American Clean Energy and Security Act

American Clean Energy and Security Act is a comprehensive climate change bill that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy sources, such as solar power and wind power, as advocated by Barack Obama, Al Gore, and Nancy Pelosi. The bill was introduced by Henry Waxman and Edward Markey and was influenced by the work of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It also drew on the expertise of National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with support from organizations like the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Introduction

The American Clean Energy and Security Act is a landmark legislation that seeks to address the pressing issues of climate change and energy security, as highlighted by James Hansen and Stephen Schneider. The bill is designed to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels and promote the development of clean energy technologies, such as geothermal energy and bioenergy, in line with the goals of the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord. It also aims to create green jobs and stimulate economic growth, as envisioned by Van Jones and Amory Lovins. The legislation has been endorsed by various organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Nature Conservancy, and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), with support from Google and Microsoft.

Background

The American Clean Energy and Security Act was developed in response to the growing concern about climate change and its impacts on the environment, human health, and the economy, as documented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The bill builds on the foundation laid by previous legislation, such as the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which were signed into law by George W. Bush and supported by John McCain and Hillary Clinton. It also draws on the expertise of international organizations, such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the European Union (EU), with input from China and India.

Provisions

The American Clean Energy and Security Act includes several key provisions, such as a cap-and-trade system to limit carbon emissions from power plants and industrial facilities, as proposed by Richard Sandor and Al Gore. The bill also sets renewable portfolio standards (RPS) to promote the development of renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric power and biomass energy, in line with the goals of the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Additionally, it provides incentives for energy efficiency and green building practices, as advocated by US Green Building Council (USGBC) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), with support from Walmart and General Electric.

Legislative History

The American Clean Energy and Security Act was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on March 31, 2009, by Henry Waxman and Edward Markey, with co-sponsorship from John Dingell and Rick Boucher. The bill was debated and amended by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Ways and Means, with input from Lobbying groups, such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). It was passed by the House on June 26, 2009, with a vote of 219-212, as supported by Democratic Party leaders, including Steny Hoyer and James Clyburn.

Impact and Analysis

The American Clean Energy and Security Act has been analyzed by various organizations, including the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Energy Information Administration (EIA), with input from Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress (CAP). The bill is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 17% by 2020 and 83% by 2050, relative to 2005 levels, as projected by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It is also expected to create green jobs and stimulate economic growth, as envisioned by Robert Pollin and Heidi Garrett-Peltier.

Criticisms and Controversies

The American Clean Energy and Security Act has been criticized by some groups, including the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute, which argue that it will increase energy costs and harm the economy, as claimed by Sarah Palin and Mitch McConnell. Others, such as the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), have argued that the bill does not go far enough to address the urgent issue of climate change, as highlighted by James Hansen and Bill McKibben. The bill has also been criticized for its cap-and-trade system, which some argue will create carbon trading opportunities for Wall Street firms, such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, as reported by The New York Times and Bloomberg. Category:United States environmental law