The bill would create limits on the emission of greenhouse
gases, implemented by a national cap-and-trade program.
On September 30, 2009, Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Barbara
Boxer (D-CA) announced the introduction of the Clean Energy, Jobs
and American Power Act. The bill would create limits on the
emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), implemented by a national
cap-and-trade program.
This bill comes at the same time as the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) announcement of final rules for mandatory
GHG emissions reporting for large emitters beginning January 1,
2010, and, further, a proposed rule to regulate through
construction and operating permits GHG emissions from power plants
and large industrial facilities emitting at least 25,000 tons of
C02 and other GHGs per year. The permits must show that
the operators are using the best available technology to minimize
GHG emissions. Challenges to EPA's authority to regulate GHGs
are expected.
