zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Firefighter Equipment Protection Act

Codifies a national security exemption from emissions regulations for excess personal property of the Department of Defense (DOD) that is transferred under specified DOD property transfer programs to a firefighting agency in a state or to another state agency.

Date: 2015-01-06
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to prohibit the Export-Import Bank from guaranteeing, insuring, extending credit, or participating in the extension of credit in connection with the purchase or sale of any good or service for a high carbon intensity project that: (1) is designed to generate electricity, and (2) if completed would produce at least 500 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated by the project.

Date: 2015-01-08
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Gas Tax Replacement Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels; (2) add a carbon dioxide equivalent rate to the tax on crude oil and petroleum products; and (3) impose an new excise tax on the carbon content of methanol, ethanol, and biodiesel produced in the United States and entered into the United States for consumption, use, or warehousing.

Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to send to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and make public a report on the total life-cycle emissions of carbon dioxide for gasoline, diesel fuel, biofuel, and other regulated fuels.

Date: 2015-01-13
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Taxation
Super Pollutant Emissions Reduction Act of 2015 or the SUPER Act of 2015

 This bill requires the President to establish the Task Force on Super Pollutants to:

 review existing and potential policies and measures that promote the reduction of short-lived climate pollutants, in part by identifying and evaluating programs and activities of the federal government that contribute to a reduction; identify and recommend specific federal programs and activities that are duplicative and that can be consolidated to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness; identify gaps where programs do not exist and recommend programs and activities to fill these gaps to reduce short-lived climate pollutants, with an emphasis on industry standards and public-private partnerships; identify, compile, evaluate, and develop best practices for reducing short-lived climate pollutants; and report to Congress on its findings and recommendations. A "short-lived climate pollutant" is black carbon, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, tropospheric ozone and its precursors, or emissions from banks of ozone-depleting substances.

Date: 2015-01-22
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Clean Vehicles Incentive Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain businesses located in areas designated as nonattainment areas under the Clean Air Act a general business tax credit for the cost of certain clean-fuel vehicle property and the use of clean-burning fuel.

Allows a new qualified hybrid motor vehicle tax credit for hybrid motor vehicles placed in service after December 31, 2014, by an eligible business if substantially all of the use of the vehicle is in a nonattainment area.

Date: 2015-02-04
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Taxation
Managed Carbon Price Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require U.S. coal producers, oil refinery operators, first sellers of natural gas, and producers of other greenhouse gas [GHG] emission substances and importers of any GHG emission substance (covered persons) to purchase a federal emission permit from the Department of the Treasury for the sale, combustion, or other use of a GHG emission substance. Exempts from such requirement a GHG emission substance to be used for noncombustion agricultural purposes or for which a permit has been previously purchased.

Requires Treasury to impose a GHG emission permit equivalency fee on imports of carbon intensive goods.

Requires federal emission permits to be: (1) denominated in one-quarter carbon dioxide equivalents, and (2) purchased within 14 calendar days before or after a GHG emission substance is produced or entered into the United States.

Requires Treasury to: (1) establish a price for obtaining a permit for a year based on a determination of the dollar amount necessary to meet specified emissions reductions targets; (2) publish a five-year price schedule for permits by January 1, 2016, for each of the five years from 2017 to 2021; and (3) publish a 10-year schedule of the minimum and maximum prices for permits by January 1, 2023, and every 10 years thereafter. Establishes minimum and maximum permit prices. Authorizes Treasury to reduce permit prices if target reductions are being exceeded and to increase such prices if target reductions are not being met.

Establishes emission reduction targets for 2016 through 2060 decreasing from 90% to 20% of the carbon dioxide equivalents emitted in the United States in 2005.

Requires Treasury to report annually on: (1) the extent to which such limitations are being achieved, (2) GHG emission permits sold and their impact on GHG emissions, and (3) worldwide GHG emissions in relation to 2005 emissions.

Defines a "carbon dioxide equivalent" as the quantity of a GHG emission substance that makes the same contribution to global warming as one metric ton of carbon dioxide. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to publish and update a schedule listing such quantity for each GHG emission substance.

Requires: (1) repayment of permit fees to specified permittees that use GHG emission substances in a manner that will make a negligible or no contribution to global warming, and (2) payment of the permit equivalency fees to exporters of carbon-intensive goods.

Imposes a tax on covered persons who fail to obtain a federal emission permit.

Establishes the Energy and Economic Security Trust Fund to pay monthly dividends to taxpayers from permit sales revenues.

Date: 2015-02-13
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Taxation
Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2015 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Department of the Treasury to establish a carbon trading program that caps the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from crude oil, coal, and natural gas. Beginning in 2017, crude oil refineries, petroleum importers, coal mines, coal importers, and natural gas suppliers or processors must purchase carbon permits equivalent to the amount of CO2 that would be emitted by covered fuels. Treasury will auction these permits to those entities.

This bill establishes a declining cap on the quantity of permits issued to reduce CO2 emissions until 2050 when the permits issued represent an amount 80% below 2005 CO2 emission levels.

Treasury must issue permits for carbon capture and sequestration of CO2 from covered fuels.

This bill provides for the trading or sale of permits between entities, the banking by entities of permits for future years, and the borrowing by Treasury of permits from future years to stabilize permit prices.

Auction proceeds and penalties are returned to U.S. citizens lawfully present in the United States using the Healthy Climate Trust Fund established by this bill.

Treasury must impose fees on the import and pay fees for the export of carbon-intensive goods when the export country does not have equivalent measures to regulate greenhouse gases. Carbon-intensive goods are goods with an increased cost due to the regulation of greenhouse gases.

The Environmental Protection Agency must regulate within 10 years all sources of greenhouse gases that are anthropogenically emitted (caused by human activity). This excludes gases attributable to the production of animals for food.

Date: 2015-02-24
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
This bill amends the Clean Air Act to modify provisions regarding geographical areas that do not attain the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone and carbon monoxide. Currently, if an ozone or carbon monoxide nonattainment area is classified as a serious, severe, or extreme area, the nonattainment area's boundaries must be revised to include the entire metropolitan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan statistical area. This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require each state to revise the boundaries of all of these nonattainment areas that expanded to include the entire statistical area. States must exclude from the nonattainment area all counties within each statistical area that are not in violation of the NAAQS concerned, as determined by air quality monitoring and not by computer modeling.

Date: 2015-02-24
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) publish and implement a national strategic action plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the impact of climate change on public health in the United States and other nations, particularly developing nations; (2) revise the plan periodically to reflect new information; (3) establish a permanent science advisory board; and (4) contract with the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine to assess the need for health professionals to prepare for and respond to the impact of climate change on public health.

Date: 2015-03-04
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Health
Commonsense Legislative Exceptional Events Reforms Act of 2015

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise the requirements for regulations that govern the review and handling of air quality monitoring data influenced by exceptional events. (The Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] may exclude monitored exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards from consideration when designating an area as nonattainment, redesignating an area as nonattainment, or reclassifying an existing nonattainment area to a higher classification if a state demonstrates that an exceptional event caused the exceedances.)

 The criteria used to determine if an exceptional event was demonstrated must be specific in order to minimize the discretion of the EPA in approving or disapproving the demonstration.

 The EPA must make a determination within 90 days after the submission of a petition by a state of an exceptional event demonstration. The demonstration is approved if the EPA does not make a determination by that deadline.

 A determination must be based on a preponderance of the evidence and give substantial deference to the findings of the state exceptional event demonstration. An appeal process for reviewing a disapproval of a demonstration is established.

Date: 2015-03-04
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Ozone Regulatory Delay and Extension of Assessment Length Act of 2015 or the ORDEAL Act of 2015

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to lengthen from 5 years to 10 years the intervals at which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to review and revise air quality criteria and primary and secondary national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This bill eliminates the EPA's authority to review and revise criteria or promulgate new standards for ozone concentrations earlier or more frequently than required. The EPA may not review and revise NAAQS for ozone concentrations before February 1, 2019. The EPA must complete a thorough review of the NAAQS for ozone concentrations and make revisions no later December 31, 2019.

The intervals at which an independent scientific review committee is required to review air quality criteria and NAAQS and recommend any new standards or revisions to existing criteria and standards are lengthened from 5 years to 10 years. The bill delays the review by an independent scientific review committee of NAAQS for ozone concentrations until February 1, 2019.

Date: 2015-03-04
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Clean Air, Strong Economies Act

This bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from lowering its national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone until at least 85% of counties that are in nonattainment areas (counties that are exceeding the limit) have attained the standard.

In promulgating a primary or secondary NAAQS for ozone, the EPA must:

 only consider a county to be a nonattainment area on the basis of direct air quality monitoring (rather than modeling); take into consideration feasibility and cost; and include in the regulatory impact analysis for the proposed and final rule at least one analysis that does not include any calculation of benefits resulting from reducing emissions of any pollutant other than ozone.

Date: 2015-03-17
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Bringing Reductions to Energy's Airborne Toxic Health Effects Act or the BREATHE Act

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to repeal prohibitions against: (1) aggregating emissions from any oil or gas exploration or production well and emissions from any pipeline compressor or pump station with emissions from other similar units, whether or not the units are in a contiguous area or under common control, to determine whether the units or stations are major sources of listed toxic air pollutants under such Act; (2) aggregating such emissions for any purpose under such Act, in the case of any oil or gas exploration or production well; and (3) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listing an oil and gas production well as an area source category of toxic air pollutants under such Act.

The EPA must: (1) issue a final rule adding hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants; and (2) revise the list within 365 days after issuing the rule to include categories and subcategories of major sources and area sources of hydrogen sulfide, including oil and gas wells.

Date: 2015-03-23
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
This bill amends the Clean Air Act to apply limitations on Reid vapor pressure (a measure of gasoline's volatility) applicable to gasoline blended with 10% ethanol (E10) to gasoline blended with more than 10% ethanol. Limitations on Reid vapor pressure are placed on gasoline during the summer ozone season.

Date: 2015-04-13
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Climate Change Education Act 

 This bill declares that the evidence for human-induced climate change is overwhelming and undeniable.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must establish a Climate Change Education Program to:

 broaden the understanding of human-induced climate change, possible consequences, and potential solutions; apply the latest scientific and technological discoveries to provide learning opportunities to people of all ages; conduct a national information campaign to help people understand and promote implementation of new technologies, programs, and incentives related to energy conservation, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas reduction; and inform the public of impacts to human health and safety as a result of climate change. NOAA must establish a grant program for climate change education. This grant program must be included in the Program.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Climate Solutions Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 by directing the Department of Energy (DOE) to promulgate regulations that require the percentage of electric energy generated from renewable sources that is sold at the retail level to increase each year beginning in 2020 so that in 2050 and each subsequent year, the percentage is at least 80%.

DOE must also promulgate regulations that set cumulative energy savings targets for retail electric energy and natural gas suppliers that require each supplier to secure annual savings that are achieved through end-use efficiency improvements at customer facilities. For electric energy suppliers, the targets must increase from .25% of sales in 2018 to 1.5% of sales in 2023 and each year thereafter through 2028. For natural gas suppliers, the target must increase from .25% of sales in 2018 to .5% of sales in 2023 and each year thereafter through 2028. DOE must allow suppliers to achieve the targets through a market-based trading system.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must promulgate annual emission reduction targets for each of 2030 through 2050 to ensure that U.S. greenhouse gas emissions: (1) in 2035 are at least 40% below those in 1990, and (2) in 2050 are at least 80% below those in 1990. The EPA must promulgate final regulations to implement those targets within 7 years and review them at least every 5 years thereafter.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Energy
Stop EPA Overregulation of Rural Americans

This bill nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency rule entitled, "Standards of Performance for New Residential Wood Heaters, New Residential Hydronic Heaters and Forced-Air Furnaces," published on March 16, 2015.

