118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 598
To ensure 100 percent renewable electricity, zero emission vehicles, and regenerative agriculture by 2030 to address global warming caused by human activity.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 27, 2023
Mr. Espaillat (for himself, Ms. Velázquez, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Nadler, and Mr. Grijalva) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To ensure 100 percent renewable electricity, zero emission vehicles, and regenerative agriculture by 2030 to address global warming caused by human activity.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030”.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Global climate change is an immediate threat to the national security, public health, and national economy of the United States as well as the legacy we will leave to our children.
(2) The most vulnerable communities, including communities of color, women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, low-income communities, and those with underlying health conditions, face even greater health risks as a result of climate change.
(3) The United States is already seeing climate change exacerbate extreme weather events, with—
(A) the year 2020 seeing the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record with 30 named storms and six major hurricanes;
(B) the 2019 issuance of the first-ever Extreme Red Flag Warning for wildfires;
(C) hundreds of thousands of acres in the Western United States currently or recently experiencing devastating wildfires; and
(D) communities around the country regularly facing “100-Year Floods”.
(4) The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2016 Special Report on Climate Change and Land found that sustainable land management can contribute to reducing the negative impacts of multiple stressors, including climate change.
(5) The Environmental Protection Agency found that electricity, transportation, and agriculture accounted for more than 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019.
(6) The National Centers for Environmental Information found that, in 2021, there were 20 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1,000,000,000 each to affect the United States. These events resulted in the deaths of 688 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted. The 1980–2021 annual average is 7.4 events.
(7) The total cost of United States billion-dollar disasters over the years 2016 through 2020 exceeds $600,000,000,000, with a 5-year annual cost average of $121,300,000,000.
(8) The IPCC released its Working Group I, 2021 report, which found that, unless immediate and broad reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are made by the international community, it will be impossible to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, the warming level which the scientific community believes will precipitate catastrophic climate-related consequences and risks to human health, livelihoods, food security, human security, water supply, and economic growth will all increase.
(9) In 2021, the Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, expressed that, by 2030, the clean energy sector will be a $230,000,000,000,000 global market for all technologies and products that reduce carbon pollution, spurring economic opportunity through job creation for people across the United States and the world.
(10) According to the Environmental Protection Agency, renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution associated with energy production.
(11) The 2021 Department of Defense Climate Risk Analysis found that increasing temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and more frequent, intense, and unpredictable extreme weather conditions caused by climate change are exacerbating existing security risks.
(12) In 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence assessed that climate change will increasingly exacerbate risks to United States national security interests.
(13) In 2021, the President issued an Executive order directing the Federal Government to achieve 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity on a net annual basis by 2030 and 100 percent zero-emission vehicle acquisitions by 2035.
(14) In 2021, United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, described the urgency of addressing climate change by stating that “the alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable: greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at immediate risk. Global heating is affecting every region on Earth, with many of the changes becoming irreversible”.
(15) The Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC found that “human-induced climate change, including more frequent and intense extreme events, has caused widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people, beyond natural climate variability”.
(16) The IPCC notes that to avoid mounting loss of life, biodiversity, and infrastructure, we must have ambitious, accelerated action to adapt to climate change, while also making rapid, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
SEC. 3. RENEWABLE ENERGY.
(a) Renewable Energy Standard.—
(1) MINIMUM ANNUAL PERCENTAGE.—The minimum annual percentage of the total quantity of electricity sold by a retail electric supplier that is required to be generated from renewable energy resources shall be—
(A) in each of 2027, 2028, and 2029, at least 80 percent; and
(B) in 2030, and in each year thereafter, 100 percent.
(2) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Energy shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection.
(3) REQUIRED SUBMISSIONS.—The regulations issued under paragraph (2) shall require a retail electric supplier to submit to the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Secretary of Transportation—
(A) not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, a plan to achieve compliance with such regulations; and
(B) beginning in 2028, and annually thereafter, by April 15, a report on compliance with this subsection for the preceding year, including evidentiary documentation regarding such compliance.
(4) GRANTS FOR TRANSITION ASSISTANCE.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Energy shall make competitive grants to retail electric suppliers to pay up to 50 percent of the costs of meeting the requirements under this subsection.
(B) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this paragraph, the Secretary of Energy shall give priority to retail electric suppliers who display significant need, as determined by the Secretary, to finance their transition to renewable energy.
(C) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, a retail electric supplier shall submit to the Secretary of Energy an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(5) BEST PRACTICES REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Energy shall develop and publish, including on the public website of the Department of Energy, a report on the best practices for retail electric suppliers for activities to transition to renewable energy consistent with this subsection, including how to apply for a grant under this subsection.
(b) Renewable Energy Sources.—
(1) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Energy shall issue regulations regarding the sourcing, recycling, and disposal of materials used to manufacture renewable energy sources, with goals of—
(A) eliminating the use of rare earth metals in the manufacture of renewable energy sources; and
(B) ensuring the recycling of all such materials.
(2) REQUIRED SUBMISSIONS.—Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the regulations issued under paragraph (1) shall require entities subject to such regulations to submit to the Secretary of Energy documentation on compliance with such regulations, as the Secretary of Energy determines appropriate, including documentation regarding lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions with respect to the business operations of such entities.
(c) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) RENEWABLE ENERGY.—The term “renewable energy” means electric energy generated from a renewable energy resource.
(2) RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCE.—The term “renewable energy resource” means wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, wave, and existing hydropower sources.
(3) RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE.—The term “renewable energy source” means any facility or equipment, including any component thereof, used to generate or store renewable energy.
(4) RETAIL ELECTRIC SUPPLIER.—The term “retail electric supplier” means an entity operating in the United States or in a territory of the United States that sold not less than 1,000 megawatt hours to electric consumers for purposes other than resale during the preceding calendar year.
SEC. 4. ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES.
(a) In General.—Part A of title II of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7521 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“SEC. 220. ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE PRODUCTION.
“(a) Minimum Annual Percentage.—The minimum annual percentage of the total quantity of new motor vehicles sold by a vehicle manufacturer that are zero emission vehicles shall be—
“(1) in each of 2027, 2028, 2029, at least 80 percent; and
“(2) in 2030, and in each year thereafter, 100 percent.
“(b) Regulations.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue regulations to carry out this section.
“(c) Required Submissions.—The regulations issued under subsection (b) shall require a vehicle manufacturer to submit to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Transportation—
“(1) not later than one year after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, a plan to achieve compliance with the requirements of this section, including the steps to be taken with respect to materials and supply chains;
“(2) by April 15, and annually thereafter, a report on compliance with this section, including evidentiary documentation, regarding such compliance; and
“(3) documentation regarding lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of applicable new zero emission vehicles.
“(d) Grants For Transition Assistance.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation shall make competitive grants to vehicle manufacturers to pay up to 50 percent of the costs of meeting the requirements under this section.
“(2) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary of Transportation shall give priority to vehicle manufacturers who demonstrate significant financial need, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation, to meet the requirement of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a).
“(3) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a vehicle manufacturer shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Transportation may require.
“(e) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall develop and publish, including on the public website of the Environmental Protection Agency, a report on—
“(1) best practices for meeting the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a); and
“(2) guidance on how to apply for a grant under this section.
“(f) Definitions.—In this section:
“(1) MOTOR VEHICLE.—The term ‘motor vehicle’, as defined by this part, includes the following:
“(A) A light-duty vehicle that is capable of seating 12 passengers or less.
“(B) A light-duty truck which has a gross vehicle weight in excess of 6,000 pounds.
“(C) Heavy duty vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight in excess of 8,500 pounds.
“(2) VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘vehicle manufacturer’ means an entity that—
“(i) engages in the manufacturing of new motor vehicles; and
“(ii) sells no fewer than 100 new motor vehicles to ultimate purchasers, either directly or through an affiliate, such as a dealer.
“(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘vehicle manufacturer’ does not include—
“(i) a motor vehicle parts supplier; or
“(ii) a dealer.
“(3) ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE.—The term ‘zero emission vehicle’ means a motor vehicle, as defined by this subsection, that produces zero exhaust emissions of any criteria pollutant, precursor pollutant, or greenhouse gas in any mode of operation or condition.”.
(b) Conforming Amendments.—The table of contents for the Clean Air Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 219 the following:
“Sec. 220. Zero emission vehicle production.”.
SEC. 5. REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES.
(a) Minimum Annual Percentage.—The minimum annual percentage of land and livestock managed with regenerative agricultural practices for a covered land or livestock corporation shall be—
(1) in each of 2025 and 2026, at least 50 percent;
(2) in each of 2027, 2028, and 2029, at least 75 percent; and
(3) in 2030, and each year thereafter, 100 percent.
(b) Regulations.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue regulations to carry out this section.
(c) Required Submissions.—The regulations issued under subsection (b) shall require a covered land or livestock corporation to submit to the Secretary—
(1) not later than one year after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, a plan to achieve compliance with the requirements of this section;
(2) beginning in 2028, and annually thereafter, by April 15, a report on compliance with this section, including evidentiary documentation regarding such compliance; and
(3) documentation regarding lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of managing land and livestock with regenerative agricultural practices.
(d) Grants For Transition Assistance.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make competitive grants to covered land or livestock corporations to pay up to 50 percent of the costs needed to meet the requirements under this section.
(2) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to a covered land or livestock corporation that displays significant need, as determined by the Secretary, to finance the transition to regenerative agricultural practices.
(3) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a covered land or livestock corporation shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(e) Best Practices Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall develop and publish, including on the public website of the Department of Agriculture, a report on the best practices for covered land or livestock corporations for regenerative agricultural practices consistent with this section, including how to apply for a grant under this section.
(f) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) COVERED LAND OR LIVESTOCK CORPORATION.—The term “covered land or livestock corporation” means an entity or person that—
(A) owns, manages, or controls land or livestock, including through—
(i) farming, ranching, or other related agricultural operations; or
(ii) contracts with farmers or ranchers under which the farmers or ranchers purchase patented inputs or inputs otherwise owned by the entity or person to produce agricultural products to be acquired by such entity (or a subsidiary thereof); and
(B) is required to file an annual report under section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m), or has issued securities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933.
(2) REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term “regenerative agricultural practice” means one of the following practices:
(i) Alley cropping.
(ii) Conservation cover.
(iii) Conservation crop rotation.
(iv) Establishment of contour buffer strips.
(v) Contour farming.
(vi) Establishment of cover crops.
(vii) Critical area planting.
(viii) Establishment of cross wind trap strips.
(ix) Establishment of field borders.
(x) Establishment of filter strips.
(xi) Forage and biomass planting, including the use of native prairie and seed mixtures.
(xii) Implementation of forest stand improvements.
(xiii) Establishment of grassed waterways.
(xiv) Hedgerow planting.
(xv) Establishment of herbaceous wind barriers.
(xvi) Multistory cropping.
(xvii) Nutrient management.
(xviii) Prescribed grazing.
(xix) Range planting.
(xx) Residue and tillage management with no till.
(xxi) Residue and tillage management with reduced till.
(xxii) Establishment of riparian forest buffers.
(xxiii) Establishment of riparian herbaceous buffers.
(xxiv) Silvopasture establishment.
(xxv) Stripcropping.
(xxvi) Tree and shrub establishment.
(xxvii) Upland wildlife habitat restoration.
(xxviii) Establishment of vegetative barriers.
(xxix) Wetland restoration.
(xxx) Windbreak renovation.
(xxxi) Establishment of windbreaks and shelterbelts.
(xxxii) Woody residue treatment.
(xxxiii) Any other highly effective and evidence-based vegetative or management practice, as determined by the Secretary, based on an annual review, that significantly reduces agricultural greenhouse gas emissions or assists producers in adapting to, or mitigating against, increasing weather volatility.
(B) INCLUSIONS.—In the case of covered land or livestock corporation raising ruminant livestock, the term “regenerative agricultural practice” includes the following practices:
(i) The practice of allowing such livestock to graze pasture during the grazing season at least 120 days per year.
(ii) The practice of requiring such livestock to intake at least 30 percent dry matter from grazing pasture during the grazing season.
(iii) The practice of a producer creating a pasture management plan that manages pasture—
(I) as a crop to meet the feed requirements for such livestock; and
(II) to protect soil and water quality.
