Clean air legislation in the news.

MJB&A 2/25/2008
The Committee on Energy and Commerce and its Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality issued its third of three Climate Change Legislation Design White Papers entitled "White Paper: Appropriate Roles for Different Levels of Government." The White Paper examines how different levels of government should address climate change, and how such roles should influence Federal legislation.  Click here to read more.

MJB&A 1/31/2008
The Committee on Energy and Commerce and its Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality issued its second of three Climate Change Legislation Design White Papers entitled "White Paper: Competitiveness Concerns/Engaging Developing Countries." The White Paper explores potential domestic legislative provisions that could give incentive to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Click here to read more.

MJB&A 12/5/2007
On December 5, the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee approved S.2191, Senators Lieberman and Warner's America's Climate Security Act, after a nearly 10-hour markup session. The final vote was 11-8.

Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Max Baucus (D-MT), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), John Warner (R-VA), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Thomas Carper (D-DE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) voted for the bill. Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Larry Craig (R-ID), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Christopher Bond (R-MO), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), David Vitter (R-LA), and George Voinovich (R-OH) voted against the bill.   Click here to read more.

MJB&A 11/15/2007
On November 15, the U.S. Senate Committe on Environment & Public Works held the third of three full committee hearings entitled "Legislative Hearing on America's Climate Security Act of 2007, S. 2191"   Click here to read more.

MJB&A 11/13/2007
On November 13, the U.S. Senate Committe on Environment & Public Works held the second of three full committee hearings entitled "Legislative Hearing on America's Climate Security Act of 2007, S. 2191"  Click here to read more.

MJB&A 11/8/2007
On November 8, the U.S. Senate Committe on Environment & Public Works held the first of three full committee hearings entitled "Legislative Hearing on America's Climate Security Act of 2007, S. 2191"  Click here to read more.

MJB&A 10/18/2007
On October 18, Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and John Warner (R-VA) introduced America's Climate Security Act of 2007. The bill would create an economy wide cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gases to cover 75% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Robert Casey (D-PA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME) Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), Tom Harkin (D-IO) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).  Click here to read more.

MJB&A 10/18/2007
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) expresses concern over unaddressed polluants in a climate change bill proposed by Sens. Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and John Warner (R-VA).  Click here to read more.

MJB&A 10/03/2007
The Committee on Energy and Commerce and its Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality issued its first of three Climate Change Legislation Design White Papers entitled "White Paper: Scope of a Cap-and-Trade Program." The White Paper identifies the economic sectors and activities that directly emit greenhouse gases, and examines how such emissions could be included in a cap-and-trade program.  Click here to read more.

MJB&A 4/18/2007
Members of CEG's Clean Air Policy Initiative endorse Clean Air Planning Act of 2007. Members of CAPI endorsing the bill include Avista Corporation, Calpine Corporation, Entergy Corporation, Florida Power and Light Company, PG&E Corporation, and Public Service Enterprise Group.  Click here to read more.

MJB&A 12/1/2006
As the 110th Congress convenes this January, several climate bills are expected within the first few months, including bills proposed by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Thomas Carper (D-DE), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), John McCain (R-AZ),and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).  Click here to read more.

MJB&A 5/11/2005
A number of skateholders released comments following Sen. Carper's introduction of the Clean Air Planning Act.  The stakeholders included the American Lung Association, Environmental Defense, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the National Environmental Trust.  Click here to read highlights of those comments.

MJB&A 5/10/2005
On May 3, Senator Tom Caper (D-DE) and a bipartisan group of senators introduced an new version of the Clean Air Planning Act.  The Clean Air Planning Act of 2006 calls for reductions in mercury and ozone pollution from power plants and a cap on carbon dioxide emissions.

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chris Dodd (D-CT), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).  The Clean Energy Group’s Clean Air Planning Initiative welcomes the introduction of this bill.  Please see our press release for additional information.

MJB&A 4/12/2005
On April 4, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources held a conference to discuss responses to the Climate Change White Paper released by Senators Domenici and Bingaman in early February 2006.  The Climate Change White Paper asked the public to comment on four design elements of a proposed mandatory market-based greenhouse gas regulatory system.  All responses to the White Paper are available from the Committee website (Climate Conference Information).

The Clean Energy Group Clean Air Policy Initiative submitted comments and participated in the conference.  A full schedule of participants is available from the committee website (Senate Energy Climate Conference Details).

MJB&A 12/5/2005
In a new Progressive Policy Institute report, " A New Clean Air Strategy," Jan Mazurek, director of PPI's Energy & Environment Project, concludes that Democrats should support Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Lincoln Chafee's (R-R.I.) Clean Air Planning Act (CAPA), which adds a carbon cap to the Clear Skies framework, as a legislative vehicle that can break the gridlock and push for transition to an economy-wide, "cap-and-trade" system.

Download: A New Clean Air Strategy

MJB&A 10/27/2005
The results of the EPA multi-pollutant analyses are now available on their website. (Click here: Multi-Pollutant Analyses and Technical Support Documents)

MJB&A 10/27/2005
Today, at 1 PM, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson will announce the results of the legislative analyses comparing S. 131 Clear Skies Act of 2005 (as proposed and as amended by Senators Inhofe, Voinovich, and Bond), S. 150 Clean Power Act of 2005, and S. 843 Clean Air Planning Act of 2003.  These multi-pollutant legislative analyses were promised in a May 26 letter sent to Senator Jeffords from EPA Administrator Johnson.

Click here for the EPA Press Release.

MJB&A 9/20/2005
Today, at 10 AM, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has scheduled a full committee hearing on Climate Change Science and Economics.

MJB&A 9/1/2005
The National Comission on Energy Policy has posted materials from today's workshop NCEP Workshop: Design-Issues in Market-Based GHG Reduction Strategies.

MJB&A 8/29/2005
On September 1, 2005, the National Comission on Energy Policy will hold the first of a series of workshops on greenhouse gas reduction strategies. For more information, visit the news room of the NCEP.

MJB&A 7/14/2005
On July 21, 2005, the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources will hold hearings on climate change science and economics at 10 AM.  The witness list has not been released.  On July 27, the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works intends to hold a hearing on the status and costs of the Kyoto Protocol.  (The hearing was postponed).

MJB&A 7/6/2005
On June 23, 2005, Sen. Domenici (chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources) announced a plan to hold hearings in July on Sen. Bingaman's draft legislation "Climate and Economy Insurance Act of 2005".  Sen Bingaman's proposed legislation is based on a proposal outlined in by the National Commission on Energy Policy.

MJB&A 7/6/2005
During last month's Senate debate over the Energy Bill, a number of climate-related bills were offered as amendments.  Click here to read the Clean Energy Group's summary of the climate debate.

MJB&A 6/10/2005
Yesterday, Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, introduced the Energy Bill (S. 10 Energy Policy Act of 2005).  Debate on the bill is scheduled to begin next week.  Today, Greenwire reported that House Energy Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) said he would consider offering Clear Skies as an amendment to the final version of the Energy Bill if it gained support in the Senate.   Greenwire reports that Sen. Domenici responded to questions about Rep. Barton's remarks by saying that Clear Skies "doesn't belong" in the Energy Bill.

MJB&A 6/1/2005
The House of Representatives Committee on Science has announced a full committee hearing entitled Business Actions Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 8 at 10 a.m. in room 2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building. 

MJB&A 5/27/2005
At yesterday's House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality Hearing on the Proposed Clear Skies Act White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Jim Connaughton and U.S. EPA air chief Jeff Holmstead provided the subcommittee with a copy of a May 26 letter sent to Senator Jeffords from EPA Administrator Johnson agreeing to provide the multi-pollutant legislative analyses offered to Senator Jeffords in a letter dated April 21, 2005. In the letter of May 26, Administrator Johnson indicates that the new modeling will include S. 131 Clear Skies Act of 2005 (as proposed and as amended by Senators Inhofe, Voinovich, and Bond), S. 150 Clean Power Act of 2005, and S. 843 Clean Air Planning Act of 2003.  Administrator Johnson says that EPA's Office of Air and Radiation will complete the work within 10 to 12 weeks.

