House Rules Would Exempt Coronavirus, Climate Bills from Budget Limits

(CQ Roll Call) Changes could paper over differences within House Democratic Caucus between deficit hawks and progressives -- The new rules package for the 117th Congress unveiled by House Democrats on Friday would grant a sweeping new exemption from deficit controls for legislation related to the coronavirus pandemic or efforts to curb climate change.

The text of the resolution, which House leaders expect to take up Monday, would provide House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth, D-Ky., broad authority to "adjust" cost estimates for certain bills so that their budgetary impacts don't count as increasing deficits under House rules.

In practice, the new section means legislation that fits within the two broad new categories doesn't need to comply with appropriations limits affecting discretionary programs, or pay-as-you-go rules for measures affecting tax revenues and "direct spending," otherwise known as mandatory programs.

Pay-as-you go rules would be preserved for other legislation that increases deficits, which has been a sore spot with left-leaning groups and some progressive House Democrats. Last month, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told CQ Roll Call that the potential return of pay-as-you-go was "probably the biggest concern of mine" when it comes to the new House rules package. READ MORE

Excerpt from Clean Technica: Fourth, it directs DOD to report on the Coast Guard’s vulnerability to climate change impacts

In one year, DOD must provide Congress with a report on the top ten Coast Guard installations that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change including “rising sea tides, increased flooding, drought, desertification, wildfires, thawing permafrost, or any other categories the Commandant determines necessary.” The report must also include an overview of measure to reduce these risks and an analysis of the costs of these risk reduction measures. For more information see Section 8250 “Report on effects of climate change on Coast Guard.”

In 2019 DOD reported back to Congress on the vulnerability of military installations to climate change-related impacts however the report request omitted the inclusion of Coast Guard facilities and infrastructure which are managed under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This directive will help provide the data needed to address some of GAO’s findings and recommendations from 2019. GAO’s report uncovered that the “Coast Guard’s $18 billion portfolio of shore infrastructure was deteriorating, and almost half of it was past its service life as of 2018.”

Congress provides DOD directives to track and reduce heat trapping emissions

In addition to climate resilience, Congress included a few provisions on reducing heat-trapping emissions.

The FY21 NDAA requires DOD to report on its total emissions levels for the last 10 fiscal years. Given that DOD is known to be the single largest institutional producer of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the world (see here and here), that per capita the US is the largest GHG emitter, and that GHG emissions continue to rise despite scientific warnings, it’s important for the Pentagon to take a leading role in quantifying and tracking these emissions to help meet its emission reduction benchmarks.

It also requires DOD to evaluate and plan for the use of renewable and small-scale local energy generation units that are connected to the electricity grid, collectively called distributed energy assets (DEAs). Moving forward, Congress ought to request a report by DOD or GAO to track the level to which DOD builds DEAs into its energy portfolio and what will be needed to improve upon any roadblocks that arise.

It authorizes an additional $9 million for the second year of the DOD blue carbon capture and direct air capture program.

Finally, the FY21 NDAA reestablishes the position of assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations, and environment, which is a critical position to ensure DOD’s success in integrating climate change provisions.

When considering the extent of the Pentagon’s carbon footprint, moving forward Congress must take more significant strides on emissions reduction provisions in the next NDAA to provide resources and advance the good work the Pentagon is already doing on green energy.

The directives are in, now the hard work begins

Now that Congress has given the Pentagon its climate change-related directives, the real work begins for DOD to implement these policy provisions. Congress will need to track and assess DOD’s progress and the lessons learned on overcoming barriers. Congress also needs to work now to begin laying the groundwork for even bolder climate adaptation and mitigations measures in next year’s NDAA and the years after that. With the support from Congress and the Administration, the Pentagon can play a more prominent role in advancing climate change risk and emissions reduction research, technology and measures and by doing so, lead the federal family on best practices for using the latest climate change science to tackle one of the most pressing national security issues. READ MORE