If China and India have not adopted greenhouse gas emissions standards at least as stringent as those set forth in H.R. 2454, the provisions of the Act shall cease to be effective.

LCV says: While China and India's action on limiting greenhouse gases is vital to curbing the worst effects of global warming, the United States must demonstrate leadership and progress towards a clean energy economy that creates jobs and protects our environment. Enacting Mr. Rogers's amendment could have undermined the entire bill.

Alters definition of renewable biomass under the renewable electricity/energy efficiency and Resource Standard section of H.R. 2454 to eliminate the environmental sustainable quantities requirement.

LCV says: Enacting Walden's amendment would have removed critical safeguards that prevent habitat on our nation's public and private forests from being plowed up in the name of biofuels production.

If prices increase beyond 10%, the provisions of the Act shall cease to be effective.

LCV says: The arbitrary 10% electricity price offramp represents specious reasoning, as electricity prices have increased 25% over the course of the past four years absent any comprehensive energy and climate policy. The underlying bill includes effective policies to lessen potential energy price increases, as opposed to Mr. Blunt's amendment which would undermine the entire bill.

If this occurs, the provisions of the Act shall cease to be effective.

LCV says: The $5 a gallon gas offramp represents unsound reasoning, as gas prices are determined by global forces and crept close to $5 a gallon in 2008 absent a comprehensive energy and climate policy. Enacting Mr. Terry's amendment could have undermined the entire bill.

If this occurs, the provisions of the Act shall cease to be effective.

LCV says: We need a comprehensive clean energy plan to drive our economic recovery. Enacting Mr. Upton's amendment would have undermined the entire bill which is designed to create millions of clean energy jobs, lessen our dependence on oil, and protect the planet.

This amendment clarified that state and local regulatory authorities can still use an important incentive that encourages the adoption of renewable energy, referred to as a "feed-in tariff."

LCV says: The amendment preserves an important tool that states and local authorities have to voluntarily speed up our transition to renewable energy sources. Its adoption strengthens the underlying bill.

This amendment removes the sections of the legislation setting up building codes for energy efficiency.

LCV says: Buildings account for 40% of the US’s emissions, so taking steps to improve the energy efficiency of this sector is essential to meeting our emission reduction goals. Meeting these requirements will also spur jobs ranging from construction workers to engineers.

The amendment creates two voluntary labeling programs – one aimed at conserving water and the other at disclosing the carbon content of products with the end goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

LCV says: Knowledge can be a powerful tool in changing consumer behavior for the better. Both of these voluntary labeling programs are about arming consumers with the information necessary to purchase products that use less water or contribute less greenhouse gas emissions.

The amendment would prohibit EPA from doing a complete life-cycle analysis of the greenhouse gas impact of biofuels production, including impacts on land use.

LCV says: This important safeguard was included in the 2007 Energy Bill to ensure that biofuels production does not make global warming worse. This provision is also essential to protecting forests, habitat and ecosystems and to helping ensure biofuels do not contribute to global food price spikes.

This amendment would ban EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other GHGs, which it currently has the authority to do under the Clean Air Act. No was the pro-environment vote.

LCV says: This amendment attempted to overturn the landmark Supreme Court case, Massachusetts v. EPA that found that EPA can regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Its adoption would have undermined the entire bill.

This amendment would have redefined what energy sources count towards the renewable electricity standard (RES) to include all nuclear energy.

LCV says: Nuclear energy is not a renewable energy source. It relies upon uranium, a finite resource, and the production of nuclear energy results in harmful radioactive waste. Adopting this amendment would have weakened the renewable energy standard in the underlying bill.

This amendment would have prohibited all regulation of greenhouse gas emissions if unemployment rises above 2009 levels in designated manufacturing sectors.

LCV says: The underlying legislation includes many protections to ensure the transition to a clean energy economy. Enacting Mr. Rogers’ amendment could have undermined a fundamental pillar of the legislation – the ability to set limits on the emissions driving global warming.

This amendment would have added a price safety valve provision to the bill, which allows additional permits to be created should a certain pollution price threshold be reached.

LCV says: By allowing the creation of additional pollution permits, a safety valve mechanism undermines the legislation’s emission reduction goals. While advanced as a tool to control costs, the safety valve only succeeds in allowing more pollution into the atmosphere.

This amendment would have struck the clear targets for clean energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the bill and replaced these with aspirational goals and voluntary programs.

LCV says: This amendment was offered as the “alternative proposal.” It simply promotes the failed energy policies of the past and stands in the way of a transition to a clean energy economy that creates millions of jobs, reduces our dependence on oil, and protects our planet from global warming.

For a complete bill summary, click here. (PDF)

LCV says: The underlying bill is a crucial and historic piece of legislation that will move America towards a clean, safe energy future, create millions of clean energy jobs, improve our national security, and help protect our planet from dangerous global warming. We commend those members who voted for this bill and look forward to working with Members on both sides of the aisle to strengthen the bill as it moves through the legislative process.