Select Committee Democrats Releases ‘Solving The Climate Crisis’, A Congressional Roadmap For Ambitious Climate Action
(House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis) Plan Would Put Americans Back To Work, Save Lives, And Help the United States Reach Net Zero By 2050 — On Tuesday, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chair Kathy Castor (D-FL), members of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis unveiled a comprehensive plan titled “Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America.” The report lays out the Climate Crisis Action Plan, full of detailed, ambitious and actionable climate solutions that Congress should enact to benefit American families in communities across the nation.
The Climate Crisis Action Plan calls on Congress to:
- Grow Our Economy and Put Americans Back to Work in Clean Energy Jobs
- Protect the Health of All Families
- Make Sure Our Communities and Farmers Can Withstand the Impacts of Climate Change
- Protect America’s Land and Waters for the Next Generation
The full report is available HERE.
According to an independent analysis, the Climate Crisis Action Plan would save more than 60,000 American lives every year by 2050 thanks to reduced air pollution, as well as nearly $8 trillion saved through 2050 thanks to health and climate benefits.
The Climate Crisis Action Plan, released as a majority staff report, has received the early support of more than 90 outside organizations, including leaders in environmental justice, agriculture, buildings, electricity, public health, resilience, and transportation. Their support statements are available HERE.
“We have a plan – and it comes at a critical time,” said Chair Castor. “Our plan will put people back to work and rebuild in a way that benefits all of us. That means environmental justice and our vulnerable communities are at the center of the solutions we propose. The health of our families and the air we breathe are at the heart of our plan. We chart the course to good-paying jobs in solar and wind energy, in manufacturing American-made electric vehicles, and in strengthening communities, so they are more resilient to flooding, extreme heat, intense hurricanes and wildfires.”
The Climate Crisis Action Plan would put the country on a path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, if not earlier. It would power economic recovery through clean energy investment and family-sustaining jobs, and address the legacy of environmental injustice harming America’s low-income communities and communities of color. READ MORE
Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America (House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis)
Dems’ ‘Action Plan’: Carbon prices, net-zero emissions (E&E News)
Congressional Climate Crisis Action Plan Would Decarbonize U.S., Add $8 Trillion In Benefits By 2050 (Forbes)
SfL Applauds House Select Committee Report Authors For Recognizing Valuable Role of Agriculture In Addressing Climate Challenges (Solutions from the Land)
New Poll: Voters Support Stimulus for Clean Energy, Not Fossil Fuels (Yale Program on Climate Change Communication)
RFA Welcomes Inclusion of Low Carbon Fuel Standard in Select Committee Recommendations (Renewable Fuels Association)
Climate Justice Coalition’s National Network Supports House Dems’ Climate Crisis Action Plan (Our Daily Planet)
“We are at a crossroads”: House Democrats release plan to address climate crisis (CBS News)
EESI recommendations to the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. (Environmental and Energy Study Institute)
“EESI Submits Recommendations to House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis,” November 22 press release. (Environmental and Energy Study Institute)
Pro DataPoint’s Patterson Clark shows in a new graphic how House Democrats’ plan would target fossil fuels. (Politico’s Morning Energy)
House Select Committee releases climate report with energy, ag provisions (Fence Post)
Report: Ethanol, LCFS can help US meet net-zero goal (Ethanol Producer Magazine)
House GOP under pressure from allies to support planks of Democratic climate plan (Washington Examiner)
Excerpt from Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America (House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis):
PRODUCE LOWER-CARBON FUELS FOR VEHICLES
The transition to a zero-emission vehicle fleet will not happen overnight. Even after every car sold is zero-emission, it would still take 10 years for the fleet to reach 70% ZEV and 15 years for the fleet to reach 90% ZEV.263 Some parts of the transportation sector may rely on alternative fuels for the long term. Congress should consider opportunities to use low-carbon fuels, with appropriate guardrails to prevent conversion of non-agricultural lands into cropland, to shrink the carbon footprint of internal combustion engine vehicles.
Building Block: Build on the Renewable Fuel Standard with a Transition to a Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Congress established the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2005 and amended it in 2007 to reduce the country’s oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. The program requires U.S. transportation fuels to contain minimum volumes of conventional biofuels, such as corn ethanol, and advanced biofuels. Federal statute outlines specific volumetric requirements through the year 2022 for total renewable fuels, advanced biofuels, cellulosic biofuels, and biomass-based diesel. After that date, the EPA must determine the required volumes.264
The 2022 date offers an opportunity to build on the RFS and transition to a program that encourages the development and production of liquid fuels that meet certain carbon emissions standards. The California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), for example, assesses fuels based on a lifecycle carbon intensity benchmark—the amount of emissions per unit of energy output—that declines over time. The lifecycle assessment considers the direct greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing, transporting, and using the fuel and indirect emissions associated with changes in land use for some biofuels. Fuels with a carbon intensity below the benchmark generate credits, while fuels with a carbon intensity above the benchmark generate deficits.265
To comply with the California LCFS, transportation fuel suppliers, such as refiners, must demonstrate that the mix of fuels they supply for use in California meets the carbon intensity benchmarks. They can blend low-carbon fuels into the petroleum-based fuels they sell, buy credits generated by producers and users of low-carbon fuels, or both.266 In both 2018 and 2019, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and ethanol generated about 75% of the state’s LCFS credits.267
California’s LCFS policy has supported the growth of electricity as a transportation fuel and reinforced the states ZEV sales mandate. Electric utilities, for example, can generate credits for residential electric vehicle charging based on the difference between California’s average grid carbon intensity and average gasoline carbon intensity. California requires utilities to use revenue from selling these credits to provide rebates to residential customers who own or lease EVs. Owners of fueling supply equipment for non-residential EV charging, including public, workplace, and fleet charging, also can generate LCFS credits. For off-road transportation modes, electric forklifts, electric cargo handling equipment, electric transportation refrigeration units, and shore power at-berth oceangoing vessels can generate credits for equipment owners.268
In addition to California, a broad coalition of agriculture, environmental, renewable liquid fuel, and electricity stakeholders have developed a framework for a Midwest Clean Fuel Standard to significantly reduce transportation greenhouse gas emissions and generate economic benefits for the region.269
As the U.S. economy moves toward a net-zero by 2050 goal, low-carbon liquid fuels will have an important role to play in reducing oil consumption in the transportation sector and averting greenhouse gas emissions. The conversion to electric or other zero-emission vehicles will not happen overnight. Harder-to-decarbonize sectors where electrification may not be cost-effective, such as shipping, aviation, and long-haul trucking, could look to low-carbon liquid fuels as a potential solution. Highly efficient engines also could drive new demand for high-octane, low-carbon fuels.
Recommendation: Congress should develop a Low Carbon Fuel Standard to build on the Renewable Fuel Standard. The standard should set a technology- and feedstock-neutral benchmark for liquid and non-liquid fuels tied to a lifecycle assessment of the carbon intensity of the fuels. The carbon intensity standard should become more stringent (lower) over time. The lifecycle assessment should reflect the best-available science about the carbon intensity of fuel production, farming practices, land use changes, and crop productivity. The standard should include guardrails to prevent conversion of any non-agricultural lands into cropland, particularly sensitive lands with high carbon sequestration and biodiversity value. For renewable liquid fuels, the LCFS should reward entities in the value chain, including farmers and producers, that use climate-smart practices that reduce carbon emissions, store soil carbon, and reduce nitrous oxide emissions.
As described in more detail later in this section, an LCFS should allow low-carbon shipping and aviation fuels that meet the carbon intensity standards to qualify for credits. These sectors could become potential growth areas for low-carbon fuel demand.
Congress should ensure the LCFS complements the national ZEV program and greenhouse gas emissions standards for on-road vehicles, as they do in California.
Committee of Jurisdiction: Energy and Commerce
Building Block: Direct EPA to Credit Electricity Generated From Renewable Biogas and Used to Power Electric Vehicles
The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) expanded the RFS to include any form of renewable fuel “produced from renewable biomass.”270 The EISA also directed EPA to study the feasibility of issuing credits, called Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), under the RFS to electric vehicles powered by electricity produced from renewable energy sources.271
Ultimately, EPA did not complete a study but instead established a process for credit generation as part of the 2010 RFS rule. In that rule, EPA decided to allow “fuel producers, importers and end users to include electricity, natural gas, and propane made from renewable biomass as a RIN-generating renewable fuel in RFS.”272 In 2014, EPA finalized pathways for compressed gas, liquefied gas, and renewable electricity derived from biogas and used as a transportation fuel to qualify under the RFS.273 Despite this history, EPA has yet to approve any applications from biogas-to-electricity producers to generate credits under the RFS, also known as eRINs.
Recommendation: Unless and until Congress creates an LCFS, Congress should direct EPA to complete any necessary rulemakings or other administrative steps necessary to allow the generation of eRINs for biogas-derived electricity used as a transportation fuel.
Committee of Jurisdiction: Energy and Commerce
Building Block: Increasing Funding for DOE RD&D in Next-Generation Biofuels and Other Alternative Fuels
Several factors—particularly the slow turnover of existing internal combustion engine vehicles and challenges posed by electrification of aviation and long-haul trucking—demonstrate the need for continued scientific exploration of biofuels and other petroleum substitutes to reduce the carbon intensity of liquid fuels burned in the United States.
Recommendation: Congress should increase funding for DOE research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of biofuels—particularly next-generation biofuels made from non-food (cellulosic and algae-based) resources—and other petroleum substitutes. In the section below titled “Build a Cleaner and More Resilient Aviation Sector,” this report outlines a companion recommendation to increase RD&D for sustainable aviation fuels, a central component of decarbonizing airline travel.
Committee of Jurisdiction: Science, Space, and Technology
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Building Block: Provide Tax Incentives and Grant Support for Low-Emission Aviation Technology and Sustainable Aviation Fuels That Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The aviation industry has told ICAO that sustainable aviation fuel production “at a level and price to allow widespread adoption by airlines can be a game-changer in terms of aviation’s [carbon dioxide] emissions and will be a major factor in the industry meeting its 2050 goal.”345
To serve as a true alternative to jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuel needs to meet strict aviation safety standards, emit significantly less carbon dioxide when burned as measured on a lifecycle basis, including both potential direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (including resulting in changes from land use), and be produced cost-effectively in large volumes. Commercial airlines are starting to use small amounts of sustainable aviation fuel as drop-in fuels. In 2019, for example, United Airlines agreed to purchase up to 10 million gallons of sustainable aviation biofuel over two years from Boston-based World Energy.346
Sustainable aviation fuel developers will need support to scale up the production of these alternative fuels. Sustainable aviation fuels are eligible for the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax credit in Section 40A of the tax code.347 On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, into law. This bill retroactively extended the tax credit, which had expired, through 2022.348
The House Ways and Means Democrats GREEN Act of 2020 (H.R. 7330) extends the 40A tax credit through the end of 2025 (Section 201). In addition, the House Democrats introduced a comprehensive infrastructure bill, the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2). Section 10201 of this bill authorizes $200 million in funding for fiscal years 2021 through 2025 for DOT to award grants or enter into cost-sharing arrangements with state and local governments, airports, air carriers, and other entities for projects to develop, demonstrate, or apply low-emission aviation technologies or produce, transport, blend, or store sustainable aviation fuels to reduce aircraft greenhouse gas emissions.
Recommendation: Before the tax credit expires in 2022, Congress should strengthen the sustainable aviation fuels tax credit to include a life-cycle carbon intensity requirement and extend it for at least five years to provide market certainty. Congress should consider the potential benefits of separating the sustainable aviation fuel tax credit from the broader biodiesel tax credit.
Recommendation: Congress should create a new competitive grant program and/or cost-sharing program at DOT and/or DOE to support projects to develop, transport, or store sustainable aviation fuels that are less carbon-intensive than jet fuel. DOT and DOE should coordinate with USDA and EPA in designing and implementing any grant program.
Committees of Jurisdiction: Ways and Means; Transportation and Infrastructure; Energy and Commerce
Building Block: Provide Additional Credit for Sustainable Aviation Fuels Under the Renewable Fuel Standard or a Future Federal Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Under the existing RFS, sustainable aviation fuel generates fewer credits per gallon than biodiesel. Similarly, the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard does not cover aviation, but users of sustainable aviation fuel can opt in and obtain credits. Neither program currently mandates the production or consumption of certain volumes of sustainable aviation fuel.
Recommendation: Congress should amend the Renewable Fuel Standard or craft a future federal Low Carbon Fuel Standard to provide a credit multiplier for sustainable aviation fuels that meet an ambitious emissions reduction threshold. This will provide fuel manufacturers additional market certainty and financial incentive to scale up production of sustainable aviation fuels.
Committee of Jurisdiction: Energy and Commerce
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Building Block: Significantly Increase Federally Supported Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment to Reduce Emissions in the Shipping Sector
Some maritime vessels, such as passenger ferries, can use battery-electric technology instead of fossil fuels because they are relatively light and travel short, fixed routes. Other vessels, such as cargo ships, are too heavy and travel great distances across the ocean, making electrification impossible within the constraints of today’s technologies. The industry needs additional research and development to identify zero-emission solutions for all vessel types.
The DOT’s Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program, administered by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), “promotes the research, demonstration, and development of emerging technologies, practices, and processes that improve maritime industrial environmental sustainability.”372 It largely has focused its RDD&D on preventing the transport of aquatic invasive species and reducing vessel and port air emissions, but it also has investigated biofuels and fuel cells as alternative power sources for vessels.
In June 2020, Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced the Expanding Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance Program Act (S. 4025), which authorizes an additional $3 million for the META Program to research on zero-emission port and vessel technologies.
Recommendation: Congress should increase funding for META to make decarbonization of the U.S. shipping sector and seaports a top priority. MARAD could use META to research innovative hull designs, advanced propulsion systems and materials, alternative liquid fuels, and other zero-emission vessel technologies.
Committees of Jurisdiction: Transportation and Infrastructure; Science, Space, and Technology
Building Block: Ensure Low-Carbon Shipping Fuels Are Eligible for Credits Under the Renewable Fuel Standard or a Future Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Electrification of large vessels traveling across the ocean may prove technologically impossible or cost prohibitive. As a result, low-carbon liquid fuels, in combination with other technological advancements, may play an important role in decarbonizing the maritime sector. Currently, renewable fuels used in oceangoing vessels are ineligible for credits under the RFS.
Recommendation: Congress should ensure that qualifying shipping fuels are eligible for credits under the RFS or a future Low Carbon Fuel Standard, assuming the fuels meet all applicable standards.
Committee of Jurisdiction: Energy and Commerce
263 Center for American Progress analysis of Trieu Mai et al, Electrification Futures Study: Scenarios of Electric Technology Adoption and Power Consumption for the United States (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2018) available at https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy18osti/71500.pdf. (Specifically, Maximum Technical Potential scenario). As cited in John Podesta, Christy Goldfuss, et al, A 100 Percent Clean Future (Center for American Progress, 2019) at 31.
264 42 U.S. Code § 7545.
265 California Air Resources Board, “Low Carbon Fuel Standard,” available at https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/low-carbon-fuel-standard/about. Accessed June 2020.
266 Ibid.
267 Analysis of data from California Air Resources Board, “Low Carbon Fuel Standard,” Data Dashboard, available at https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/dashboard/dashboard.htm. Accessed June 2020.
268 California Code of Regulations, 17 CA ADC § 95483.
269 Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative, A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest (January 2020), https://www.betterenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Clean-Fuels-Policy-for-the-Midwest.pdf.
270 Energy Independence and Security Act § 201, Pub. L. 110-140 (Dec. 19, 2007).
271 Energy Independence and Security Act § 206, Pub. L. 110-140 (Dec. 19, 2007).
272 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Changes to Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Final Rule, 75 Fed. Reg. 14669-14904 (March 26, 2010).
273 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: RFS Pathways II, and Technical Amendments to the RFS Standards and E15 Misfueling Mitigation Requirements; Final Rule, 79 Fed. Reg. 42127-42167 (July 18, 2014)
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342 ASCENT – the Aviation Sustainability Center, https://ascent.aero/. Accessed June 2020.
343 NASA, “Aeronautics Research: ARMD Programs,” available at https://www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch/programs. Accessed June 2020.
344 U.S. Department of Energy, Bioenergy Technologies Office, “Aviation Fuels,” https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/aviation-fuels. Accessed June 2020.
345 ICAO, Industry Views on the Basket of Measures and a Long-Term Goal. 40th Assembly (September 2019), https://www.icao.int/Meetings/a40/Documents/WP/wp_194_en.pdf.
346 United Airlines, “United Airlines Expands Industry-Leading Commitment to Biofuel, Powering More Flights With More Biofuel Than Any Other U.S. Carrier,” May 22, 2019, https://hub.united.com/united-expands-commitment-biofuel-powering-flights-2637791857.html.
347 26 U.S.C. § 40A.
348 Division Q, Section 121 of H.R. 1865, “Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020,” 116th Congress.
349 8 Pub. L. No. 108-176.
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372 Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, “Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program,” https://www.maritime.dot.gov/innovation/meta/maritime-environmental-and-technical-assistance-meta-program. Accessed June 2020. READ MORE
Excerpt from Politico’s Morning Energy: Pro DataPoint’s Patterson Clark shows in a new graphic how House Democrats’ plan would target fossil fuels.