Climate-Friendly Technology Proposals from the 110th Congress

S. 1133: Clean Coal Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment Act, which, among other things, would promote the development and deployment of technologies that would capture and sequester CO₂ emissions from powerplants that utilize coal.

(2 Cosponsors)

S. 1151: Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act, which is identical to S. 342 except that it also increases the incentives for development of climate-friendly technologies, including integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) advanced coal power generating facilities that use carbon capture technology with geological storage of GHGs; advanced nuclear reactors; large-scale biofuels facilities that maximize cellulosic biomass use, and large scale solar power facilities.

Sponsor: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) (1 Cosponsors)

S. 1281: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, which, among other things, would authorize NASA to establish a zero-emissions aircraft research program to develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft that would release no nitrogen oxide emissions into the environment.

Sponsor: Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) (4 Cosponsors)

S. 245: Abrupt Climate Change Research Act, which would establish a research program to understand, assess, and predict human-induced and natural processes of abrupt climate change.

(5 Cosponsors)

S. 2993: Strategic Energy Fund Act, which, among other things, would increase the tax incentive for using CO₂ captured from industrial sources for enhanced oil and natural gas recovery, and establish the position at the Department of Energy of Assistant Secretary for Advanced Energy Research, Technology Development, and Deployment, part of whose mission it is to significantly reduce GHG emissions by promoting climate-friendly technologies and practices.

Sponsor: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)

S. 3698: Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act, which would reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 20 percent of 1990 levels by 2050, and authorizes the establishment of emissions markets to meet these targets. The bill would also set GHG emission standards for automobile fleets and electric generation facilities identical to those enacted by the state of California. The bill would also authorize EPA to accelerate the reductions if the National Academy of Sciences reports that global atmospheric concentrations in excess of 450 ppm CO₂ equivalent or an increase of global average temperatures above 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees C) have occurred or are more likely than not to occur in the foreseeable future. Additionally, the bill would set energy efficiency improvement standards and renewable energy standards for retail electricity suppliers as well as require all major stationary sources of GHG pollution report their emissions on an annual basis. The bill would also establish a task force to support the development and implementation of low-carbon energy technologies in developing countries, set a goal for the renewable content of gasoline and mandate that corporations inform investors of the potential impacts of global warming on corporate interests.

Sponsor: Sen. James Jeffords (I-VT) (10 Cosponsors)

S. 373: Renewable Hydrogen Passenger Vehicle Act, which, in a bill that promotes the use of passenger vehicles using hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources, finds that for permanent reductions GHG emissions, Congress should establish as a national goal the development of renewable hydrogen as a clean effective energy carrier.

Sponsor: Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)

S. 665: Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Act, which would require DOE to conduct a R&D program on hydrogen energy and fuel cell technology which, among other things, reduce “carbon footprints” – i.e., the sum of carbon equivalent emissions from all energy conversion processes occurring from raw material through hydrogen production, distribution, and use.

Sponsor: Sen. Byron Dorgan (N-ND) (5 Cosponsors)

S. 726: Natural Gas Price Reduction Act, which would, among other things, make federal financial assistance for a gasification plant contingent in part on a determination that the plant would be carbon ready.

S. 727: Natural Gas Price Reduction Act, which would, among other things, make tax incentives for gasification combined cycle technology contingent in part on the technology being carbon-capture ready.

(2 Cosponsors)

S. 918: E-85 Fuel Utilization and Infrastructure Development Incentives Act, which would provide a retail sales credit of 35 cents for each gallon of alternative fuel, including any fuel of at least 85% ethanol, sold at retail fueling station. The bill states that high ration blend gasoline has the benefit of reducing GHG emissions.

Sponsor: Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) (3 Cosponsors)

S. 927: Fuel Cell And Hydrogen Technology Study, which would require DOE to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to provide a budget roadmap for the development of fuel cell technologies and the transition from petroleum to hydrogen in a significant percentage of the vehicles sold by 2020, and which would consider whether other technologies would be less expensive or could be more quickly implemented than fuel cell technologies to achieve significant reductions in CO₂ emissions.

Sponsor: Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)

S. 957: Clean Coal Power Initiative Act, which, among other things, would provide financial assistance for coal-based gasification projects with priority given to those that separate or capture CO₂, and would authorize funding for R&D for CO₂ capture technology.

(1 Cosponsors)

S. Amdt. 826: S. Amdt. 826: Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act, which increases the incentives for development of climate-friendly technologies, including integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) advanced coal power generating facilities that use carbon capture technology with geological storage of GHGs; advanced nuclear reactors; large-scale biofuels facilities that maximize cellulosic biomass use, and large scale solar power facilities. (Identical to S.1151.)

