,,ii #aadth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bjgf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #bd1 #bjae,mr4 ,murphy 7for himself and ,ms4 ,collins7 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 #bjae4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 short-lived climate pollutants account for #dj percent of global warming impacting the atmosphere1 even though those pollutants account for a much smaller percentage of warming agents1 by weight2 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 ,celsius2 7#c7 the ,united ,states is-- 7,a7 #a of the largest consumers of hydrofluorocarbons in the world2 and 7,b7 providing significant innovation in the development of low global warming potential 7low-,,gwp7 alternatives2 7#d7 the ,united ,states could serve as a leader and exemplar of responsibly phasing down hydrofluorocarbon production and consumption2 7#e7 7,a7 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 cobenefits2 and 7,b7 since that treaty was signed in #aihg1 there has been a #ih-percent reduction in ozone-depleting substances2 and 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 ,short-lived climate pollutant ,the term short-lived climate pollutant means-- 7,a7 black carbon2 7,b7 methane2 and 7,c7 high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons 7referred to in this ,act as high-,,gwp ,,hfc74 7#b7 ,task ,force ,the term ,task ,force means the ,interagency ,task ,force on ,short-,lived ,climate ,pollutant ,mitigation established under section #d7;a74 #d4 ,interagency ,task ,force on ,short-,lived ,climate ,pollutant ,mitigation 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall establish a task force1 to be known as the ,interagency ,task ,force on ,short-,lived ,climate ,pollutant ,mitigation4 7b7 ,membership ,the members of the ,task ,force shall include the head of each relevant ,federal department or agency 7or a designee71 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 ,department of ,transportation1 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 and the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development4 7c7 ,duties ,the ,task ,force shall-- 7#a7 not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes-- 7,a7 the plans of the relevant departments or agencies for meeting the goals established in section #b of ,executive ,order #acead 7,october #e1 #bjji7 7#gd ,fed4 ,reg4 #ebaag7 to reduce hydrofluorocarbons1 methane1 and related indirect emissions 7including tropospheric ozone7 by the ,federal ,government2 and 7,b7 specific plans of the relevant departments or agencies-- 7i7 to purchase cleaner alternatives to high-,,gwp ,,hfc whenever feasible2 and 7ii7 to transition over time to equipment that uses safer and more sustainable alternatives to high-,,gwp ,,hfc2 7#b7 review the policy recommendations made by-- 7,a7 the ,interagency ,climate ,change ,adaptation ,task ,force2 7,b7 the ,interagency ,strategy to ,reduce ,methane ,emissions2 7,c7 the report to ,congress regarding black carbon dated ,march #bjab2 and 7,d7 the ,council on ,climate ,preparedness and ,resilience2 7#c7 incorporate into the action plan of the ,task ,force any appropriate proposals or recommendations made by the entities or reports referred to in paragraph 7#b7 that are relevant to short-lived climate pollutants2 7#d7 identify relevant ,federal programs that are or could be addressing the reduction of short-lived climate pollutants in the ,united ,states and worldwide2 7#e7 identify overlapping and duplicative programs addressing short-lived climate pollutants that would benefit from consolidation and streamlining2 7#f7 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 activities1 with an emphasis on industry standards and public-private partnerships2 7#g7 in developing recommendations1 consult with affected stakeholders in private industry2 and 7#h7 not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the findings and recommendations resulting from the activities described in paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#g74 #e4 ,reduction of black carbon emissions 7a7 ,comprehensive plan 7#a7 ,in general ,through the membership of the ,united ,states 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 emissions1 based on appropriate emission data from oceangoing vessels provided on a voluntary basis1 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 shall be the establishment1 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 ,acting as chairperson of the ,arctic ,council1 the ,secretary of ,state shall-- 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 goals and mitigation plans4 7c7 ,climate and ,clean ,air ,coalition ,through the membership of the ,united ,states in the ,climate and ,clean ,air ,coalition to ,reduce ,short-,lived ,climate ,pollutants1 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 describing black carbon mitigation financing options4 7d7 ,black carbon mitigation activities 7#a7 ,prioritization ,the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 in cooperation with the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 shall-- 7,a7 prioritize black carbon mitigation activities as part of official development assistance and programmatic activities2 7,b7 give special emphasis to projects that produce substantial environmental1 gender1 livelihood1 and public health benefits1 including support for clean-burning cookstoves and fuels2 and 7,c7 work with the ,global ,alliance for ,clean ,cookstoves to help developing nations establish thriving markets for clean and efficient cooking solutions4 7#b7 ,emissions reductions ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in collaboration with the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency and the ,secretary of ,transportation1 shall provide additional aid to 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 diesel fuels2 7,b7 to expand access to diesel particulate filters2 7,c7 to provide vehicle manufacturers with low-emission engine designs2 and 7,d7 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 hydrofluorocarbons2 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 include refrigerant systems that-- 7i7 achieve best-in-class energy efficiency savings2 and 7ii7 use low global warming potential refrigerants and foam-blowing agents2 and 7,c7 remove high-,,gwp ,,hfc 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 7ii7 reduce the overall risk to human health and the environment2 and 7iii7 take into consideration cost-effectiveness4 7#b7 ,sense of ,senate ,it is the sense of the ,senate that ,united ,states leadership and full support of an amendment to the ,montreal ,protocol on ,substances that ,deplete the ,ozone ,layer1 done at ,montreal ,september #af1 #aihg1 should ensure a smooth1 technically feasible global transition away from high-,,gwp ,,hfc4 7b7 ,study on high-,,gwp ,,hfc alternatives ,not later than #b years after the date of 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-- 7#a7 evaluate the availability of high-,,gwp ,,hfc alternatives2 and 7#b7 submit to ,congress a report that-- 7,a7 identifies-- 7i7 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 7ii7 any standards or regulations requiring revision2 and 7iii7 any actions necessary to revise those standards or regulations2 and 7,b7 establishes a plan for revising the standards referred to in paragraph 7#a7 in the shortest practicable timeframe4 7c7 ,prohibition of ,,hcfc-#bb air conditioning condensing equipment 7#a7 ,in general ,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 enactment of the ,super ,pollutants ,act of #bjae1 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 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 subsection 7e7 of section #fje of the ,clean ,air ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #gfga;d7 7as added by paragraph 7#a774 7d7 ,r-#acd;a automotive air conditioning recharge kits 7#a7 ,study ,the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall conduct a study to determine the most effective method to minimize the inadvertent release of ,,hfc-#acd;a from automotive air conditioning recharge kits at any time during which the recharge container is not being used4 7#b7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report that contains the results of the study conducted pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 #g4 ,reduction of methane emissions 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 to other countries technical guidance regarding containment of emissions from gas drilling1 landfills1 coal mining1 and agriculture in engaging with other governments1 including trade delegations1 under the auspices of international initiatives1 such as the ,global ,shale ,gas ,initiative of the ,department of ,state and the ,global ,methane ,initiative2 and 7#b7 collaborate with-- 7,a7 the ,global ,gas ,flaring ,reduction ,partnership of the ,world ,bank2 and 7,b7 the ,global ,methane ,initiative1 ,natural ,gas ,,star ,program1 the ,climate and ,clean ,air ,coalition ,oil and ,gas ,methane ,partnership1 and other voluntary reduction programs of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7b7 ,,gao report 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct a study that identifies-- 7,a7 the types of equipment throughout the production value chain that are most likely to have high leak rates2 and 7,b7 voluntary efforts on replacing or monitoring those types of equipment4 7#b7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to ,congress a report that contains the results of the examination conducted pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,sense of ,congress regarding financing conditions ,it is the sense of ,congress that1 in evaluating gas and oil-related projects for financial support1 the heads of the ,united ,states ,export-,import ,bank and the ,overseas ,private ,investment ,corporation should condition financing for those projects on-- 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-- 7,a7 volatile organic compounds2 and 7,b7 hazardous air pollutants4