The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act - S.1733 (Kerry-Boxer bill)

Climate & Clean Energy Legislation in the U.S. Senate

On November 5, 2009, the Chairman's mark of the The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S.1733), which was introduced by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), was passed by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.  The Kerry-Boxer bill draws heavily from the climate provisions of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (Waxman-Markey bill) passed by the House of Representatives on June 26, 2009, but differs in several important areas.  In part, these differences are the result of different legislative processes being followed in the Senate and the House.  While the House bill is a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill, the Kerry-Boxer bill focuses primarily on reducing U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Earlier this year, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed a comprehensive energy bill (American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009) that corresponds with many of the energy policy provisions contained in the House bill.  The Kerry-Boxer bill should be viewed as an important part of Senate deliberations.  Key aspects of the Kerry-Boxer bill were left intentionally unresolved.  It is expected that further work by other Senate committees of jurisdiction will fill in some of these critical issues.  Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) is expected to combine the various elements into a bill before bringing it to the Senate floor in the next few months.

C2ES summary describes key aspects of the Kerry-Boxer bill with specific attention to areas where it differs from the House bill.

 

Related Resources on the House Climate & Clean Energy Bill

 

Additional C2ES Resources