On February 11, U.S. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Garret Graves (R-LA), Greg Walden (R-OR), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), David Schweikert (R-AZ), David McKinley (R-WV), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) and Bruce Westerman (R-AR) released several bills addressing climate change.

The proposals are intended to respond to Democrats on the climate issue and young Republicans who have been lobbying for action on the issue.

In a statement, the Republicans said, “Americans want a cleaner, safer, healthier environment. Over the years, conservative principles have shown that while we are becoming energy independent, we are also leading the world in emissions reductions. Democrats are ignoring these facts and are pushing government command and control, which will increase energy prices and global emissions. Worst of all, their policies have a disproportionate effect on poor and working Americans.

“American innovation is always the solution. The proposals laid out today will build on the successful policies that have propelled the United States so far, as well as open the door for new technologies to flourish – all while boosting the economy by exporting American technology around the world. This is a global issue, and substantial progress cannot be made without holding other nations accountable for their emissions. Republicans’ pro-growth, consumer-first policies are ones that can become law and have an actual impact on our future.”

The measures include three bills to bolster research and use of carbon capture technology and to codify President Donald Trump’s decision to have the U.S. join the United Nation’s Trillion Trees Initiative.

The four bills are--

-- Permanently extend the carbon sequestration tax credit known at 45Q, sponsored by Reps. David Schweikert and Brad Wenstrup

-- Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Innovation Act, sponsored by Rep. David McKinley

-- New Energy Frontiers Through Carbon Innovation Act of 2020, sponsored by Rep. Dan Crenshaw

-- The Trillion Trees Act, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman

Click Here for more information on the House Republican plan.

Climate Leadership Council Proposal

On February 13, the Climate Leadership Council which consists of businesses, banks and utilities released their proposed “carbon dividend” proposal that would aim to slash greenhouse gas emissions 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2035. Their proposal is also unlikely to have widespread support among either party.

The plan would impose an escalating emissions fee at "the refinery exit or at the first point that fuels enter the economy," such as mines, wells or ports, and would use the funds to pay a dividend to households.

An escalating $40 per-ton emissions fee would begin as early as 2021, scrapping some carbon regulations, instituting a dividend that would return an average of $2,000 to a U.S. family of four and a carbon border adjustment that will impose a fee on goods from countries that lack a similar carbon price.

The Council’s plan calls for the federal government to preempt carbon regulations from stationary sources, as well as future federal low-carbon fuel standards and mobile source emissions from non-road vehicles like farm equipment.

Included in the plan is a provision that would increase the fee to 7.5 percent above inflation, rather than the default five percent, after five years if emissions are projected to fall short of the 50 percent cut by 2035.

That new rate would climb to 10 percent above inflation if emissions still aren’t on track two years later.

Click Here for a copy of their proposal.

NewsClips:

Congressional House Republicans Proposed Carbon Capture, Sequestration Legislation

U.S. House Republicans Start To Roll Out Broad Climate Plan

What A National Republican Climate-Change Agenda Might Look Like

Young Republicans Push Party To Act On Climate Change

Reuters: U.S. Carbon Price Group Releases Plan, Boosts Lobbying In Congress

Op-Ed: Trump’s Embrace Of Trillion Tree Climate Plan Is Good Environmental Policy

Op-Ed: It’s Time For Bipartisan Support In Combating Climate Change, Rebuilding Infrastructure - Cong. Fitzpatrick (R-PA),  Cong. Coons (D-DE)

Bipartisan Federal Energy Efficiency Bill Targets National Building Code To Save Consumers An Estimated $51 Billion

Click Here To Support Local Journalism: Read PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

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[Posted: February 15, 2020]

2/17/2020