Date: 2015-04-23
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Ratepayer Protection Act of 2015 

(Sec. 2) This bill extends compliance deadlines for rules under the Clean Air Act that address carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants pending final judicial review. This extension applies to any final rule that succeeds either:

 the proposed rule entitled "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units"; or the supplemental proposed rule entitled "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: EGUs in Indian Country and U.S. Territories; Multi-Jurisdictional Partnerships." The extension period begins 60 days after the notice of promulgation of a final rule appears in the Federal Register and ends when the rule is no longer subject to judicial appeal or review.

The bill urges the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in promulgating, implementing, or enforcing the rules, to address how the megawatt hours discharged from a pumped hydroelectric storage system will be incorporated into implementation plans adopted pursuant to the rules.

 (Sec. 3) A state is not required to submit or follow an implementation plan that addresses carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants if it determines that the plan would have a significant adverse effect on: (1) the state's residential, commercial, or industrial ratepayers; or (2) the reliability of the state's electricity system.

(Sec. 4) The EPA must treat hydropower as renewable energy when implementing or enforcing the rules.

Date: 2015-04-28
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Tax Pollution, Not Profits Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel products and from any facility which is required to report emissions or to which emissions are attributed. The tax is equal to $30 per metric ton of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent in 2016, increasing each subsequent year at 4% above inflation.

The bill amends the Social Security Act to establish a Low-Income Cost Mitigation Program to provide an energy refund amount to certain low and middle-income households to compensate such households for increases in energy costs due to this bill.

The Department of Labor may use revenues generated by this bill to implement a program to assist displaced workers in the coal industry.

The bill also provides for a gradual reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 32% in taxable years beginning in 2016 to 28% in taxable years beginning after 2019.

The bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a website to make information regarding the amount and sources of revenue attributable to this bill publicly available.

Date: 2015-05-01
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Taxation
Common Sense Waiver Act of 2015

This bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to waive an emission standard or other requirement for hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act applicable to the control of asbestos emissions in the demolition or renovation of a building if the building has been condemned and there is a reasonable expectation of the building's structural failure.

The EPA must approve or disapprove a request for a waiver by a state or local government within 90 days. If the EPA doesn't meet the deadline, the request is approved.

Date: 2015-05-21
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Coal Country Protection Act or the Protecting Jobs, Families, and the Economy From EPA Overreach Act 

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation or guidance that limits or prohibits new carbon dioxide emissions from a fossil fuel-fired power plant until it is certified:

 by the Department of Labor that the regulation or guidance will not generate a loss of employment, by the Congressional Budget Office that it will not result in a loss in the gross domestic product, by the Energy Information Administration that it will not generate an increase in electricity rates, and by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation that it will not effect the reliability of electricity delivery.

Date: 2015-06-03
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Manufacturers First Act of 2015

This bill requires the primary and secondary national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for air pollutants under the Clean Air Act that are in effect on this bill's enactment date to remain in effect. The Environmental Protection Agency may not issue, implement, or enforce revisions to those NAAQS or any new NAAQS. (Primary NAAQS provide public health protection and secondary NAAQS provide public welfare protection.)

Date: 2015-06-16
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
EPA Regulatory Domestic Benefit Act of 2014 

 This bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing, implementing, and enforcing any proposed or final rule addressing emissions of carbon dioxide from any new, existing, modified, or reconstructed electric power plant unless the regulatory impact analysis for the rule primarily considers, and separately reports on, the domestic benefits of the rule that are associated with the carbon dioxide emission reductions projected to occur under the rule.

The bill also nullifies the following proposed rules: (1) Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, (2) Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, and (3) Carbon Pollution Standards for Modified and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units.

Date: 2015-07-09
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
America's Energy Security Trust Fund Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax, beginning in calendar year 2016, on any taxable carbon substance sold by its manufacturer, producer, or importer. Defines "taxable carbon substance" as: (1) coal (including lignite and peat); (2) petroleum and any petroleum products; and (3) natural gas that is extracted, manufactured, or produced in the United States, or entered into the United States for consumption, use, or warehousing.

Establishes in the Treasury the America's Energy Security Trust Fund to assist industries negatively affected by this Act, make transfers to the Highway Trust Fund to cover shortfalls, and provide payroll tax relief.

Allows individual taxpayers a tax credit equal to carbon tax rebate amounts calculated by the Department of the Treasury.

Directs Treasury to study and report to Congress on the best methods to assess and collect taxes on non-carbon greenhouse gases.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should establish binding agreements with major greenhouse gas emitting nations to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Date: 2015-07-16
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Taxation
Quiet Communities Act of 2015

This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reestablish an Office of Noise Abatement and Control and reauthorizes the Office's activities through FY2020.

The responsibilities of the Office must include: (1) promoting the development of effective state and local noise control programs, (2) carrying out a national noise control research program, (3) carrying out a national noise environmental assessment program, (4) establishing regional technical assistance centers to assist state and local noise control programs, (5) assessing the effectiveness of the Noise Control Act of 1972, and (6) conducting related outreach and educational activities. The Office must emphasize noise abatement approaches that rely on local and state activities, market incentives, and coordination with other agencies.

Using funds made available to the Office, the EPA must carry out a study of airport noise.

The bill amends the Noise Control Act of 1972 to expand the quiet communities grant program to include grants for establishing and implementing training programs on use of noise abatement equipment and implementing noise abatement plans.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Carbon Capture Research and Development Act

This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Department of Energy to consider the objective of improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels when carrying out certain research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs in fossil energy.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Energy
Gas Accessibility and Stabilization Act of 2015

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to waive fuel mandates if there is a problem with distribution or delivery equipment that is necessary for the transportation or delivery of fuel or fuel additives.

The EPA may extend the effectiveness of such waiver for more than 20 days if the problem exists for more than 20 days.

If the EPA does not approve or deny a request for such waiver within three days, the waiver must be considered to be approved.

The bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise requirements for a fuel system requirements harmonization study by: (1) including the consideration of biofuels in the study, and (2) extending the deadline for reporting on the study until June 1, 2016.

Date: 2015-09-08
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Ensuring Affordable Energy Act 

This bill prohibits funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from being used to implement or enforce: (1) a cap-and-trade program, or (2) any statutory or regulatory requirement pertaining to emissions of one or more greenhouse gases from stationary sources that is issued or becomes applicable or effective after the date of enactment of this bill.

A cap-and-trade program is any regulatory program established after enactment of this bill that provides for the sale, auction, or other distribution of a limited amount of allowances that permit the emission of one or more greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or any other designated anthropogenic gas (caused by human activity).

Date: 2015-09-28
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Carbon Pollution Transparency Act of 2015

 This bill requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to calculate a carbon score for legislation. The carbon score is the projected net greenhouse gas emissions that would result from: (1) enactment and implementation of a bill or resolution, and (2) the appropriation of any amounts authorized in the legislation.

The CBO must include the carbon score in cost estimates for reported legislation that are submitted to congressional committees pursuant to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Date: 2015-10-09
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act or the SENSE Act

(Sec. 2) This bill modifies the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule as it applies to certain electric utility steam generating units (electric power plants) that convert coal refuse into energy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must maintain the existing limits for sulfur dioxide emissions from coal refuse utilities under the cap-and-trade system, instead of applying the more restrictive limits that are scheduled to go into effect in 2017. (Under the current system, a cap sets a limit on emissions. The cap is lowered over time to reduce the amount of pollutants released. Utilities may only emit as much carbon as permitted under their allowances, which may be traded with others.) Thus, the EPA must allocate to coal refuse utilities in 2017 and subsequent years the same number of emissions allowances for sulfur dioxide that have been previously allocated to coal refuse utilities, instead of reducing allowances.

After January 1, 2017, a coal refuse utility may not trade any unused sulfur dioxide allowances. Those allowances may be saved by the coal refuse utilities for use in future compliance periods.

The EPA may not increase the total number of allowances for sulfur dioxide emissions from all sources that are allocated to each state.

The bill eases emission limits for hazardous air pollutants from coal refuse utilities. The EPA must allow the utilities to meet compliance requirements by meeting the maximum achievable control technology standards for either hydrogen chloride or sulfur dioxide.

Date: 2015-10-22
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
FAA Community Accountability Act of 2015

This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in considering flight paths or procedures as part of the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, to limit negative impacts on the human environment near airports. The FAA may give preference to overlays of existing flight paths or procedures to ensure compatibility with land use.

The FAA shall appoint an FAA Community Ombudsman for each of its regions to:

 act as a liaison with communities regarding problems related to the impact of commercial aviation on the human environment; monitor the impact of System implementation on communities near affected airports; make recommendations to address community concerns and improve the use of community comments in FAA decisionmaking; and report periodically on the impact of commercial aviation on the human environment and on FAA responsiveness to community concerns. The FAA, in implementing the System, may not treat the establishment or revision of a flight path or procedure as covered by a categorical exclusion if an Ombudsman or airport operator submits notification that: (1) extraordinary circumstances exist, or (2) the establishment or revision will have a significant adverse impact on the human environment near such airport. The FAA, before treating such establishment or revision as covered by a categorical exclusion, shall provide notice and an opportunity for comment to persons affected.

The bill requires the FAA to: (1) reconsider a flight path or procedure established or revised after February 14, 2012, as part of the implementation of the System if an Ombudsman or airport operator submits written notification that the establishment or revision is resulting in a significant adverse impact on the human environment near the airport, (2) provide notice of such reconsideration and an opportunity for public comment, (3) assess the impacts on the human environment, and (4) report on comments received, assessment results, and changes to be made.

Date: 2015-11-05
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard Deadline Harmonization Act of 2015

This bill delays the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2015 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone issued under the Clean Air Act.

 Each state must designate all of its areas as attainment, nonattainment, or unclassifiable with respect to the 2015 ozone standards by October 26, 2024. The EPA must promulgate final designations for those areas by October 26, 2025. States must submit a state implementation plan for the 2015 ozone standards by October 26, 2026.

The 2015 ozone standards do not apply to the review and disposition of an application for a preconstruction permit for the construction or modification of a major emitting facility or major stationary source if: (1) the application is completed before final designations under the Clean Air Act, or (2) the applicable permitting authority publishes a public notice of a preliminary determination or draft permit for the application before a certain date.

The bill changes the interval by which the EPA must review its NAAQS for criteria pollutants from a 5-year review cycle to a 10-year review cycle. The EPA must not complete any review of ozone criteria or its ozone NAAQS before October 26, 2025, or propose any revisions to them.

Date: 2015-11-16
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
This bill prohibits the head of any federal agency from implementing or enforcing any regulations, proposals, or actions establishing any carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions reductions until the Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Information Administration, and Department of Commerce certify in writing that China, India, and Russian have proposed, implemented, and enforced measures requiring substantially similar reductions.

Any regulation, proposal, or action that requires those emission reductions and that is in effect before this certification is made is nullified.

Date: 2015-11-17
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Keeping Oil and Natural Gas Flowing for Consumers Act

This bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from proposing, implementing, or enforcing restrictions under the Clean Air Act on methane emissions from: (1) crude oil production; or (2) natural gas production, processing, transmission, and storage.

The EPA may not finalize or enforce the proposed rule entitled, "Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New and Modified Sources," which proposes to amend the new source performance standards for oil and gas production by setting standards for methane and volatile organic compounds.

Date: 2015-11-17
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Fighting Against Imbalanced Regulatory Burdens Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit a regulation concerning emissions of carbon dioxide from a fossil fuel-fired electric generating unit from taking effect until the Environmental Protection Agency certifies that a sufficient number of countries have adopted climate change regulations for carbon dioxide that are at least as stringent.

A "sufficient number" is a number of countries that account for at least 80% of global carbon dioxide emissions in the last year, excluding those in the United States.

Date: 2015-12-03
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
This bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from establishing or enforcing limits on aggregate carbon dioxide emissions from a state or any categories of pollution sources in a state.

Date: 2015-12-15
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Clean Air Implementation Act of 2015

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to require the review of national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) in eight year intervals instead of five year intervals.

The EPA may take into account the technological feasibility of attaining NAAQS when revising those NAAQS.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must: (1) report on the extent to which foreign sources of air pollution impact areas trying to achieve or maintain the NAAQS, (2) submit that report within 24 months, and (3) suspend the implementation of the 2015 rule regarding NAAQS for ozone until the EPA submits that report. Deadlines in that rule must be extended for a period that is equal to the amount of time it takes the EPA to submit that report.

The EPA may take into account the technological feasibility of attaining NAAQS when establishing and revising those NAAQS.

Date: 2015-12-16
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Energy Sovereignty Act

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring states to prevent or eliminate air pollution endangering public health or welfare in other countries.

Date: 2016-02-11
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring compliance with Clean Air Act rules concerning national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants with respect to brick and structural clay products manufacturing or clay ceramics manufacturing until judicial reviews of the rules are complete.

Date: 2016-02-12
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Carbon Capture Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for carbon dioxide sequestration, to: (1) make such credit permanent after 2015; (2) increase such credit after 2024 for a qualified facility originally placed in service after December 31, 2015; (3) allow such credit to a person who disposes of, or uses as a tertiary injectant, the carbon dioxide; and (4) modify the definition of "qualified facility" for purposes of eligibility for such credit to require not less than 150,000 metric tons (currently, 500,000 metric tons) to be captured at such a facility during the taxable year.

Date: 2016-02-25
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Taxation
Compensating Losses to the Environment from Automobiles with Noxious Undisclosed Pollution Act of 2016 or the CLEANUP Act

This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to deny Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)credits to any automobile manufacturer that circumvents emission control requirements to obtain CAFE credits unlawfully. Manufacturers earn CAFE credits when the average fuel economy for a given annualfleet of vehicles exceeds the minimalrequiredCAFE standards.

Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA)is authorized to collect additional penalties from manufacturers that obtain CAFE credits unlawfully.

The bill also establishes an Air Quality RestorationTrust Fund funded with deposits from penalties NHTSA collects from manufacturers under this bill. The fund must be used solely forproviding grants to support specific programs that restore and improve air quality.

Date: 2016-02-25
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
No Lead in the Air Act of 2016

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to issue regulations necessary to prohibit the use of leaded fuel by aircraft operating within U.S. airspace beginning in January 2021.

Date: 2016-03-02
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Advancing CCUS Technology Act

This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Department of Energy (DOE)to carry out research and developtechnologyto improve the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels. It also revises the program of research and commercial application for coal and power systems to require DOE, during each fiscal year after FY2016, to identify cost and performance goals for technologies allowing large-scale demonstration and the continued cost-competitive commercial use of coal.

DOEmust annually evaluateand make recommendations regarding any project it has entered into with a public or privateentityto developcarbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies.

DOE must report to Congress, within two years and every three years thereafter, regarding theprojectevaluations it has conductedand the progress it has made in advancing carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies.

Date: 2016-03-03
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Energy
Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016 or the RPM Act of 2016

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to allow the modification of a vehicle's air emission controls if the vehicle is used solely for competition.

Date: 2016-03-07
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016

This bill amends the Clean Air Act by revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) program.

(Sec. 2) The bill delays the implementation of the ozone NAAQS that were published in 2015. The bill extends until: (1) October 26, 2024, the deadline for states to submit designations to implement the 2015 ozone NAAQS; and (2) October 26, 2025, the deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate state areas as attainment, nonattainment, or unclassifiable areas with respect to the 2015 ozone NAAQS. States must submit a state implementation plan (SIP) by October 26, 2026, to implement, maintain, and enforce the 2015 ozone NAAQS.

The bill exempts from the 2015 ozone standards certain preconstruction permit applications that were completed or submitted before a final designation was made.

(Sec. 3) The bill also changes the review cycle for criteria pollutant NAAQS from a 5-year review cycle to a 10-year review cycle. The EPA may not complete its next review of ozone NAAQS before October 26, 2025.

The EPA may consider, as a secondary consideration, likely technological feasibility in establishing and revising NAAQS for a pollutant if a range of air quality levels for such pollutant are requisite to protect public health with an adequate margin of safety.

Prior to establishing or revising NAAQS, the EPA must obtain advice from its scientific advisory committee regarding potential adverse public health, welfare, social, economic, or energy effects which may result from attaining and maintaining NAAQS.

The EPA must publish regulations and guidance for implementing NAAQS concurrently with the issuance of a new or revised standard. New or revised NAAQS shall not apply to preconstruction permits for constructing or modifying a stationary source of air pollutants until those regulations and guidance have been published.

The bill provides that in Extreme Ozone Nonattainment Areas, contingency measures are not required to be included in nonattainment plans. Technological achievability and economic feasibility must be taken into consideration in plan revisions for milestones for particulate matter nonattainment areas.

The bill redefines "exceptional events," by including stagnation of air masses that are not ordinarily occurring.

The EPA must: (1) report on foreign emissions and their impact on compliance with the NAAQS program in the United States, (2) study and report on the atmospheric formation of ozone and effective control strategies, and (3) incorporate the results of the study into rules and guidance implementing the 2015 ozone standards.

(Sec. 5) The bill specifies that no additional funds are authorized for carrying out the requirements of this bill.

Date: 2016-03-17
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Clean Air and Vehicle Technology Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to establish criminal penalties for any person who:

 prior to the sale, or knowingly after sale, removes or renders inoperative an air pollution control device installed on or in a motor vehicle or engine; or manufactures, sells, or installs, parts or components that bypass, defeat, or render inoperative air pollution control devices installed on or in a motor vehicle or engine if the person knows or should know that the part or component is being offered for sale or installed for that use.

Date: 2016-04-21
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill exempts from land use restrictions under the Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) land known as the Community Park in Louisa, Virginia, thus allowing the land to be used for activities designed to improve compliance with water quality standards. Currently, land acquired or developed with assistance from the LWCF must be used for public outdoor recreation use and may not be converted to other uses without the approval of the Department of the Interior.

Date: 2016-04-21
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Airplane Impacts Mitigation Act of 2016 or the AIM Act of 2016

This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enter into an agreement with an eligible institution of higher education to conduct a study of the health impacts of airplane flights on residents exposed to a range of noise and air pollution levels from such flights.

The study shall:

 focus on residents in Boston, Chicago, New York, the northern California metroplex, Phoenix, and not more than three additional metropolitan areas that each contain at least one international airport; consider the health impacts on residents living partly or wholly within the land area underneath the flight paths most frequently used by aircraft flying below 10,000 feet; and consider only those health impacts that manifest during the physical implementation of the NextGen RNAV program on flights departing from or arriving at an international airport located in one of such metropolitan areas. An institution of higher education is eligible to conduct the study if it:

 has a school of public health that has participated in the FAA Center of Excellence for Aircraft Noise and Aviation Emissions Mitigation, has a Center for Environmental Health that receives funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is located in one of the areas within the scope of the study, applies to the FAA in a timely fashion, demonstrates that it is qualified to conduct such a study, and agrees to submit its findings to the FAA within two years after entering into such an agreement.

Date: 2016-04-27
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Healthy Soils and Rangelands Solutions Act

This bill directs the Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management, to establish a Carbon Sequestration Pilot Program to make grants to owners or operators of qualified public lands, universities, nongovernmental organizations, or Indian tribes for projects for sequestering carbon through:

 grazing practices, restoring degraded qualified public lands, application of compost on qualified public lands, or using biochar (carbonized biomass) as an amendment on qualified public lands. Interior shall establish a science advisory board to furnish analysis and recommendations regarding:

 the selection of such eligible entities and activities to receive grants based on the best available science, and appropriate monitoring requirements to quantify project performance and communicate results. Interior shall make grants, through a challenge competition, to eligible entities for projects to carry out innovative approaches to eligible activities.

Interior:

 may furnish technical assistance for eligible activities, and shall expand outreach and education respecting carbon sequestration and best practices related to those activities.

Date: 2016-05-24
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources