Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
december 2014

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congress

Senate committee holds hearing on bipartisan climate bill

December 2, 2014

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on December 2 to assess a bipartisan climate bill introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Chris Murphy (D-CT). The Super Pollutants Act of 2014 (S. 2911) would lower emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), which have a shorter life span in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide but a much more potent warming effect on the climate. Key SLCPs are black carbon, a component of particulate matter that is emitted by diesel engines, fluorinated gases and substitute hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, and methane, which is mainly emitted by energy and agriculture sectors.

Advocates for the bill see it as an opportunity to take bipartisan action on climate change because reducing SLCP emissions would reduce warming with relatively minor economic impacts. These efforts are also less controversial than attempts to regulate carbon dioxide emissions. Witnesses at the hearing emphasized the potential public health benefits of limiting SLCPs, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues, and the associated healthcare cost savings. However, some Republicans expressed concern that the measure could exacerbate economic inequality, arguing that costs associated with reducing SLCPs could drive up energy costs and disproportionately impact low-income Americans.

The bill must pass a vote in the committee in order to be considered by the full Senate.

Sources: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee website

Senate passes public lands bills with defense authorization

December 12, 2014

On December 12, the Senate passed a group of public lands bills as part of the 2015 defense authorization (H.R.3979, Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015). The bill includes expansions of wilderness and park lands as well as changes to energy, mining, and logging policy on public lands. While there was a last minute attempt by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) to remove these measures from the defense authorization, the bill passed by a final vote of 89-11, with both Democrats and Republicans voting in opposition.

Many senators lauded the package as a compromise between environmental and development interests. However, conservationist critics objected to a measure that would allow copper mining on lands in Arizona that the Apache consider sacred, as well as others promoting logging in Alaska and stock grazing on public lands. Proponents of the Arizona mine argue that it will create jobs and economic growth in the region. Though he voted for the bill, Sen. Coburn also expressed concerns over the cost of new National Park units and additions to federally protected lands.

The bill passed the House on December 2, and it now awaits the President’s signature.

Sources: E&E News, Congress.gov