(1 Cosponsors)

S. Amdt. 868: Climate and Economy Insurance Act, which would establish an annual target for GHG emissions, though regulated entities could exceed the target by paying a “safety valve” price for emission allowances. (The bill is based on the recommendations of the National Commission on Energy Policy of $7 per ton of CO₂, released in 2004.) Would also promote the use of clean energy technologies in developing countries through provisions identical to S.745. For more information, see the Pew Center's analysis of S.Amdt.868.

Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)

S. Amdt. 953: Amendment would establish a program of carbon capture research and development at DOE.

Sponsor: Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM)

H.R. 242: Surface Transportation Research and Development Act, which, among other things, would direct the Department of Transportation to study the relationship between transportation, energy, and climate change, including strategies to reduce GHG emissions, and evaluate the potential effects of climate change on the nation’s transportation systems as part of the National Climate Change Technology Initiative and the Climate Change Research Initiative.

H.R. 243: Intelligent Transportation Systems Act, which authorizes the Department of Transportation to study the relationship between transportation, energy, and climate change, including strategies to reduce GHG emissions, and evaluate the potential effects of climate change on the nation’s transportation systems as part of the National Climate Change Technology Initiative and the Climate Change Research Initiative.

H.R. 2828: H.R. 2828: New Apollo Energy Act, which includes a slightly modified version of H.R. 759. The bill would also, among other things, establish a national goal of reducing total CO₂ emissions in the United States to the 2000 level by 2015; authorize a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of carbon sequestration and carbon recapture methods with the goal of sequestering 20% of US GHG emissions from stationary sources by 2010, 40% by 2015, and 60% by 2020; create tax incentives for emission control systems that removes or reduces at least 90% of CO₂ emissions; guarantee up to 80% of the principal of any loan for a coal-burning power plant that sequesters at least 90% of its CO₂ emissions; authorize a pilot program for financial assistance for projects in developing countries that result in a GHG reduction per unit of energy produced (compared to the technology that would otherwise be implemented) of at least 20% for a unit in service before 2010; 40% if put in service between 2010 and 2020; or 60% if put in service between 2020 and 2030.

Sponsor: Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) (21 Cosponsors)

H.R. 3070: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, which, among other things, would authorize NASA to establish a zero-emissions aircraft research program to develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft that would release no NOx emissions into the environment.

(1 Cosponsors)

H.R. 5049: Keep America Competitive Global Warming Policy Act, which would establish a market-based system to regulate GHG emissions. The bill includes a “safety valve” provision that would enable corporations to purchase an unlimited number of additional emission allowances at the set price of $25 per ton of carbon (equal to about $7 per ton of CO₂) should they be unable to satisfy their emissions reduction obligations through permits traded on the market. The bill also provides for the establishment of an Advanced Research Projects Agency within the Department of Energy to engage in advanced energy research, technology development and deployment.

(1 Cosponsors)

H.R. 5372: Bioenergy Innovation, Optional Fuel Utilization, and Energy Legacy (BIOFUEL) Act, which would require that, by 2015, 20% of a ll light duty motor vehicle fuel (other than diesel fuel) sold in the United States be derived from renewable sources, and that all diesel fuel sold must contain at least 15% biodiesel. Additionally, the bill would require that, by 2013, 75 percent of all vehicles sold in the US be dual fueled, and that motor fuel retailers install E-85 fuel pumps once the flexible-fuel vehicle market penetration in a region reaches 15 percent. The bill also expresses the sense of Congress that carbon trading policies should be instituted to compensate farmers for their carbon sequestration activities.

(61 Cosponsors)

H.R. 5375: New Options for Petroleum Energy Conservation Act, which would amend the IRS code to include tax credits for electricity produced from climate neutral combustion processes which would include capturing CO₂ released during combustion and using that CO₂ to recover hydrocarbon fuel from below ground, as well as producing no atmospheric emissions of mercury or GHGs and no emissions that form fine particles, smog, or acid rain. This bill would also extend the energy credit for solar energy property and energy efficient property.

(1 Cosponsors)

H.R. 5531: A bill which finds that hybrid vehicles produce fewer GHG emissions than conventional vehicles and would require the Federal government to acquire not fewer than 50,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

H.R. 5538: Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Act, which would provide for a research and development program for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, requiring, among other things, that GHG emissions data be collected on the vehicles.

(16 Cosponsors)

H.R. 5959: To Encourage Alternatively fueled vehicle Manufacturing (TEAM) up for Energy Independence Act, which would impose an excise tax on automobiles sold in the US that are not alternative fuel vehicles, defined as vehicles that use a fuel that with 80% fewer GHG emissions than vehicles using petroleum-derived fuel, calculated over the full fuel cycle.

H.R. 722: Securing Transportation Energy Efficiency for Tomorrow Act, which, in a bill promoting climate-friendly transportation technologies, finds that the transportation sector is responsible for 27% of U.S. GHG emissions, with transportation-related emissions of CO₂ increasing by 21% between 1992 and 2002.

(29 Cosponsors)

S. Amdt. 989: Amendment would establish a program of carbon capture research and development at DOE.

Energy and Climate Change Amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2003: Energy and Climate Change Amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2003 (S. 14), which would require large GHG emitters to report and disclose their emissions. Entities could also register their GHG reductions. The amendment would also establish a National Climate Change Strategy, a White House Director of Climate Change Policy, an Office of Climate Change Technology at the Department of Energy, and a Forest Carbon Program at the Department of Agriculture.

H.R. 6 EAS: Conference Report on the Energy Policy Act of 2003, which, among other things, establishes carbon emission rate requirements that advanced clean coal technology units must meet to be eligible for a clean coal technology tax credit; extends the enhanced oil recovery credit to high volume natural gas facilities which produce carbon dioxide that is injected into hydrocarbon-bearing geological formations; authorizes a “Clean Coal Power Initiative” that reforms the existing DOE Clean Coal Technology Program, which may fund projects that include the separation and capture of carbon dioxide; directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct programs to address the production of hydrogen from fossil fuels, which may include carbon capture and sequestration; authorizes research, development, demonstration and commercial application of programs to facilitate coal-based power through carbon capture and sequestration research and development, and of ultra-deepwater exploration technologies for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration of carbon; requires a report to Congress that includes scenarios for decreasing natural gas demand and increasing natural gas supplies comparing relative economic and environmental impacts of, among other things, federal policies that encourage or require the use of natural gas to meet carbon dioxide emission reduction goals; and establishes a research, development and demonstration program in genetics, protein science, and computational biology that has the goal, among other things, of converting carbon dioxide to organic carbon. The climate titles of H.R.6 E.A.S. were not debated by the conference committee and not included in the conference report. Conference committee chairman: Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-NM).

Sponsor: Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA) (4 Cosponsors)

S. 14: The Energy Policy Act of 2003, which, among other things, would establish a Hydrogen Fuel Initiative directing research into the production of hydrogen from fossil fuels, in conjunction with carbon capture and sequestration. The bill would authorize Clean Coal Power Initiative funding for projects that include the separation and capture of carbon dioxide. The bill would also establish a Genomes to Life Program, one long-term goal of which would be the advancement of science and technology regarding the conversion of carbon dioxide to organic carbon.

Sponsor: Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-NM)

S. 1867: National Beverage Producer Responsibility Act of 2003, which, among other things, states as a finding that increasing exiting rates of reuse and recycling of beverage containers to 80 percent would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 4,000,000 tons annually, in addition to the 4,000,000 tons of emissions already being avoided through current recycling efforts. The bill would promote beverage container recycling and reuse.

Sponsor: Sen. James M. Jeffords (I-VT) (5 Cosponsors)

S. 2541: NASA Authorization Act of 2004, which, among other things, finds that an aggressive initiative by the federal government to develop aircraft technologies would reduce the rate at which greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere by aircraft. The bill also would earmark $5 million annually for climate change research.

Sponsor: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) (3 Cosponsors)

S. 2620: High-Performance Green Buildings Act, which, among other things, finds that in the US buildings generate 35% of the carbon dioxide emissions. The bill would promote buildings with reduced environmental impact.

Sponsor: Sen. James M. Jeffords (I-VT) (7 Cosponsors)

S. 597: Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2003, which, among other things, conditions tax incentives for the construction of advanced clean coal technology units on their achieving carbon emission rate requirements specified in the bill.

Sponsor: Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) (4 Cosponsors)

S. 682: The Genomes to Life Research and Development Act, which would establish a research and development program in systems biology and proteomics (a proteome is a protein complement to a genome), one long-term goal of which would be to stabilize atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide to counter global warming, and one specific goal of which would be to understand the Earth's natural carbon cycle and to create strategies to stabilize atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Sponsor: Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-NM) (3 Cosponsors)

S. 788: Second Century of Flight Act, which, among other things, would direct the Federal Aviation Administration to research emerging aircraft technologies to minimize the effects on climate change, and would direct NASA to research technologies enabling commercial aircraft to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Sponsor: Sen. Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC) (8 Cosponsors)

S. 821: Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Energy Act of 2003, which would seek, among other things, to reduce the life cycle pollution and GHG emissions from energy use by promoting, e.g., hydrogen R&D, federal purchasing of stationary fuel cells, and tax incentives for hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles and related infrastructure.

S. 824: The Aviation Administration FY2004-2006 Authorizations Act, which, among other things, would develop a research and implementation plan for the application of emerging aircraft technologies that would minimize the effects on climate change per unit of production of thrust and flight speed.

Sponsor: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) (3 Cosponsors)

H. Res. 442: Congratulating the United States nuclear energy industry on its 50th anniversary, which includes a finding that nuclear energy generates electricity without emitting greenhouse gases.

Sponsor: Rep. C.L. Otter (R-ID) (1 Cosponsors)

H.J. Res. 2: Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, which, among other things, provides $175 million to support policies and programs in developing countries and countries in transition that directly: (1) promote energy conservation, energy efficiency and clean energy; (2) measure, monitor, and reduce GHG emissions; (3) increase carbon sequestration activities; and (4) enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation programs. Also, the President must submit a report to the Appropriations Committees on federal agency obligations and expenditures, domestic and international, for climate change and technology transfer programs in fiscal year 2003. Also provides that funds may be used to support tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation activities and energy programs aimed at reducing GHG emissions.

Sponsor: Rep. C.W.

H.R. 1299: Hydrogen Fuel Act of 2003, which includes, among other things, a finding that it is in the national interest to support the development of a light duty vehicle fleet that is free or near free of GHG emissions.

Sponsor: Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY)

H.R. 1337: To encourage the development of hydroelectric projects, and for other purposes. In arguing in support of hydroelectric projects, the bill states as a finding that the U.S. currently “utilize[s] large quantities of carbon fuels for electricity generation.”

(3 Cosponsors)

H.R. 1395: To provide for the establishment of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs for fuel cell and hydrogen production, delivery, and storage technologies for transportation and stationary applications. The bill would require the Department of Energy, among other things, to award projects for hydrogen production and capture of associated carbon dioxide.

Sponsor: Rep. John B. Larson (D-CT)

H.R. 1645: To establish a research, development, and demonstration program in genetics, protein science, and computational biology of microbes and plants to support the energy and environmental mission of the Department of Energy. One goal of the program would be to develop technologies and methods based on the biological functions of microbes and plants to convert carbon dioxide to organic carbon.

Sponsor: Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert (R-NY)

H.R. 1773: George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003, which would establish a program to accelerate the use of hydrogen and related technologies in stationary and transportation applications, among other things, addressing production of hydrogen from fossil fuels, in conjunction with carbon capture and sequestration.

Sponsor: Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert (R-NY)

H.R. 1774: The Freedom Act, which promotes hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and finds, among other things, finds that it is in the national interest to develop a light duty vehicle fleet that substantially reduces dependence on foreign petroleum, assists the nation in meeting its requirements under the Clean Air Act and reduces greenhouse gas emissions in a manner that maintains the freedom of consumers to purchase the kinds of vehicles they wish to drive and the freedom to refuel those vehicles safely, affordably, and conveniently.

Sponsor: Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert (R-NY)

H.R. 1777: A bill to provide for the establishment at the Department of Energy of a program for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure. Among other things, the bill would require DOE to address the production of hydrogen from fossil fuels, which may include carbon capture and sequestration.

Sponsor: Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert (R-NY)

H.R. 2088: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003, which, among other things, would establish a multimodal energy and climate change program to study the relationship of energy, transportation, and climate change, and call for the development of strategies to reduce GHG emissions from transportation. Introduced at the request of the Bush Administration.

Sponsor: Rep. Don Young (R-AK) (3 Cosponsors)

H.R. 2115: The Aviation Administration FY2004-2006 Authorizations Act as in the conference report, which, among other things, would develop a research and implementation plan for the application of emerging aircraft technologies that would minimize the effects on climate change per unit of production of thrust and flight speed. (See S. 824. The House-passed version of H.R. 2115 did not include the climate change-related provision).

Sponsor: Rep. Don Young (R-AK) (3 Cosponsors)

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Climate-Friendly Technology Proposals from the 110th Congress