(iv) The practice of allowing such livestock to—
(I) display natural behaviors at all times, with access to pasture during the finishing phase;
(II) have the living conditions and freedom to express normal behavior;
(III) have freedom from discomfort, fear, distress, hunger, pain, injury, or disease;
(IV) not be placed in confined feeding operations; and
(V) have access to a suitable shelter.
(3) SECRETARY.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
SEC. 6. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION REGULATIONS.
Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue regulations that—
(1) require the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the operations of a covered land or livestock corporation; and
(2) include guidance on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through—
(A) reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides;
(B) supporting the supply of organic fertilizers and pesticides;
(C) changing feed content for animals;
(D) general farming practices;
(E) food and animal transportation, packaging, and distribution;
(F) minimizing food waste; and
(G) applying the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, established in section 205.6 et seq. of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), to regenerative agricultural practices, as defined in section 5.
SEC. 7. ANIMAL WELFARE.
(a) Animal Welfare Mandate.—Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue regulations to ensure the well-being of covered animals.
(b) Specifications.—In issuing regulations with respect to the well-being of a covered animal, the Secretary of Agriculture shall—
(1) prohibit the use of antibiotics, hormones, implants, or other substances, except for purposes of disease treatment as prescribed by a veterinarian;
(2) prohibit forms of permanent physical mutilation, including debeaking, beak or bill trimming, declawing, pinioning, wattle trimming, desnooding, detoeing, nose rings, and tusk removal;
(3) ensure that such covered animal lives in a condition that allows the animal to socialize naturally, to engage in natural behaviors, to have freedom of movement, and to be reared with a mother and weaned at a natural time;
(4) provide for compliance oversight, independent inspections, and transparency of covered facilities; and
(5) if a violation of requirements of this subsection is found during an independent inspection performed pursuant to paragraph (4), the Secretary shall—
(A) establish an online livestream video of such covered facilities that is limited in scope to such violation; and
(B) grant the public access to such online livestream video.
(c) Report To Congress.—Not later than two years after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the appropriate committees a report detailing—
(1) the findings of animal welfare compliance, oversight, and independent inspections of covered facilities;
(2) recommendations to Congress on additional actions necessary to ensure covered facilities are compliant with regulations set forth by this section; and
(3) any other details as required by the Secretary.
(d) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES.—The term “appropriate committees” means—
(A) the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(2) COVERED ANIMAL.—The term “covered animal” means an animal raised for human consumption or the production of dairy products, including—
(A) beef cattle;
(B) broiler chickens;
(C) laying hens;
(D) dairy cows;
(E) sheep;
(F) goats;
(G) pigs;
(H) turkeys;
(I) bison;
(J) waterfowl, including ducks and geese; and
(K) any other animal raised for human consumption or the production of dairy products, as determined by the Secretary.
(3) COVERED FACILITY.—The term “covered facility” means a facility of a covered land or livestock corporation (as defined in section 5) that engages in animal raising, transport, slaughter, and processing.
SEC. 8. TAX PROVISIONS RELATING TO CLIMATE TRANSITION COSTS.
(a) Qualified Capital Climate Transition Costs.—Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating subsection (s) as subsection (t) and by inserting after subsection (r) the following new subsection:
“(s) Qualified Capital Climate Transition Costs.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a retail electric supplier, vehicle manufacturer, or covered land or livestock corporation, the amount of any deduction allowed under subsection (a) with respect to qualified capital climate transitions costs (determined without regard to this subsection) shall be doubled.
“(2) QUALIFIED CAPITAL CLIMATE TRANSITION COSTS.—For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘qualified capital climate transition costs’ means costs directly related to a transition to renewable energy sources, electric vehicle manufacturing, or regenerative agriculture, as such terms are defined by the Secretary.
“(3) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section—
“(A) COVERED LAND OR LIVESTOCK CORPORATION.—The term ‘covered land or livestock corporation’ has the meaning given such term in section 5(f)(1) of the Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030.
“(B) RETAIL ELECTRIC SUPPLIER.—The term ‘retail electric supplier’ has the meaning given such term in section 3(c)(4) of the Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030.
“(C) VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.—The term ‘vehicle manufacturer’ has the meaning given such term in section 220(f)(2) of the Clean Air Act.”.
(b) Qualified Capital Climate Transition Property.—Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking “The aggregate cost” and inserting “Except as provided in subsection (f), the aggregate cost”,
(2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking “and” at the end of subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) and inserting “, and”, and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
“(D) at the election of the taxpayer, qualified capital climate transition property (as defined in subsection (f).”, and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
“(f) Qualified Capital Climate Transition Property.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘qualified capital climate transition property’ means property directly related to a transition to renewable energy sources, zero emission vehicle manufacturing, or regenerative agriculture, as such terms are defined by the Secretary.
“(2) LIMITATION.—The Secretary shall establish by regulation the aggregate cost which may be taken into account under subsection (a) with respect to qualified capital climate transition property.
“(3) REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE.—The Secretary may issue such regulations or guidance as necessary to broadly define qualifying section 179 property based on the qualified capital climate transition costs that can be expected to be necessary in future taxable years.”.
(c) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 9. SUPPORT, OVERSIGHT, AND REPORTING.
(a) Support And Oversight.—The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide direct oversight, facilitation, and support for the transitions to minimum annual percentages required under this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
(b) Combined Reporting Required.—Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, by April 15, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall jointly submit to Congress a combined report on the transitions and the compliance of such transitions required under this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
(c) National Academy Of Sciences Recommendations.—Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academy of Sciences shall prepare reports to assist all relevant entities with implementing the requirements of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, including staffing, supply chain, domestic production, raw materials, and the reuse and recycling of all elements utilized to create renewable energy.
SEC. 10. DISALLOWANCE OF DEDUCTIONS FOR NON-COMPLIANT BUSINESSES.
(a) In General.—Part IX of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to items not deductible) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section:
“SEC. 280I. EXPENDITURES OF NON-COMPLIANT BUSINESSES.
“No deduction shall be allowed for any amount paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business if such trade or business (or the activities which comprise such trade or business) does not comply with the provisions of the Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030 at any time during such taxable year.”.
(b) Conforming Amendment.—The table of sections for part IX of the subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new item:
Sec. 280I. Expenditures of non-compliant businesses.
(c) Effective Date.—The amendment made by this section shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after the date of the enactment of this Act in taxable years ending after such date.
SEC. 11. SEVERABILITY.
Should any provision in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, be found to be unconstitutional by a court of law, such provision, or such amendment, shall be severed from the remainder of this Act, and such action shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Act.
SECTION BY SECTION
THE EARTH ACT TO STOP CLIMATE POLLUTION BY 2030
Sec. 1. Short Title – Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030
Sec 2. Findings
This section states that global climate change is an existential threat to the
United States on many fronts: national security, public health, the
economy, and others. Climate change impacts communities that are already
vulnerable such as the elderly and children, as well as low-income
communities, communities of color, persons with disabilities, and those
with underlying health issues. These findings come from numerous climate
reports by reputable organizations such as The United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Environmental
Protection Agency, and the National Centers for Environmental
Information.
Sec. 3. Electricity
This section describes amendments to the Federal Power Act to enforce
stronger standards for renewable energy usage within this sector. It
requires that, by 2030, 100% of all electricity from “retail electric suppliers”
selling over 1,000 megawatt hours per year be generated from “renewable
energy sources,” which are defined as “wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, wave,
and existing hydro-power sources.” This section also requires that 80% of
all electricity from retail electric suppliers be generated from renewable
energy sources for the years 2027, 2028, and 2029. All entities who are
subject to these new legal mandates must also submit formal plans for their
transition to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department
of Energy, and the Department of Transportation within one year of the
law’s enactment.
Additionally, this section authorizes a grant program that provides grants
for eligible retailers to meet up to 50% of these transition costs in order to
promote a smooth transfer to renewable energy. Furthermore, this section
requires the Department of Energy to issue additional regulations on the
“sourcing, recycling, and disposal of materials used to manufacture
renewable energy sources,” with the twin goals of eliminating the use of
rare earth materials and ensuring the recycling of all such materials. The
Department of Energy is also required to issue a “Best Practices Report” for
the reference of retail electric suppliers who must comply with this
impending transition.
Sec. 4. Zero-Emission Vehicles
This section amends the Clean Air Act by requiring 100% of all motor
vehicles sold by companies who engage in the manufacturing of motor
vehicles (i.e., “vehicle manufacturers”) to be “zero emission vehicles” by
2030. This section also requires that 80% of all motor vehicles sold by
vehicle manufacturers be zero-emission vehicles for the years 2027, 2028,
and 2029. It defines a “zero-emission vehicle” as a “motor vehicle...“that
produces zero exhaust emissions of any criteria pollutant, precursor
pollutant, or greenhouse gas in any mode of operation or condition.” All
entities that are subject to these new legal mandates must also submit
formal plans for their transition to the Environmental Protection Agency,
the Department of Energy, and the Department of Transportation within
one year of the law’s enactment.
Additionally, this section authorizes a grant program that provides grants
for eligible vehicle manufacturers to meet up to 50% of these transition
costs in order to promote a smooth transfer to zero-emission vehicles. This
section also requires the Environmental Protection Agency to issue a “Best
Practices Report” for the reference of vehicle manufacturers who must
comply with this transition.
Sec. 5. Regenerative Agriculture Production
This section requires all publicly traded corporations that are engaged in
agriculture and livestock operations (referred to as “covered land or
livestock corporation[s]”) to transition to managing 100% of their land and
livestock with “regenerative agricultural practices” by 2030, with earlier
targets of 50% in 2025 and 2026 and 75% in each of 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Next, this section lays out a comprehensive list of several different
environmentally friendly “regenerative agricultural practices” for both
traditional farming and livestock farming. The Secretary of Agriculture is
also entrusted with defining “regenerative agriculture practices” as any
process that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions or assists in
mitigating or adapting to the effects of climate change.
This section further requires covered land or livestock corporations to
submit formal plans for their transition to the Department of Agriculture
within one year of the law’s enactment, in addition to annual compliance
reports beginning in the year 2028. The Department of Agriculture is also
directed to issue regulations that would help to reduce and mitigate the
overall effects of agricultural production on the climate. Once again, there
is also language to authorize a grant program in order to assist producers
with up to 50% of the costs of meeting these transition goals, and this
section also mandates that the Department of Agriculture provide a “Best
Practices Report” for the reference of covered land or livestock companies.
Sec. 6 Regulations to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This section grants the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to issue
regulations to require the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The
Secretary is also required to issue guidance on how to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions through: “reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and
pesticides”; “supporting the supply of organic fertilizers and pesticides”;
“changing feed content for animals”; “general farming practices”; “food and
animal transportation, packaging, and distribution”; “minimizing food
waste”; and by applying the Department of Agriculture’s existing “National
List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.”
Sec. 7 Regulations for Animal Welfare
This section grants the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to issue a
variety of regulations to advance animal welfare standards. In particular,
this section prohibits the use of medically-unnecessary animal hormones
and the physical mutilation of animals raised for human consumption and
the production of dairy products. It also requires freedom of movement for
said animals. This section further empowers the Secretary of Agriculture to
establish publicly available livestreams of non-compliant facilities,
provided that those livestreams are limited in scope to the particular
violation that was discovered. Lastly, the Secretary of Agriculture is
required to issue an annual report to Congress on the enactment of this
section and industry compliance with these animal welfare standards.
Sec. 8 Tax Incentives
This section details an amendment being made to the Internal Revenue
Code by adding a section for Climate Transition Costs to provide tax
incentives for producers to meet the requirements of the Earth Act to Stop
Climate Pollution by 2030. Specifically, the changes to the tax code would
create a new double-deduction for “qualified capital climate transition
costs” for retail electric suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, and covered land
or livestock corporations under the Act.
Sec. 9. Support, Oversight, and Reporting
This section establishes oversight from the following departments: The
Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Energy, the
Department of Transportation, and the Department of Agriculture. They
are required to implement the Act, support its required transition to
climate-friendly practices, and file an annual joint report for Congress on
said transition and compliance by retail electric supplies, vehicle
manufacturers, and covered land or livestock corporations.
Sec. 10 Disallowance of Deductions for Noncompliant Businesses
This section ensures that businesses may not report any tax deductions if
they do not comply with the Act’s mandates at any point during a taxable
year.
Sec. 11. Severability
This section clarifies that if one section of the Act is found to be
unconstitutional by a court of law, it shall be severed and will not affect the
enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Act.
