Climate Debate in Congress
As of April 2013, 32 bills focusing on climate change have been introduced in the 113th Congress. Many more are likely to touch on energy, environment, transportation, agriculture and other areas that could have an impact on climate change. The list below, however, contains for the most part those bills whose authors thought it was important to explicitly reference climate change or related terms, such as greenhouse gases (GHG) or carbon dioxide. (For brevity, all legislative proposals, including resolutions and amendments, are referred to here as "bills.")
The 2012 election maintained the balance of power in the United States Congress. The Republicans maintain a majority in the House of Representatives, and the Democrats maintain a majority in the Senate. Because of this, the 113th Congress (2013 – 2014) could be much like the 112th Congress, in which over 100 bills dealing with climate change were introduced, two of which were enacted into law.
As the cumulative impacts of climate change such as droughts, wildfires, and major storms become increasingly prevalent, Congress has the responsibility not only to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, but to respond to environmental and ecological changes that impact land and infrastructure. For example, early in 2013, Congress enacted the Sandy Relief Bill (H.R.152), which among other things allocates funds for short and long-term relief, recovery and resiliency efforts for the areas adversely affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Outside of Congress, there has been increased discussion of a revenue-neutral carbon tax to offset reductions in payroll and corporate taxes, in the context of a broader tax reform package. However, neither congressional leadership nor the Obama administration have expressed interest in advancing a carbon tax.
The following bills have been introduced in the 113th Congress:
- H.R.41: To temporarily increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out the National Flood Insurance Program.
This bill, also known as the Hurricane Sandy Relief bill, provides a portion of the disaster relief requested – a $9.7 billion increase in borrowing authority for the National Flood Insurance Program. Sponsor: Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ). Status: 1/4/2013: passed in the House 354-67. 1/4/2013: passed in the Senate 1/6/2013: Signed by President and became Public Law No: 113-001. - H.R.70: Deficit Reduction, Job Creation, and Energy Security Act.
This bill would establish various grants including a National Grant Program for Coastal and Ocean Sustainability and Health. It would direct funds to be used for coastal management planning and implementation mitigation, restoration, protection, and relocation of coastal communities threatened by the impacts of climate change. Sponsor: Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX) (introduced 1/3/2013). - H.R. 152: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013.
Overall, the bill provides $5.4 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief fund and $5.4 billion to rebuild transportation systems. The Army Corps of Engineers will receive $1.4 billion, part of which will go towards conducting a comprehensive study to address flood risks of vulnerable coastal populations in areas impacted by hurricane Sandy, part of which will also go towards flood control and construction related to the consequences of hurricane Sandy. The Department of Housing and Urban Development's community development program will get $3.9 billion, part of which will go towards restoration and infrastructure resiliency. The Federal Highway Administration will get $2 billion, and U.S. EPA will receive $608 million. Sponsor: Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY) (introduced 1/4/2013). Status: 1/28/2013 Passed in the Senate 62-36; 1/29/2013 signed by the President and became public law No 113-2. - H.R. 621: To prohibit funding for the Environmental Protection Agency to be used to implement or enforce a cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. Refer to title for summary. Sponsor: Rep Ted Poe (R-TX) (introduced 2/13/2013).
- H.R.219: Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013
This bill would streamline environmental review with the effect of expediting hazard mitigation projects, it would allow FEMA to be more flexible when issuing grants, and it would reduce debris removal costs, amongst other things. Of particular relevance, s. 111 includes language of a national strategy to create recommendations on how to improve the resiliency of local communities and States for the purpose of lowering future costs of disaster response and recovery. Each provision in H.R. 219 was part of the 112th Congress H.R.2903, the FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2012, which passed by voice vote on September 19, 2012.
Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA) (introduced 1/14/2013). 1/14/2013: Passed in the house 403-0. - H.R.259: Energy Freedom and Economic Prosperity Act
This bill would repeal credits for many renewable energy initiatives, including any credit for carbon dioxide sequestration (CCS). Specifically related to CCS, it would apply to any carbon captured after December 21, 2014. Sponsor: Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) (introduced 1/15/2013). - H.CON.RES.8: Expressing the opposition of Congress to Federal efforts to establish a carbon tax on fuels for electricity and transportation.
Refer to title for summary. Sponsor: Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) (introduced 1/15/2013). - S.7: Extreme Weather Prevention and Resilience Act
This bill would express the sense of the Senate that Congress should: (1) promote investment to ensure resilience to extreme weather and disasters; (2) promote investment in clean energy infrastructure; (3) promote the development of clean energy technologies; and (4) ensure that the federal government is a leader in reducing pollution, promoting the use of clean energy sources, and improving energy efficiency. Regarding the first expression, it would promote investment to protect communities from extreme weather, sea-level rise, drought, flooding, wildfire, and other changing conditions exacerbated by carbon pollution. Sponsor: Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV). - S.107: A bill to prohibit the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States until China, India, and Russia implement similar reductions.
Refer to title for summary. Sponsor: Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) (introduced 1/23/2013). - S. 163: A bill to prohibit any regulation regarding carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions reduction in the United States until China, India, and Russia implement similar reductions.
Refer to title for summary. Sponsor: Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) (introduced 1/28/2013). - S. 332 The Climate Protection Act
This bill would establish a fee on the emissions of carbon dioxide and methane from major emitters. It would also place a tax on oil and natural gas imports from countries that do not already charge a carbon tax. It is estimated that the carbon tax would generate $1.2 trillion in revenue over 10 years. Revenue from the bill would be used to, among other things: rebate all U.S. residents; support activities intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (including those promoting energy efficiency and low-emitting energy technologies); fund programs to provide training for workers moving to clean energy jobs; reduce the deficit; and fund climate change-resilient infrastructure. The bill would also require full disclosure of chemicals used during the hydrofracturing process. Sponsors: Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA). - S. 329 The Sustainable Energy Act
This bill would eliminate certain fossil fuel subsidies and remove limited liability grants to certain oil and gas projects. Sponsor: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) S.360: Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2013 This bill would make amendments to the Public Lands Service Corps Act of 1993. In particular, it describes the types of projects that would be carried out by the Public Lands Service Corps under the bill, which include carbon sequestration, and adaptability and resiliency efforts to protect against climate change. Sponsor: Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) (introduced 2/14/2013).
S.387: American Infrastructure Investment Fund Act In general, this bill would attempt to stimulate investment for infrastructure and related projects. Of particular relevant, sec. 362 would establish a Fund to support environmental sustainability efforts of national or regional transportation systems. This would include ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, sec. 5581 would establish a competitive grant program for projects that improve further the transportation system. In determining whether to award a grant, the Secretary of Transportation must consider the extent to which the project improves energy efficiency or reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Sponsor: Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) (Introduced 2/26/2013).
S.570: A bill to establish a competitive grant program in the Department of Energy to provide grants to States and units of local government to carry out clean energy and carbon reduction measures, to close big oil company tax loopholes to pay for the competitive grant program and reduce the deficit, and for other purposes. See title for summary. Sponsor: Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) (introduced 3/14/2013).
__________ Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act. This bill is intended to increase the use of energy efficient technologies in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The legislation would strengthen national model building codes, require the Secretary of Energy to encourage States, Indian Tribes and local governments to meet or exceed target building efficiency standards, and require the Secretary of Energy to provide grants for the establishment of training and assessment centers, for the purpose of building a workforce skilled in developing and applying energy efficient technological and design concepts to commercial and institutional buildings. Through finance initiatives, it would facilitate private investment in the research and development of energy efficient technologies and efficiency upgrades. In addition, a number of incentives would be put in place for manufacturers to use more efficient electric motors and transformers in industrial processes. The federal government, the single largest U.S. energy user, would be required to institute energy saving techniques for computers. In addition, the legislation would clarify that Energy Service Companies and Utility Service Contracts can be used by federal agencies to install natural gas and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which would facilitate the use of these vehicles. Sponsors: Senators Jean Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH).
- S. CON.RES.4: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that a Carbon tax is not in the economic interest of the United States.
Refer to title for summary. Sponsor: Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) (introduced 1/28/2013). S.AMDT.184: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution) This amendment would not subject United States’ exports that produce greenhouse gases outside of the United States to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso (R-WY) (introduced 3/22/2013). Status: Agreed to in the Senate on 3/23/2013 by voice vote.
S.AMDT.261: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would provide a point of order against legislation that would create a federal tax or a fee on carbon emissions. Sponsor: Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) (Introduced 3/22/2013). Status: Failed in the Senate by a vote of 53-46.
S.AMDT. 359: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would prohibit funding for and essentially block the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases for the purpose of addressing climate change. Sponsor: Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) (introduced 3/21/2013). Status: Failed in the Senate 47-52
S.AMDT.440: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would create a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to global warming. Sponsor: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (introduced 3/21/2013).
S.AMDT.454: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would create international programs to export clean energy technologies and aid climate adaptation efforts, including those designed to reduce short-lived climate pollutants in the near term. Sponsor: Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-CT) (introduced 3/21/2013).
S.AMDT.457: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would create a point of order against legislation relating to the regulation of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide emissions, until the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Information Administration, and Secretary of Commerce certify in writing that each of China, India, and Russia have proposed, implemented, and enforced measures requiring greenhouse gas, including carbon dioxide, emission reductions that are substantially similar to carbon dioxide emissions reductions proposed for the United States. Sponsor: Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) (introduced 3/21/2013).
S.AMDT.458: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would create a point of order against legislation that would establish an unrealistic or unattainable standard for carbon dioxide emissions from new coal-fired electricity-generating units. Sponsor: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) (introduced 3/21/2013).
S.AMDT:482: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would provide funding for low-income weatherization and energy efficiency retrofit programs. Sponsor: Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) (introduced 3/22/2013). Status: Agreed to in the Senate by voice vote.
S.AMDT.494: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment expresses Senate support for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Sponsors: Sen. Hoeven (R-ND) and Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) (introduced 3/22/2013). Status: Agreed to in the Senate by a vote of 62-37.
S.AMDT.499: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to ensure that abundant domestic energy sources and technologies can meet present and future greenhouse gas emissions rules. Sponsor: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) (introduced 3/21/2013). Status: Agreed to in Senate by unanimous consent.
S.AMDT.501: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to the commercialization of carbon technologies such as carbon capture, carbon storage, and other carbon utilization technologies required for coal and natural gas electric generating units (EGUs) to meet proposed and future greenhouse gas regulations. Sponsor: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) (introduced 3/21/2013).
S.AMDT.619: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would encourage increased coordination for flood loss mitigation programs, providing better coordination among flood mitigation programs to meet the unmet mitigation needs of homeowners and small businesses. Sponsor: Sen. Bob Menedez (D-NJ) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) (introduced 3/22/2013). Status: Agreed to in the Senate by voice vote.
S.AMDT.622: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to protecting the interests of the United States in making a decision relating to the Keystone XL pipeline. Sponsor: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) (introduced 3/22/2013) Status: Failed in the Senate 33-66.
S.AMDT.646: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would establish a tax on carbon pollution and would require that any revenue raised be returned to the American people in the form of deficit reduction, reduced federal tax rates, and other cost savings. Sponsor: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) (Introduced 3/22/2013). Status: Failed in the Senate by a vote of 41-58.
S.AMDT.706: Amends S.CON.RES.8 (FY2014 Senate budget resolution). This amendment would ensure that carbon emission standards be cost effective, based on the best available science and benefit low-income and middle-class families. Sponsor: Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) (introduced 3/22/2013).
Printer-friendly version
