[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5221 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5221
To declare a national goal that the United States achieve a 100 percent
clean economy by not later than 2050, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 21, 2019
Mr. McEachin (for himself, Ms. Haaland, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Blumenauer,
Mr. Tonko, Ms. Pingree, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. DeFazio, Mr.
Scott of Virginia, Mr. Engel, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Smith of
Washington, Ms. Waters, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Lofgren, Ms.
Velazquez, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Takano, Mr. Rush, Ms. Adams,
Mr. Aguilar, Ms. Barragan, Ms. Bass, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Bera, Mr. Beyer,
Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Brendan
F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Ms. Brownley of California, Mr. Carbajal, Mr.
Carson of Indiana, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Castro of Texas, Ms. Judy Chu of
California, Mr. Cisneros, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Ms. Clarke of New
York, Mr. Clay, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Cooper, Mr.
Crist, Mr. Crow, Mr. Cunningham, Mrs. Davis of California, Ms. Dean,
Ms. DeGette, Ms. DeLauro, Ms. DelBene, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Doggett, Mr.
Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania, Ms. Escobar, Ms. Eshoo, Mr.
Espaillat, Mr. Evans, Ms. Frankel, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Garamendi, Mr.
Garcia of Illinois, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Heck, Mr. Himes, Ms.
Houlahan, Mr. Huffman, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Johnson of
Georgia, Mr. Keating, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kildee,
Mr. Kilmer, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire, Mr.
Langevin, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mrs.
Lawrence, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Levin of Michigan, Mr. Levin of
California, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Lowenthal,
Mr. Lujan, Mrs. Luria, Mr. Malinowski, Ms. Matsui, Ms. McCollum, Mr.
McNerney, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Meng, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Mucarsel-
Powell, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Neguse, Ms. Norton, Mr. Panetta, Mr.
Pappas, Mr. Payne, Mr. Perlmutter, Mr. Peters, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Pocan,
Ms. Porter, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Raskin, Ms.
Roybal-Allard, Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Sablan, Ms. Sanchez, Mr.
Sarbanes, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Schrader, Ms.
Schrier, Mr. Serrano, Ms. Shalala, Ms. Sherrill, Ms. Slotkin, Mr. Soto,
Ms. Spanberger, Ms. Speier, Mr. Stanton, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Suozzi, Mr.
Thompson of California, Mr. Trone, Ms. Underwood, Mr. Van Drew, Mr.
Vargas, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr.
Welch, Ms. Wexton, Ms. Wild, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Swalwell of
California, Mrs. Trahan, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Horsford, and
Mr. Lynch) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To declare a national goal that the United States achieve a 100 percent
clean economy by not later than 2050, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``100% Clean Economy Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL GOAL.
It is hereby declared that it is the national goal for the United
States to achieve a 100 percent clean economy by not later than 2050.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) In 2018, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change released a report which projected that the
global mean surface temperature of the Earth could rise 1.5 C
above preindustrial levels as early as 2030. Increases beyond
this threshold would likely have devastating effects on our
society.
(2) The 2018 report indicates that to prevent 1.5 C of
warming above preindustrial levels, emissions from human
sources must be reduced by 40 to 60 percent from 2010 levels by
2030, and to net zero emissions by 2050.
(3) The Federal Government can and must play a leading role
in global efforts to minimize climate change and to mitigate
its worst effects. By achieving a 100 percent clean economy by
2050, the United States can take a critical step toward meeting
that obligation.
(4) Greenhouse gas pollution, like many other forms of
pollution, adversely affects human beings on both local and
global scales. These effects are intersectional and accretive,
and the cumulative impact of past and present pollution has
fallen disproportionately upon already-vulnerable and -
marginalized communities, including communities of color,
Tribal and indigenous communities, low-income communities, and
rural communities. Current and future effects of climate
change, including adverse health effects and other harms, are
being and will likely continue to be felt first and most
severely in many of these same vulnerable communities.
(5) Governmental action to correct environmental injustice
is morally imperative and necessary for public health. Federal
policy can and should acknowledge, and make use of, the
intersections between the interlinked challenges of correcting
environmental injustice and reducing greenhouse gas pollution.
(6) At the same time, American workers and communities are
also suffering from economic inequality and wages are not
keeping up with the cost of living for healthcare and other
necessities. The trend downward in union representation and the
bargaining power that provides for workers has corresponded
with an increase in income going to the top 10 percent of
earners. Federal climate policy can and should be shaped to
diminish economic inequality and expand the rights of workers.
(7) All people deserve clean air, clean water, a life free
from toxic pollution that endanger public health or welfare,
and to share in the benefits of a 100 percent clean economy.
(8) Sound climate policies to achieve a 100 percent clean
economy will spur the development and manufacturing of new
technologies, the construction and repair of infrastructure,
the restoration of natural systems for resilience and carbon
sequestration, and the creation of new high-quality jobs. These
investments can help ensure the competitiveness of the United
States in the global economy.
(9) As the Federal Government seeks to combat climate
change, these new resources and opportunities should be
concentrated, as quickly as possible and to the greatest extent
practicable, in communities that are currently experiencing or
potentially face disproportionate harm from pollution, and that
face greater challenges in the transition to a 100 percent
clean economy.
SEC. 4. FEDERAL AGENCY PLANS.
(a) Plan Development.--The head of each Federal agency shall, in
accordance with this section, develop a plan for actions to be taken by
the Federal agency, consistent with the Federal agency's mission and
exclusively through authorities vested in the Federal agency by
provisions of law other than this Act, to achieve, in combination with
the other Federal agencies, the national goal declared by section 2.
Each Federal agency's plan shall include actions that will--
(1) make significant and rapid progress toward meeting such
national goal; and
(2) constitute a substantial change from business-as-usual
policies and practices of such Federal agency.
(b) Actions To Meet Goals.--
(1) In general.--Actions selected by the head of a Federal
agency to include in a plan developed under subsection (a) may
include issuing regulations, providing incentives, carrying out
research and development programs, reducing the greenhouse gas
emissions of such Federal agency itself, and any other action
the head of the Federal agency determines appropriate to
achieve the national goal declared by section 2.
(2) Selection.--In selecting actions to include in a plan
developed under subsection (a), the head of each Federal agency
shall select actions designed to--
(A) improve public health, resilience, and
environmental outcomes, especially for rural and low-
income households, communities of color, Tribal and
indigenous communities, deindustrialized communities,
and communities that are disproportionately vulnerable
to the impacts of climate change and other pollution;
(B) provide benefits for consumers, small
businesses, farmers and ranchers, and rural
communities;
(C) prioritize infrastructure investment that
reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and other
pollutants, creates quality jobs, and makes communities
more resilient to the effects of climate change;
(D) enhance quality job creation and raise labor
standards across the United States economy, including
removing policy barriers to labor union organizing,
protecting labor agreements, applying prevailing wage,
safety and health protections, domestic content, and
other provisions;
(E) lead in clean and emerging technology
production and manufacturing across the supply chain
and align policies to ensure United States companies
retain their competitive edge in a clean economy;
(F) ensure fairness and equity for workers and
communities affected by the transition to a 100 percent
clean economy; and
(G) prepare communities for climate change impacts
and risks.
(c) Proposed Plan.--
(1) Public comment.--Not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, the head of each Federal agency shall
make the proposed plan of the Federal agency developed under
subsection (a) available for public comment.
(2) Interagency review.--Not later than 9 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the head of a Federal agency,
after considering public comments and revising a proposed plan
developed under subsection (a), as appropriate, shall submit
the proposed plan to the Administrator for review and comment.
The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary where
appropriate, shall--
(A) evaluate the sufficiency of each such proposed
plan individually, and in combination with the proposed
plans of other Federal agencies, to achieve the
national goal declared by section 2; and
(B) provide, not later than 90 days after receiving
the proposed plan of a Federal agency, written
recommendations to such Federal agency to ensure that
the plan is individually, and in combination with the
proposed plans of other Federal agencies, sufficient to
achieve the national goal declared by section 2 and
advance the objectives listed in subsection (b)(2).
(d) Submission.--Not later than 15 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the head of each Federal agency shall make
public and submit to Congress--
(1) a plan developed under subsection (a) that incorporates
revisions to the proposed plan, as appropriate, to address the
recommendations provided by the Administrator under subsection
(c);
(2) the recommendations provided by the Administrator under
subsection (c); and
(3) recommendations of the Federal agency on additional
authority for the Federal agency, if any, that would be helpful
for such Federal agency, in combination with the other Federal
agencies, to achieve the national goal declared by section 2.
(e) Technical Assistance.--The Administrator, in consultation with
the Secretary as appropriate, shall provide technical assistance upon
request by any Federal agency in developing or revising a plan under
this section.
(f) Implementation.--Beginning not later than 15 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the head of each Federal agency shall
implement the plan of the Federal agency developed under subsection (a)
and submitted to Congress under subsection (d).
(g) Revisions.--Not less frequently than every 24 months after the
head of a Federal agency submits to Congress the Federal agency's plan
under subsection (d), the head of such Federal agency, in consultation
with the Administrator, shall review and revise the plan to ensure it
is sufficient to achieve, in combination with the plans of the other
Federal agencies, the national goal declared by section 2. The head of
each Federal agency shall include the conclusion of each such review
and any revised plan resulting from such review in the next annual
report required under subsection (h).
(h) Annual Report.--Not later than March 31 of the calendar year
after the calendar year in which each Federal agency is required to
submit to Congress a plan under subsection (d), and not later than
March 31 of each year thereafter, the head of each Federal agency shall
issue a public report on the plan of such Federal agency (including any
revisions to such plan), actions taken by the Federal agency pursuant
to such plan, and the effects of such actions, during the preceding
calendar year.
SEC. 5. ACCOUNTABILITY.
(a) EPA Review and Reports.--The Administrator shall--
(1) monitor the overall progress of the United States in
reducing greenhouse gas emissions and toward achieving the
national goal declared by section 2; and
(2) not later than September 30 of the calendar year after
the calendar year in which each Federal agency is required to
submit to Congress a plan under section 4(d), and not later
than September 30 of each year thereafter, submit to Congress
and publish a report on such progress that includes--
(A) a review of how such greenhouse gas emissions
reductions relate to the international commitments of
the United States; and
(B) recommendations developed under subsection (b).
(b) Recommendations.--The Administrator shall include--
(1) in each annual report submitted under subsection (a),
as appropriate, after consulting with the Secretary and
considering any recommendations of the Advisory Committee,
recommendations regarding the rate of progress of the United
States toward achieving the national goal declared by section
2; and
(2) in an appendix to each such annual report, the
recommendations of the Advisory Committee.
SEC. 6. CLEAN ECONOMY FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 3 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
(1) establish an advisory committee, to be known as the
Clean Economy Federal Advisory Committee, to make
recommendations described in subsection (c); and
(2) appoint the following members to the Advisory Committee
that reflect diversity in gender, age, race, and geography:
(A) Two members who are State officials from
different States, including at least 1 official from a
State that has adopted greenhouse gas reduction
targets.
(B) Two members who are local government officials
from different States than the States represented by
the members appointed pursuant to subparagraph (A),
including--
(i) 1 official from a city or county that
has adopted greenhouse gas reduction targets;
and
(ii) 1 official from a city or county that
is impacted by the transition away from fossil
energy.
(C) One member who represents an environmental
nonprofit organization with expertise in mitigation of
greenhouse gas emissions.
(D) Two members who are members of environmental
justice organizations representing environmental
justice communities.
(E) Two members who are members of climate justice
organizations representing communities on the front
lines of climate change.
(F) Two members who are representatives of Tribal
communities, including--
(i) 1 member from a community impacted by
pollution from the fossil fuel industry; and
(ii) 1 member from a community impacted by
the transition away from fossil energy.
(G) Two members who are members of the National
Academy of Sciences and have expertise in climate
science.
(H) Four members who are employed by organized
labor unions, including--
(i) 1 member from a utility sector union;
(ii) 1 member from a transportation sector
union;
(iii) 1 member from a manufacturing union;
and
(iv) 1 member from a building trades union.
(I) Two members who are employed by the power
sector, including at least 1 member from a business in
the clean energy industry.
(J) Two members of the agriculture industry,
including 1 member who is a farmer or rancher and 1
member who represents an organization that represents
family farms.
(K) Two members from the transportation sector,
including at least 1 member who is a representative of
a public transit industry.
(L) Two members from the manufacturing sector,
including at least 1 member who is from a business that
has committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
(M) Two members from the commercial and residential
building sector, including at least 1 member who is
from a business that has committed to improving energy
efficiency in commercial or residential buildings.
(N) One member with expertise in public health.
(O) One member who is a young person who is
associated with a climate and environmental
organization.
(b) Organization; Termination.--
(1) Subcommittees.--The Advisory Committee may, as the
Advisory Committee determines appropriate, establish
subcommittees to provide advice to the full Advisory Committee
on matters within the respective subcommittee's area of
expertise. At a minimum, the Advisory Committee shall consider
establishing subcommittees on--
(A) environmental justice;
(B) climate justice;
(C) fairness and equity for workers; and
(D) the transition of communities dependent upon
fossil fuels.
(2) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall meet not less
frequently than 3 times in the first year after it is
established, and at least annually thereafter.
(3) Terms.--A member of the Advisory Committee shall be
appointed for a term of 2 years and the Administrator may
reappoint members for no more than 3 consecutive terms.
(4) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Advisory Committee shall
be filled by the Administrator in the same manner as the
original appointment and not later than 180 days after the
occurrence of the vacancy.
(5) Chair.--The Advisory Committee shall appoint a chair
from among the members of the Advisory Committee by a majority
of those voting, if a quorum is present.
(6) Quorum.--A \2/3\ majority of members of the full
Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum.
(7) Applicability of faca.--The Advisory Committee shall be
subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
(8) Termination.--The Advisory Committee shall terminate on
December 31, 2050.
(c) Recommendations.--
(1) Interim goals.--Not later than 15 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, and upon the request of the
Administrator thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall submit
to the Administrator recommendations on one or more interim
greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals for the United States
to achieve before achieving the national goal declared by
section 2.
(2) Annual review.--Not later than June 30 of the calendar
year after the calendar year in which each Federal agency is
required to submit to Congress a plan under section 4(d), and
not later than June 30 of each year thereafter, and upon the
request of the Administrator, the Advisory Committee may
provide recommendations for the Administrator to consider in
developing recommendations to include in the annual report
required under section 5.
(3) Other matters.--Upon the request of the Administrator,
or upon the Advisory Committee's initiative, the Advisory
Committee may provide recommendations for the Administrator to
consider regarding any of the matters addressed by this Act.
SEC. 7. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERIM GOALS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall, after consulting with
the Secretary and obtaining the recommendations of the Advisory
Committee, recommend to Congress one or more interim greenhouse gas
emissions reduction goals for the United States to achieve before
achieving the national goal declared by section 2. In selecting one or
more such interim goals to recommend to Congress, the Administrator
shall consider--
(1) the best available science on the needed pace of
reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to
1.5 C;
(2) the international commitments by the United States to
address climate change, so as to ensure that any interim goal
is, at a minimum, consistent with such commitments; and
(3) the degree of progress considered necessary by a given
date to maximize the likelihood that there is an economically
and technically feasible path forward from such date to achieve
the national goal declared by section 2.
(b) Updates.--Upon request of Congress, or any new international
commitment by the United States to address climate change, the
Administrator may recommend to Congress revised or additional interim
goals.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee''
means the Clean Economy Federal Advisory Committee established
pursuant to section 6.
(2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(3) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' has the
meaning given the term ``agency'' in section 551 of title 5,
United States Code.
(4) Greenhouse gas.--The term ``greenhouse gas'' means the
heat-trapping gases for which the anthropogenic emissions are
estimated and reported in the most recently issued ``Inventory
of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks'' prepared annually
by the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with the
commitments of the United States under the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change.
(5) 100 percent clean economy.--The term ``100 percent
clean economy'' means, with respect to the United States,
economy-wide, net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, or negative
greenhouse gas emissions, after annual accounting for sources
and sinks of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions consistent
with the coverage of emissions reported by the United States
under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change.
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
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