Carbon Cost Act of 2021

I 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 2240 To direct the Comptroller General of the United States, in coordination with the National Academy of Sciences, to study alternatives for a nonpartisan congressional office or agency to project the net greenhouse gas emissions likely to be caused by Federal legislation, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 26, 2021 Mr. NEGUSE (for himself, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. CROW, Ms. DEGETTE, and Mr. PERLMUTTER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration A BILL To direct the Comptroller General of the United States, in coordination with the National Academy of Sciences, to study alternatives for a nonpartisan congressional of- fice or agency to project the net greenhouse gas emis- sions likely to be caused by Federal legislation, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Carbon Cost Act of 4 2021’’. 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:01 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2240.IH H2240 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 2240 IH SEC. 2. STUDY OF ALTERNATIVES FOR A CONGRESSIONAL 1 OFFICE TO PROJECT THE NET GREENHOUSE 2 GAS EMISSIONS LIKELY TO BE CAUSED BY 3 FEDERAL LEGISLATION. 4 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 5 date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 6 of the United States, in coordination with the National 7 Academy of Sciences, shall— 8 (1) study alternatives for a nonpartisan con- 9 gressional office or agency— 10 (A) to make thorough, science-based pro- 11 jections on whether the enactment, full funding, 12 and implementation of particular Federal legis- 13 lation are likely to cause a net increase or de- 14 crease in global greenhouse gas emissions over 15 a specified period; and 16 (B) to quantify any such projected increase 17 or decrease; and 18 (2) submit a report to the Congress containing 19 the results of such study, including recommenda- 20 tions. 21 (b) CONSIDERATIONS.—The study under subsection 22 (a) shall address each of the following: 23 (1) Whether a new office or agency should be 24 established for purposes of carrying out the func- 25 tions described in subsection (a)(1), or whether such 26 VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:01 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2240.IH H2240 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HR 2240 IH functions should be vested in one or more existing 1 offices or agencies. 2 (2) How to ensure the office or agency remains 3 nonpartisan and science-focused. 4 (3) How to involve governmental and private 5 experts, including— 6 (A) whether Federal officers and employ- 7 ees should be detailed to the office or agency 8 carrying out the functions described in sub- 9 section (a)(1); and 10 (B) how to involve appropriate experts in 11 the analysis of projected greenhouse gas emis- 12 sions from each of the following: electric power 13 generation; transportation; residential, commer- 14 cial, and industrial fuel use; natural gas and oil 15 systems; coal mining and abandoned mines; ag- 16 riculture; industrial processes; land use, land 17 use change, and forestry; and waste manage- 18 ment. 19 (4) Lessons that can be learned from State leg- 20 islatures that have successfully implemented carbon 21 scoring for legislative proposals. 22 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:01 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H2240.IH H2240 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS