Resources on the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act -- S.1733 (Kerry-Boxer bill)

Climate & Clean Energy Legislation in the U.S. Senate

Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S.1733) on September 30, 2009. The Kerry-Boxer bill draws heavily from the climate provisions of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (Waxman-Markey bill) passed by the House of Representatives on June 26, 2009, but differs in several important areas.  In part, these differences are the result of different legislative processes being followed in the Senate and the House.  While the House bill is a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill, the Kerry-Boxer bill focuses primarily on reducing U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Earlier this year, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed a comprehensive energy bill (American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009) that corresponds with many of the energy policy provisions contained in the House bill.    The Kerry-Boxer bill should be viewed as an important starting point for Senate deliberations.  Key aspects of the Kerry-Boxer bill were left intentionally unresolved.  It is expected that further work by the Committee on Environment and Public Works and other Senate committees of jurisdiction will fill in some of these critical issues.  Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) is expected to combine the various elements into a bill to be brought before the Senate some time during the next few months.

The Pew Center summary describes key aspects of the Kerry-Boxer bill with specific attention to areas where it differs from the House bill.

• 3-page summary of S.1733
• Detailed summary of S.1733
• Pew Center Statement on S.1733

Related Resources on the House Climate & Clean Energy Bill

• Detailed Summary of the ACES Act as passed by the House
• Myths about the ACES Act
• Cost of the ACES Act of 2009 Found to Be Small According to Government Analyses
• Cost Containment and Offset Use
• Distribution of Allowances under the ACES Act 
• Graph: Distribution of Allowances under the ACES Act
• What the ACES Act Does for Coal
• Agriculture Under the ACES Act
• Addressing Competitiveness Issues in Climate Legislation

Additional Pew Center Resources

• Pew Center Testimony
     Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee - Cost Containment (September 15, 2009)
     Senate Finance Committee - International Trade Considerations (July 8. 2009)
     House Energy and Environment Subcommittee - International Aspects of the ACES Act (April 23, 2009)
     House Energy and Environment Subcommittee - Competitiveness and Climate Policy (March 18, 2009)
• Quick Reference Guide to Climate Policy
• House-Senate Renewable Electricity Standards Comparison