,,ii #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #biaa ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #ah1 #bjad ,mr4 ,murphy 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,collins1 ,mrs4 ,feinstein1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 ,mr4 ,coons1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 ,mr4 ,menendez1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,mr4 ,king1 and ,ms4 ,warren7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to establish a task force to review policies and measures to promote1 and to develop best practices for1 reduction of short-lived climate pollutants1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,super ,pollutants ,act of #bjad4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,short-lived climate pollutants account for #dj percent of global warming currently impacting the atmosphere1 even though such pollutants account for a much smaller percentage of warming agents by weight4 7#b7 ,reducing short-lived climate pollutant emissions could-- 7,a7 prevent more than #b1jjj1jjj premature deaths each year1 according to the ,united ,nations ,environment ,programme 7,,unep72 7,b7 prevent more than #cj1jjj1jjj tons of crop losses each year1 according to ,,unep2 7,c7 cut the rate of sea level rise by #be percent1 according to the ,national ,center for ,atmospheric ,research and the ,scripps ,institution of ,oceanography2 7,d7 cut the rate of warming by up to #j4f degrees ,celsius by #bjej1 according to ,,unep2 and 7,e7 significantly contribute toward the overall global target of holding increased warming below #b degrees ,celsius4 7#c7 ,the ,united ,states is one of the world's largest consumer of hydrofluorocarbons and is providing significant innovation in the development of low global warming potential 7low-,,gwp7 alternatives4 7#d7 ,the ,united ,states could serve as a leader and exemplar of responsibly phasing down hydrofluorocarbon production and consumption4 7#e7 ,the ,montreal ,protocol on ,substances that ,deplete the ,ozone ,layer has been an extraordinarily successful model for protecting the stratospheric ozone layer and achieving significant climate protection co-benefits4 ,since the treaty was signed in #aihg1 there has been a #ih percent reduction in ozone-depleting substances4 7#f7 ,the interagency ,strategy to ,reduce ,methane ,emissions1 released in ,march #bjad1 outlines a proactive agenda for reducing methane leakage and waste throughout the ,united ,states economy4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,high-,,gwp ,,hfc ,the term high-,,gwp ,,hfc means high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons4 7#b7 ,short-lived climate pollutant ,the term short-lived climate pollutant means-- 7,a7 black carbon2 7,b7 methane2 and 7,c7 high-,,gwp ,,hfc4 #d4 ,interagency ,task ,force on ,short-,lived ,climate ,pollutant ,mitigation 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall establish the ,interagency ,task ,force on ,short-,lived ,climate ,pollutant ,mitigation 7referred to in this section as the ,task ,force74 7b7 ,members ,the ,task ,force shall include the head of all relevant ,federal agencies 7or their designated representatives71 including the ,department of ,agriculture1 the ,department of ,commerce1 the ,department of ,defense1 the ,department of ,energy1 the ,department of the ,interior1 the ,department of ,state1 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 the ,department of ,transportation1 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 7c7 ,duties ,the ,task ,force shall-- 7#a7 review the policy recommendations made by the ,interagency ,climate ,change ,adaptation ,task ,force1 the ,interagency ,strategy to ,reduce ,methane ,emissions1 the ,march #bjab report to ,congress on ,black ,carbon1 and the ,council on ,climate ,preparedness and ,resilience2 7#b7 incorporate any appropriate proposals or recommendations made by the entities or reports referred to in paragraph 7#a7 that are relevant to short-lived climate pollutants into the ,task ,force's action plan2 7#c7 identify relevant ,federal programs that are or could be addressing the reduction of short-lived climate pollutants in the ,united ,states and worldwide2 7#d7 identify overlapping and duplicative programs addressing short-lived climate pollutants that would benefit from consolidation and streamlining2 7#e7 identify gaps and serious deficiencies in ,united ,states programs targeted at short-lived climate pollutants1 including those that can be achieved through a combination of assessment1 scientific research1 monitoring1 and technological development activities2 7#f7 not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 submit a report to ,congress on the findings and recommendations resulting from the activities described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#e72 and 7#g7 in developing recommendations1 consult with affected stakeholders in private industry4 7d7 ,emission reduction plans ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 each ,federal agency shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes-- 7#a7 the agency's plans for meeting the goals set forth in section #b of ,executive ,order #acead 7,october #e1 #bjji7 to