US Federal

To meet the climate challenge, the United States needs a comprehensive national approach. Well-designed federal policy can cut emissions and strengthen resilience while driving economic growth.

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In Brief: The Business Case for Climate Legislation

Introduction In recent years, leading businesses have emerged as some of the strongest advocates for passage of national climate and energy legislation that mandates reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While many have cheered this business engagement, others have been …

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The Case for Action: Creating a Clean Energy Future

The United States needs strong action now to reduce the risks of climate change, strengthen our energy independence, protect our national security, and create new jobs and economic opportunities. The Pew Center on Global Climate Change believes that the case …

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Short Summary of the American Power Act (Kerry-Lieberman)

On May 12, 2010, Senator Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Lieberman (I-CT) released their draft legislation, the American Power Act (APA). This bill contains a comprehensive, sector-based approach to enhancing energy security, spurring the development and deployment of clean energy technologies, …

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Publication
Events Leading to Regulation of Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act

Supreme Court Ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA: Recent activity at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate greenhouse gases began in earnest following the US Supreme Court ruling in Mass. v. EPA in 2007. This case found that carbon dioxide …

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Comparison of the CEJAP Act and the CLEAR Act

This brief compares key elements of two bills currently under consideration in Congress.  The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (CEJAP Act) on November 5, 2009. It provides a comprehensive, economy-wide …

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Paper
Summary of the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal (CLEAR) Act (S.2877)

On December 11, 2009, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal (CLEAR) Act (S..2877 of the 111th Congress). This bill would puts limits on carbon emissions. It auctions all of the allowances …

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Publication
Economic Insights from Modeling Analyses of the American Clean Energy and Security Act

Economic models are an important tool for evaluating the potential impact of proposed legislation on our economy. This brief compares modeling analyses of the House-passed clean energy and climate bill (H.R. 2454) conducted by seven different groups including government agencies, …

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In Brief: Update on the 10-50 Solution: Progress Toward a Low-Carbon Future

Addressing the challenge of global climate change will require a significant reduction in annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States and throughout the world by 2050. This will necessitate a fundamental shift from an economy predominantly based on …

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In Brief: What Pending Climate Legislation Does for Nuclear Power

Electricity generation accounts for more than one third of total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Nuclear power is a virtually carbon-free source of reliable, baseload electricity which can play a very large role in decarbonizing the U.S. electric power sector. …

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Publication
Cost Containment and Offset Use in the American Clean Energy and Security Act

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act, sponsored by Representatives Waxman and Markey, on June 26, 2009. The ACES Act includes a market-based regulatory program—cap and trade—to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Specified …

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