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H.R.1790 / 111th Congress

Forest Carbon Emission Reduction Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 30, 2009

Forest Carbon Emission Reduction Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) allocate annually a portion of emission allowances to help developing countries achieve emissions reductions or increase sequestration of carbon dioxide from international forest carbon activities; (2) set-aside a portion of such allowances for ensuring market readiness in developing countries; (3) establish eligibility criteria for incentive allowances to implement national strategies to reduce emissions from deforestation, implement low-cost emission reduction in the forest sector, and guard against deforestation; and (4) promulgate regulations (including regulations relating to quality and eligibility requirements) for the use of offset allowances for international forest carbon activities.

Authorizes the Administrator to provide emission allowances for carbon storage projects in other qualifying natural land.

Authorizes qualifying subnational level activities.

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Directs the Administrator to prepare a list of countries that have: (1) demonstrated the capacity to participate in international forest carbon activities at a national level; (2) capped greenhouse gas emissions or otherwise established a credible national baseline; (3) achieved national-level reductions of deforestation; and (4) implemented an emission reduction program for the forest sector.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-17] · D–NY

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Foreign Affairs Committee
3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

  2. Referred to House Energy and Commerce

  3. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to House Foreign Affairs

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.1790 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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