Today is Earth Day, April 22. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 in the United States, but has now grown to include 192 countries. This year, Earth Day will focus on investing in efficiency and renewable energy, particularly in cities. (Source: Earth Day Network)
We've pulled together bills related to the environment and renewable energy. Share your voice with Congress on this Earth Day.
Legislation related to Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Chemicals
- S 1627
American Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act
Would create huge benefits for consumers, create jobs, and protect the environment by requiring electric utilities to obtain a minimum of 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biomass by 2025. The bill also requires electric and natural gas utilities to implement energy efficiency programs that would save the equivalent of 15 percent and 10 percent of sales, respectively, by 2025, according to the bill sponsor.
- HR 2126
Energy Efficiency Improvement Act
*Bipartisan* Establishes energy efficiency best practices for commercial tenants renting space in commercial buildings and creates a new TENANT STAR certification program. Requires federal agencies to implement strategies to increase the efficiency of energy consuming data centers operated by the federal government. Removes a regulatory barrier to the manufacture of large scale water heaters, which act as residential energy storage devices and allow utilities to curb energy demand during peak hours, according to bill sponsors. — Passed by the House; now goes to the Senate for consideration. —
- HR 596
Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act
*Bispartisan* (Also S 279.) Streamlines permitting for renewable energy projects on public lands. Provides local governments increased revenue and certainty by establishing a more predictable and direct royalty system from energy production that will support wildlife conservation, hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities on federal land, according to bill sponsor.
- HR 1616
Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act
*Bispartisan* (Also S 1392.) Uses a variety of low-cost tools to reduce barriers for private sector energy users and drive adoption of off-the-shelf efficiency technologies that will save businesses and consumers money, make America more energy independent, and reduce emissions. Kick starts private sector investment in building efficiency upgrades and renovations by creating a Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Financing Initiative. Requires the federal government – the single largest energy user in the country — to adopt energy saving techniques for computers, saving energy and taxpayer dollars, according to bill sponsor.
- S 1261
Energy Efficient Government Technology Act
*Bipartisan* To require the federal government to reduce energy consumption at federal data centers. Data centers are the fastest growing consumers of energy, so focusing on energy efficiency in this arena is a critical component of the United States' plan to achieve energy self-reliance and reduce costs to taxpayers, according to bill sponsor.
- S 696
Allow EPA to secure health and safety information for new and existing chemicals, while avoiding duplicative or unnecessary testing. Screen chemicals for safety by prioritizing chemicals based on risk, so that EPA can focus resources on evaluating those most likely to cause harm while working through the backlog of untested existing chemicals. Require risk management of chemicals that cannot be proven safe. This can include labeling, disposal requirements, restricted uses, or even full chemical bans. Establish a public database to catalog the health and safety information submitted by chemical manufacturers and the EPA’s safety determinations, while also protecting trade secrets, according to bill sponsor.
- S 1202
Safeguarding America's Future and Environment Act
To provide local communities with better tools to prepare for extreme weather and require federal agencies to work more efficiently by implementing a single coordinated strategy for protecting, restoring, and conserving the natural resources that American tourism and recreation jobs and local economies depend on, according to bill sponsors.
- HR 2023
Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act
Would address the negative health effects related to climate change by supporting research, surveillance, planning, and interagency coordination to develop national plan for action, according to bill sponsors.
- HR 4461
To authorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a Climate Change Education Program.
- S 1961
Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Protection Act
According to bill sponsors: Requires regular state inspections of above-ground chemical storage facilities; requires industry to develop state-approved emergency response plans that meet at least minimum guidelines established in this bill; allows states to recoup costs incurred from responding to emergencies; and ensures drinking water systems have the tools and information to respond to emergencies.
- HR 2791
Responsible Electronics Recycling Act
*Bipartisan* To prohibit the export from the United States of certain electronic waste.
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
