The Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act - Fall

This report analyzes the proposed Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S.309), which would amend the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. Introduced by Senators Bernie Sanders and Barbara Boxer, the legislation proposes a national regulatory framework aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. The report begins by reviewing the scientific and policy context of climate change, emphasizing the growing body of evidence linking human activities to global temperature increases and climate system disruptions. Rising greenhouse gas concentrations are associated with severe weather events, sea-level rise, and ecological disruption, posing risks to national security, economic stability, and public health. The United States plays a particularly important role in global mitigation efforts due to its historically high emissions and its economic influence in shaping international climate policy.

The report focuses on how S.309 could be implemented during its first year if enacted by Congress. It proposes a combination of regulatory programs, market-based mechanisms, and technological initiatives to reduce emissions from the transportation and electric power sectors, which together account for a significant share of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency would serve as the primary implementing agency, supported by new organizational units responsible for emissions monitoring, policy development, and program evaluation. The implementation plan includes staffing requirements, budget projections, and performance indicators to track progress toward emissions reduction targets. By combining regulatory authority with market incentives and technological innovation, the proposed framework demonstrates how federal policy could create a structured pathway for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting economic growth and energy system transformation.

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