reduce hydrofluorocarbons1 methane1 and related indirect emissions1 including tropospheric ozone1 by the ,federal ,government2 and 7#b7 specific plans to purchase cleaner alternatives to high-,,gwp ,,hfc whenever feasible and to transition over time to equipment that uses safer and more sustainable alternatives to high-,,gwp ,,hfc4 #e4 ,reduction of black carbon emissions 7a7 ,comprehensive plan 7#a7 ,in general ,through the ,united ,states membership in the ,international ,maritime ,organization1 the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,transportation1 the ,secretary of ,commerce1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard1 shall develop a comprehensive plan to reduce black carbon emissions from international shipping through-- 7,a7 a clean freight partnership2 7,b7 the inclusion of limits on black carbon2 and 7,c7 efforts that include protection of access to critical fuel shipments and emergency needs of coastal communities4 7#b7 ,roadmap ,a principal objective of the plan developed pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 should be the creation1 in coordination with the ,department of ,transportation1 of a roadmap toward helping countries reduce fine-particle emissions 7,,pm#b4e7 in the shipping sector through-- 7,a7 the installation of advanced emissions controls2 and 7,b7 the reduction of sulfur content in fuels4 7b7 ,black carbon emissions reduction goals ,in advance of and upon assuming the ,chair of the ,arctic ,council1 the ,secretary of ,state should-- 7#a7 lead an effort to reduce black carbon through an ,arctic-wide aspirational black carbon goal2 and 7#b7 encourage observers of the ,arctic ,council 7including ,india and ,china7 to adopt national black carbon emissions reduction goals4 7c7 ,climate and ,clean ,air ,coalition ,through the ,united ,states membership in the ,climate and ,clean ,air ,coalition to ,reduce ,short ,lived ,climate ,pollutants 7referred to in this section as the ,coalition71 the ,secretary of ,state is encouraged-- 7#a7 to work with the ,coalition to craft specific financing mechanisms for the incremental cost of international black carbon mitigation activities2 and 7#b7 to request that the ,coalition produce a report of black carbon mitigation financing options4 7d7 ,black carbon mitigation activities 7#a7 ,prioritization ,the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development shall prioritize black carbon mitigation activities as part of aid distribution activities and give special emphasis to projects that produce substantial environmental and public health benefits1 including support for clean-burning cookstoves and fuels4 7#b7 ,emissions reductions ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in collaboration with the ,environmental ,protection ,agency and the ,department of ,transportation1 should further aid international efforts to reduce black carbon emissions from diesel trucks1 #b-stroke engines1 diesel generators1 and industrial processes by providing technical assistance-- 7,a7 to help developing nations lower the sulfur content of their diesel fuels2 7,b7 to expand access to diesel particulate filters2 7,c7 to provide vehicle manufacturers with low-emission engine designs2 7,d7 to work with the ,global ,alliance for ,clean ,cookstoves to help developing nations establish thriving markets for clean and efficient cooking solutions2 and 7,e7 to develop other mitigation activities1 including energy efficiency alternatives for generators and industrial processes4 #f4 ,global reductions in high-,,gwp fluorinated gases 7a7 ,sense of ,congress 7#a7 ,actions by environmental protection agency ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency should-- 7,a7 amend any regulations issued under section #fjh of the ,clean ,air ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #gfga;g7-- 7i7 to include hydrofluorocarbons2 and 7ii7 to expand initiatives relating to the recovery and reclamation of hydrofluorocarbons4 7,b7 cooperate with the ,secretary of ,energy in considering modifications to the ,energy ,star program established under section #cbd;,a of the ,energy ,policy and ,conservation ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbid;a7 to recognize refrigerant systems that-- 7i7 achieve best-in-class energy efficiency savings2 and 7ii7 utilize low global warming potential refrigerants and foam-blowing agents2 and 7,c7 remove high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons from the ,significant ,new ,alternatives ,policy ,program authorized under section #fab7;c7 of the ,clean ,air ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #gfgak7c77 for applications in which the ,administrator has identified other alternatives that-- 7i7 are currently or potentially available2 and 7ii7 reduce the overall risk to human health and the environment4 7#b7 ,sense of the senate ,it is the sense of the ,senate that an amendment to the ,montreal ,protocol on ,substances that ,deplete the ,ozone ,layer should ensure a smooth1 technically feasible transition away from high-,,gwp ,,hfc4 7b7 ,study on high-,,gwp ,,hfc alternatives ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,energy and the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 in