111th Congress - H.R. 2454:

Waxman-Markey Bill, American Clean Energy and Security Act

111th Congress - H. R. 2454:
To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy.

The House passed this bill with 219 ayes and 212 noes. It is still due to pass the Senate.

Legislation Towards Remodeling Our Method of Economic Growth to Accomodate Environmental Needs

This Bill takes a variety of measures to combat climate change, and current estimates conclude that its implementation will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in the U.S. to 4% below 1990 levels by 2020. This translates to 15% below 2005 levels by 2020, and the expected course with implementation would lead to emissions 73% below 2005 levels by 2050. It establishes a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions, and allocates income from this towards public goods, such as fossil fuel transition, green technology, green jobs, low income consumers, and natural resources. By creating a system in which carbon emissions are more expensive, it provides incentives to invest in green technology within the U.S.

Cleaner Transportation

Section 121 arranges for the establishment of an electric vehicle infrastructure, including plug-ins and integration with the smart grid. A large-scale vehicle electrification program is also included. Section 129 extends diesel emissions reductions, and section 130 guarantees loans for projects to construct renewable fuel pipelines.

For Clean and Efficient Energy Use

Section 171 establishes Clean Energy Innovation Centers to promote commercial deployment of clean, indigenous energy alternatives to oil and other fossil fuels; to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and to ensure that the U.S. maintains a technological lead in developing and deploying state-of-the-art energy technologies. Section 172 establishes Building Assessment Centers to carry out functions including identifying opportunities to optimize energy efficiency in existing buildings, training engineers and architects in energy efficient design, and promoting high-efficiency building construction. Section 304 provides for greater energy efficiency in building codes.

Go Green

Section 205 establishes tree planting program, recognizing the use of trees as carbon sinks. Every 100 large and healthy trees removes about 300 pounds of air pollution and about 15 tons of carbon dioxide from the air each year. It also acknowledges that planting shade trees in strategic locations provides a cooling effect that can reduce residential cooling costs by up to 30%. Section 754 sets requirements for an International Deforestation Reduction Program.

Checking Green House Gases and other Pollutants

Section 713 establishes a Greenhouse Gas Registry to collect high-quality data on emissions to support the greenhouse gas reporting and reduction policies of the U.S. Section 341 provides for the mitigation of black carbon. With the establishment of a cap-and-trade program, section 401 provides assurances and regulations for the carbon market.

Adaption

Section 481 provides for setting up wildlife corridoors to allow species to migrate to suitable areas when their own habitat is deteriorated by climate change. Section 493 establishes an International Climate Change Adaption Program, section 480 establishes a Natural Resources Change Adapting Fund, and section 479 sets out State Natural Rources Adaptation Plans including strategies to address ocean acidification, species diversity loss, tribal water manamgement and coral reef disintegration.

And More...

The bill is over 1,000 pages long, and includes provisions on a number of other aspects including transmission planning, technical corrections to energy laws, setting energy and renewable energy standards, carbon capture and sequestration, state energy and environmental development accounts, marine spatial planning, emission allowances and offsets, energy tax credit, and public health.

A Positive Step

Though the bill proceeds in the right direction, it falls short of the advice given by the scientific community. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which the U.N. consults, warns that the U.S. needs to take steps to reduce emissions to around 40% below 1990 levely by 2020, while the current legislation only accounts for a 4% reduction below 1990 levels by 2020. However, it has been difficult to get a consensus on even the more humble H.R. 2454 bill in Congress. Industry and special interest groups have been pressuring Congress and lobbying with large amounts of funding to weaken the bill. As a developed nation responsible for much of the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere due to environmnetally destructive methods in the past, the U.S. has a pivotal opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the global fight against climate change. While H.R. 2454 has much room to be strengthened, it was the first hurdle to cross and a symbol of the country's commitment to protect the environment.

Helping the Environment Without Alienating the Economy

The bill takes steps to protect low-income consumers, as seen in section 432, which sets up an energy refund program for low-income consumers.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that 1.7 million jobs will be created with the implementation of the legislation. Low income families will receive a $40 benefit from using more solar and wind energy in place of foreign oil. U.S. dependence on foreign oil will be cut, along with the hazardous effects of pollution, for the cost of about one postage stamp a day for every family (which is $175 per household by 2020). However, this cost figure excludes economic, health and other benefits that arise from reduced greenhouse gases and slower climate change. Savings from improvements in energy efficiency have also not been counted. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has found that such savings would provide $3,900 per household by 2030. Thus, H.R. 2454 approaches climate change without draining the economy and income of U.S. citizens.

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