MJB&A 5/23/2005
On Friday, six members of the House of Representatives (Reps Waxman, Allen, Markey, Engel, Capps, and Solis) submitted a letter to EPA requesting additional information on the Clear Skies Act and other multi-pollutant legislation.  The letter includes a request for the information EPA offered to Senator Jeffords before the confirmation of EPA Administrator Johnson.

MJB&A 5/20/2005
The House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality will hold A Hearing on the Proposed Clear Skies Initiative on May 26, 2005 at 2:00 pm in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

MJB&A 5/9/2005
The full text of the Clean Air Planning Act of 2005 is now available through the House Bill 1873 link on our Clean Air Policy Initiative Resources page.

MJB&A 5/3/2005
On April 29, the Senate confirmed Stephen Johnson as EPA Administrator. 

MJB&A 4/28/2005
Learn more about the Clean Air Planning Act.  The Clean Energy Group is hosting an information session on May 3, 2005 at noon in the Rayburn Building.  Reservations are required.  Click here for more information.

MJB&A 4/28/2005
The Clean Energy Group welcomes the introduction of H.R. 1873, the Clean Air Planning Act.  CEG Press Release.

MJB&A 4/26/2005
On April 14, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) decided to block Senate vote on the nominee for EPA Administrator, Stephen Johnson  UPDATE: On April 29, the Senate approved the nomination of Johnson as EPA Administrator after voting to bypass Sen. Carper's hold.

MJB&A 4/20/2005
Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT) announced that he will not seek reelection in 2006.  Sen. Jeffords is the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.  He is a cosponsor of the Clean Power Act of 2005.

MJB&A 3/16/2005
The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality has rescheduled their hearing on the proposed Clear Skies Act.  The hearing is now scheduled for Thursday, April 21, at 10:00 am and will be expanded to include a discussion on EPA's recent Clean Air Act regulations.  UPDATE: The hearing has been removed from the schedule and has not been rescheduled.

MJB&A 3/16/2005
On March 15, EPA Acting Administrator Steve Johnson signed the final Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR).   CAMR permanently caps emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants.

MJB&A 3/11/2005
On March 10, EPA Acting Administrator Steve Johnson signed the final Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR).   CAIR permanently caps emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the eastern United States.

MJB&A 3/11/2005
The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality have scheduled "A Hearing on the Proposed Clear Skies Act" for March 17, 2005 at 2:00 pm.

MJB&A 3/9/2005
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) released a statment expressing disappointment that strong legislation did not come out of today's Senate Environment and Public Works Committee vote

MJB&A 3/9/2005
Today's vote by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works on the Clean Air Act of 2005 resulted in a 9-9 tie.  The vote blocked the bill from going to the Senate floor.

MJB&A 3/3/2005
The Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee delayed a planned vote on the "Clear Skies" legislation until March 9, 2005.

MJB&A 3/1/2005
In a joint letter, several members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee have asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more data on how the Clear Skies Act compares with competing legislation and current law.  "It is imperative that we have the most up-to-date information available in order to effectively negotiate a bipartisan compromise," said a letter to Inhofe signed by Democrats Max Baucus of Montana, Tom Carper of Delaware and Barack Obama of Illinois and Republican Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island.

MJB&A 3/2/2005
The Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee delayed a planned vote on the "Clear Skies" legislation until March 3, 2005.

MJB&A 2/24/2005
Sustainable Energy Institute Announces Roundtable Discussion on Allowance Allocation Alternatives

MJB&A 2/16/2005
The Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee delayed a planned vote on the "Clear Skies" legislation until March 2, 2005

MJB&A 2/11/2005
Members of the Environment and Public Works Committee encourage Chairman James Inhofe to develop a multi-pollutant bill with bipartisan support

MJB&A 12/29/2004
Baucus may be key member of EPW committee

MJB&A 12/29/2004
Inhofe to mark up Clear Skies in February

MJB&A 12/29/2004
CAIR delayed to allow time for Clear Skies

American Bar Association 7/2001
Multi-Pollutant legislation and its (surprising) advocates