50 Key Climate Bills • Several bills and white papers and drafts are gaining support in Washington: – Bingaman-Specter (S. 1766, the Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007) • Economy-wide: All major GHG producing sectors – Point of regulation: Oil and natural gas refineries and coal-fired generators • Increasing auction of allowances – Allowance allocations include: 9% to states, 53% to industry declining 2% per year starting in 2017, 5% set aside for agricultural – Safety Valve: Price of allowances capped at $12/tonne of CO2 (“technology accelerator payment”) starting in 2012 and increasing 5% per year above inflation rate – Lieberman-Warner (S. 2191, America’s Climate Security Act of 2007) • Approved by U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee • Slated for action by the full U.S. Senate in the Spring • Needs 60 votes to break expected filibuster and pass • Economy-wide: All major GHG producing sectors – Seeks to reduce GHG to the 2005 level by 2012; phases to 70% below the 2005 level by 2050 – Points of regulation: Electric power sector – large coal generators; Natural gas – natural gas processors and importers; Industrial sector – large facilities emitting more than 10,000 tonnes per year – “Free” allowances include: 10% to states, 19% to generators (phase out in 2031); 10% to industry; 9% to electric distribution companies, to benefit their customers; 2% to gas distribution companies, to benefit their customers – Creates a Carbon Market Efficiency Board (“Carbon Fed”) with limited authority to oversee market – Dingell-Boucher White Paper • Seeks to reduce emissions by 60% to 80% by 2050 • Best achieved by a cap-and-trade system |