Should Congress pass the “Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s Future Act”?
Bill Summary
The CLEAN Future Act (Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation) is a comprehensive climate bill that sets sector-specific targets as well as national goals. The bill sets the USA on a path to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with an interim target of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 (from 2005 levels). Specific aspects of the lengthy bill include enforcing a CES (Clean Electricity Standard) which mandates a transition to 100% clean electricity by 2035, requiring states to develop State Climate Plans, and authorizing $565 billion over 10 years to achieve states goals. Sponsor: Rep. Frank Pallone (Democrat, New Jersey, District 6) View full bill text ➔
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Opponents say
• "One of our most important jobs is to make sure our federal laws and policies will enable, not disable—the affordable and reliable delivery of energy and power… The CLEAN Future Act mandates massive electrification on an unprecedented scale and pace, with no regard for cost. How do you realistically do that, without weakening reliability, on the timescales in this bill? Consideration for people’s household budgets is also absent from this legislation." Source: Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Republican, Washington, District 5)
• "There is absolutely no doubt that the world desperately needs bold policies to address the climate crisis. This proposal falls well short of this need. The proposed clean electricity goal represents an insufficient timeline, and could wind up greenwashing an array of dirty energy sources—everything from nuclear power to fracked gas with so-called ‘carbon capture.'" Source: Mitch Jones (Food & Water Watch)
• "There is absolutely no doubt that the world desperately needs bold policies to address the climate crisis. This proposal falls well short of this need. The proposed clean electricity goal represents an insufficient timeline, and could wind up greenwashing an array of dirty energy sources—everything from nuclear power to fracked gas with so-called ‘carbon capture.'" Source: Mitch Jones (Food & Water Watch)
Proponents say
• "The CLEAN Future Act promises that we will not stand idly by as the rest of the world transitions to clean economies and our workers get left behind, and that we will not watch from the sidelines as the climate crisis wreaks havoc on Americans’ health and homes. This legislation will create millions of homegrown jobs in a climate-resilient economy, ensuring our workers and businesses can compete in the 21st century transition to clean technology that’s already happening." Source: Rep. Frank Pallone (Democrat, New Jersey, District 6)
• "This bill helps lead the way to an ambitious clean energy transition, with significant investments in economic recovery and commitments to bold new sector-specific standards for decarbonization. Notably, the bill’s support for a strong clean electricity standard.. breaks new ground in recognizing the urgency of this transition... Furthermore, this legislation acknowledges that the economic and racial justice crises are deeply intertwined with the climate crisis." Source: Coalition for Green Capital
• "This bill helps lead the way to an ambitious clean energy transition, with significant investments in economic recovery and commitments to bold new sector-specific standards for decarbonization. Notably, the bill’s support for a strong clean electricity standard.. breaks new ground in recognizing the urgency of this transition... Furthermore, this legislation acknowledges that the economic and racial justice crises are deeply intertwined with the climate crisis." Source: Coalition for Green Capital
- House Energy and Commerce Leaders Unveil Sweeping Climate Change Legislation (Politico)
- Democrats' Green New Deal Becomes The CLEAN Future Act (Forbes)
- Democratic divisions on climate change erupt over CLEAN Future Act (Washington Times)
- E&C Dems vow action 'with or without Republican support' (E&E News)
