| October 8, 2009 |  |
Key Provisions in Senate-introduced Climate and Energy Legislation
WASHINGTON (October 8, 2009) – The Union of Concerned Scientists has assembled a detailed summary of key provisions in the recently introduced Kerry-Boxer Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. While many important provisions in the Senate bill have yet to be fleshed out, UCS is urging senators to strengthen and pass the legislation before December's international climate negotiations in Copenhagen conclude.
UCS experts have identified three provisions in the bill that merit greater media scrutiny.
First, the Senate bill allows carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects to receive generous, pre-set subsidies. UCS experts say the Senate should limit subsidies to this yet-unproven technology.
Second, the bill includes two new programs that could greatly benefit the natural gas industry. Providing a disproportionate amount of subsidies for natural gas use could distort energy markets and undermine investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The natural gas provisions are defined too broadly and should be more tightly focused to ensure a smooth transition to a clean energy economy.
Finally, UCS experts highlighted a provision that will help bring the latest climate science to bear on energy and climate policy. The Senate bill's "science review provision," like the one in the House bill, would require the president to propose legislative changes based on reviews of the latest climate science by the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Academy of Sciences. UCS is urging the Senate to strengthen the provision by requiring Congress to quickly respond to any such legislative proposals, including tightening the emissions cap, if necessary.
UCS experts found that, compared to the bill passed by the House, the bill introduced in the Senate:
- establishes a stronger short-term target for reducing emissions and has strong provisions to reduce emissions from tropical deforestation.
- protects Clean Air Act authority over large industrial emitters of heat-trapping emissions.
- increases the portion of offsets that will come from domestic, as opposed to international, sources.
- expands incentives for American farmers to reduce emissions.
- provides more price certainty in the carbon market.
- provides additional funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives.
In the coming days, UCS will release a more detailed side-by-side comparison of the Senate's Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act and the House-passed American Clean Energy and Security Act. As the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee moves to mark-up this legislation, UCS will update its analysis with new bill summaries.
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
