Air Quality: Multi-Pollutant Legislation in the 108th Congress (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Nov. 17, 2003 |
| Report Number |
RL31779 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Larry Parker and John Blodgett, Resources, Science, and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In the 108th Congress, eight bills have been introduced that would impose multipollutant controls on utilities. Two of the bills, H.R. 999/S. 485, are the Administrations three-pollutant proposal, and two other bills, H.R. 203 and S. 1844, are modified versions of the Administrations proposal. The other four bills are four pollutant proposals that include carbon dioxide. S. 366, is similar to a bill reported by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in the 107th Congress while S. 843 and H.R. 3093 are modified versions of S. 3135 introduced in the 107th Congress. Likewise, H.R. 2042 is similar to H.R. 1256 introduced in the 107th Congress. All of these bills involve some form of emission caps, typically taking place in 2008-2009; and most include a tradeable credit program to implement that cap. The provisions concerning SO2, NOx, and Hg in S. 366, H.R. 203, S. 843, H.R. 2042, and H.R. 3093 are generally more stringent and take effect earlier than the comparable provisions of H.R. 999/S. 485 and S. 1844. S. 366, S. 843, H.R. 2042, and H.R. 3093 would cap emissions of CO2. It is difficult to compare those CO2 caps to the Administrations proposal concerning CO2 both because the Administrations proposal is voluntary rather than mandatory and because it is broader (covering all greenhouse gas emissions rather than just utility CO2 emissions). However, it appears that actual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions would be higher under the Administrations proposal than those allowed by these bills. This report will be updated as warranted.
