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During the 107th Congress (2001-2002), nearly 70 bills, resolutions, and amendments specifically addressing global climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were introduced. The proposals ranged from GHG emission limits to carbon sequestration. Additional measures focused on decreasing America's dependency on foreign oil by increasing the use of renewable energy resources.
The bills, resolutions, and amendments specifically addressing global climate change and GHG emissions introduced in the 107th Congress are listed here in the following categories:
Full list of Bills:
S.556: The Clean Power Act, which requires reductions of CO2, SO2, NOX, and mercury emissions from electric powerplants. CO2 emissions are reduced to 1990 levels by 2008 (as reported by committee). Sponsor: Sen. James M. Jeffords (I-VT) (22 cosponsors) - Action: 6/27/2002 Reported favorably by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute by a vote of 10 - 9.
S.1131: The Clean Power Plant and Modernization Act, which requires reductions of CO2, SO2, NOX, and mercury emissions from electric powerplants.
Sponsor: Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT)
S.3135: The Clean Air Planning Act, which requires reductions of CO2, SO2, NOX, and mercury emissions from electric powerplants. CO2 emissions are stabilized at 2005 levels by 2008 and reduced to 2001 levels by 2012.
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-DE) (3 cosponsors)
H.R.1256: The Clean Smokestacks Act, which requires reductions of CO2, SO2, NOX, and mercury emissions from electric powerplants. CO2 emissions are reduced to 1990 levels by 2007.(House companion of S.556.)
Sponsor: Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) (133 cosponsors)
H.R.1335: The Clean Power Plant Act, which requires reductions of CO2, SO2, NOX, and mercury emissions from electric powerplants.
Sponsor: Rep. Thomas H. Allen (D-ME) (22 cosponsors)
H.R.2116: The Great Smoky Mountains Clean Air Act, which requires reductions of CO2, SO2, NOX, and mercury emissions from Tennessee Valley Authority electric powerplants.
Sponsor: Rep. Charles H. Taylor (R-NC) (2 cosponsors)
H.Res.117: A House resolution which expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should develop, promote, and implement policies to reduce emissions of fossil fuel generated carbon dioxide with the goal of achieving stabilization of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States at the 1990 level by the year 2010.
Sponsor: Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) (66 cosponsors)
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S.1333: The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Investment Act of 2001, which, among other things, requires electricity generators to disclose their carbon dioxide emissions to potential consumers.
Sponsor: Sen. James M. Jeffords (I-VT) (5 cosponsors)
S.1716: The Global Climate Change Act of 2001, which, among other things, establishes a mandatory greenhouse gas reporting and disclosure program.
Sponsor: Sen. John F. Kerry (D-MA) (4 cosponsors)
S.1766: The Energy Policy Act of 2002, which, as part of a comprehensive energy bill, establishes a mandatory greenhouse gas reporting and disclosure program. (Also includes the main provisions of S.1008, which requires development of a U.S. Climate Change Response Strategy.)
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas A. Daschle (D-SD) (6 cosponsors)
S.1781: The Emission Reductions Incentive Act of 2001, which establishes a voluntary registry of greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Sponsor: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) (1 cosponsor)
S.1870: A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to establish an inventory, registry, and information system of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to inform the public and private sector concerning, and encourage voluntary reductions in, greenhouse emissions.
Sponsor: Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) (2 cosponsors)
S.2815: The Clear Skies Act, which requires reductions of SO2, NOX, and mercury emissions from electric powerplants, but not of CO2 emissions. Would exempt certain powerplants from the existing requirement that powerplants report their CO2 emissions.
Sponsor: Sen. Bob Smith (R-NH) (by request of the Bush Administration)
S.Amdt.2917 to S.517: The Energy Policy Act of 2002, which includes Title X, establishing a National Climate Change Policy (see S.1008 under National Climate Change Strategy) and expressing the Sense of the Congress on international climate change negotations (see S.1401 under International Climate Change Negotiations), Title XI, establishing a National Greenhouse Gas Registry (see S.Amdt.3239 under Greenhouse Gas Reporting), and Title XIII on Climate Change Science and Technology (including carbon sequestration research).
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas A Daschle (D-SD) (1 cosponsor) – Action: 4/25/2002: Passed by the Senate by a vote of 88 – 11 and redesignated as H.R.4.
H.R.3037: The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Investment Act of 2001, which, among other things, requires electricity generators to disclose their carbon dioxide emissions to potential consumers.
Sponsor: Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) (10 cosponsors)
S.Amdt.3146 to S.Amdt.2917: An amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2002 revising Title XI, establishing the National Greenhouse Gas Registry. As amended by Sen. Hagel on 4/24/2002, the amendment allows entities to report voluntarily their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and emission reductions to a federal database and registry. If, five years after enactment, less than 60% of U.S. anthropogenic GHG emissions have been reported voluntarily, reporting is required of large U.S. GHG emitters. The amendment also encourages future Congresses to consider registered reductions as applicable towards future GHG reduction requirements.
Sponsor: Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
S.Amdt.3239 to S.Amdt.2917: An amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2002 revising Title XI, establishing the National Greenhouse Gas Registry. As amended by Sen. Brownback on 4/24/2002, the amendment allows entities to report voluntarily their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and emission reductions to a federal database and registry. If, five years after enactment, less than 60% of U.S. anthropogenic GHG emissions have been reported voluntarily, reporting is required of large U.S. GHG emitters. The amendment also encourages future Congresses to consider registered reductions as applicable towards future GHG reduction requirements.
Sponsor: Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) (3 cosponsors) – Action: 4/25/2002: Accepted by the Senate by voice vote as an amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2002, which was then passed by the Senate by a vote of 88 – 11 and redesignated as H.R.4. (See S.Amdt.2917 and H.R.4 under Energy Policy.)
H.R.4611: National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Act of 2002, which requires reporting and disclosure by entities responsible for large GHG emissions.
Sponsor: Rep. John W. Olver (D-MA) (6 cosponsors)
H.R.5266: The Clear Skies Act, which requires reductions of SO2, NOX, and mercury emissions from electric powerplants, but not of CO2 emissions. Would exempt certain powerplants from the existing requirement that powerplants report their CO2 emissions.
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) (by request of the Bush Administration) (1 cosponsor)
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International Negotiations
H.R.1646: The Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003, which includes a Sense of the Congress Resolution urging the U.S. to continue participation in international negotiations with the objective of completing the rules and guidelines for the Kyoto Protocol.
Sponsor: Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-IL) (1 cosponsor) Action: 5/2/2001: The amendment that included the Kyoto resolution was offered by Rep. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) during markup in the House International Relations Committee and agreed to by a vote of 23 - 20. 5/16/2001: The bill, including the resolution, passed the House by a vote of 352 - 73. 9/30/2002: After conference with the Senate, during which the Menendez Amendment was removed, H.R.1646 became Public Law No: 107-228. (For more on the Menendez Amendment, see S.1401 below.)
H.R.2782: The Corporate Code of Conduct Act, which requires U.S. nationals that employ more than 20 persons in a foreign country to implement a Corporate Code of Conduct, which includes compliance with internationally recognized environmental standards relating to the mitigation of global climate change.
Sponsor: Rep. Cynthia A. McKinney (D-GA) (25 cosponsors)
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.
Sponsor: Sen. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) Action: 8/1/2001: The amendment that included the resolution was offered by Sen. John F. Kerry (D-MA) during markup in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and agreed to by a vote of 19 - 0. The Committee then passed the bill. 2/15/2002: The Kerry resolution was included in Title X of the Energy Policy Act of 2002 (see S.Amdt.2917 under Energy Policy). 4/25/2002: The Energy Policy Act, with an amended version of the Kerry resolution, passed the Senate by a vote of 88 – 11 and was redesignated H.R.4.
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 (see S.1401 above).
Sponsor: Sen. John F. Kerry (D-MA) (12 cosponsors)
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Climate-Friendly Technology R&D
S.389: The National Energy Security Act, which includes provisions of S.60, establishing carbon emission standards that clean coal facilities must meet in order to be eligible for a tax credit.
Sponsor: Sen. Frank H. Murkowski (R-AK) (20 cosponsors)
S.597: The Comprehensive and Balanced Energy Policy Act, which includes a title establishing a commission to study measures to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States at the 1990 level by 2010 and below the 1990 level by 2020.
Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) (17 cosponsors)
S.1008: The Climate Change Strategy and Technology Innovation Act, which requires development of a U.S. Climate Change Response Strategy with the goal of stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system; establishes a research and development program toward the goal of stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations; and establishes the National Office of Climate Change Response within the Executive Office of the President.
Sponsor: Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) (10 cosponsors) – Action: 8/2/2001: Reported favorably with amendments by the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee by voice vote. 2/15/2002: Included in S.Amdt.2917 (the Energy Policy Act of 2002) as Title X. 4/23/2002: Title X of S.Amdt.2917 modified by S.Amdt.3232 by voice vote of the Senate. 4/25/2002: S.Amdt.2917, including the amended Title X, passed by the Senate by a vote of 88 – 11 and redesignated as H.R.4. (See S.Amdt.2917 and H.R.4 under Energy Policy.)
S.1293: The Climate Change Tax Amendments, which create tax incentives for facilities (e.g., coal-fired power plants) that (a) replace existing facilities; (b) reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions on a per unit of output basis compared to the replaced facilites; and (c) use the same type of fuel as the replaced facilities.
Sponsor: Sen. Larry E. Craig (R-ID) (1 cosponsor)
S.1294: The Climate Change Risk Management Act, which requires development and implementation of a national strategy to manage the risks posed by potential climate change; reforms the voluntary reporting program established by section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992; and promotes technology research and dissemination.
Sponsor: Sen Frank H. Murkowski (R-AK) (5 cosponsors)
S.Amdt.3187 to S.Amdt.2917: Amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2002, which promotes greenhouse gas reduction through the increased use of recovered material in federally funded projects involving procurement of cement or concrete.
Sponsor: Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) – Action: 4/24/2002: Agreed to by the Senate by voice vote. 4/25/2001: S.Amdt.2917 passed the Senate by a vote of 88 – 11 and was redesignated as H.R.4. (See S.Amdt.2917 and H.R.4 under Energy Policy.)
S.Amdt.3232 to S.Amdt.2917: An amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2002, revising Title X, establishing the National Climate Change Policy, based on S.1008 (see above).
Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) (8 cosponsors) – Action: 4/23/2002: Accepted by the Senate by voice vote. 4/25/2002: S.Amdt.2917, including S.Amdt.3232, passed by the Senate by a vote of 88 – 11 and redesignated as H.R.4. (See S.Amdt.2917 and H.R.4 under Energy Policy.)
H.R.4: The Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act. The version of the bill passed by the House includes provisions of H.R.2587, which promotes advanced clean coal technologies by, among other things, promoting demonstration of technologies that capture, separate, reuse or dispose of carbon dioxide, and establishing carbon emission standards that clean coal facilities must meet in order to be eligible for a tax credit. Also includes provisions of H.R.2460, which requires the Department of Energy to investigate carbon and greenhouse gas mitigation and sequestration technologies. For the version passed by the Senate, see S.Amdt.2917 above.
Sponsor: Rep. W.J. Tauzin (R-LA) (3 cosponsors)
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Links:
[1] http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_congress/107th_proposals.cfm#limit
[2] http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_congress/107th_proposals.cfm#report
[3] http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_congress/107th_proposals.cfm#international
[4] http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_congress/107th_proposals.cfm#technology
[5] http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_congress/107_proposals_2.cfm#appropriations
[6] http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_congress/107_proposals_2.cfm#carbon
[7] http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_congress/107th_proposals.cfm
[8] http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_congress/107_proposals_2.cfm