NI Summary of the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal Act (CLEAR)

Nicholas Institute Discussion Memo Prepared for the National Religious Partnership for the Environment

Author(s): Joshua Schneck

Published: February 2010

download: memo (.pdf) >

On December 11, 2009, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the ‘Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal Act (CLEAR).  Some have described the bill, which aims to reduce overall U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through creation of an upstream cap-and-trade program, as a politically viable approach to passing comprehensive climate change legislation in the Senate.  This memo provides a detailed overview of the bill, including concerns about the extent of GHG reductions achieved under the bill, and political considerations.