jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2009-07-06 00:00:00

Carbon Market Oversight Act of 2009 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to establish an Office of Carbon Market Oversight in the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), headed by a Director for Carbon Market Oversight. Grants the CFTC authority to regulate all contracts involving a regulated instrument. Defines "regulated instrument" as any regulated allowance (i.e., a greenhouse gas emission allowance or government-issued unit of reduction in the quantity of emissions, or an increase in sequestration, equal to one carbon dioxide equivalent) or regulated allowance derivative (i.e., instruments, contracts, or other obligations linked to the market for regulated allowances). Makes it unlawful to engage in the trading of regulated instruments unless: (1) transactions are conducted through a carbon allowance trading facility established by this Act; (2) sale or purchase contracts are evidenced by a record in writing; and (3) contracts are cleared through the Carbon Clearing Organization established by this Act. Prohibits price or market manipulation, misleading statements, or fraud in connection with the trading of regulated instruments. Authorizes the CFTC to establish a carbon allowance trading facility to establish and enforce rules for trading in regulated instruments. Sets forth eligibility, registration, and educational requirements for market traders, dealers, and brokers in the regulated instrument market. Requires the CFTC to: (1) establish a Carbon Clearing Organization to create a common clearing platform for regulated instruments; (2) facilitate the dissemination of reliable and accurate last-sale and quotation information for transactions in regulated instruments; and (3) collect and analyze information on the functioning of the markets for regulated instruments. Grants the CFTC certain administrative powers to enforce this Act, including the power to conduct investigations, review adverse actions by a registered carbon trading facility, suspend or revoke a registered carbon trading facility designation, or issue emergency orders. Authorizes the CFTC to bring a civil action to prevent or punish violations of this Act. Imposes criminal penalties on persons who knowingly violate the requirements of this Act or who fail to comply with a cease and desist order.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-07-29 00:00:00

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.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-07-29 00:00:00

Greenhouse Gas Observation and Analysis System Act - Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a greenhouse gas observation and analysis system that will offer the resolution and widespread coverage required to verify reduction and mitigation of greenhouse gases. Requires the system to: (1) be an operational and scientifically robust greenhouse gas observation system that provides quantitative information about sources, sinks, and fluxes of greenhouse gases at relevant temporal and spatial scales; (2) be capable of differentiating between source and sink exchanges, identifying types of emissions, and tracking agricultural and other sinks; and (3) include sustained ground, sea, and air-based measurements, sustained space-based observations, measurements of tracer, carbon cycle monitoring and modeling, traceability to the International System of Units, and data assimilation and analysis. Directs the Administrator to develop and submit to specified congressional committees a plan for an integrated and comprehensive greenhouse gas observation and analysis system, which shall: (1) describe current greenhouse gas observation networks, modeling, and data analysis efforts; (2) contain an inventory of agency data relevant to greenhouse gases; (3) assess gaps, conflicts, and opportunities with respect to such efforts and data; (4) establish priorities, define agency roles, and make recommendations on necessary capacity and capabilities for measurements, monitoring, modeling, analysis, and data management; (5) establish mechanisms for ensuring continuity of greenhouse gas measurements; and (6) contribute to international efforts to build and operate a global greenhouse gas information system. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress every four years on the effectiveness of the system, progress in achieving plan objectives, the consistency of reported greenhouse gas emissions with independent observations, and changes in Earth-system sources and sinks of greenhouse gases.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-08-04 00:00:00

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.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-08-06 00:00:00

Clean Air Protection Act - Makes the United States Supreme Court's decision in Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency and any establishment of standards resulting from the proposed rule published by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) entitled "Proposed Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases Under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act," or any similar or subsequent rule or other action relying on that decision, applicable only to sources regulated as of the date of enactment of this Act under such section (which concerns emission standards for new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines).
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-09-14 00:00:00

Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow the introduction into commerce of a mid-level ethanol blend (an ethanol-gasoline blend containing greater than 10% ethanol) for use in conventional gasoline-powered onroad or nonroad vehicles and nonroad engines only if: (1) EPA's Science Advisory Board submits to the Administrator, and the Administrator provides for public notice and comment, a report describing the impact of the blend on such vehicles, emissions, and associated materials compatibility and consumer issues, the ability of the gasoline distribution infrastructure to introduce the blend without widespread misfueling by consumers, and the estimated ability of consumers to purchase gasoline other than that blend in in all areas of the United States by five years after the blend is introduced; (2) the permit or authorization is granted through the fuels and fuel additives waiver process under the Clean Air Act and the Administrator formally responds to the Board's recommendations in the waiver announcement; and (3) the blend is introduced for general use in all conventional gasoline-powered onroad and nonroad vehicles and nonroad engines in widespread use as of the date on which the Administrator authorizes that introduction.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-09-14 00:00:00

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).
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-10-01 00:00:00

Green Taxis Act of 2009 - Allows states or political subdivisions to prescribe requirements for fuel economy for taxicabs and other automobiles if such requirements are at least as stringent as federal requirements and if such vehicles: (1) are automobiles that are capable of transporting not more than 10 individuals, including the driver; (2) are commercially available or are designed and manufactured pursuant to a contract with such state or subdivision; (3) are operated for hire pursuant to a license, permit, or other authorization issued by such state or subdivision; (4) provide local transportation for a fare determined on the basis of the time or distance traveled; and (5) do not exclusively provide transportation to and from airports. Amends the Clean Air Act to allow states or political subdivisions to adopt and enforce standards for the control of emissions from new motor vehicles that are taxicabs and other vehicles if such standards will be at least as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal standards and if such vehicles meet the other criteria specified above.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-11-04 00:00:00

Clean Energy Partnerships Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a program to govern the creation of credits from emission reductions from uncapped domestic sources and sinks; (2) the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction and Sequestration Advisory Committee to provide scientific and technical advice on the establishment and implementation of such offset program; and (3) a carbon conservation program to provide incentives to landowners or grazing contractor holders to implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or sequester or permanently store carbon through conservation easements, sequestration contracts, and timber harvest or grazing contracts with the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior. Requires the Administrator to establish a registry to record approved credits issued under such offset program. Requires each appropriate official to: (1) establish and maintain a list of types of offset projects eligible to generate offset credits under the program; and (2) prescribe regulations to ensure the emission reduction integrity of the offset projects. Authorizes the Administrator to issue offset credits for emissions reduced by specified international projects that reduce deforestation. Provides that a person is not required to hold allowances or credits for emissions resulting from the use of gas as an energy source if the gas is derived from an approved domestic methane offset project. Establishes: (1) the Carbon Conservation Fund for the carbon conservation program; and (2) the Rural Clean Energy Resources Fund to provide assistance for the development of biofuel and bioenergy, including by supporting the Rural Energy for America Program and implementing a research and demonstration program that includes approaches to sequestering carbon through agricultural, grazing, and forestry practices and reducing methane and nitrous oxide emissions associated with agricultural production.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-12-11 00:00:00

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 "first seller" 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.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2010-02-04 00:00:00

Clean Air Act Amendments of 2010 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require the Administrator of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a sulfur dioxide allowance trading program to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions for fossil fuel-fired combustion devices in the contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Directs the Administrator to issue allowances authorizing specified annual tonnage amounts of emissions of sulfur dioxide from such devices for 2012-2014, 2015-2017, 2018-2020, and 2021 and thereafter. Provides for the distribution of such allowances. Requires the Administrator to establish two nitrogen oxide allowance trading programs (for specified Zone One and Zone Two states) to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions for fossil fuel-fired electric generating facilities that served as generators with nameplate capacities greater than 25 megawatts on or after January 1, 1985, and that produce electricity for sale in the contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Directs the Administrator to issue allowances authorizing specified annual tonnage amounts of nitrogen oxide emissions from such facilities in Zone One and Zone Two states for 2012-2014, 2015-2019, and 2020 and thereafter. Provides for the distribution of such allowances. Requires the Clean Air Interstate Rule and related federal implementation plans promulgated and modified by the Administrator to remain in force and effect with respect to all provisions relating to nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emitted through 2011. Sets forth exceptions to the rule. Requires the Administrator to: (1) regulate coal- and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units under the CAA's regulations for sources of hazardous air pollutants; and (2) ensure that emission standards for the coal-fired electric utility steam generating units achieve at least a 90% reduction in mercury emissions when applied to the listed category as a whole. Requires electric utility steam generating units to meet maximum achievable control technology emission limitations by January 1, 2015, if the Administrator fails to promulgate nationally applicable emission limitations for such units by January 1, 2012. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring certification of continuous emission monitoring systems to measure the quantity of mercury emitted by electric coal utility steam generating units.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2010-05-13 00:00:00

Sustainable Schools Pollution Reduction Act of 2010 - Amends the Clean Air Act to establish within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a sustainable schools pollution reduction program, under which the EPA Administrator shall provide competitive grants for each of FY2011-FY2015 to public elementary or secondary schools or a school district that encompasses such schools for use in implementing effective technologies to reduce air pollutants, including greenhouse gas emissions. Requires the Administrator to: (1) provide criteria for selection for grants under the program; (2) submit to Congress a report evaluating the implementation of the program; (3) ensure that at least one grant is awarded to an eligible school in each state; (4) allocate at least 2% of the total annual amount made available to carry out this Act among Indian tribes; and (5) ensure geographical diversity among grant awardees and ensure that grant awardees reflect a variety of schools sizes. Authorizes appropriations.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2010-05-13 00:00:00

Air and Health Quality Empowerment Zone Designation Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate areas nominated by local air pollution control districts as air and health quality empowerment zones, which shall be eligible for grants for replacing or retrofitting polluting vehicles and/or engines in order to improve the health of the population living in the zones. Sets forth as area eligibility requirements: (1) being in extreme nonattainment of the eight-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard and in nonattainment of the national ambient air quality standard for PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter that does not exceed 2.5 micrometers) promulgated by the Administrator under the Clean Air Act; (2) having specified emission levels of oxides of nitrogen from farm equipment, or of volatile organic compounds from farming operations, in 2010; (3) meeting or exceeding the national average per capita incidence of asthma; (4) having unemployment rates higher than the national average; and (5) being located in a state and local area that will match at least half of the federal funds provided. Prohibits an area from being designated unless the relevant district provides satisfactory assurances that the strategic plan required to be contained in its application will be implemented. Requires a designation to remain in effect for ten years or until the Administrator revokes it. Authorizes the Administrator to revoke a designation if the relevant district: (1) has been designated as being in attainment with the national ambient air quality standard for PM2.5 and ozone promulgated under the Clean Air Act; or (2) is failing to comply with, or make progress in achieving the goals of, its strategic plan.
Topic: Environment — Air Pollution
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2010-05-17 00:00:00

Pollution and Costs Reduction Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and carry out the Building Pollution Reduction Program to provide assistance to owners of buildings in the United States to reduce the emission of air pollutants and building operating costs by constructing highly efficient buildings or increasing the efficiency of, and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with, existing buildings. Defines "advanced green biofuel" to mean an advanced biofuel that the Administrator determines: (1) has life cycle greenhouse gas emissions that are at least 60% less than the baseline life cycle greenhouse gas emissions; (2) is made from advanced renewable biomass; and (3) minimizes biorefinery water requirements to the maximum extent achievable, taking into consideration costs and other appropriate factors. Defines "advanced renewable biomass" to mean renewable biomass that is produced using sustainable practices as determined by the Administrator taking into consideration factors such as: (1) the maintenance and enhancement of the quality and productivity of the soil; (2) the conservation of soil, water, energy, natural resources, and fish, and wildlife habitat; and (3) the protection of the health and safety of individuals involved in the production system. Requires the Administrator to establish the 1,000,000,000-Gallon Challenge Grant Program under which the Administrator shall provide grants to owners and operators of projects that have the potential, in the aggregate, to produce up to 500,000,000 gallons in annual domestic production capacity of advanced green biofuels. Requires the Administrator to provide four types of grants: (1) a research and development grant; (2) a planning grant; (3) translational grants; and (4) construction grants.