International Negotiations Proposals from the 110th Congress

H. Con. Res. 104: [1] 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 cosponsor)

H.RES.355 [2]: 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) – Action: 5/7/2007: Passed the House by voice vote.

H.RES.418 [3]: 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) – Action: 6/11/2007: Passed the House 386-0.

H.R. 1186: [4] 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: [5] 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 (D-NY)

H.R. 2764: [6] 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. Sponsor: Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) Action: 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: Passedthe Senate by 81-12.

H.R. 2798: [7] 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) Action: 6/26/07: Reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs by a vote of 23-5. 7/23/07: Passed the House by voice vote.

S. RES. 30: [8] 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. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) (25 cosponsors) – Action: 3/28/07: Passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by voice vote.

S. 193: [9] 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) – Action: 4/12/07: Passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by voice vote.

S. 1007: [10]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)

Also see: S. 485: [11]