Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act

Bill: 111-s-2877
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2009-12-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Employment and training programs
Energy assistance for the poor and aged
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy prices
Energy research
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Government trust funds
Income tax credits
International law and treaties
Land use and conservation
Legislative rules and procedure
Marine pollution
Motor vehicles
Oil and gas
Public utilities and utility rates
Research and development
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2009-12-11
text: 
Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act - Requires the President to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to 2005 levels by 20% by 2020, 30% by 2025, 42% by 2030, and 83% by 2050 through this Act. 
 
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program to reduce the emission of GHGs by: (1) placing a gradually declining limitation on the quantity of fossil carbon (carbon) permitted to be sold; and (2) requiring each first seller to surrender periodically to the Secretary a number of carbon shares equal to the quantity of covered carbon it produces or imports or be subject to a penalty. Defines a &quot;first seller&quot; as an entity in the business of producing or importing fossil carbon or production process carbon.
 
Requires the President to establish a maximum aggregate quantity of carbon, and a corresponding number of carbon shares, permitted to be introduced into commerce for 2012. Requires that number of shares: (1) for 2012, 2013, and 2014 to be equal to the approximate level of carbon likely to be required by the economy during 2012; and (2) for each subsequent year to be reduced from the quantity of the previous year by 0.25%. 
 
Sets forth provisions concerning auctioning, purchasing, and selling shares. Restricts participation in such auctions to first sellers. Prohibits first sellers from directly or indirectly creating, purchasing, selling, or trading carbon share derivatives.
 
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) impose fees for the production process of carbon associated with commodities imported for sale; and (2) transfer collected fees and penalties to the Clean Energy Reinvestment Trust Fund established by this Act; and (3) distribute amounts from such Fund to individuals and entities that are unable to compete due to unfair market prices arising from disparate carbon limits or fees among countries.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) promulgate regulations for the establishment, operation, and oversight of markets for carbon share derivatives; (2) provide carbon shares in excess of the aggregate quantity for carbon that is sequestered, injected, or embedded; (3) reduce the aggregate quantity of carbon shares for reductions of carbon emissions attributable solely to voluntary carbon reduction purchases; (4) establish a program that enables individuals to borrow against any future energy security dividends in order to make investments in energy efficiency or clean energy technologies and services; and (5) establish an Office of Consumer Advocacy for energy consumers.
 
 Establishes the Carbon Refund Trust Fund to be funded from auction proceeds and to distribute tax-free energy security dividends to U.S. residents.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-12-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-12-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13036)
action_date: 2009-12-11
text: Introduced in Senate