Climate

A resolution to express the sense of the Senate regarding the protection of intellectual property rights for clean energy and environmental technology.

United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2009

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should pursue opportunities for international cooperation in technology deployment and should act to ensure that any treaty or other accord resulting from negotiations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of May 9, 1992, or a successor agreement does not weaken or undermine international legal rules and obligations relating to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights for energy and environmental technology.

Save Our Energy Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009

Save Our Energy Jobs Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress did not intend the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs); (2) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should not have the authority to promulgate rules to regulate GHG emissions without explicit authority from Congress; (3) rules that regulate GHG emissions will have a significant impact on the U.S. economy and should not be left to administrative rulemaking in the absence of congressional action; and (4) comprehensive regulations to address global climate change must only be enacted at the direction of Congress. Amends the Clean Air Act to amend the definition of "air pollutant" to exclude carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur hexafluoride.

Renewable Energy Environmental Research Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2009

Renewable Energy Environmental Research Act of 2009 - Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere in the Under Secretary's capacity as Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a plan to: (1) define requirements for a comprehensive and integrated ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmosphere science program to support renewable energy development; (2) identify and describe current climate, weather, and water data programs, products, services, and authorities within NOAA relevant to such development; (3) provide targeted research, data, monitoring, observation, and other information, products, and services concerning climate, weather, and water in support of renewable energy and smart grid technology; (4) provide research, data, monitoring, and other information, products, and services to inform renewable energy decisions concerning coastal and marine habitats, living marine resources and the ecosystems on which they depend, and coastal and marine planning; (5) reduce duplication and leverage the resources of existing NOAA programs; and (6) facilitate public-private cooperation. Requires the Administrator to establish a program to develop and implement an integrated and comprehensive ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmosphere research and operations program, based on such plan, to support renewable energy development. Enumerates program components. Requires the program to be designed to collect, synthesize, and distribute data in a manner that can be used by marine resource managers responsible for making decisions about marine renewable energy projects. Requires the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Commerce, Minerals Management Service, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and Department of Energy (DOE) to consider this information when making planning, siting, and permitting decisions for marine renewable energy. Requires the Administrator to establish a renewable energy information library and data portal. Gives the Administrator the discretion to allow any offshore exploration and production facility to execute a memorandum of understanding authorizing the use of offshore platforms and infrastructure for the placement of meteorological and oceanographic observation sensors of a type to be designated by the Administrator in support of the Integrated Ocean Observing System. Requires information collected by such sensors to be readily available for use in spill response as well as available to the National Weather Service, other NOAA programs, and the general public.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the scientific protocols, data collection methods, and peer review standards for climate change research which are necessary to preclude future infringements of the public trust.

United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the establishment of scientific protocols and a robust oversight mechanism governing an infrastructure of observing, monitoring, measuring, and verification technologies, data collection methods, and peer review standards is necessary to preclude future infringements of public trust by scientific falsification and fraud; and (2) climate change research information provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change should meet federal standards for scientific research as defined by the National Science and Technology Council and the National Academy of Sciences before being used as the basis for action by the U.S. government.

International Climate Change Investment Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2009

International Climate Change Investment Act of 2009 - Requires the President to establish the Strategic Interagency Board on International Climate Investment to assess, monitor, evaluate, and report on the progress and contributions of departments and agencies in supporting funding for international climate change activities and the goals and objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Bali Action Plan. Requires the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish a program to provide assistance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from deforestation in developing countries. Establishes program objectives, including achieving emissions reductions of at least 720 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2020, a cumulative amount of at least 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by December 31, 2025, and additional emissions reductions in subsequent years. Requires the Administrator to establish a publicly accessible registry of the emissions reductions achieved with such assistance. Requires the Administrator to develop and implement a program that addresses noncompletion or reversal with respect to any GHG emissions that were not, or are no longer, sequestered in the international deforestation reduction program. Requires: (1) the Secretary of State to establish the International Clean Energy Deployment Program to provide assistance to qualifying entities to implement clean technology activities that will contribute to reductions, sequestration, or avoidance of GHG emissions in eligible countries; and (2) the President to establish an interagency group to administer such program. Establishes an expert panel to provide guidance on technology deployment and programs to such group. Requires the Secretary to establish an International Climate Change Adaptation and Global Security Program to provide assistance to the most vulnerable developing countries for adapting and promoting resilience to climate change and its impacts. Requires the Secretary, working with the Board, to report biannually on climate change and energy policy for the five highest GHG emitting countries that are not members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the conditions for the United States becoming a signatory to or negotiating any international agreement on greenhouse gas emissions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2009

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the conditions for the United States becoming a signatory to or negotiating any international agreement on greenhouse gas emissions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

HEARING TO REVIEW THE POTENTIAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE FARM SECTOR

United States · United States House of Representatives · 2 December 2009

THE ADMINISTRATION'S VIEW ON THE STATE OF CLIMATE SCIENCE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 2 December 2009

CLIMATE CHANGE ON FEDERAL FORESTS

United States · United States Senate · 18 November 2009

INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

United States · United States Senate · 17 November 2009

CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION: CONSIDERATIONS FOR FUTURE JOBS

United States · United States Senate · 10 November 2009

American Worker Transition and Community Assistance Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2009

American Worker Transition and Community Assistance Act - Declares that the purposes of this Act are to ensure that groups of workers and communities adversely affected by federal climate change policy receive certain employment and training services and economic adjustment assistance, respectively. Establishes the Climate Change Worker and Community Assistance Fund. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a Climate Change Worker and Community Assistance Program. Authorizes certain groups of adversely affected workers to petition the Secretary of Labor and the governor of the state for certification of eligibility to apply for Program benefits, including a climate change adjustment allowance, employment services and training as well as on-the-job training, a job search allowance, a relocation allowance, a health allowance, and lump sum payments to employee retirement plans. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with cooperating states in providing program benefits to adversely affected workers. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for fraud committed by persons applying for Program benefits. Establishes the National Climate Change Advisory Committee to formulate, and submit to the President, Secretary, and the appropriate congressional committees, a strategic plan for addressing the effect of federal climate change policy on each segment of the workforce. Establishes in the Department of Commerce an Office of Climate Change Community Economic Adjustment. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Climate Change Community Economic Adjustment Program. Authorizes a community that includes a group of adversely affected workers certified eligible for climate change readjustment allowances to petition the Secretary of Commerce for a determination that it is adversely affected by federal climate change policy. Requires the Secretary of Commerce in affirmative determinations to certify the community as eligible for economic adjustment assistance under the Program. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to award grants to an eligible community to: (1) develop, and update, a strategic plan for the redevelopment and economic adjustment of the community; and (2) carry out one or more projects or training programs that is consistent with its plan. Subjects all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors on projects funded under this Act to prevailing wage rate requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act.

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE TO NATIONAL PARKS

United States · United States Senate · 28 October 2009

Natural Resources Climate Adaptation Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2009

Natural Resources Climate Adaptation Act - Declares as the purposes of this Act to: (1) integrate federal agency activities to respond to ongoing and expected impacts of climate change by protecting, restoring, and conserving the natural resources and associated ecosystem services of the United States; and (2) provide financial support and incentives for authorized programs, strategies, and activities to protect, restore, and conserve natural resources and associated ecosystem services in response to threats and effects of climate change. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce (Secretaries) to: (1) establish procedures for coordinating among federal agencies the development and dissemination of science and information necessary to address the impacts of climate change on natural resources; and (2) issue, with the Secretary of Agriculture, a climate change impact survey that identifies natural resources likely to be adversely affected by climate change. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish the National Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Corridors Information Program to develop a national database regarding fish and wildlife habitat and corridors. Requires the Secretaries and the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Natural Resources Adaptation Science Advisory Board to advise federal agencies on the impacts of climate change and natural resources adaptation. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish the National Climate Change and Wildlife Center within the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Requires the President to establish a Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Panel to develop a Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. Requires each federal agency on the Panel to complete a natural resources adaptation plan. Requires each state seeking funds under this Act to prepare a state natural resources adaptation plan to address the ongoing and expected impacts of climate change on natural resources within the state. Establishes in the Treasury the Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Fund to provide funding to states to carry out natural resources adaptation activities.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should adopt a target of 350 parts per million of atmospheric carbon dioxide by which to evaluate domestic and international climate change policies, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2009

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should: (1) adopt a target of 350 parts per million of atmospheric carbon dioxide by which to evaluate domestic and international climate change policies; and (2) develop domestic and international policies that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate advancing science in the event that a change in that target becomes warranted.

56-665 PDF 2010 S. Hrg. 111-499 DROUGHT, FLOODING AND REFUGEES: ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE WORLD'S MOST VULNERABLE NATIONS

United States · United States Senate · 15 October 2009

CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION

United States · United States Senate · 14 October 2009

Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Adaptation Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009

Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Adaptation Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a WaterSense program to identify and promote water efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services (products, facilities, and services) so as to: (1) reduce water use and the strain on water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure; (2) conserve energy used to pump, heat, transport, and treat water; and (3) preserve water resources through voluntary labeling of, or other forms of communications about, products, facilities, and services that meet the highest water efficiency and performance criteria. Sets forth the duties of Administrator of the EPA under the program, including to: (1) establish a WaterSense label and certification procedures and to promote labeled products, facilities, and services for reducing water use and ensuring performance; (2) review and update WaterSense criteria for categories of products, facilities, and services; (3) estimate and make available the production and relative market shares of, and the savings of water, energy, and capital costs of water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure attributable to, labeled products, facilities, and services; (4) notify the public of any changes on the adoption of a new or revised WaterSense category, specification, installation criterion, or other criterion and explain such changes; (5) implement other voluntary approaches in commercial, institutional, residential, industrial, and municipal sectors to encourage recycling and reuse technologies to improve water efficiency or lower water use; and (6) apply the WaterSense label as appropriate to water-using products that are labeled by the Energy Star program. Requires the Administrator to: (1) allocate funds to establish and implement a program of financial incentives for consumer purchase and installation of water-efficient products, facilities, and services; and (2) make grants to owners or operators of specified water systems to address any ongoing or forecasted climate-related impact on the water quality or quantity of a region of the United States for the purposes of mitigating or adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Drinking Water Adaptation, Technology, Education, and Research (WATER) Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009

Drinking Water Adaptation, Technology, Education, and Research (WATER) Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and provide funding for a program of directed and applied research, to be conducted through a nonprofit water research foundation and sponsored by drinking water utilities, to assist the utilities in adapting to the effects of climate change. Requires research areas to include: (1) water quality impacts and solutions; (2) impacts on groundwater supplies from carbon sequestration; (3) water quantity impacts and solutions; (4) infrastructure impacts and solutions for water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities and underground pipelines; (5) desalination, water reuse, and alternative supply technologies; (6) energy efficiency and greenhouse gas minimization; (7) regional and hydrological basin cooperative water management solutions; (8) utility management, decision support systems, and water management models; (9) greenhouse gas emissions reduction and improvement of energy demand management; (10) water conservation and demand management; and (11) communications, education, and public acceptance.

Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2009

Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act - Provides for the establishment of a cap and trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission allowances and sets goals of reducing U.S. emissions by 20% by 2020 and by 83% by 2050. Sets forth provisions concerning the establishment of: (1) economy-wide GHG emission reduction goals; (2) transportation-related GHG emissions reduction goals and standards; (3) a coordinated approach to certifying and permitting geological storage of carbon dioxide; (4) regulations for geological storage wells; (5) performance standards for new coal-fired power plants; (6) the Carbon Storage Research Corporation; (7) programs to research the safety and performance of nuclear power plants, train nuclear workers, and develop understanding of, and new technologies for, spent nuclear waste management; (8) water use efficiency programs, a research program to assist drinking water utilities in adapting to the effects of climate change, and a water system mitigation and adaptation partnership program to provide funds to states for water system adaptation projects; (9) an Office of Consumer Advocacy within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); (10) a national product carbon disclosure program; (11) a State Recycling Program; (12) a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Incentives Program to provide financial assistance to owners and operators of agricultural lands and forest land for projects that increase carbon sequestration or reduce GHG emissions; (13) the Economic Development Climate Change Fund for sustainable economic development; (14) efficiency standards for buildings; (15) a program to promote dispatchable power generation projects that can accelerate the reduction of power sector carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions; (16) the Strategic Interagency Board on International Climate Investment to develop and improve mitigation policies and actions that reduce deforestation and forest degradation or conserve and restore forests in developing countries; (17) programs to assist developing countries in reducing emissions from deforestation; (18) the International Clean Energy Deployment Program to assist developing countries in reducing, sequestering, or avoiding GHG emissions; (19) an International Climate Change Adaptation and Global Security Program to assist the most vulnerable developing countries in climate change adaptation programs; (20) a National Climate Change Adaptation Program within the United States Global Change Research Program to increase the effectiveness of climate change adaptation efforts; (21) to create within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a National Climate Service; (22) a Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Panel and strategies for making natural resources more resilient to the impacts of climate change; (23) a National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center within the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to provide assistance and tools for adaptation to climate change; (24) habitat and corridors information systems of geographical information system databases; (25) a Flood Control, Protection, Prevention and Response Program to provide assistance to states; and (26) a program to reduce the risk of wildfires in fire-ready communities. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) advancing or encouraging clean, renewable, alternative, innovative and/or efficient energy technology, projects, research and/or practices; (2) supporting the development of programs to aid workers in the fields of clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, and adaptation; (3) climate change adjustment assistance for workers displaced as a result of this Act; (4) implementing a strategic action plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the impacts of climate change on public health; (5) distributing funding to coastal states for projects addressing the impacts of climate change in the Great Lakes coastal watershed; and (6) reducing emissions of black carbon. Green Taxis Act of 2009 - Authorizes states to prescribe requirements for fuel economy for taxicabs if they are at least as stringent as federal standards. Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) promulgate regulations to cap and reduce GHG emissions, annually, so that GHG emissions from capped sources are reduced to 97% of 2005 levels by 2012, 80% by 2020, 58% by 2030, and 17% by 2050; (2) set aside a specified percentage of emission allowances to be used to achieve an additional 10% reduction from 2005 U.S. emission levels in 2020 by providing incentives to reduce emissions from international deforestation; and (3) establish a federal GHG registry. Designates carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from a chemical manufacturing process at an industrial stationary source, perfluorocarbons, and nitrogen trifluoride as GHGs. Authorizes the EPA Administrator to designate additional athropogenic GHGs. Requires EPA to establish specified emission allowances (tonnage limits) for each of 2012-2050. Authorizes the Administrator to either: (1) regulate the production of perfluorocarbon under such limits; or (2) subject such production to the best available control technology and regulations phasing down the consumption of perfluorocarbon and importation of products containing perfluorocarbon. Provides for the establishment and distribution of compensatory allowances for the destruction and conversionary use of fluorinated gases and the non-emissive use of petroleum-based or coal-based liquid or gaseous fuel, petroleum coke, natural gas liquid, or natural gas as a feedstock. Prohibits any person from manufacturing, introducing into interstate commerce, or emitting a significant quantity of certain fluorinated gas that is generated as a byproduct during the production or use of another fluorinated gas. Phases in prohibitions against covered entities (including electricity sources, fuel producers and importers, industrial gas producers and importers, nitrogen trifluoride sources, geological sequestration sites, industrial stationary sources, industrial fossil fuel-fired combustion devices, natural gas local distribution companies, resource and development facilities that emitted 25,000 tons per year or more of carbon dioxide equivalent, algae-based fuels, and fugitive emissions) exceeding allowable emission levels. Requires covered entities to demonstrate compliance through: (1) holding emission allowances at least as great as attributable emissions; or (2) using offset credits. Provides for trading, banking and borrowing, auctioning, selling, exchanging, transferring, holding, or retiring emission allowances. Sets forth provisions governing the disposition of emission allowances, including giving allowance values to: (1) benefit energy consumers and low income consumers, energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries, local distribution companies, merchant coal units, generators, refineries, and renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts; (2) address the impacts of climate change; and (3) reduce the deficit. Requires EPA to promulgate regulations to phase down the consumption of, and regulate the production of, HFCs. Specifies consumption allowances for: (1) each of 2012-2032; and (2) 2033 and thereafter. Provides for: (1) the distribution, auction, banking, exchange, and international transfer of such allowances; and (2) the issuance of offset credits for the destruction of chlorofluorocarbons.

Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Adaptation Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2009

Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Adaptation Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a WaterSense program to identify and promote water efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services (products, facilities, and services) so as to: (1) reduce water use and the strain on water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure; (2) conserve energy used to pump, heat, transport, and treat water; and (3) preserve water resources through voluntary labeling of, or other forms of communications about, products, facilities, and services that meet the highest water efficiency and performance criteria. Sets forth the duties of Administrator of the EPA under the program, including to: (1) establish a WaterSense label and certification procedures and to promote labeled products, facilities, and services for reducing water use and ensuring performance; (2) review and update WaterSense criteria for categories of products, facilities, and services; (3) estimate and make available the production and relative market shares of, and the savings of water, energy, and capital costs of water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure attributable to, labeled products, facilities, and services; (4) notify the public of any changes on the adoption of a new or revised WaterSense category, specification, installation criterion, or other criterion and explain such changes; (5) implement other voluntary approaches in commercial, institutional, residential, industrial, and municipal sectors to encourage recycling and reuse technologies to improve water efficiency or lower water use; and (6) apply the WaterSense label as appropriate to water-using products that are labeled by the Energy Star program. Requires the Administrator to: (1) allocate funds to establish and implement a program of financial incentives for consumer purchase and installation of water-efficient products, facilities, and services; and (2) make grants to owners or operators of specified water systems to address any ongoing or forecasted climate-related impact on the water quality or quantity of a region of the United States for the purposes of mitigating or adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Healthy Borderlands Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009

