Legislative Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Legislative Analysis - Essay Example 2454, The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which establishes a federal cap-and-trade program to reduce GHG emissions (Key Provisions for Climate Legislation). GHG Emission the United States of America produces and emits a significant portion of GHG and helps developing Global warming throughout the world. It is estimated that of the total energy use Homes account for about 35% of the potential efficiency gains while the industrial sector accounts for 40% and the commercial sector 25%. Of the total emission of GHG in USA, California emits a robust figure of GHG. California produces roughly 1.4 percent of the world's and 6.2 percent of the total U.S., greenhouse gases (California Climate Change Portal). The state has been working on and finding solutions of impacts towards people due to climate since 1988. The executive order of 2005 issued by Arnold Schwarzenegger on climate change kicked into high gear to further advance clean renewable energy and other solutions to lower our state's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Again, most importantly, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 established the first-in-the-world comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of GHG. Provision has also been framed to prevent the unscrupulous trend of the polluters. To this end, the Act reveals that Polluters would balance out some of their emissions by purchasing carbon "offsets," which are official certificates that greenhouse gas emissions have been avoided or taken out of the air The provision of setting up a New Clean Energy Deployment Administration is certainly a wise decision to monitor and improve the overall situation. Recommendations and Concluding Remarks The biggest opportunity to improve US energy situation is a major investment program to make homes and businesses more efficient. An investment of $520 billion in improvements like sealing products and replacing inefficient appliances could produce $1.2 trillion in savings on energy bills by 2020(Galbraith, 2009). If such a program can be carried out over the next decade, the country could save around 23 % of total energy use. However, to improve the existing situation further notice on the Act and undertaking following actions are necessary. The Senator/ Government should rightly consider about the Act so that U.S. climate policy become successful in both reducing GHG emissions and addressing the cost concerns of consumers. Efforts should also be made so that framing necessary legislation is possible that reduces GHG emissions 80 percent below current emissions levels by 2050, while providing strong, effective consumer-protection measures to help reduce electricity price increases as we transition to a low-carbon future. Provisions should be made to allocate emissions allowancesto the electric power sector that will help toreduce price increases to all electricity customers-large and small, rural, urban, and suburban-without compromising environmental gains. Again, necessary steps should be undertaken to provide some allowances to that Merchant coal generators to help mitigate price increases in wholesale electricity markets. There is nothing denying that setting reasonable and