I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2858 
To establish a task force to review policies and measures to promote, and 
to develop best practices for, reduction of short-lived climate pollutants, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 8, 2017 
Mr. PETERS (for himself, Mr. CURBELO of Florida, Mr. CARTWRIGHT, Mr. 
DELANEY, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. COFFMAN, and Mr. 
CARBAJAL) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To establish a task force to review policies and measures 
to promote, and to develop best practices for, reduction 
of short-lived climate pollutants, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘SUper Pollutant Emis-
sions Reduction Act of 2017’’ or the ‘‘SUPER Act of 
2017’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:52 Jun 16, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2858.IH
H2858
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) Carbon dioxide emissions are estimated to 
account for 40 to 45 percent of anthropogenic radi-
ative forcing (or manmade global warming), while 
the remainder is driven by non-carbon dioxide cli-
mate pollutants, primarily short-lived climate pollut-
ants. These short-lived climate pollutants, or ‘‘super 
pollutants’’, have shorter atmospheric lifespans than 
carbon dioxide, but cause about 25 to 2000 times 
more warming per ton over a 25- to 100-year period, 
and in many cases the emissions are growing much 
faster than carbon dioxide. 
(2) Several of the short-lived climate pollutants 
are also potent air pollutants that harm human 
health and reduce crop yields. Reducing these pollut-
ants can save thousands of lives every year in the 
United States and prevent millions of premature 
deaths from air pollution worldwide, while also in-
creasing agricultural production. 
(3) International efforts to address short-lived 
climate pollutants are underway, including the Cli-
mate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived 
Climate Pollutants, led by the Department of State 
and the United Nations Environment Programme, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:52 Jun 16, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2858.IH
H2858
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
the Global Methane Initiative, and the recently final-
ized Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on 
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The 
Kigali Amendment, agreed to by 197 countries in 
October 2016, could mitigate 80 billion metric tons 
of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2050, 
avoiding up to 0.5°C warming by the end of the cen-
tury. 
(4) Many of the technologies to reduce short- 
lived climate pollutants already exist, but in some 
cases, adoption of such technologies has been slow. 
Most alternatives to the super pollutant HFCs are 
invented and produced by American companies and 
many American companies that previously used 
super pollutants are introducing alternatives in do-
mestic and export markets. The appliances that use 
alternatives to HFCs and enhance energy efficiency 
are also designed in the United States. United 
States leadership and innovation in development of 
new technologies to replace super pollutants is ex-
pected to result in job growth and benefits for the 
United States economy. 
(5) The Federal Government has a number of 
programs and initiatives that aim to, or the out-
comes of which, reduce emissions of short-lived cli-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:52 Jun 16, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2858.IH
H2858
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
mate pollutants, but these programs are scattered 
across multiple agencies and there is insufficient co-
ordination to maximize reductions of these pollut-
ants. In February 2012, the Government Account-
ability Office published an annual report, ‘‘Opportu-
nities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap and Frag-
mentation, Achieve Savings, and Enhance Revenue’’, 
which examined the efficiency and efficacy of Gov-
ernment programs, including those that address die-
sel emissions that contain black carbon, a short-lived 
climate pollutant. 
(6) Executive Order 13514 requires Federal 
agencies to develop plans for reducing hydrofluoro-
carbons and methane, but few agencies have focused 
on these compounds in their annual Strategic Sus-
tainability Performance Plans. Executive Order 
13693 directs Federal agencies to take into account 
environmental and sustainability factors in Federal 
acquisition processes, including in the purchase of 
products using high-global warming potential hydro-
fluorocarbons. In May 2016, the Department of De-
fense, General Services Administration, and National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration finalized and 
published a rule to amend the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation (FAR), Rule 81 FR 30429, directing 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:52 Jun 16, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2858.IH
H2858
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
Federal agencies to procure, when feasible, alter-
natives to high-global warming potential hydrofluo-
rocarbons. The rule also encourages improved refrig-
erant management and the use of reclaimed (instead 
of virgin) hydrofluorocarbons as examples of sustain-
able procurement under the FAR. 
(7) Because of their short atmospheric life-
times, reducing global emissions of short-lived cli-
mate pollutants can quickly cut the rate of global 
temperature rise in half, by 2050, and help stabilize 
global temperatures below 2°C above pre-industrial 
temperatures by 2100, when combined with reduc-
tions of global emissions of carbon dioxide. Such re-
duction in short-lived climate pollutants is possible 
with the use of currently available technologies. 
Without short-lived climate pollutant mitigation, 
warming can exceed 2°C within 35 years. Cutting 
short-lived climate pollutants along with carbon diox-
ide can also reduce the rate of projected global sea- 
level rise by half and total sea-level rise by a third. 
Steps to reduce short-lived climate pollutants are 
likely to have air quality and public health benefits 
as well. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:52 Jun 16, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2858.IH
H2858
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
(1) coordinate and optimize the Federal Gov-
ernment’s existing efforts to address short-lived cli-
mate pollutants; 
(2) reduce overlap and duplication of such ef-
forts; and 
(3) encourage Federal operations, programs, 
policies, and initiatives to reduce short-lived climate 
pollutants by— 
(A) ensuring that the coordinated Federal 
programs are effective and forward-looking in 
their efforts to control short-lived climate pol-
lutants; 
(B) ensuring coordination of such Federal 
operations, programs, policies, and initiatives 
with State, local, regional, tribal, and industry 
efforts; and 
(C) supporting such State, local, regional, 
tribal, and industry efforts. 
SEC. 3. TASK FORCE ON SUPER POLLUTANTS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall 
establish the ‘‘Task Force on Super Pollutants’’ (referred 
to in this section as the ‘‘Task Force’’). 
(b) DUTIES.—The Task Force shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:52 Jun 16, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2858.IH
H2858
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
(1) review existing and potential policies and 
measures that promote reduction of short-lived cli-
mate pollutants, in part by identifying and evalu-
ating programs and activities of the Federal Govern-
ment that contribute, or could contribute, to such 
reduction; 
(2) identify and recommend specific existing 
Federal programs and activities evaluated under 
paragraph (1) that are unnecessarily duplicative and 
can be consolidated to achieve greater efficiency and 
effectiveness; 
(3) identify gaps where programs do not exist, 
and recommend focused programs and activities to 
fill these gaps to achieve reductions of short-lived cli-
mate pollutants, with an emphasis on industry 
standards and public-private partnerships where pos-
sible; 
(4) identify and highlight programs and activi-
ties where reductions in short-lived climate pollut-
ants can continue to spur innovation and job cre-
ation in the private sector and increase United 
States competitiveness in the global market for new 
technologies to replace those using short-lived cli-
mate pollutants; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:52 Jun 16, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2858.IH
H2858
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
(5) identify, compile, evaluate, and develop best 
practices for reductions of short-lived climate pollut-
ants, including by— 
(A) identifying and evaluating both domes-
tic and international best practices and stand-
ards practiced and set by governments, industry 
in each sector listed in subsection (c)(5), stand-
ards bodies, and other relevant institutions; and 
(B) identifying and evaluating cost-effec-
tive mitigation projects, strategies, and policies 
at the State, local, and tribal level, with the 
greatest potential for reduction of short-lived 
climate pollutants; and 
(6) not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, submit to Congress a report 
on the findings and recommendations developed 
under paragraphs (1) through (5), including quan-
tification of cumulative emission reductions achiev-
able for each short-lived climate pollutant through 
implementation of Task Force recommendations. 
(c) MEMBERS.—The Task Force established under 
subsection (a) shall include representatives of— 
(1) all relevant Federal agencies, including— 
(A) the Secretary of Energy; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:52 Jun 16, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2858.IH
H2858
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
(B) the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency; 
(C) the Secretary of the Interior; 
(D) the Secretary of Transportation; 
(E) the Secretary of Agriculture; 
(F) the Secretary of State; 
(G) the Secretary of Commerce; and 
(H) the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services; 
(2) relevant offices and councils within the Ex-
ecutive Office of the President, including— 
(A) the Office of Management and Budget; 
(B) the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy; and 
(C) the Council on Environmental Quality; 
(3) State, local, and tribal governments or asso-
ciations; 
(4) academic and non-governmental organiza-
tions with expertise in short-lived climate pollutants; 
and 
(5) 
relevant 
industry 
organizations, 
rep-
resenting at least the following sectors: 
(A) Energy supply and transmission, in-
cluding fossil fuels. 
(B) Solid waste. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:52 Jun 16, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2858.IH
H2858
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
(C) Transportation. 
(D) Chemical manufacturing and user in-
dustries. 
(E) Agriculture. 
(F) Wastewater. 
(G) Buildings. 
(H) Other sectors as determined appro-
priate by the President. 
(d) DEFINITION.—In this Act, the term ‘‘short-lived 
climate pollutant’’ means any of the following: 
(1) Black carbon. 
(2) Methane. 
(3) Hydrofluorocarbons. 
(4) Tropospheric ozone and its precursors. 
(5) Emissions from banks of ozone-depleting 
substances. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:52 Jun 16, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2858.IH
H2858
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS