S.Amdt. 1945

SA 1945. Mr. MANCHIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1392, to promote energy savings in residential buildings and industry, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the beginning of title IV, insert the following:

SEC. 4__. STUDY ON REDUCTIONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS IN ELECTRIC GENERATING SECTOR.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--

(1) electric generating units were the top source category of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States in calendar year 2011, accounting for approximately 33 percent of the total greenhouse gas emitted in the United States;

(2) in calendar year 2011, carbon dioxide equivalent emissions attributable to the electric generating sector declined by 4.5 percent from calendar year 2010 emissions levels;

(3) significant changes in the number, fuel source, and efficiency of electric generating units have occurred in recent years and are expected to continue to occur as a result of various factors, including--

(A) the major capital expenditures and operating expenses that would be incurred to meet new environmental regulations that the Environmental Protection Agency or individual States have recently adopted or are currently developing;

(B) the current low price of natural gas; and

(C) Federal and State programs to improve energy efficiency and deploy low- or zero-emitting generating technologies; and

(4) carbon dioxide emissions attributable to electric generating units can be expected to continue to decline significantly because existing units will be converted to or replaced by more highly efficient coal-fired and natural gas-fired generation or zero-emitting nuclear, renewable power generation, and energy efficiency gains.

(b) Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Energy Information Administration shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report describing the changes that have occurred and will occur in the electric generating sector that have resulted in reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, including the annual capacity by fuel type and the quantity of carbon dioxide emissions reductions that are expected to result from the changes, as described in subsection (c).

(c) Content of Report.--The report required under subsection (b) shall--

(1) quantify carbon dioxide emissions on an annual and cumulative basis from electric generating units in the United States and (using a calendar year 2005 baseline) calculate the annual and cumulative reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in each of calendar years 2005 through 2020 that is attributable to the--

(A) changes in the composition of the electric generating fleet that--

(i) has occurred since calendar year 2005 for whatever reason; and

(ii) are expected to occur by calendar year 2020, as determined by the Energy Information Administration based on--

(I) the consultation process described in subsection (d);

(II) a review of Federal and State laws (including regulations) or other requirements for the addition of renewable resources, incorporation of energy efficiency improvements, and other measures that have the effect of reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity generating sector; and

(III) comprehensive economic modeling of the electric power sector, as developed by the Energy Information Administration; and

(B) other changes in operation of the existing electric generating fleet in the United States due to any Federal or State environmental regulations, renewable energy initiatives, or market conditions;

(2) compare the average generation efficiency, expressed in terms of carbon dioxide emissions per megawatt hour, that the electric generating fleet in the United States (including all emitting and nonemitting energy resources) achieved in calendar years 2005 and 2010 to the average generation efficiency projected to be achieved in calendar year 2020; and

(3) quantify the total quantity of megawatt hours that are generated in the United States by each fuel type on an annual basis for each of calendar years 2005 through 2020.

(d) Consultation Process.--

(1) In general.--To identify changes in the number and fuel type of electric generating units that have occurred since calendar year 2005 or are expected to occur prior to calendar year 2020, the Energy Information Administration shall consult on an individual basis with the owners and operators of electric generating units regarding the announced plans or legal obligations of the units.

(2) Long-term reductions.--If, during the consultation process, the Energy Information Administration identifies units with announced plans or legal obligations that will result in carbon dioxide emissions reduction after calendar year 2020, the units and associated emission reductions shall be identified in the report.