Healthy Borderlands Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement a comprehensive mitigation plan to address the ecological and environmental impacts of border security infrastructure, measures, and activities along the international land borders of the United States. Requires the plan to include measures to address and mitigate the full range of such impacts, including: (1) preserving, maintaining, and restoring wildlife migration corridors, key habitats, and the ecologically functional connectivity among key habitats sufficient to ensure that species remain viable and are able to adapt to the impacts of climate change; (2) addressing control of invasive species; (3) maintaining hydrological functionality; and (5) protection of cultural and historical resources. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the plan on any federal, state, private, or tribal lands, provided that activities are carried out in full consultation with, and with the concurrence of, the owner or entity with principal responsibility for the management of such lands. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer funds of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to other federal agencies for: (1) expenditure under programs of such agencies that are designed to fund conservation-related activities on nonfederal lands; and (2) mitigation activities on federal lands managed by such agencies.

Energy and Water Research Integration Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009

Energy and Water Research Integration Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy, in carrying out energy research, development, and demonstration programs of the Department of Energy (DOE), to: (1) seek to advance energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices that would minimize freshwater withdrawal and consumption, increase water use efficiency, and utilize nontraditional water sources with efforts to improve the quality of that water; (2) consider the effects climate change may have on water supplies and quality for energy generation and fuel production; and (3) improve understanding of the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies throughout the United States. Requires the Secretary to incorporate specified considerations, including: (1) new advanced cooling technologies for energy generation and fuel production technologies; (2) innovative water reuse, recovery, and treatment in energy generation and fuel production; and (3) reduction of water resource impacts of fossil fuel resource development. Directs the Secretary, in coordination with other relevant federal agencies, to establish an Energy-Water Architecture Council to promote and enable improved energy and water resource data collection, reporting, and technological innovation. Requires the Council to: (1) adopt data collection and communication standards and protocols for the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies; (2) make improvements to federal water use data to increase understanding of trends in power plant water use; (3) integrate existing monitoring networks to provide nationally uniform water and energy use and infrastructure data; and (4) conduct an annual technical workshop to facilitate information exchange among experts on technologies that encourage the conservation and efficient use of water energy.

Solar Technology Roadmap Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009

Solar Technology Roadmap Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration for solar technology. Requires the Secretary to provide awards to: (1) academic institutions, national laboratories, government research agencies, nonprofit organizations, industrial entities, or consortia thereof for research, development, and demonstration activities; and (2) industry-led consortia for research, development, and demonstration of advanced techniques for manufacturing a variety of solar energy products. Directs the Secretary to establish and provide support for a Solar Technology Roadmap Committee, which shall develop a Solar Technology Roadmap that: (1) presents the best current estimate of the near-, mid-, and long-term research, development, and demonstration needs in solar technology; and (2) provides guidance to the solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities supported by the federal government for meeting national priorities in energy security, U.S. competitiveness, climate change mitigation, and energy diversification. Declares it to be U.S. policy that at least 75% of funding for Department of Energy (DOE) solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities after FY2014 support Roadmap activities. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate federal interagency activities identified in and related to the Roadmap. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to provide grants for demonstration projects to support the development of solar energy production, consistent with the Roadmap; (2) transmit to Congress the results of a study that analyzes the performance of photovoltaic installations in the United States; (3) award multiyear grants for research, development, and demonstration activities to create innovative and practical approaches to increase reuse and recycling of photovoltaic devices; and (4) establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database of materials for use in photovoltaic devices.

Abrupt Climate Change Research Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2009

Abrupt Climate Change Research Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and carry out a program of extramural awards to conduct scientific research on abrupt climate change (defined as change in climate that occurs so rapidly or unexpectedly that human or natural systems have difficulty adapting).

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON NATIONAL PARKS IN COLORADO

United States · United States Senate · 24 August 2009

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENSURING THAT AMERICA LEADS THE CLEAN ENERGY TRANSFORMATION

United States · United States Senate · 6 August 2009

Social Investment and Economic Development for the Americas Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009

Social Investment and Economic Development for the Americas Act of 2010 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, acting through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and working with governments and civil society in the Americas (all the countries of North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean), to provide assistance to reduce poverty, expand the middle class, and foster increased economic opportunity by promoting education, improving health and disease prevention, increasing access to income generating activities, reducing crime, generating rural development, reducing poverty and inequality, eliminating the exclusion of marginalized populations, and strengthening the rule of law, governance, and democracy through the establishment of independent judiciaries, efficient processes to adjudicate claims, and effective law enforcement institutions. Authorizes appropriations for debt and equity financing for a Microfinance Growth Fund for the Americas. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) establish an advisory group on the feasibility of establishing a new public-private Fund for Social and Economic Development in the Americas; (2) conduct a joint study to determine the best strategy for increasing the use of renewable energy sources in the Americas; and (3) work with interested governments in Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico (the Region) to study mechanisms to facilitate regional and hemispheric carbon trading. Authorizes appropriations to USAID: (1) for labor and environmental capacity building activities relating to the implementation of trade promotion agreements; (2) for programs in the Americas to reduce global warming; (3) to support activities in the Region involving adaptation to, and reduction in the negative impact of, environmental changes brought about by global warming and activities promoting sustainable forest management and reduction of deforestation. Expresses support for the establishment of an Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas.

Forest Carbon Incentives Program Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2009

Forest Carbon Incentives Program Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a carbon incentives program to achieve supplemental greenhouse gas emission reductions on private forest land of the United States. Directs the Secretary (subject to specified requirements) to provide to owners of eligible land financial incentive payments for: (1) eligible practices that measurably increase carbon sequestration and storage over a designated period, as specified through a climate mitigation contract; and (2) permanent avoided deforestation agreements (i.e., permanent conservation easements that cover eligible land that will not be converted for development). Directs the Secretary to: (1) specify requirements to address intentional or unintentional reversal of carbon sequestration during the contract period; (2) issue regulations that specify eligible practices and related compensation rates, standards, and guidelines; (3) establish and implement protocols that provide monitoring and verification of compliance with such contracts; (4) report on progress toward reaching specified levels of carbon sequestration and storage through such contracts; and (5) adjust (at least every two years) eligible practices and compensation rates for future contracts based on the results.

Arctic Climate Adaptation Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2009

Arctic Climate Adaptation Act - Establishes in the Department of Commerce an American Arctic Adaptation Grant Program. Directs the Denali Commission to: (1) be the Alaska Project Coordinator for the Program; (2) select, administer, and coordinate projects awarded grants under the Program; (3) establish an Adaptation Advisory Committee to advise the Commission on climate adaptation needs and investments and on the award of grants under the Program; and (4) publish an annual work plan for the Program. Permits the Commission to combine funds from the Program with awards from other appropriate federal or state infrastructure development, construction, or maintenance programs to provide funds to carry out an eligible project. Defines "eligible project" as a project to repair, replace, or maintain an element of public infrastructure in a coastal or remote Alaskan village damaged or threatened by the effects of climate change. Requires the Commission, during FY2010 and in collaboration with the state of Alaska, the University of Alaska, and relevant U.S. agencies, to conduct research on best practices for climate related adaptation that are being used or researched by other polar nations or foreign or domestic research institutions or institutions of higher learning and that could be used by Arctic communities in Alaska.

American Energy Production and Price Reduction Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009

American Energy Production and Price Reduction Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that at no time shall Congress enact legislation that will lead to the increase of domestic energy prices. Amends the Submerged Lands Act to: (1) revise the seaward boundaries of states from three geographical miles to 12 nautical miles; and (2) retain as federal property all oil and gas mineral rights for lands beneath the navigable waters located within such expanded offshore state seaward boundaries. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to revise requirements for: (1) the determination of Adjacent Zones and Planning Areas; (2) lease administration and granting of leases; and (3) treatment of receipts from tracts within specified miles of a state coastline. Revamps procedures for the reservation of lands and rights. Authorizes the President to revoke or revise prior withdrawals from leasing within certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Revises the OCS leasing program. Prescribes a program for approval of pipeline construction (including a petroleum products pipeline) within part of an Adjacent State's Adjacent Zone. Cites conditions under which leases and exploration activities are categorically excluded from the need to prepare an environmental assessment or impact statement. Prescribes procedures for federal repurchase of certain leases, including oil and gas leases. Permits offsite environmental mitigation. Sets forth procedures for the exchange of specified leases within the California or Florida Adjacent Zone. Repeals: (1) the coastal impact assistance program; and (2) the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to implement a competitive leasing program for oil and gas exploration, development, and production on the Alaska Coastal Plain. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against leasing or other development regarding production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Deems any oil and gas leasing programs and activities authorized by this Act to be in compliance with ANWR purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to designate specified acres of the Coastal Plain as a Special Area, after consultation with the state of Alaska, the city of Kaktovik, and the North Slope Borough. Permits directional drilling in the Special Area. Prescribes procedures governing Coastal Plain lease sales. Prescribes a "no significant adverse effect" standard to govern Coastal Plain activities. Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from denying a license application under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 on the grounds that sufficient capacity does not exist, or will not become available on a timely basis, for disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste from the facility for which the authorization is sought. Amends the Internal Revenue Code: (1) to prescribe an ASME Nuclear Certification credit of 15% of the qualified nuclear expenditures paid or incurred by the taxpayer; and (2) repeal the deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities. Amends the Clean Air Act to exclude from the term "air pollutant" carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur hexafluoride. Declares the Clean Air Act shall not be treated as authorizing or requiring the regulation of climate change or global warming. Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to set forth procedures for judicial review of federal agency compliance. Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal specified amendments to the renewable fuel standard. Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009, to repeal the requirement to consult regarding impacts on global warming and the polar bear population. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal lighting energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps and other designated lamps. Emergency Solar Power Permit Act - Amends NEPA to exempt any action relating to a solar energy project on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from environmental impact statement (EIS) requirements. Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a five-year natural gas vehicle research and development program. Amends the IRC to: (1) make permanent alternative fuel credits for compressed or liquefied natural gas and the vehicles powered by such gas; (2) allow vehicle and infrastructure credits against regular and minimum tax and transferability of credits; (3) grant a credit for producing vehicles fueled by natural or liquefied natural gas; (4) grant a special allowance for coal-to-liquid plant property in the accelerated cost recovery system; and (5) extend permanently the credit for nonbusiness energy property and the credit for gas produced from biomass and for synthetic fuels produced from coal. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize appropriations for large-scale coal-to-liquid facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish a coal-to-liquid facilities loan and loan guarantee programs. Amends the IRC to: (1) provide for a seven-year depreciation for clean coal technology or for carbon sequestration technology installed or retrofitted at power-plants; (2) extend the 50-cent per gallon alternative fuels excise tax credit; and (3) allow a tax credit for 30% of the expenditures made by an individual or business for energy production and distribution facilities. Directs the Internal Revenue Service to treat the synthetic gas produced from coal-to-liquids with the same tax treatment as covered by the industrial gasification tax credit. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide clean coal technology loan guarantees and direct loans for research, development, and deployment of clean coal technology in order to build up to five commercial-scale coal-fired plants with carbon capture and sequestration capabilities. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to undertake a national assessment of carbon dioxide storage capacity. Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct and report to certain congressional committees on an efficiency audit, and quantify the operating efficiencies, of all coal-fired electric generation facilities in the United States. Amends the IRC to extend specified tax incentives for energy, among them credits for: (1) energy efficient appliances; (2) nonbusiness energy property; (3) residential energy efficient property; and (4) new energy efficient homes.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATIONAL SECURITY

United States · United States Senate · 30 July 2009

CLIMATE SERVICES: SOLUTIONS FROM COMMERCE TO COMMUNITIES

United States · United States Senate · 30 July 2009

CLIMATE FOR INNOVATION: TECHNOLOGY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN GLOBAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 29 July 2009

Black Carbon and Other Aerosols Research Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2009

Black Carbon and Other Aerosols Research Act of 2009 - Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to: (1) develop an observation, monitoring, modeling, and research plan for black carbon and other aerosols that contribute to climate-forcing and climate change, which shall analyze research gaps, identify federal research priorities, include a framework for modeling effects on climate, identify sources, monitor atmospheric concentrations, and provide for assets necessary to develop a monitoring and research program; and (2) establish a Black Carbon and Other Aerosols Advisory Panel to assist in development and implementation of such plan. Directs the Administrator to establish a black carbon and other aerosols monitoring and research program that combines observations, research, monitoring, modeling, and other activities within NOAA, consistent with such plan, and that includes: (1) coordinated monitoring and research activities to improve understanding of specified factors that influence the contribution of such substances to climate change processes; (2) strategic modeling activities to improve understanding of the transportation and transformation of such substances, their distributions and climate-forcing properties, and their roles in climate change and air quality; (3) educational opportunities that encourage an interdisciplinary and international approach to exploring such substances' associated sources and impacts; (4) public outreach activities; and (5) coordination of monitoring research with various agencies and entities. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to provide grants for critical research and projects that improve the ability to measure, monitor, model, and assess such substances with respect to atmospheric concentrations and deposited forms, including research that supports means of reducing their impacts on climate.

FROM L'AQUILA TO COPENHAGEN: CLIMATE CHANGE AND VULNERABLE SOCIETIES

United States · United States House of Representatives · 23 July 2009

CLEAN ENERGY JOBS, CLIMATE-RELATED POLICIES AND ECONOMIC GROWTH--STATE AND LOCAL VIEWS

United States · United States Senate · 21 July 2009

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL SECURITY: CHALLENGES, THREATS AND DIPLOMATIC OPPORTUNITIES

United States · United States Senate · 21 July 2009

American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2009

American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009 - Establishes: (1) the Clean Energy Investment Fund, a revolving fund to develop clean energy technology; (2) the Clean Energy Deployment Administration in the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide financial support for deploying clean energy technologies; (3) the National Commission on Nuclear Waste to study issues concerning waste management, disposal, storage, and chemical reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (4) a Working Group on Energy Markets; and (5) a standard that requires utilities to obtain an increasing percentage of their base quantity of electricity that they sell to consumers from renewable energy or energy efficiency (3% in 2011-2013, 6% in 2014-2016, 9% in 2017-2018, 12% in 2019-2020, and 15% in 2021-2039). Requires DOE to: (1) establish a renewable energy credit trading program and an energy efficiency credit trading program, under which utilities will submit credits to comply with such standard; (2) conduct various studies and programs concerning clean energy, water use and energy savings, and energy efficiency in vehicles; (3) support manufacturers' use of clean energy and energy efficiency measures, including implementing the State Partnership Industrial Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Program and a sustainable manufacturing initiative; (4) implement a program to demonstrate the commercial application of integrated systems for the capture, injection, monitoring, and storage of carbon dioxide from industrial sources; (5) support programs to expand the domestic production of low-Btu gas and helium resources; (6) conduct a marine-based energy device verification program; (7) implement a grant program to develop and evaluate marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy; and (8) establish a task force to report on climate change in China and India. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) develop an interconnection-wide transmission plan for the electric grid; (2) require electric utilities to make available interconnection service to consumers with respect to facilities that generate up to 15 kilowatts; and (3) establish a model standard for the interconnection of certain small power production facilities. Provides for the protection of critical electric infrastructure from cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Gives the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing authority under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 over facilities that use an advanced fuel recycling process. Requires NRC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish standards regarding protection against radiation and radioactive material from facilities that use such a process. Sets forth provisions to: (1) establish energy efficiency standards for lights, appliances, and buildings and revise the Energy Star program; (2) require the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to include at least 30 million barrels of refined petroleum products; (3) provide for the production of geothermal energy on land with oil and gas leases; (4) repeal royalty relief for production from certain ultra deep gas wells in shallow water and oil and gas production sites in the Gulf of Mexico; (5) increase a federal loan guarantee for developing an Alaska natural gas pipeline; (6) prioritize and provide assistance for renewable energy development on brownfield sites; (7) authorize and extend appropriations for specified energy programs; (8) provide for the development of energy education and workforce training; and (9) establish requirements for the Energy Information Administration, including creating a Financial Market Analysis Office. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) develop a facility to operate the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility; (2) designate Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field offices in specified states to serve as Renewable Energy Permit Coordination Offices; (3) prepare a seismic inventory of oil and natural gas and a summary of such information for waters in the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); (4) establish a wind and solar leasing program; (5) conduct assessments of helium gas and potash; (6) establish a regional joint OCS lease and permit processing office for Alaska; and (7) allow oil and gas leasing in specified areas of the Gulf of Mexico that are beyond 45 statute miles (current law limits such activity to areas beyond 125 miles) off the coastline of Florida.

TRANSPORTATION'S ROLE IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND REDUCING GREENHOUSE GASES

United States · United States Senate · 14 July 2009

Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2009

Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to support investments in clean water and drinking water infrastructure. Imposes through 2015: (1) an excise tax on the sale of containers of water-based beverages, water disposal products, and pharmaceutical products; and (2) a clean water tax on corporations. Appropriates revenues raised from such taxes to the Trust Fund. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allocate amounts from the Trust Fund for specified clean and safe drinking water programs. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act to: (1) expand the types of projects eligible for funding by state revolving loan funds; and (2) set forth additional criteria for states in developing priorities for assistance under such Acts; and (3) provide for technical assistance to community water systems and small water treatment works. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to: (1) increase the security of community water systems and water treatment works; (2) hire certified wastewater treatment operators; and (3) control sewer overflow. Requires the Administrator to make grants to: (1) support efforts by water systems to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the impacts of climate change; (2) establish a national water infrastructure research, development, and demonstration program and regional university water research centers; and (3) take back and dispose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs in an environmentally sound manner.

Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2009

Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010 - Makes FY2010 appropriations for the Department of State (Department) for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the civilian stabilization initiative; (3) the Capital Investment Fund; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) educational and cultural exchange programs; (6) representation allowances; (7) protection of foreign missions and officials; (8) U.S. embassy security, construction, and maintenance; (9) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (10) the buying power maintenance account; (11) the repatriation loans program account; (12) the American Institute in Taiwan; (13) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (14) international organizations, peacekeeping, and commissions; (15) the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico; (16) plan preparation and construction of authorized projects; (17) the International Joint Commission and the International Boundary Commission, United States and Canada; (18) international fisheries commissions; (19) international broadcasting operations; (20) the Asia Foundation; (21) the United States Institute for Peace; (22) the Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund; (23) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (24) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; (25) the East-West Center; (26) the National Endowment for Democracy; (27) the Commission for Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (28) the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom; (29) the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (30) the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China; and (31) the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) operating expenses of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Office of Inspector General; (2) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (3) global health and child survival; (4) specified development assistance; (5) international disaster assistance; (6) transition initiatives; (7) emergency crises; (8) development credit authority; (9) the Economic Support Fund; (10) promotion of democracy; (11) assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia; (12) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (13) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, and demining; (14) migration and refugee assistance; (15) the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (16) the Peace Corps; (17) the Millennium Challenge Corporation; (18) the Inter-American Foundation; (19) the African Development Foundation; and (20) the Department of the Treasury for international affairs technical assistance activities and debt restructuring. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) international military education and training; (2) foreign military financing grants; and (3) international peacekeeping operations. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) international organizations and programs; (2) the Global Environment Facility; (3) the International Development Association; (4) the Clean Technology Fund; (5) the Strategic Climate Fund; (6) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (7) the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; (8) the Asian Development Fund; (9) the African Development Fund; and (10) the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) the Export-Import Bank, including the Office of Inspector General, direct and guaranteed loan and insurance programs, and administrative expenses; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses, and for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Sets forth certain limits and prohibitions on the use of appropriations for specified activities.

INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS UNDER CLIMATE POLICIES: LESSONS FROM EUROPE

United States · United States Senate · 8 July 2009

To prohibit United States contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2009

Prohibits the President from making contributions on behalf of the United States to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: A CORE CLIMATE SOLUTION

United States · United States Senate · 7 July 2009

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009

Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010 - Makes FY2010 appropriations for the Department of State (Department) for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the civilian stabilization initiative; (3) the Capital Investment Fund; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) educational and cultural exchange programs; (6) representation allowances; (7) protection of foreign missions and officials; (8) U.S. embassy security, construction, and maintenance; (9) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (10) the buying power maintenance account; (11) the repatriation loans program account; (12) the American Institute in Taiwan; (13) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (14) international organizations, peacekeeping, and commissions; (15) the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico; (16) plan preparation and construction of authorized projects; (17) the International Joint Commission and the International Boundary Commission, United States and Canada; (18) international fisheries commissions; (19) international broadcasting operations; (20) the Asia Foundation; (21) the United States Institute for Peace; (22) the Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund; (23) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (24) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; (25) the National Endowment for Democracy; (26) the Commission for Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (27) the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom; (28) the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (29) the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China; and (30) the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) operating and international development expenses of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Office of Inspector General; (2) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (3) global health and child survival; (4) specified development assistance; (5) international disaster assistance; (6) transition initiatives; (7) development credit authority; (8) the Economic Support Fund; (9) promotion of democracy; (10) the International Fund for Ireland; (11) assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia; (12) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (13) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, and demining; (14) migration and refugee assistance; (15) the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (16) the Peace Corps; (17) the Millennium Challenge Corporation; (18) the Inter-American Foundation; (19) the African Development Foundation; and (20) the Department of the Treasury for international affairs technical assistance activities and debt restructuring. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) international military education and training; (2) foreign military financing grants; and (3) international peacekeeping operations. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) international organizations and programs; (2) the Global Environment Facility; (3) the International Development Association; (4) the Clean Technology Fund; (5) the Strategic Climate Fund; (6) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (7) the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; (8) the Asian Development Fund; (9) the African Development Fund; and (10) the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) the Export-Import Bank, including the Office of Inspector General, direct and guaranteed loan and insurance programs, and administrative expenses; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses, and for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Sets forth certain limits and prohibitions on the use of appropriations for specified activities.

Climate Change Center and Clearinghouse Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2009

Climate Change Center and Clearinghouse Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish: (1) the Office of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change within the Small Business Administration (SBA); and (2) the Climate Change Center and Clearinghouse within such Office. Requires the Office to: (1) oversee and administer the Center; (2) promote energy efficiency efforts for, and efforts to reduce energy costs of, small businesses; and (3) oversee efforts by small businesses to develop renewable energy technologies. Requires the Center to: (1) provide information to small businesses on assessing and managing the impacts of climate change and on cost savings and revenue gains possible through carbon credit trading opportunities and federal and state renewable energy and energy efficiency tax relief programs, purchase incentives, and rebate programs; (2) ensure that such information is provided to small businesses on an accessible website and through nationwide workshops; (3) coordinate federal agency efforts to provide support to small businesses for the purpose of maintaining competitiveness while developing green products or services, implementing green business practices, or reducing pollution; (4) develop a baseline study that provides a broad analysis that aggregates small business energy consumption and emissions; (5) raise awareness among small businesses of the information, technical support, and network opportunities made available through the Energy Star Program to reduce energy waste and energy costs; (6) develop a carbon footprint website that contains information on how small business concerns can reduce their carbon footprint, links to other carbon footprint websites, and a calculator for obtaining an estimate of a small business's carbon emissions based on electricity usage, heating fuel usage, and fleet mileage; and (7) develop a marketing plan. Directs: (1) the President to establish an interagency working group to establish goals and priorities for the Center and to provide for interagency coordination of Center activities; and (2) the Administrator of SBA to specify a detailed definition for the terms "green products or services" and "green business practices."

OVERSIGHT FIELD HEARING ON ``THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY''

United States · United States House of Representatives · 23 June 2009

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2009

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a combined efficiency and renewable electricity standard that requires specified retail electricity suppliers to supply an increasing percentage of their demand from a combination of energy efficiency savings and renewable energy (6% in 2012, 9.5% in 2014, 13% in 2016, 16.5% in 2018, and 20% in 2021-2039). Provides for issuing, trading, banking, retiring, and verifying renewable electricity credits. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) certifying and permitting geologic sequestration; (2) regulating sequestration wells; (3) establishing performance standards for new coal-fired power plants; (4) developing plug-in electric drive and advanced technology vehicles and infrastructure for such vehicles; (5) assessing and supporting smart grid technology and peak demand reduction goals and related requirements; (6) planning for future transmission of electricity, including electricity grid planning that facilitates the deployment of zero-carbon energy sources; (7) expanding the definition of "renewable biomass" for purposes of the renewable fuel standard; (8) advancing or encouraging clean, renewable, alternative, innovative and/or efficient energy technology, projects, research and/or practices; (9) establishing and/or revising efficiency standards for industrial equipment, lighting, appliances, electric motors, buildings, and consumer products; (10) creating water use efficiency programs; (11) establishing rebate programs, including rebates for the replacement of manufactured homes owned by low-income families and rebates to reimburse low-income households for their estimated loss in purchasing power resulting from the Safe Climate Act provisions of this Act; (12) replacing wood or pellet stoves that do not meet specified performance standards; (13) establishing transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals and standards; and (14) reducing emissions of black carbon. Safe Climate Act - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations to: (1) cap and reduce GHG emissions, annually, so that GHG emissions from capped sources are reduced to 97% of 2005 levels by 2012, 83% by 2020, 58% by 2030, and 17% by 2050; and (2) establish a federal GHG registry. Designates carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from a chemical manufacturing process at an industrial stationary source, perfluorocarbons, and nitrogen trifluoride as GHGs. Requires EPA to establish specified emission allowances (tonnage limits) for: (1) each of 2012-2049; and (2) 2050 and thereafter. Provides for the establishment and distribution of compensatory allowances for the destruction and conversionary use of fluorinated gases and the nonemissive use of petroleum-based or coal-based liquid or gaseous fuel, petroleum coke, natural gas liquid, or natural gas as a feedstock. Prohibits any person from manufacturing, introducing into interstate commerce, or emitting a significant quantity of certain fluorinated gas that is generated as a byproduct during the production or use of another fluorinated gas. Phases in prohibitions against covered entities (including electricity sources, fuel producers and importers, industrial gas producers and importers, geological sequestration sites, industrial stationary sources, industrial fossil fuel-fired combustion devices, natural gas local distribution companies, nitrogen trifluoride sources, algae-based fuels, and fugitive emissions) exceeding allowable emission levels. Requires covered entities to demonstrate compliance through: (1) holding emission allowances at least as great as attributable emissions; or (2) using offset credits. Provides for trading, banking and borrowing, auctioning, selling, exchanging, transferring, holding, or retiring emission allowances. Sets forth provisions governing the disposition of emission allowances, including giving: (1) proceeds from auctions of allocations to benefit energy consumers and low income consumers and to address the impacts of climate change; and (2) free allocations to energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries, local distribution companies, merchant coal units, generators, and refineries. Requires EPA to promulgate regulations to phase down the consumption of, and regulate the production of, HFCs. Specifies consumption allowances for: (1) each of 2012-2032; and (2) 2033 and thereafter. Provides for: (1) the distribution, auction, banking, exchange, and international transfer of such allowances; and (2) the issuance of offset credits for the destruction of chlorofluorocarbons. Requires: (1) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to promulgate regulations for the establishment, operation, and oversight of markets for regulated allowances; and (2) the President to establish an interagency working group on carbon market oversight. Provides for transactions in derivatives that involve energy commodities. Gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) jurisdiction over the establishment, operations, and oversight of markets for regulated allowance derivatives. Amends the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act to give FERC cease-and-desist authority to prevent violations of such Acts. Global Change Research and Data Management Act of 2009 - Requires the President to establish: (1) the United States Global Change Research Program to improve understanding of climate change; and (2) a Global Change Research Information Exchange. National Climate Service Act of 2009 - Provides for the establishment of a National Climate Service within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Requires the Secretary of State to establish an International Climate Change Adaptation Program.

Water System Adaptation Partnerships Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2009

Water System Adaptation Partnerships Act of 2009 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants to water systems to assist in planning, designing, constructing, implementing, or maintaining any program, strategy, or infrastructure improvement to: (1) conserve water or increase water use efficiency; (2) carry out water metering to measure water efficiency effectiveness of a water efficiency program; (3) preserve or improve water quality; (4) enhance water management by increasing source water preservation and protection, or natural or engineered green infrastructure, in the management, conveyance, or treatment of water, wastewater, or stormwater; (5) increase energy efficiency or the use and generation of renewable energy in the management, conveyance, or treatment of water, wastewater, or stormwater; (6) support the adoption and use of advanced water treatment, water supply management, or water demand management technologies or processes that maintain or increase water supply or improve water quality; (7) complete studies or assessments to project how climate change may impact the future operations and sustainability of the water system; or (8) carry out any other activity or project to address any ongoing or forecasted climate-related impact on the water quality or quantity of a region of the United States that increases the resiliency of a water system to the impacts of climate change. Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires the Administrator to conduct a competitive process to select and fund applications, giving priority to applications that: (1) are submitted by water systems that are at the greatest and most immediate risk of facing significant climate-related negative impacts; (2) will impact the largest numbers of water users; and (3) will provide the greatest benefit per dollar expended. Limits the federal share to 50% of the cost.