collaboration with the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 shall evaluate the availability of high-,,gwp ,,hfc alternatives and submit a report to ,congress that-- 7#a7 identifies-- 7,a7 the standards or regulatory barriers that are preventing the use of alternatives to high-,,gwp ,,hfc in the ,united ,states that are in widespread use in other countries2 7,b7 which standards or regulations need to be revised2 and 7,c7 what actions will be necessary to revise such standards or regulations2 and 7#b7 sets forth a plan for revising the standards referred to in paragraph 7#a7 in the shortest possible time frame4 7c7 ,prohibition of ,,hcfc-#bb air conditioning condensing equipment 7#a7 ,amendment ,section #fje of the ,clean ,air ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #gfga;d7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,,hcfc-#bb air conditioning condensing equipment ,effective #a year after the date of the enactment of the ,super ,pollutants ,act of #bjad1 it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture any uncharged hydrochlorofluorocarbon-#bb air conditioning condensing equipment for residential use4 4 7#b7 ,rulemaking ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall promulgate regulations-- 7,a7 to carry out the amendment made by paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 to reduce the allocation of ,,hcfc-#bb consumption allowances commensurate with anticipated decreased demand resulting from the prohibition of uncharged condensing equipment under sections #fje7;e7 of the ,clean ,air ,act1 as added by paragraph 7#a74 7d7 ,r-#acd;a automotive air conditioning servicing and recharge kits 7#a7 ,study ,the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall conduct a study to determine whether the sale of ,r-#acd;a automotive air conditioning recharge kits to consumers represents an environmentally significant source of high-,,gwp ,,hfc emissions4 7#b7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall submit a report to ,congress that contains the results of the study conducted pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 #g4 ,reduction of methane leakage 7a7 ,technical guidance ,the ,secretary of ,state1 the ,secretary of ,energy1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and the ,secretary of ,commerce shall-- 7#a7 provide other countries with technical guidance on containment of emissions from gas drilling1 landfills1 coal mining1 and agriculture when engaging with other governments1 including trade delegations1 under the auspices of ,department of ,state's ,global ,shale ,gas ,initiative2 and 7#b7 collaborate with-- 7,a7 the ,world ,bank's ,global ,gas ,flaring ,reduction ,partnership2 and 7,b7 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency's ,global ,methane ,initiative1 ,natural ,gas ,,star ,program1 and other voluntary reduction programs4 7b7 ,gas pipeline infrastructure 7#a7 ,study 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,federal ,energy ,regulatory ,commission1 consistent with existing authority1 shall conduct a study of methods utilized at facilities subject to the ,commission's jurisdiction to reduce leaks and venting across natural gas facilities4 7,b7 ,issues to be examined ,in conducting the study required under this paragraph1 the ,commission shall examine-- 7i7 how the ,commission's treatment of just and reasonable rates for interstate transmission could be reformed to incent pipeline operators to recover fugitive methane emissions2 7ii7 how the ,commission could coordinate with other agencies1 including the ,department of ,energy1 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and the ,pipeline and ,hazardous ,materials ,safety ,administration1 to ensure the development of rigorous and technically sound standards2 and 7iii7 whether new pipeline systems are being engineered to meet the highest achievable standards for leak avoidance prior to being granted a construction certificate4 7#b7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall submit a report to ,congress that contains the results of the examination conducted pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,inspection and maintenance program ,the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall establish a directed inspection and maintenance program that focuses on-- 7,a7 identifying the types of equipment throughout the production value chain that are most likely to have high leak rates2 and 7,b7 efforts on replacing or monitoring those types of equipment4 7c7 ,financing conditions ,the ,u4,s4 ,export-,import ,bank and the ,overseas ,private ,investment ,corporation1 when evaluating gas and oil-related projects for financial support1 should condition financing for such projects upon-- 7#a7 the deployment of the best technology1 methods1 and management practices for detecting and repairing leaks of methane throughout the oil and gas production1 processing1 transportation1 and distribution system2 7#b7 the minimization of venting and inefficient or unnecessary flaring2 and 7#c7 the deployment of best technology1 methods1 and management practices for reducing emissions of other air pollution1 especially volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants4