House Majority Flagship Climate Bill Gets a Hearing

March 18 marked the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s first legislative hearing on the majority’s flagship climate bill, the Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s Future Act (CLEAN Future Act). The 981-page bill aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the U.S. economy by 2050. This target would largely be accomplished by establishing a national clean electricity standard and credit trading program, among other requirements that touch on nearly every sector of the economy and invoke each federal agency. The first hearing highlighted sharp divides among members over the legislation, which currently lacks bipartisan support. While it’s unlikely to gain traction in the Senate in its current form, members have indicated that provisions of the bill may be included in the next reconciliation package or other must-pass legislative vehicles. For now, the committee has scheduled a second legislative hearing on the bill for March 22.

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