International Negotiations Proposals from the 110th Congress

S. 1007: United States-Brazil Energy Cooperation Pact of 2007. Among other provisions, the Act directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy to establish a Western Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum, which would include among its goals the facilitation of “the use of carbon sequestration methods in agriculture and forestry and linking greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs to international carbon markets.” The Act also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to work with the Government of Brazil to “facilitate joint agricultural extension activities related to biofuels crop production, biofuels production, and environmental and greenhouse gas emissions reduction practices.” Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of State to work with governments in the Western Hemisphere and other countries to organize regional and hemispheric carbon trading mechanisms under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and existing trade and financial agreements to (1) establish special carbon credits for the preservation of tropical rain forests; (2) use greenhouse gas-reducing farming practices; (3) jointly fund greenhouse gas sequestration studies and experiments in various geological formations; and (4) jointly fund climate mitigation studies in vulnerable areas in the Western Hemisphere,” and appropriates $5 million for fiscal year 2008 for said purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) (2 Cosponsors)

S. 1138: Nuclear Safeguards and Supply Act of 2007. Among other provisions, this bill would authorize the President to create bilateral and multilateral mechanisms to provide nuclear fuel to countries that uphold nonproliferation and forgo national uranium enrichment programs and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities. In its findings section, the bill cites an IAEA report which asserts that the “immense challenge of lowering greenhouse gases” is a factor in “forcing a fresh look at nuclear power.”

Sponsor: Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) (2 Cosponsors) 9/11/07: Reported by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations by voice vote.

S. 193: Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2007. Among other provisions, the Act expresses the sense of Congress that “development of renewable energy through sustainable practices will help lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and enhance international development.” The bill also directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy to establish and expand strategic energy partnerships with other countries for a variety of purposes, including carbon sequestration.

Sponsor: Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) (9 Cosponsors)

S. 2155: International Clean Energy Technologies Deployment and Global Energy Markets Investment Act of 2007. This bill would amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide assistance for activities in developing countries that include, among others, promoting clean energy and energy efficiency measures; identifying opportunities to reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gases; and monitor progress in implementing greenhouse gas reduction strategies. The bill also requires, not later than 2 years after enactment, the establishment of a pilot program to provide financial assistance for demonstration projects for clean energy and other technologies which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (compared to technologyies wich would be otherwise deployed), and requires that such projects be constructed in a developing country to produce energy which will be consumed in that country, or which will improve the efficiency of energy use in a developing country. In addition, the bill requires that if a developing country receiving assistance represents the predominant share of energy use among developing countries, then that country shall be required to report on various indicators of progress, including increased use of lower greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuel-burning technologies. The bill also requires the President to establish a Task Force on International Clean energy Technologies Cooperation.

Sponsor: Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)

S. 2191:

NOTE: For a full range of Pew Center resources for Lieberman-Warner, including in depth analysis, a longer summary, a complete timeline, and links to relevant external documents and media, please click here

The Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (L-W CSA). This bill would establish a cap-and-trade program within the United States requiring a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from covered sources, which represent over 80% of total U.S. emissions. The bill as amended also includes complementary policies, such as a low carbon fuel standard and provisions aimed at enhancing energy efficiency. Taken together, the bill’s sponsors believe these provisions will reduce overall U.S. GHG emissions roughly 63% by 2050.

The L-W CSA divides the six GHGs into two categories: Group I (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, and perfluorocarbons) and Group II (hydrofluorcarbons). For all GHGs, the bill uses the common unit of measurement CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e)—the quantity of GHGs that the U.S. EPA has determined makes the same contribution to global warming as one metric ton of CO₂. The L-W CSA would create two separate caps, one covering facilities that produce HFCs and the other covering facilities that:

· Use more that 5,000 tons of coal annually;

· Process, produce, or import natural gas;

· Produce or import petroleum or coal-based fuel that when combusted will emit a Group I GHG;

· Produce for sale or distribution or import more than 10,000 CO₂e of chemicals that are group I GHGs, assuming no capture or permanent sequestration

· Emit as a by-product of HCFC production more than 10,000 CO₂e of HFCs

Overall, the two caps combined are expected to cover over 80% of total U.S. GHG emissions, although some process related emissions are not covered.

