacity for carbon dioxide (CO2); instructs the Department of Energy to implement a program to demonstrate technologies for the large-scale capture of CO2 from industrial sources of CO2; establishes within the Department of Transportation an Office of Climate Change and the Environment to coordinate research and implement strategies to address transportation issues associated with climate change.

S. 183

Stevens

Improved Passenger Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2007

Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Among other provisions, requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish a voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry system.

S. 280

Lieberman

Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007

Introduced January 12, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

(companion to H.R. 620)

Creates a comprehensive GHG cap-and-trade program that covers the electric power, transportation, industrial, and commercial sectors (accounting for about 85% of U.S. GHG emissions); the cap would take effect in 2012 and would decline further in 2020, 2030, and 2050; by 2050, the emissions cap would decline to 60% below 1990 levels.

Calls for research on abrupt climate change and the impact of climate change on the world's poor, among others, and creation of a national GHG database; establishes a new program to develop Innovation Infrastructure, along with program initiatives to promote less carbon-intensive technology (such as nuclear energy), adaptation, sequestration, and related activities; requires periodic review of target adequacy by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, who oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

S. 309

Sanders

Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act

Introduced January 16, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Creates an economy-wide GHG cap that would take effect in 2010 and decline annually, reaching 1990 levels by 2020; with subsequent annual cap declines, cap would fall to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050; EPA has the discretion to employ a market-based approach (e.g., cap-and-trade system).

Requires mandatory GHG emission standards for vehicles by 2010, for new electric powerplants that begin operation after December 31, 2011, and a new energy efficiency performance standard; establishes a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that would require a certain percentage of electricity to be generated from renewable energy sources; the RPS would increase periodically, reaching 20% by 2020; sets up a new low-carbon generation requirement and trading program; calls for a periodic review of target adequacy by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

S. 317

Feinstein

Electric Utility Cap and Trade Act of 2007

Introduced January 17, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Creates a GHG cap-and-trade program that applies to electric generating facilities of more than 25 megawatts (MW); the emissions cap for the covered sources would decline each year.

Establishes a program to encourage offsets from the agricultural sector; requires periodic review of target adequacy by EPA taking into account the recommendations of the Climate Science Advisory Panel, a group created by the bill.

S. 485

Kerry

Global Warming Reduction Act of 2007

Introduced February 1, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Finance

Creates an economy-wide GHG cap-and-trade program that would require emission reductions of approximately 60% below 1990 levels by 2050.

Requires GHG emission standards for vehicles by 2010, and a new energy efficiency standard beginning in 2009; establishes a Renewable Portfolio Standard and credit program; increases biofuel mandates under the Renewable Fuels Standard, and mandates infrastructure for biofuels; expands and extends existing tax incentives for alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, and establishes manufacturer tax credit for advanced technology vehicle investment; sets up a new National Climate Change Vulnerability and Resilience Program; requires periodic review of target adequacy by the NAS.

S. 962

Bingaman

Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2007

Introduced March 22, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (companion to H.R. 1933)

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to promote deployment of carbon capture and storage technology; calls for further research to develop this technology.

S. 1018

Durbin

Global Climate Change Security Oversight Act

Introduced March 28, 2007; referred to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

(companion to H.R. 1961)

Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a National Intelligence Estimate on the anticipated geopolitical effects of global climate change and the implications of such effects on U.S. national security; directs the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the projected impact on military installations, capabilities, and operations of the effects of global climate change as assessed in the estimate, and to recommend research and analysis needed to further assess the impacts on the military of global climate change; requires the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the potential for (1) large migrations of people in countries of strategic interest or humanitarian concern as a response to changes in climate and the implications for U.S. security interests; and (2) diplomatic opportunities and challenges facing U.S. policy makers as a result of social, economic, or political responses of groups or nations to global climate change.

S. 1059

Clinton

Zero-Emissions Building Act of 2007

Introduced March 27, 2007, referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to instruct the Secretary of Energy to establish revised federal building energy efficiency performance standards; the standards require (if life-cycle cost-effective) new federal buildings to meet specifications that would reduce GHG emissions by specified percentages between FY2007 and FY2030.

S. 1072

Stevens

Federal Agency Environmental Responsibility Act

Introduced March 29, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Promotes energy efficiency and GHG reductions from the federal agencies by requiring reductions of energy intensity; directs each agency to reduce energy intensity by either 3% per year until the end of FY2014 or 30% by the end of FY2014, relative to the agency's 2003 baseline.

S. 1073

Feinstein

Clean Fuels and Vehicles Act of 2007

Introduced March 29, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Amends the Clean Air Act to establish a program within EPA to determine the life-cycle GHG emissions of motor fuels; requires applicable parties (generally those that produce or supply the fuels to the U.S. market) to reduce the average life-cycle GHG emissions per unit of energy delivered to a motor vehicle; by 2015, parties must reduce 3% below a 2007 baseline (determined by EPA); at subsequent five-year intervals, further 3% reductions (below the preceding year's average emissions baseline as determined by EPA) are required; reduction requirements would be implemented through a credit trading system.

Requires automobile manufacturers to improve the GHG performance of their vehicle fleet; for model year 2016 vehicles, companies must reduce the fleet average quantity of GHG emissions per vehicle mile 30% below the 2002 model year baseline.

S. 1168

Alexander

Clean Air/Climate Change Act of 2007

Introduced April 19, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Creates a "multi-pollutant" cap-and-trade program that requires reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury (Hg), and carbon dioxide (CO2); CO2 reductions apply to electric-generating units (above 25 MW) in the 48 contiguous states; CO2 emissions capped at 2.3 billion metric tons (tonnes) in 2011, declining to 1.5 billion tonnes in 2025.

S. 1177

Carper

Clean Air Planning Act of 2007

Introduced April 20, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Creates a "multi-pollutant" cap-and-trade program that requires reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury (Hg), and carbon dioxide (CO2); CO2 reductions apply to electric-generating units (above 25 MW); CO2 emissions capped at 2.47 billion metric tonnes in 2012, declining by 1% annually beginning in 2016, and by 1.5% beginning in 2020.

S. 1201

Sanders

Clean Power Act of 2007

Introduced April 24, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Creates a "multi-pollutant" cap-and-trade program that requires reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury (Hg), and carbon dioxide (CO2); CO2 reductions apply to electric generating units (above 25 MW); CO2 emissions capped at 2.3 billion metric tons (tonnes) in 2011, declining to 1.5 billion tonnes in 2025, and incrementally thereafter until 2050.

Creates a new Low-Carbon Generation Requirement and credit trading program beginning in 2015; creates new Energy Efficiency Performance Standard and credit program beginning in 2008; creates a Renewable Portfolio Standard and credit program, beginning in 2008; requires final geological CO2 disposal standards within six years of enactment and biological sequestration standards within two years of enactment.

S. 1297

Boxer

Advanced Clean Fuels Act of 2007

Introduced May 3, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Amends the Clean Air Act to establish a program within EPA to determine the life-cycle GHG emissions of motor fuels; requires applicable parties (generally those that produce or supply the fuels to the U.S. market) to reduce the average life-cycle GHG emissions per unit of energy delivered to a motor vehicle; by the end of 2011, the average life-cycle GHG emissions must be at least equal to the 2008 baseline (as determined by EPA), by the end of 2015, 5% below baseline, and by the end of 2020, 10% below baseline; the reduction program would be implemented through a credit trading system.

Amends the Clean Air Act to establish a program within EPA to reduce life-cycle GHG emissions of motor fuels; implements reduction requirements through a credit trading system.

S. 1321

Bingaman

Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007

Introduced May 7, 2007; reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources May 7, 2007 (S.Rept. 110-65)

(companion to H.R. 2556)

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by enhancing the carbon capture research and development program; directs the Department of the Interior to complete a national assessment of geologic storage capacity for CO2; instructs the Department of Energy to implement a program to demonstrate technologies for the large-scale capture of CO2 from industrial sources of CO2.

S. 1324

Obama

National Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Act of 2007

Introduced May 7, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Amends the Clean Air Act to establish a program within EPA to determine the life-cycle GHG emissions of motor fuels; requires applicable parties (generally those that produce or supply the fuels to the U.S. market) to reduce average life-cycle GHG emissions per unit of energy delivered to a motor vehicle; by 2011, the average life-cycle GHG emissions must be substantially equivalent to the baseline (as determined by EPA and based on average of years 2005-2007), by 2015, 5% below baseline, and by 2020, 10% below baseline; subject to EPA assessment, further reductions would be required every subsequent five years beyond 2020; the reduction program would be implemented through a credit trading system.

S. 1387

Klobuchar

Federal Greenhouse Gas Registry Act of 2008

Introduced May 14, 2007; reported (with an amendment in the nature of a substitute) by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works September 24, 2008 (S.Rept. 110-491)

Directs EPA to establish a mandatory GHG inventory, registry, and information system; this would build upon the statutory requirement included in 110-161 (described above); requires "affected facilities" to submit quarterly reports to EPA documenting GHG emissions; requires emission reporting to begin by January 1, 2011.

The definition of "affected facility" is similar to the list of covered sources under several cap-and-trade proposals, including S. 2191 and S. 3036.

S. 1411

Lautenberg

Federal Government Greenhouse Gas Registry Act of 2007

Introduced May 16, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Amends the Clean Air Act to create a Federal Emissions Inventory Office within EPA to annually measure and report on the GHG emissions of federal agencies.

S. 1419

Reid

Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2007 (Title III of bill)

Introduced May 17, 2007; [inserted into S.Amdt. 1502 to H.R. 6, which became P.L. 110-140]

Among other provisions, amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by enhancing the carbon capture research and development program; directs the Department of the Interior to complete a national assessment of geologic storage capacity for CO2; instructs the Department of Energy to implement a program to demonstrate technologies for the large-scale capture of CO2 from industrial sources of CO2.

S. 1424

Schumer

Farm, Nutrition, and Community Investment Act of 2007

Introduced May 17, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Finance

Among other provisions, sets up grant program for applicable universities to conduct climate change research, including the use of land management practices to increase soil carbon sequestration and the effects on agriculture of increased GHGs and global warming.

S. 1508

Dorgan

Clean Energy Production Tax Incentives Act of 2007

Introduced May 24, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Finance

Among other provisions, provides tax incentives for capturing and sequestering CO2 (or reinjecting it for enhanced oil recovery).

S. 1538

Rockefeller

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

Introduced May 31, 2007; reported to the Senate by the Select Committee on Intelligence May 31, 2007 (S.Rept. 110-75); to the Senate by the Committee on Armed Services June 26, 2007 (S.Rept. 110-92); incorporated into H.R. 2082 as amendment October 3, 2007 (see H.R. 2082 for status)

Among other provisions, requires Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on the anticipated geopolitical effects of global climate change and the implications of such effects on the national security of the United States.

S. 1547

Levin

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

Introduced June 5, 2007; reported by the Senate Committee on Armed Services June 5, 2007 (S.Rept. 110-77); referred to Select Committee on Intelligence

(companion to H.R. 1585 and H.R. 4986—the latter became P.L. 110-181)

Among other provisions, requires the Department of Defense to assess the risks of projected climate change to the department's facilities, capabilities, and missions.

S. 1554

Collins

Energy Independence, Clean Air, and Climate Security Act of 2007

Introduced June 6, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Finance

Creates a "multi-pollutant" cap-and-trade program that requires reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury (Hg), and carbon dioxide (CO2); CO2 reductions apply to electric-generating units (above 15 MW); CO2 emissions capped at 2.05 billion tons in 2022, with further declines if the EPA determines the levels "are not reasonably anticipated to protect public health or welfare or the environment."

Amends the Clean Air Act to establish a program within EPA to determine the life-cycle GHG emissions of motor fuels; requires applicable parties (generally those that produce or supply these fuels to the U.S. market) to reduce the average life-cycle GHG emissions per unit of energy delivered to a motor vehicle; by the end of 2011, the average life-cycle GHG emissions must be at least equal to the 2008 baseline (as determined by EPA), by the end of 2015, 5% below baseline, and by the end of 2020, 10% below baseline; the reduction program would be implemented through a credit trading system.

Sets up grant program to support research involving low-carbon fuels; creates a program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct research regarding abrupt climate change.

S. 1581

Lautenberg

Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2007

Introduced June 7, 2007; reported by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation May 22, 2008 (H.Rept. 110-339) (companion to H.R. 4174)

Directs the President to establish or designate an interagency committee on ocean acidification, chaired NOAA and comprised of senior representatives from the National Science Foundation, NASA, USGS, the Fish and Wildlife Service; directs the committee to develop a strategic research and implementation plan for Federal activities; requires the committee to submit the plan to Congress 18 months after enactment of legislation; the plan shall include research on the relationship between GHG emissions and ocean acidification, and the biological and socio-economic impacts of ocean acidification; creates an ocean acidification program within NOAA to carry out the plan by overseeing research projects and issuing research grants.

S. 1602

Hagel

Clean, Reliable, Efficient and Secure Energy Act of 2007

Introduced June 12, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the voluntary GHG reporting program (Section 1605(b) of that act) to encourage new and increased voluntary efforts to reduce, avoid, or sequester emissions of GHGs; directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program that would provide annual public recognition to persons and entities demonstrating GHG reduction, avoidance, or sequestration.

Instructs the National Academy of Sciences (under direction of the Department of Energy) to study the uses, including industrial applications, for captured CO2 other than sequestration, enhanced oil recovery, or carbon trading.

Directs the Department of the Interior to complete a national assessment of geological storage capacity for CO2; establishes a Regulatory Reform for Carbon Sequestration Commission that would identify any regulatory barriers to siting new manufacturing facilities, power plants, and other necessary infrastructure in close proximity to the potential CO2 storage sites identified in the national assessment.

S. 1696

Feinstein

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Introduced June 26, 2007; reported by the Senate Committee on Appropriations June 26, 2007 (S.Rept. 110-91); included in H.R. 2764 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008), which was signed into law December 26, 2007 (P.L. 110-161)

Provides funding for EPA to use its existing authority under the Clean Air Act to develop and publish a rule requiring mandatory reporting of GHG emissions above appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the economy; the bill requires EPA to publish the final rule no later than December 31, 2008 (date extended in P.L. 110-161).

S. 1766

Bingaman

Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007

Introduced July 11, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Creates a comprehensive GHG cap-and-trade program that would take effect in 2012; regulates emissions from natural gas and petroleum at point of production ("upstream") and from coal at point of combustion ("downstream"); sets target of reducing emissions to 2006 levels by 2020 and 1990 levels by 2030; provides a safety-valve whereby regulated entities can purchase additional allowances at ceiling price, which is initially set at $12 per metric ton of CO2-equivalent, but increases incrementally each year; allowance allocation includes for free allocation, auctions, and set-aside allowances for specific purposes; requires countries not taking comparable emission control action to submit special allowances (or their foreign equivalent) to accompany exports to the United States of any covered greenhouse-intensive goods and primary products.

S. 1874

Landrieu

Containing and Managing Climate Change Costs Efficiently Act

Introduced July 25, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Supplements any enacted GHG emission reduction program (created through other legislation) by establishing a Carbon Market Efficiency Board; the board would observe the national GHG emission market and determine if the cost of GHG emission permits would pose significant harm to the economy; in the event of such a determination, the board may take cost-relief actions, primarily by expanding allowance borrowing opportunities.

S. 2149

Dorgan

Coal Fuels and Industrial Gasification Demonstration and Development Act of 2007

Introduced October 4, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Finance

Amends Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish grant and loan program to support development of clean coal technologies, including capture and sequestration; creates a tax credit for facilities employing carbon capture and sequestration technology.

S. 2155

Byrd

International Clean Energy Technologies Deployment and Global Energy Markets Investment Act of 2007

Introduced October 4, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Directs the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, to support deployment of clean energy technology in developing nations; creates pilot program that provides financial support to demonstration projects.

S. 2191

Lieberman

Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008

Introduced October 18, 2007; reported (with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, S.Rept. 110-337) by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works May 20, 2008; see S. 3036, which was considered by the Senate the week of June 2, 2008

Creates a comprehensive (covers the electric generation, industrial, and transportation sectors) GHG emissions cap-and-trade program that takes effect in 2012; cap reduces emissions to 15% below 2005 levels in 2020, with declines reaching 70% below 2005 levels by 2050; establishes a Carbon Market Efficiency Board to observe the allowance market and implement cost-relief measures if necessary; allows for banking and borrowing of emissions allowances; allows covered facilities to use offsets to meet 30% of allowance submissions (15% from domestic and 15% from international); allocation system auctions 18% of allowances in 2012, increasing to 73% by 2036; auction revenues support various objectives, including energy assistance for low-income households, adaptation to climate change, technology deployment for renewable energy and advanced coal technologies; starting in 2018, requires nations without comparable emission controls to submit international reserve allowances (or foreign equivalents) with exports of any covered GHG intensive goods and primary products to the United States; creates new efficiency standards for appliances and buildings.

S. 2204

Whitehouse

Global Warming Wildlife Survival Act

Introduced October 18, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Directs the Department of Interior to establish a national strategy for assisting wildlife populations and wildlife habitats in adapting to climate change; creates a National Global Warming and Wildlife Science Center within the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct research; establishes a wildlife conservation grant program for states and tribes.

Directs Department of Commerce to devise a national strategy concerning coastal and marine ecosystems and climate change impacts; instructs the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to prepare a report on these issues.

Directs USGS to convene regional meetings to discuss imperiled species in relevant region; instructs the NAS to issue report, based on meetings' findings, that assesses the impacts of global warming on imperiled species.

S. 2211

Whitehouse

Global Warming and Acidification Coastal and Ocean Resiliency Act

Introduced October 19, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Directs the Department of Commerce to develop a national strategy to prepare coastal and marine ecosystems for stresses associated with global warming, including relative sea level rise and ocean acidification; provides for grants to carry out this strategy; instructs the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to prepare a report on these issues.

Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 by instructing the Department of Commerce to develop and implement plans to help coastal communities prepare for climate change; authorizes grant program for this purpose.

S. 2307

Kerry

Global Change Research Improvement Act of 2007

Introduced November 5, 2007; reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation May 22, 2008 (S.Rept. 110-341)

Amends the Global Change Research Act of 1990: directs the President to provide a five-year national strategic plan to address the impacts of climate change within the United States;

Requires the Department of Commerce to conduct regional assessments to identify key vulnerabilities of coastal and ocean areas and resources from hazards associated with climate change and ocean acidification; directs Commerce to submit an agency-specific, coastal adaptation plan that includes recommendations (on the regional level) for strategies to address coastal and ocean impacts; establishes grant program within Commerce to support adaptation efforts in coastal states.

S. 2355

Cantwell

Climate Change Adaptation Act

Introduced November 14, 2007; reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation June 5, 2008 (S.Rept. 110-347)

Amends the National Climate Program Act (P.L. 95-367) to require the President to prepare a five-year national strategy for addressing the impacts of climate change in the United States;

Instructs the Secretary of Commerce to (1) coordinate (with state and local entities) and support regional assessments of the vulnerability of ocean and coastal resources; (2) prepare a national coastal and ocean adaptation plan, which includes region-specific plans; (3) provide (through NOAA) assistance to state and local governments as they implement adaptation or mitigation strategies; and (4) issue grants to support state and local efforts.

S. 2423

Feinstein

Emission Allowance Market Transparency Act of 2007

Introduced December 6, 2007; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Would supplement a federal, market-based emission control program by directing the EPA to issue regulations to facilitate price transparency in markets for the sale of emission allowances.

S. 2739

Bingaman

Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008

Introduced March 10, 2008; passed Senate April 10, 2008; passed House April 29, 2008; signed into law May 8, 2008 (P.L. 110-229) (related to H.R. 1126)

Among other provisions, requires the Secretary of Energy, when reviewing research and development activities for possible inclusion in the steel research and development initiative, to expand the plan in order to consider among steel project priorities the development of technologies which reduce GHG emissions.

S. 3036

Boxer

Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008

Introduced May 20, 2008; considered by the Senate the week of June 2, 2008

This bill would be identical to the reported version of S. 2191, except that S. 3036 contains a budget amendment aimed at making the bill revenue-neutral. This would entail devoting a percentage of auction revenues to offset budget deficits that are projected to occur due to the cap-and-trade program.

S.Res. 30

Biden

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the need for the United States to address global climate change through the negotiation of fair and effective international commitments

Introduced January 16, 2007; reported by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations March 29, 2007

(companion of H.Con.Res. 104)

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should participate in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with the objective of securing United States participation in binding agreements that advance and protect the economic and national security interests of the United States; establish mitigation commitments by all major greenhouse gas emitters; establish flexible international mechanisms to minimize the cost of reduction efforts; and achieve a significant long-term reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that a bipartisan Senate observer group be established to monitor any international negotiations on climate change and ensure that the advice and consent function of the Senate is exercised in a manner to facilitate timely consideration of any applicable treaty submitted to the Senate.

HOUSE BILLS

H.R. 620

Olver

Climate Stewardship Act of 2007

Introduced January 22, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and two other committees

(companion to S. 280)

Creates a GHG cap-and-trade program that covers the electric power, transportation, industry, and commercial sectors (accounting for about 85% of U.S. GHG emissions); by 2050, the emissions cap would decline to approximately 70% below 1990 levels.

Calls for studies on the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems and communities, and the world's poor, among others; requires an assessment of adaptation technologies; creates a national GHG database; mandates a periodic review of target adequacy by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, which oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

H.R. 823

Welch

None

Introduced February 5, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and two other committees

Authorizes federal agencies and legislative branch offices to purchase qualified tradeable: (1) GHG offsets and (2) renewable energy credits.

H.R. 906

Udall

Global Change Research and Data Management Act of 2007

Introduced February 7, 2007; reported by the House Committee on Science and Technology April 24, 2008 (H.Rept. 110-605)

Establishes an interagency United States Global Change Research Program to improve understanding of global change and to provide periodic assessments of the vulnerability of the United States and other regions to global change; creates an Office of Global Change Research Information; directs the Secretary of State to initiate discussions with other nations leading toward international protocols and other agreements to coordinate global climate change research activities.

H.R. 1126

Lipinski

None

Introduced February 16, 2007; passed House March 12, 2007; reported by Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources September 17, 2007 (S.Rept. 110-181); see S. 2739, which became P.L. 110-229

Requires the Secretary of Energy, when reviewing research and development activities for possible inclusion in the steel research and development initiative, to expand the plan in order to consider among steel project priorities the development of technologies which reduce GHG emissions.

H.R. 1215

Rogers

None

Introduced February 22, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and House Committee on Science and Technology

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to instruct the Secretary of Energy to make loan guarantee commitments to domestic motor vehicle manufacturers and suppliers for advanced conservation and fuel efficiency technology projects for gasoline and diesel vehicles, flexible fuel vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles that reduce dependence on oil and reduce GHG emissions.

H.R. 1424

Kennedy

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

Introduced March 9, 2007; passed House March 5, 2008; passed Senate October 1, 2008; signed into law October 3, 2008 (P.L. 110-343)

Among many other provisions, offers a tax credit for select (geologic) carbon sequestration activities; directs the Department of Treasury to enter into an agreement with National Academy of Sciences to "undertake a comprehensive review of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to identify the types of and specific tax provisions that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and to estimate the magnitude of those effects;" directs NAS to report findings to Congress two years after enactment (October 3, 2010).

H.R. 1451

Lungren

New Options Petroleum Energy Conservation Act of 2007

Introduced March 9, 2007; referred to House Committee on Ways and Means, and two other committees

Among other provisions, allows a tax credit for investment in a "climate neutral combustion facility," defined as any facility that (1) burns matter to produce electricity; (2) captures and uses CO2 released during combustion to recover hydrocarbon fuel; and (3) produces no emissions of mercury or GHG and no emissions that form fine particulate, smog, or acid rain; extends through 2012 the tax credits for investment in solar energy property and for residential energy efficient property expenditures; directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to award $1 billion to the first U.S. automobile manufacturer that manufactures and sells in the United States 60,000 mid-sized sedans that operate on gasoline and can travel at 100 miles per gallon.

H.R. 1507

McDermott

Salmon Economic Analysis and Planning Act

Introduced March 13, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources

Requires the Secretary of Commerce to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for scientific analysis of federal salmon protection, restoration, and recovery actions. Part of this analysis would identify the effect of global climate change on ocean conditions and on hydrological conditions in the Snake and Columbia rivers and their salmon and steelhead-bearing tributaries; examines how such global climate change impacts might affect the federal resources necessary to achieve recovery of naturally spawning wild salmon and steelhead populations to self-sustaining, harvestable levels.

H.R. 1585

Skelton

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

Introduced March 20, 2007; passed House May 17, 2007, and Senate October 1, 2007; conference report (H.Rept. 110-477) agreed to in House December 12, 2007, and Senate December 14, 2007; vetoed by President December 28, 2007; see H.R. 4986, which became P.L. 110-181 (companion to S. 1547)

Among other provisions, requires the Department of Defense to assess the risks of projected climate change to the department's facilities, capabilities, and missions.

H.R. 1590

Waxman

Safe Climate Act of 2007

Introduced March 20, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and House Committee on Foreign Affairs

Creates an economy-wide GHG cap-and-trade program that would take effect in 2010; the cap would decline annually to reach 1990 levels by 2020; subsequent annual declines (of roughly 5% per year) would require emission reductions of approximately 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

Requires mandatory GHG emission standards for vehicles by 2010 and a new energy efficiency standard beginning in 2010; establishes a Renewable Portfolio Standard; requires a periodic review of adequacy of GHG emissions target by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS); the NAS review would take account of international activity and recommend actions for both the United States and other nations to take if the GHG targets are not likely to avoid dangerous climate change.

H.R. 1961

Markey

Global Climate Change Security Oversight Act

Introduced April 19, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Intelligence and two other committees

(companion to S. 1018)

Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a National Intelligence Estimate on the anticipated geopolitical effects of global climate change and the implications of such effects on U.S. national security; directs the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the projected impact on the military installations, capabilities, and operations of the effects of global climate change as assessed in the estimate, and to recommend research and analysis needed to further assess the impacts on the military of global climate change; requires the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the potential for (1) large migrations of people in countries of strategic interest or humanitarian concern as a response to changes in climate and the implications for U.S. security interests; and (2) diplomatic opportunities and challenges facing U.S. policymakers as a result of social, economic, or political responses of groups or nations to global climate change.

H.R. 1933

Udall

Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2007

Introduced April 18, 2007; reported by the House Committee on Science and Technology August 3, 2007 (H.Rept. 110-301) (companion to S. 962)

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to promote deployment of carbon capture and storage technology; calls for further research to develop this technology.

H.R. 2069

Stark

Save Our Climate Act of 2007

Introduced April 26, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a carbon excise tax ($10 per ton of carbon content) on any taxable fuel sold by a manufacturer, producer, or importer. Defines "taxable fuel" as coal (including lignite and peat), petroleum and any petroleum product, and natural gas.

H.R. 2082

Reyes

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

Introduced May 1, 2007; passed House May 11, 2007; passed Senate October 3, 2007; House agreed to conference report (H.Rept. 110-478) December 13, 2007; Senate agreed February 13, 2008; President vetoed March 8, 2008; veto override failed March 11, 2008 (companion to S. 1538)

Section 407 requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a national intelligence estimate on anticipated geopolitical effects of global climate change and its implications on U.S. national security.

*The Conference Report (agreed to by the House) does not include this provision. The report stated:

The conference report also eliminates Section 407 of the House bill, which would have required the DNI to submit a National Intelligence Estimate on the anticipated geopolitical effects of global climate change on the national security of the United States. The conferees remain fully committed to this assessment. The conferees note the DNI has stated that work on such a national intelligence assessment has already begun. The conferees expect that the national intelligence assessment will be transmitted to Congress in a timely manner.

H.R. 2144

DeLauro

Farm, Nutrition, and Community Investment Act of 2007

Introduced May 3, 2007; referred to the House Agriculture Committee and three other committees

Among other provisions, amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 by establishing the climate carbon cycle, renewable energy, and climate change research program; instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants to eligible universities to conduct the research.

H.R. 2215

Inslee

To provide a reduction in the aggregate greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy consumed by vehicles and aircraft, and for other purposes.

Introduced May 8, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Directs the EPA to establish low carbon fuel performance standards that would apply in 2015.

H.R. 2337

Rahall

Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007

Introduced May 16, 2007; reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources August 3, 2007 (H.Rept. 110-296)

Title IV requires the Department of the Interior (DOI) to complete a national assessment of capacity for the geologic storage of CO2; requires the DOI to assess the amount of carbon stored in various ecosystems, and the processes related to terrestrial sequestration, including land management practices that may improve sequestration; directs the DOI to maintain an inventory of the amount of CO2 stored from federal leases; requires the DOI to report to Committee on Natural Resources on a recommended regulatory and certification framework for conducting geological carbon sequestration activities on federal lands; directs the DOI to promulgate a national strategy for mitigating the impacts of global warming on wildlife populations in the United States.

H.R. 2338

Dicks

Global Warming Wildlife Survival Act

Introduced May 16, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and House Committee on Agriculture

Directs the Department of the Interior (DOI) to promulgate a national strategy for mitigating the impacts of global warming on wildlife populations in the United States (note: similar, if not identical, to Title IV, Subtitle D of H.R. 2337)

H.R. 2342

Allen

National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Act of 2007

Introduced May 16, 2007; reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources and (H.Rept. 110-558) passed House March 31, 2008

Establishes a National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System composed of federal and non-federal components; authorizes research activities regarding climate change, particularly effects on coastal waters and Great Lakes.

H.R. 2420

Lantos

International Climate Cooperation Re-engagement Act of 2007

Introduced May 22, 2007; reported from the House Committee on Foreign Affairs June 28, 2007 (H.Rept. 110-215)

Establishes within the Department of State an Office on Global Climate Change; promotes clean and efficient technologies in developing countries; creates International Clean Energy Foundation within the executive branch that serves the long-term foreign policy and energy security goals of reducing global GHG emissions.

H.R. 2447

Wynn

Energy and Environment Block Grant Act of 2007

Introduced May 23, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and House Committee on Science and Technology

Establishes Energy and Environment Block Grant Program within the Department of Energy to award grants to eligible cities/counties to support local GHG reduction activities.

H.R. 2483

Hall

Energy for America Act

Introduced May 24, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology

Title VIII requires the Secretary of Energy to submit to the Congress the results of a study on the feasibility of large-scale biological sequestration of CO2 for coal power systems, including an analysis of the feasibility of creating a closed loop carbon cycle through biological sequestration.

H.R. 2556

Wilson

Energy Savings Act of 2007

Introduced May 24, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and four other committees

(companion to S. 1321)

Title III (Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2007) amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by enhancing the carbon capture research and development program; directs the Department of the Interior to complete a national assessment of geologic storage capacity for CO2; instructs Department of Energy to implement program to demonstrate technologies for the large-scale capture of CO2 from industrial sources of CO2.

H.R. 2635

Waxman

Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007

Introduced June 7, 2007, reported by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee August 3, 2007 (H.Rept. 110-297)

Requires each federal agency to provide an annual report of its GHG emissions for the preceding fiscal year; calls for the EPA to develop GHG reduction targets for the combined federal agencies; beginning in FY2011, each agency would freeze its proportionate share of emissions at 2010 levels and decrease, at a minimum, by 2% each fiscal year, so as to achieve zero net annual GHG emissions from the agencies by FY2050; directs various agencies to study management policies that could enhance net biological sequestration of GHGs and reduce negative impacts of global warming on ecosystems; mandates that federal vehicle fleet meet GHG emission standards developed by California (standards would take effect when they are applicable in California).

H.R. 2651

Engel

Greenhouse Gas Accountability Act of 2007

Introduced June 11, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and House Committee on Financial Services

Requires large, publicly traded companies and significant emitters of GHGs to report their emissions to the EPA.

H.R. 3031

Inslee

Advanced Design in Energy for Living Efficiently Act of 2007

Introduced July 12, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and five other committees.

Directs the National Institute of Building Sciences to establish GHG emissions standards for the construction of new commercial and residential buildings; compared to a 2003 baseline, the standards will require emission reductions of 40% by 2010 and 70% by 2020; states must adopt and fully implement the standards (or demonstrate that technical barriers exist that prevent such adoption and implementation) in order to receive federal funding provided by the act, which includes loan guarantees and block grants.

H.R. 3093

Mollohan

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Introduced July 19, 2007; included in H.R. 2764 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008), which was signed into law December 26, 2007 (P.L. 110-161).

Directs the National Academies to establish a Climate Change Study Committee that will study various climate change issues and make recommendations regarding response actions.

H.R. 3221

Pelosi

New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act

Introduced July 30, 2007; passed House August 4, 2007 (companion to Senate Version of H.R. 6, which was signed into law December 19, 2007 (P.L. 110-140))

Among other provisions, creates Ambassador at Large for Global Climate Change; promotes domestic and international deployment of mitigation technologies; requires further research concerning various climate-related issues; calls for a national assessment of the geological storage capacity of CO2; sets target for federal agencies to stabilize GHG emissions in FY2011, decrease emissions thereafter, and be carbon neutral by 2050.

H.R. 3274

Israel

United States-China Energy Cooperation Act

Introduced August 1, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and House Committee on Science and Technology

Promotes cooperation between the United States and China on joint energy and climate change projects, such as carbon capture and sequestration technology; provides grants to eligible projects on condition that federal funding is recouped if a project leads to the development of a product or process that is marketed or used.

H.R. 3416

Larson

America's Energy Security Trust Fund Act of 2007

Introduced August 3, 2007; referred to the House Ways and Means Committee

Establishes a carbon tax on coal, petroleum, and natural gas, based on their CO2 content; levies a $15/ton tax, which increases each year; tax revenues used to 1) support technology development, 2) alleviate burden on carbon-intensive industries, and 3) provide rebates to workers based on payroll tax payments; grants tax credits for qualified offset project.

H.R. 3448

Waxman

Global Climate and Ozone Layer Protection Act of 2007

Introduced August 3, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Expresses need for the United States to negotiate an accelerated phase out of ozone-depleting chemicals under the Montreal Protocol; amends the Clean Air Act to strengthen domestic regulation of ozone-depleting chemicals, which have relatively strong global warming potential.

H.R. 3989

McHugh

Healthy Air and Clean Water Act

Introduced October 29, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and three other committees

Creates a cap-and-trade program for CO2 emissions at coal-fired power plants (above 25 MW); by January 1, 2015, CO2 emission levels capped at 2005 levels, decreasing periodically to 20% below 2005 levels by 2050; directs EPA to develop program details, but requires 100% of emission allowances to be auctioned, with revenues supporting development of renewable energies; in addition to CO2 provisions, requires emission reductions in mercury (Hg) from coal-fired power plants (above 25 MW) and further reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from all power plants above 25 MW capacity.

H.R. 4174

Allen

Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2007

Introduced November 14, 2007; reported by the House Committee on Science and Technology (H.Rept. 110-749) and passed House July 9, 2008 (companion to S. 1581)

Establishes an Interagency Committee on Ocean Acidification, comprised of senior representatives from NOAA, the National Science Foundation, NASA, USGS, the Fish and Wildlife Service, EPA, and DOE; directs the Committee to develop a strategic research and implementation plan for Federal activities; requires the Committee to submit the plan to Congress 18 months after enactment of legislation; the plan shall include research on the relationship between GHG emissions and ocean acidification, and the biological and socio-economic impacts of ocean acidification; creates an ocean acidification program within NOAA to carry out the plan by overseeing research projects and issuing research grants.

H.R. 4226

Gilchrest

Climate Stewardship and Economic Security Act of 2007

Introduced November 15, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and five other committees

Creates a comprehensive GHG cap-and-trade program that covers the electric power, transportation, industrial, and commercial sectors (accounting for about 85% of U.S. GHG emissions); starting in 2012, the cap would be set at 2006 emission levels (minus annual emissions from non-covered entities) and would decline further in 2020, 2030, and 2050; by 2050, the emissions cap would decline to 25% of 2006 levels (minus annual emissions from non-covered entities);

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to (1) initiate studies on climate change impacts to coastal ecosystems and communities; (2) provide technical assistance to states concerning climate change adaptation; (3) prepare and submit an adaptation plan to Congress; and (4) study climate change impacts to the world's poor and submit report to Congress; instructs the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to create a program on adaptation technologies.

H.R. 4986

Skelton

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

Introduced January 16, 2008; signed into law January 28, 2008 (P.L. 110-181) (related to S. 1585)

Among other provisions, requires the Department of Defense to assess the risks of projected climate change to the department's facilities, capabilities, and missions.

H.R. 6186

Markey

Investing in Climate Action and Protection Act

Introduced June 4, 2008; referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and 9 other committees

Creates a comprehensive GHG cap-and-trade program that would cap emissions from covered sources at 930 million mtCO2e in 2050; covers the electric power, transportation, industrial, and commercial sectors (accounting for about 85% of U.S. GHG emissions); directs EPA to auction 94% of the emission allowances in 2012, increasing to 100% by FY2020; instructs EPA to develop emission performance standards for non-covered entities, which may include coal mines, landfills, wastewater treatment operations, and animal feeding operations.

H.R. 6316

Doggett

Climate Market, Auction, Trust & Trade Emissions Reduction System Act of 2008

Introduced June 19, 2008; referred to the House Ways and Means Committee and eight other committees

Creates a comprehensive GHG cap-and-trade program that would cap emissions from covered sources at 348 million mtCO2e in 2050; directs EPA to develop regulations that prevent growth in emissions from non-covered entities; instructs EPA to auction 85% of its emission allowances in 2012, increasing to 100% by FY2020.

H.Con.Res. 96

Dicks

Expressing the sense of the Congress that there should be enacted a mandatory national program to slow, stop, and reverse emissions of greenhouse gases

Introduced March 21, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Expresses the sense of the Congress that Congress should enact a comprehensive, mandatory, market-based program to slow, stop, and reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions at a rate and in a manner that will not significantly harm the United States economy, and will encourage comparable action by other nations that are major trading partners and key contributors to global emissions.

H.Con.Res. 104

Carnahan

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the need for the United States to address global climate change through the negotiation of fair and effective international commitments

Introduced March 29, 2007; referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs

(companion of S.Res. 30)

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should participate in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with the objective of securing United States participation in binding agreements that advance and protect the economic and national security interests of the United States; establish mitigation commitments by all major greenhouse gas emitters; establish flexible international mechanisms to minimize the cost of reduction efforts; and achieve a significant long-term reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Would also establish a bipartisan House observer group to monitor any international negotiations on climate change; and ensure that the advice and consent function of the Senate is exercised in a manner to facilitate timely consideration of any applicable treaty submitted to the Senate.

Footnotes

1.

Congressional resolutions that address climate change-related issues, but do not directly call for action on greenhouse gas emissions, are likewise not included in this report.
2.

See CRS Report RL33801, Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), by [author name scrubbed].
3.

The legislative proposals that led to P.L. 110-246 are not included in the appendixes of this report. For more information, see CRS Report RL34696, The 2008 Farm Bill: Major Provisions and Legislative Action, by [author name scrubbed] et al.
4.

See CRS Report RL34042, Environmental Services Markets in the 2008 Farm Bill, by [author name scrubbed].
5.

For more information on the science and policy of global climate change, see CRS Report RL33849, Climate Change: Science and Policy Implications, by [author name scrubbed].
6.

President Clinton did not submit the Protocol to the Senate for advice and consent because the Senate was on record in mid-1997 (S.Res. 98), objecting to a treaty that had no mandatory obligations for developing countries. For more discussion, see CRS Report RL33826, Climate Change: The Kyoto Protocol, Bali "Action Plan," and International Actions, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].
7.

These reports are issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, and are available at http://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/index.html.
8.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Inventory of U.S. GHG Emissions and Sinks 1990-2005, p. ES-14. Additional sources are agriculture (8%), commerce (6%), and residential activities (5%).
9.

For more information, see CRS Report RL33812, Climate Change: Action by States to Address Greenhouse Gas Emissions, by [author name scrubbed].
10.

President Bush has articulated the goal of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions intensity—the ratio of GHG emissions to economic output. However, that goal is voluntary, not mandatory.
11.

For more discussion of the different emission reduction policy options, see CRS Report RL33799, Climate Change: Design Approaches for a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program, by [author name scrubbed].
12.

For detailed information on GHG reduction bills, see CRS Report RL33846, Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Cap-and-Trade Bills in the 110th Congress, by [author name scrubbed], [author name scrubbed], and [author name scrubbed].
13.

A hybrid of cap-and-trade and carbon tax schemes would require tradeable emissions permits, but establish a "safety valve" price. In this case, if the market value of a permit remains below a set price—the safety valve—the emissions targets will be achieved at low cost. If prices rise above the safety valve, covered entities can purchase an unlimited number of permits from the government. In this way, the overall price to covered entities—and the economy—is limited, but specific emission reduction targets may not be reached. However, no such bills have been introduced in the 110th Congress.
14.

For more information on multi-pollutant bills, see CRS Report RL34018, Air Quality: Multi-Pollutant Legislation in the 110th Congress, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].
15.

This bill would not create a GHG reduction program, but would limit the costs of such a program if enacted through other legislation.
16.

This bill would not create a GHG reduction program, but would supplement a market-based emission trading program enacted by Congress.
17.

This bill uses a carbon tax approach. Other economy-wide GHG reduction bills would establish or authorize a cap-and-trade system.
18.

This bill uses a carbon tax approach. Other economy-wide GHG reduction bills would establish or authorize a cap-and-trade system.
19.

The legislative proposals that led to P.L. 110-246 are not included in the appendixes of this report. For more information, see CRS Report RL34696, The 2008 Farm Bill: Major Provisions and Legislative Action.
20.

The House passed H.R. 6 January 18, 2007, but the House version does not contain research provisions regarding carbon capture and storage.