United States

Legislation

May 12, 2010 - Today, Senators Kerry and Lieberman unveiled the details of a comprehensive clean energy and climate policy, the American Power Act.

Find out more:

• Summary of the American Power Act (PDF)


• The American Power Act in full (PDF)


• Press release and additional information from Senator Kerry

Senators Kerry and Boxer Introduce Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

September 30, 2009 - The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, authored by Senators Boxer and Kerry, was introduced to the Senate.

• Read a summary of the bill (PDF)
• Read the full bill text (PDF)

June 26, 2009 – The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives with 219 votes for, 211 against.

ACES Section-by-Section (PDF)

"This is the landmark energy and environmental legislative achievement of a generation. The bill's clean energy, efficiency and other emissions reduction provisions will make the United States safer, cleaner and more prosperous,” said Phyllis Cuttino, director of US Global Warming Campaign, Pew Environment Group  in a statement on House passage of ACES.

Key consumer relief provisions of the House passed bill:

• How Low-Income Consumers Fare in the House Climate Bill
• Adding Funding to the House Climate Bill for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Would Help Poor Families Facing Particularly Large Increases in Energy Costs
• Senate Can Strengthen Climate Legislation By Reducing Corporate Welfare and Boosting True Consumer Relief

New CBO Analysis on Household Costs from ACES quotes $175 in annual costs for the average household v. the cost of inaction (PDF), estimated to be equivalent to losing at least 5% of global GDP each year.

Economic benefits to farmers and ranchers
According to the USDA report (PDF), the long term economic benefits to agriculture from ACES legislation will likely outweigh the costs of the short term. “HR 2454's creation of an offset market will create opportunities for the agricultural sector. In particular, our analysis indicates that annual net returns to farmers range from about $1 billion per year in 2015-20 to almost $15-20 billion in 2040-50, not accounting for the costs of implementing offset practices.   

What’s next and international implications

Find out how your representative voted

House Energy and Commerce Committee Passes Comprehensive Clean Energy Legislation

May 21, 2009 - After a week of late-night debates, the House Energy & Commerce Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA,) passed a bill to create the first national limit on global warming pollution.

Find out more:

• Read a statement from the Pew Environment Group



• Read a press release from the House Energy and Commerce Committee

Background: Read a legislative summary of U.S. Climate Action in 2008