The cap on facilities producing HFCs would start in 2010 at 300 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO₂e) and decline to 90 MMTCO₂e by 2037, remaining at that level through 2050. Emissions from all other covered facilities would be capped at 5775 MMTCO₂e in 2012, with this cap decreasing annually to 1732 MMTCO₂e in 2050. The two caps combined would result in roughly a 19% reduction from 2005 levels in 2020 and a 70% reduction from 2005 levels by 2050.

Beginning in 2012 and continuing through 2030, the L-W CSA would provide transition assistance in the form of free allowances to electric power generators (19%), manufacturers (10%), fuel producers or importers (2%), HFC producers and importers (2%), and rural electric cooperatives (1%). In addition, 5% of the total emission allowance account will be allocated to early actors from 2012-2017 and 4% for carbon, capture and sequestration activities from 2012-2030. Approximately 30.5% of the total allowance account will be set aside from 2012-2050 for other entities, including states, load-serving entities, farms and forests, coal mines, and others. Starting in 2012, 26.5% of allowances would be auctioned (including 5% for an early auction to be held shortly after enactment), with the proceeds going to energy technology deployment, low-and middle-income energy consumers, adaptation efforts in the U.S., and programs to support energy independence and national security. Over time, the auction will grow so that by 2031, 69.5% of the allowances would be auctioned and the revenue used for these purposes.

The L-W CSA allows covered facilities to satisfy up to 15% of their compliance obligation with specific domestic offsets. An additional 15% can be covered using international emission allowances. Unlimited banking is allowed and owners and operators of covered facilities can borrow up to 15% of their annual compliance obligation from future years. The L-W CSA also creates a Carbon Market Efficiency Board to monitor the carbon trading market and implement specific cost relief measures, including increased borrowing and use of offsets.

The L-W CSA includes a review of the commitments of other major-emitting nations to reduce their GHG emissions. Eight years after enactment the President is authorized to require importers of GHG emission-intensive products from countries that have not taken action comparable to the U.S. to submit credits equal to those required of domestic manufactures.

Sponsor: Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-CT) (9 Cosponsors)

11/1/07: Reported by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming by 4-3; 12/5/08: Reported by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works by 11-8.

S. 2349: Overseas Private Investment Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2007. Overseas Private Investment Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2007. The bill would require the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to institute a climate change mitigation action plan. The bill requires the action plan to include: a goal of substantially increasing OPIC support of and giving preferential treatment to projects that use, develop, or promote the use of clean energy technology; assess the degree to which certain projects contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The bill also requires OPIC to maintain a goal for reducing direct GHG emissions associated with projects in OPIC’s portfolio by 20% over the 10 year period over enactment; as well as a goal for limiting annual investment in projects that have GHG emissions of more than 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

Sponsor: Sen. Joseph R. BidenJr. (D-DE) (1 Cosponsors)

S. 280: Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007. The Act establishes a market-driven system of tradable greenhouse gas (GHG) allowances, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, to begin in 2012. The Act would divide the economy into sectors—electricity, transportation, industry, and commercial—each subject to separate, sector-wide emissions cap, while allowing inter-sector trading. Allowances would be equal to a maximum of 6.13 million metric tons of CO2e after 2011, reducing to 5.239 million metric tons after 2019, 4.1 million after 2029, and 2.096 after 2049; the quantities of these allowances could be reduced, depending on the GHG emissions of the rest of the economy and emitters not subject to the cap. The bill would also establish a national GHG database and registry, as well as a Climate Change Credit Corporation, a non-profit corporation with a board appointed by the President of the United States. This corporation would be allocated a portion of tradable allowances, and be able to buy and sell other allowances, and is directed to use the proceeds from its trading activities to reduce costs borne by consumers as a result of the GHG reduction requirements of the Act. The Act also contains provisions to encourage the innovation and deployment of advanced, climate-friendly technologies; it also directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct research on the impact of climate change on low-income populations around the world, and the costs of mitigating those impacts.

Sponsor: Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-CT) (9 Cosponsors)

S. 3036:

The Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008

NOTE: For a full range of Pew Center resources for this bill, including in depth analysis, a longer summary, a complete timeline, and links to relevant external documents and media, please click here

·         The Act, if enacted into law, would establish a market-based cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, and establish other measures to reduce GHG emissions.

·         This is the first cap-and-trade legislation to proceed to the Senate floor through regular order—that is, through the committee process. A previous version of this bill, then titled S.2191, was passed 11-8 by the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee in December 2007. The version that will debated on the Senate floor has been extensively revised from the version passed by the EPW committee.

·         An estimated 87% of U.S. GHG emissions would be subject to the bill’s cap-and-trade program. Those required to submit emissions allowances under the program include: coal-fired power plants and other entities that use more than 5,000 metric tons of coal, natural gas processors and importers, petroleum processors and refiners, manufacturers and importers of more than 10,000 metric tons of GHGs (as measured in CO2 equivalents), and any entity that emits more than 10,000 metric tons (CO2e) of HFCs as a byproduct of the manufacture of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The bill establishes a separate cap-and-trade system for HFCs produced or imported (including those in products and equipment).

·         The cap-and-trade program would reduce GHG emissions from covered sectors by 4% below 2005 levels by 2012; 19% below 2005 levels by 2020; and 71% below 2005 levels by 2050.

·         The bill would allocate 75.5% of all allowances for free in 2012— including 18% to power plants, 11% to manufacturers, 2% to petroleum refiners, and 0.75% to natural gas processors (transitioning to zero in 2031); 12.75% to electricity and natural gas local distribution companies for the benefit of energy consumers, and 15% to states, etc. The proportion of allowances auctioned would increase from 24.5% in 2012 to 58.75% by 2032.

·         The bill would establish numerous measures to contain the cost of the cap-and-trade program, including allowing the use of domestic and international offsets, and the banking and borrowing of allowances; establishing a Carbon Market Efficiency Board empowered with certain cost-relief powers; and establishing a “cost-containment auction” of a fixed quantity of allowances each year that will initially be offered only to those with compliance obligations and within a certain price range. The bill also establishes a working group that will create regulations designed to protect the market from fraud and manipulation.

·         The bill would provide funds to compensate low-income energy consumers and assist in worker transition.

·         The bill would provide funding and incentives for development and deployment of geological carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology, with a goal of constructing 5-10 commercial coal-burning electricity facilities using CCS.

·         The bill would also provide funds for: renewable energy; increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, appliances, manufacturing; research into low-carbon electricity generation and advanced energy projects; increasing the use and manufacture of hybrid and advanced vehicles; and increasing the production of cellulosic biofuels. It also includes a low-carbon fuel standard.

·         The bill would provide funds for the states for mass transit projects, and wildlife conservation and adaptation projects, among others.

·         The bill has a number of international provisions, including a measure that would require importers of certain commodities from countries that do not have GHG control programs to submit special allowances, as well as funds for assisting vulnerable communities abroad, promoting international technology development, and conserving forests and wildlife in other countries.

Sponsor: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) 6/2/08: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the bill invoked by the Senate by 74-14; 6/6/08: the Senate failed to invoke cloture to close debate on the bill by 48-36.

S. RES. 30:

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the need for the United States to participate in international climate change negotiations to protect the country’s economic and national security interests, establish mitigation commitments by all countries that are major GHG emitters, establish international mechanisms to minimize the cost of efforts by participating countries and achieve a significant long-term reduction in global GHG emissions.

(25 Cosponsors)

S. Res. 30: Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the need for the United States to participate in international climate change negotiations to protect the country’s economic and national security interests, establish mitigation commitments by all countries that are major GHG emitters, establish international mechanisms to minimize the cost of efforts by participating countries and achieve a significant long-term reduction in global GHG emissions.

Sponsor: Sen. Joseph R. BidenJr. (D-DE) (25 Cosponsors)

S.J.Res.17: Joint Resolution directing the United States to initiate international discussions and take necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an agreement for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean. Among other provisions, this joint resolution states that “changing global climate regimes may increase water temperature, creating suitable new habitats in areas previously too cold to support certain fish stocks, such as the Arctic Ocean.”

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) (10 Cosponsors) 9/27/07: Reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation by voice vote. 10/4/07: Passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent. 5/21/08: Passed the House by voice vote. 6/3/08: Signed by the President.

S.Res.212: To express the sense of the Senate relating to legislation to curb global warming. This resolution declares that it is the sense of the Senate that any comprehensive, mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction program enacted by Congress should include: periodic determinations of whether GHG reduction programs in other countries are comparable to the US program; consequences if such foreign programs are determined to be less effective than that of the US, including a review or change in US policy; periodic determinations of whether the US program is increasing domestic rates of poverty or unemployment, with changes in policy to be considered if so; and effective incentives for private sellers of electricity to increase the percentage of their sales of electricity generated by clean energy sources.

Sponsor: Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) (1 Cosponsors)

H. Con. Res. 104: Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the need for the United States to participate in international climate change negotiations to protect the country’s economic and national security interests, establish mitigation commitments by all countries that are major GHG emitters, establish international mechanisms to minimize the cost of efforts by participating countries and achieve a significant long-term reduction in global GHG emissions.

Sponsor: Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) (1 Cosponsors)

H. Res. 355: Recognizing and welcoming the leaders of the Pacific Islands to Washington, D.C. and commending the East-West Center for hosting the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders. In the preamble, this resolution cites the addressing of climate change as an area in which the United States and the Pacific island nations can enhance their cooperation.

Sponsor: Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS) (24 Cosponsors)

H. Res. 418: Recognizing and welcoming the delegation of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean to Washington, D.C. and commending the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In the preamble, this resolution cites the addressing of climate change as an area in which the United States and Caribbean countries can enhance their cooperation.

Sponsor: Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) (28 Cosponsors)

H. Res. 735: A resolution congratulating Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on receiving the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and recognizing their important work to increase awareness about and evidence of the dangers of global warming. Among other provisions, the resolution also encourages Congress and the President to enact important climate change legislation to substantially reduce the contributions of the United States to global greenhouse emissions.

Sponsor: Rep. Michael Honda (D-CA) (42 Cosponsors)

H. Res. 739:

A resolution honoring Albert Arnold Gore Jr. and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, winners of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. The preamble language cites Vice President Gore's studies with climate scientist Roger Revelle, and recognizes that the IPCC "develops the scientific consensus necessary for humankind to address the challenges set forth by this crisis." Among other provisions, the resolution also declares that the United States House of Representatives affairs that human-induced climate change is "an urgent problem that must be confronted by all people of the world; and the United States House of Representatives accepts as its own challenge and calls upon citizens of the United States to find ways to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to changing of Earth's climate, the peace, security and prosperity of this Nation and world demanding it."

Sponsor: Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN)

H.R. 1186: United States-India Energy Security Cooperation Act of 2007. The Act authorizes the President to establish programs in support of greater energy cooperation between the United States and India, including providing assistance to India for cooperation related to the research, development, and deployment of, among others: clean coal and emission reduction technologies, carbon sequestration projects, and alternative fuel sources such as ethanol, bio-mass, and coal-based fuels. The Act also requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy to submit a report to Congress on energy security cooperation between the U.S. and India.

Sponsor: Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) (2 Cosponsors)

H.R. 1886: To prevent public financing of oil or gas field development projects, surveying or extraction activities, processing facilities, pipelines, or terminals, or other oil and gas production or distribution operations or facilities, and for other purposes. Among other provisions, this bill finds that “Emissions from combustion of oil and gas account for just over one-third of all global greenhouse gas emissions. While the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions have occurred in the wealthy countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, it will be the poorest countries, who can least afford to adapt to a changing climate, who will suffer first and worst.”

Sponsor: Rep. Maurice Hinchey (1 Cosponsors)

H.R. 2764:

The Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008. This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to allow funds appropriated for agriculture, rural development, nutrition, population and health, energy, and conservation activities, and for the Economic Support Fund, to be used to support tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation activities and energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The bill also appropriates $195 million to support clean energy and other climate change programs in developing countries, including energy conservation, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies, carbon sequestration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation programs.

Note: On 12/17/2007, the substitute House amendments to the Senate amendment changed this bill to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008. The bill was further amended with a subsequent Senate amendment to the House amendments to the Senate amendment. A House Appropriations committee print presents the final corrected version, including the joint explanatory statements. The Act contains: Division A: Agriculture; Division B: Commerce-Justice-Science; Division C: Energy-Water; Division D: Financial Services; Division E: Homeland Security; Division F: Interior; Division G: Labor-HHS-Education; Division H: Legislative Branch; Division I: Military-Veterans; Division J: State-Foreign Operations; Division K: Transportation-HUD; Division L: Supplemental Appropriations.

Sponsor: Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY)

6/18/07: Reported by the House Committee on Appropriations by voice vote. 6/22/07: Passed the House by a vote of 241-178. 7/10/07: Reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Appropriations by voice vote. 9/6/07: Passed the Senate by 81-12.

12/17/2007: The House agreed to the Senate amendment with the 1st House amendment by 253 - 154. 12/17/2007: The House agreed to the Senate amendment with the 2nd House amendment by 206 - 201. 12/18/2007: The Senate concurred in the House amendment (No. 2) to the Senate amendment by 70 - 25. 12/18/2007: The Senate disagreed to the motion to concur in the House Amendment No. 1 to the Senate amendment by 48 - 46. 12/18/2007: The Senate agreed to the House Amendment No. 1 to the Senate amendment by 76 - 17. 12/19/2007: The House agreed to the Senate amendment to 2nd House amendment to Senate amendment by 272 - 142. 12/26/2007: Signed by the President (Public Law 110-161).

H.R. 2798: Overseas Private Investment Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2007. The bill requires the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to institute a climate change mitigation action plan. The bill requires the action plan to include: a goal of substantially increasing OPIC support of and giving preferential treatment to projects that use, develop, or promote the use of clean energy technology; assess the degree to which certain projects contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Sponsor: Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) (3 Cosponsors)

H.R. 2950: Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007. Among other provisions, this bill requires the President to establish a renewable fuel standard for motor vehicle fuel and home heating oil sold or introduced into the United States, and mandates that renewable fuels produced from facilities that commence operations after enactment achieve at least a 20% reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to gasoline. The bill also requires the President to establish criteria for a system of voluntary labeling of renewable fuels based on life-cycle GHG emissions. In addition, the bill also authorizes funds for: grants for research and development of low-carbon fuels and low-GHG-emitting advanced biofuels; studies of the effects of renewable fuel use on GHG emissions; and an assessment of carbon sequestration and methane and nitrous oxide emissions from terrestrial ecosystems. It also makes reducing GHG emissions a condition of grants for: an electric drive transportation technology demonstration program; a State energy training partnership program. It also makes GHG emission reductions a criteria in amending fuel economy standards, and cites reducing GHG emissions as a goal of energy diplomacy.

Sponsor: Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM)

H.R. 3221: New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act. This is the House of Representatives’ energy bill for 2007. The following summary includes only the provisions most pertinent to climate change.

· Among other provisions, the bill makes a Congressional declaration that it shall be United States policy to engage in international climate negotiations with the objective of creating a new instrument that will come into force by the time that the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012. Such an instrument will, at a minimum, require binding mitigation commitments from all major emitting countries. The title also mandates the creation of an Office on Global Climate Change within the State Department.

· The bill also authorizes funds to promote research in solar energy, biofuels, marine renewable energy, and geothermal energy, and authorizes funds for carbon capture and storage research, development, and demonstration.

· In addition, it directs the President to “establish an interagency committee to ensure cooperation and coordination of all Federal research activities” pertaining to human-induced or natural changes in the global environment, including global climate change.

· The bill contains provisions which direct each federal agency to annually inventory and report its GHG emissions, and requires the EPA to promulgate annual greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets for the total emissions of all agencies taken as a whole, for each fiscal year from 2010 through 2050.

· The bill also sets GHG emissions standards for federal vehicle fleets, based on the California Code of Regulations, and requires the Secretary of Energy to establish new efficiency standards for federal buildings.

· The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a methodology for assessing the nation’s capacity to store carbon dioxide in geologic formations. It also requires the Secretary to conduct an assessment of the amount of carbon stored in terrestrial, aquatic, and coastal ecosystems, including estuaries; and to determine the potential for increasing carbon storage in natural ecosystems.

· It also requires the Secretary of the Interior to create the National Resources Management Council on Climate Change to address the impacts of climate change on Federal lands, the ocean environment, and the Federal water infrastructure. It requires the Secretary to promulgate a national strategy for assisting wildlife populations and their habitats in adapting to the impacts of global warming. The title also directs the Secretary of Commerce to develop and implement a national strategy to predict, plan for, and mitigate the impacts on ocean and coastal ecosystems from global warming, relative sea level rise and ocean acidification; and ensure the recovery, resilience, and health of ocean and coastal ecosystems.

· The title also authorizes $250 million to establish a National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System to improve the nation’s ability to measure, track, explain, and predict events related directly and indirectly and indirectly to weather and climate change.

· The Transportation and Infrastructure section of this bill, among other provisions, mandates the establishment of a Center for Climate Change and Environment within the Department of Transportation, which would plan, coordinate, and implement department-wide initiatives and research to reduce transportation-related energy use, mitigate the effects of climate change, and address the impacts of climate change on transportation and infrastructure. The title also directs Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the EPA to report to Congress on low-cost solutions to reducing congestion and transportation-related energy use and mitigating the effects of climate change.

· The Energy and Commerce section of this bill contains a number of energy efficiency provisions, among them: improving the schedule for consensus standards, updating appliance test procedures, new efficiency standards for lighting, residential boilers, industrial motors, washing machines, and dishwashers. The title also establishes new efficiency standards for power supplies and transformers for consumer electronic equipment.

· In addition, the bill mandates the creation of an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings, and sets out increased efficiency standards for federal buildings, as well as increased efficiency standards for state residential and commercial building codes. It also authorizes grants to support state implementation of green building codes.

· The title also provides technical assistance and a revolving fund for implementing combined heat and power (CHP) systems and sustainable energy infrastructure. Finally, the title contains a number of provisions promoting creation of a Smart Grid, and mandates the promulgation of a National Action Plan for Demand Response.

· The tax provisions of this bill expand and extend tax credits and deductions for renewable energy, energy efficient appliance credit for a variety of appliances produced after 2007, energy-efficient commercial buildings deduction for five years (through December 31, 2013), and allows electric utilities to depreciate smart electric meters over a five year period. In addition, the bill orders the Secretary of the Treasury and the National Academy of Sciences to review 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.

Sponsor: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (18 Cosponsors)

H.R. 3274: United States-China Energy Cooperation Act. This bill would authorize the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to encourage cooperation between the United States and China on research, development and commercialization of carbon capture and sequestration technology, improved energy efficiency, or renewable energy sources.

Sponsor: Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) (6 Cosponsors)

H.R. 3448:   Global Climate and Ozone Layer Protection Act of 2007. This bill would declare that it is the sense of Congress that the United States should negotiate with other parties to the Montreal Protocol to, among other purposes, maximize the impact of the Protocol to mitigate global warming impacts and accelerate the phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by ten years. The bill also contains a number of provisions intended to regulate and accelerate the destruction of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and HCFCs, and requires the Administrator of the EPA to promulgate regulations governing substitute refrigerants for CFCs and HCFCs.

Sponsor: Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) (22 Cosponsors)

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Sponsor: Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) (16 Cosponsors)

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Sponsor: Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)

S. Amdt. 866: Sense of the Senate on Climate Change, a nonbinding resolution that finds there is a growing scientific consensus that human activity is a substantial cause of GHG accumulation in the atmosphere, and expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should enact a national program of mandatory, market-based limits and incentives on emissions of GHGs that slow, stop, and reverse the growth of such emissions at a rate and in a manner that will not significantly harm the U.S. economy, and will encourage comparable action by other nations that are major trading partners and key contributors to global emissions.

Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) (10 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)

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. 6: Energy Policy Act of 2003, which is identical to H.R. 4 , the Senate-passed Energy Policy Act of 2002. The bill included three climate change titles. Title XI would establish a National Greenhouse Gas Registry and allow entities to report voluntarily their GHG emissions and emission reductions to the registry. If, five years after enactment, less than 60% of U.S. anthropogenic GHG emissions had been reported voluntarily, reporting would be required of large GHG emitters. The title also would encourage future Congresses to consider registered reductions as applicable towards future GHG reduction requirements. Title X would establish a National Climate Change Strategy with the goal of stabilization of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system; an Office of National Climate Change Policy within the White House; and a research and development program toward the goal of stabilization of GHG concentrations. Title X also includes a Sense of the Congress Resolution urging the U.S. to participate in international negotiations, with the objective of securing U.S. participation in a future binding climate change treaty. Title XIII would authorize various climate change research activities.

Sponsor: Rep. W.J. (4 Cosponsors)

S. 17: The Global Climate Security Act of 2003, which includes several climate change measures, including a provision establishing a commission to review measures necessary to prevent a doubling of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere, a provision which would require large emitters to report and disclose their GHG emissions, and a resolution urging U.S. participation in international climate change negotiations.

(17 Cosponsors)

S. 925: The Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2004, which, among other things, includes a Sense of the Congress Resolution urging the U.S. to participate in international negotiations, with the objective of securing U.S. participation in a future binding climate change treaty.

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. 1950: Foreign Relations Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2004, which, as reported by the House International Relations Committee, included a Sense of the Congress Resolution urging the U.S. to participate in international negotiations, with the objective of securing U.S. participation in a future binding climate change treaty.

(2 Cosponsors)

H.R. 2264: Congo Basin Forest Partnership Act of 2003, which, in authorizing appropriations to carry out the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) program, cites the role of Congo Basin forests in absorbing carbon dioxide.

Sponsor: Rep. Clay E. ShawJr. (R-FL) (18 Cosponsors)

H.R. 2673: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004, which, among other things, provides $180 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 2004. 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. Henry Bonilla (R-TX)

H.R. 4818: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005, which, among other things, states that that funds appropriated to implement the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 may be used to support tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation activities and energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions; appropriates $180 million to support clean energy and other climate change policies and programs in developing countries, of which $100 million is to directly promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable and clean energy technologies, and of which the balance should be made available to directly: (1) measure, monitor, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; (2) increase carbon sequestration activities; and (3) enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation programs. In addition, the bill requires, within 45 days after the date on which the President's fiscal year 2006 budget request is submitted to Congress, a report on all federal agency obligations and expenditures for climate change programs and activities in fiscal year 2005; as well as fiscal years 2004 and 2005 obligations and estimated expenditures, and fiscal year 2006 requested funds by the United States Agency for International Development for a variety of climate change activities.

Sponsor: Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ)

(4 Cosponsors)

Sense of Congress on Climate Change Amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2003: Sense of Congress on Climate Change Amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2003 (H.R.6), urging the U.S. to participate in international negotiations with the objective of securing U.S. participation in a future binding climate change treaty.

Sponsor: Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)

S. 1401: The Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003, which includes a Sense of the Congress Resolution urging the U.S. to participate in international negotiations, including putting forth a proposal at the meeting of the Conference of the Parties, with the objective of securing U.S. participation in a revised Kyoto Protocol or other future binding climate change agreements.

S. 2779: The Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, FY 2003, which, among other things, appropriates $15,100,000 for International Conservation Programs and the International Panel on Climate Change/United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; and appropriates $175,000,000 to support policies and programs in developing countries, countries in transition and other partner countries that directly (1) promote energy conservation and efficiency and clean energy programs; (2) measure, monitor, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; (3) increase carbon sequestration; and (4) enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation programs. The Act also requires a report to Congress on (1) federal FY 2003 climate change expenditures; and (2) FY 2002, 2003 and 2004 United States Agency for International Development funds associated with climate change.

Sponsor: Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT)

S. 769: International Carbon Conservation Act, which establishes a carbon sequestration program and an implementing panel within the Department of Commerce to enhance international conservation, promote carbon sequestration, and encourage voluntary efforts on the issue of global climate change.

Sponsor: Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) (5 Cosponsors)

S. Amdt. 1997 to H.R. 2330: A Senate amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Act, FY 2002, to strike a limitation relating to the Kyoto Protocol.

Sponsor: Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI)

S. Amdt. 2917 to S. 517: Amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2002 (S. 517), which includes Title X, establishing a National Climate Change Policy (see S. 1008) and expressing the Sense of the Congress on international climate change negotations (see S. 1401), Title XI, establishing a National Greenhouse Gas Registry, and Title XIII on Climate Change Science and Technology (including carbon sequestration research).

(1 Cosponsors)

S. Res. 311: A resolution expressing the Sense of the Senate that, among other things, both at the World Summit on Sustainable Development and in other appropriate fora, the United States should re-engage in the negotiation of binding international agreements to address global climate change consistent with (A) U.S. commitments under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change; (B) the findings of the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; and (C) the Sense of Congress on Climate Change approved by the Senate as part of the National Energy Policy Act of 2002.

(12 Cosponsors)

H. Amdt. 118 to H.R. 2299: An amendment to the Transportation Appropriations Bill, FY 2002, which provides that the bill’s limitations applicable to the Kyoto Protocol do not apply to activities that are otherwise authorized by law.

Sponsor: Rep. John W. Olver (D-MA)

H. Amdt. 165 to H.R. 2330: An amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Bill, FY 2002, to strike section 726 from the bill. Section 726 prohibits use of funds for implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.

Sponsor: Rep. John W. Olver (D-MA) (1 Cosponsors)

H. Amdt. 184 to H.R. 2500: An amendment to the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations Bill, FY 2002, to strike section 623 from the bill. Section 623 prohibits the use of funds for implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.

Sponsor: Rep. John W. Olver (D-MA) (1 Cosponsors)

H. Amdt. 226 to H.R. 2506: An amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, FY 2002, to prohibit financial assistance from the U.S. Ex-Im bank for projects that contribute to global warming, which are described as limited recourse projects or long-term programs involving oil and gas field development, a thermal powerplant, or a petrochemical plant or refinery.

Sponsor: Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)

Fund	2010-2019		2020-2050		2012-2050
Fund	% of allowance value	Est. annual funding ($ billions)	% of allowance value	Est. annual funding ($ billions)	Est. cumulative funding ($ billions)
General Fund of the Treasury	51	110	48	110	4,290
Climate Trust Rebate Fund	7.5	110	7	110	4,290
Low-Carbon Technology Fund	12.5	24	12.5	25	963
National Energy Efficiency Fund	12.5	24	12.5	25	963
Agriculture and Forestry Carbon Fund	4.5	8	5	10	378
Climate Change Worker Transition Fund	1.5	3	2	4	147
National Climate Change Adaptation Fund	2	7	2.5	9	332
Natural Resource Conservation Fund	1.5	7	2	9	332
International Forest Protection Fund	1.5	3	2	4	147
International Clean Technology Fund	3.5	7	4	8	301
International Climate Change Adaptation Fund	2	4	2.5	5	185

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International Negotiations Proposals from the 110th Congress