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Bill

HR 7991

STOP RGGI Act

119th Congress Introduced by Jeff Van Drew

Bill would prohibit EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions under RGGI cap-and-trade programs, challenging federal climate authority.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 7991

Legislative bill overview

The STOP RGGI Act would prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) or similar cap-and-trade programs. The bill aims to prevent federal involvement in state-based emissions trading systems that have been operating primarily in northeastern and mid-Atlantic states since 2009.

Why is this important

RGGI is one of the oldest mandatory carbon markets in North America, generating billions in auction revenue that states use for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. This bill directly challenges the EPA's authority to regulate CO2 as a pollutant under the Clean Air Act, which could affect not just RGGI but broader federal climate and air quality regulations.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal regulatory authority: The bill challenges longstanding EPA authority established by the Supreme Court's Massachusetts v. EPA decision (2007), which determined CO2 is regulable as a pollutant
  • State autonomy vs. federal preemption: Creates tension between protecting state-run climate programs and preventing federal climate regulation
  • Economic impacts: RGGI states depend on auction revenue (~$3+ billion cumulatively); eliminating federal participation could affect program viability, though states could theoretically continue independently
  • Climate policy direction: Represents fundamental disagreement over whether climate change requires federal regulatory action

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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