Bill Overview
Title: Federal Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Energy to remove and permanently store, as is economically feasible, specified amounts of carbon dioxide on a specified schedule, culminating in 10 million net metric tons of carbon dioxide removal for FY2035 and each fiscal year thereafter.
Sponsors: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by climate change
Estimated Size: 335000000
- Carbon dioxide removal aims to mitigate climate change, which can impact the global population as climate change has worldwide effects.
- Climate change impacts include extreme weather events, sea level rise, food and water scarcity, affecting millions globally.
- Mitigating climate change through carbon dioxide removal may contribute to global efforts to improve environmental stability.
- The legislation focuses on U.S. Department of Energy efforts but climate impact is worldwide.
Reasoning
- The Federal Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act aims to mitigate climate change, a global concern, but the policy's direct effects would be observed mainly within the U.S. due to its implementation there.
- The distribution of people affected by climate change and those aware of the direct benefits of CO2 removal efforts varies widely, with urban areas, farmers, and those living in coastal regions likely having different levels of exposure and impact.
- A portion of the budget will likely be used for technology development and deployment, influencing economic conditions related to energy production and potentially affecting associated jobs.
- While the direct benefits of reduced CO2 will materialize over a longer period, immediate impacts may include job creation or shifts within energy sectors and government expenditures affecting taxpayers.
- For populations less directly influenced, perceived well-being changes might only be due to ecological or economic awareness rather than direct impact.
Simulated Interviews
Small Business Owner (Miami, Florida)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about rising sea levels and more intense hurricanes affecting my business and community.
- Past governments have not done enough to secure our future, so this sounds promising.
- I hope this policy creates more green jobs, which can help our local economy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Petrochemical Engineer (Houston, Texas)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These types of policies could threaten jobs in our industry, but I understand the necessity of addressing climate change.
- We should focus on transitioning smoothly and providing training for new energy jobs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Barista (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm thrilled to see action being taken on climate change, which gives hope for a sustainable future.
- Policies like these can inspire more grassroots initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Farmer (Kansas City, Missouri)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support efforts that might make weather more predictable over time, which is vital for farming.
- However, I'm not sure how immediate the benefits will be for us farmers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, California)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is an opportunity for tech innovation in sustainable practices.
- There's potential for economic growth if we embrace renewable technologies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired Auto Worker (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm used to seeing jobs affected by shifts like this, but it's necessary for our environment.
- I hope new policies protect worker pensions and livelihoods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Research Scientist (Boulder, Colorado)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's motivating to see policies that align with scientific data I've researched on climate change.
- These government actions can enhance research opportunities and effectiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 4 |
Fisherman (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any action to counteract climate change is crucial for the future of fishing.
- I'll be looking for definitive benefits to our coastal and ocean ecosystems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 1 |
College student (New York City, New York)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is inspiring and shows real leadership on climate action.
- I hope it encourages global efforts matching this initiative.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Manufacturing Plant Manager (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Preparing for changes will be key; I hope we're assisted in these transitions.
- It's a challenging situation where environmental responsibility meets economic pressures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $750000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $1000000000)
Year 2: $800000000 (Low: $550000000, High: $1050000000)
Year 3: $850000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $1100000000)
Year 5: $900000000 (Low: $650000000, High: $1150000000)
Year 10: $1000000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 100: $2000000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2500000000)
Key Considerations
- Technological efficacy and development timelines for carbon removal techniques are uncertain.
- Implementation logistics, including site selection and community acceptance, could pose challenges.
- Legislative adaptation and adjustment may be needed depending on the program's progress and results.