Clean Power Act of 2002

The Clean Power Act of 2002 (S. 556) was a legislative proposal designed to significantly reduce air pollution from large power plants across the United States. The bill aimed to set strict national limits on four major pollutants: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and mercury. To achieve these goals, the legislation would have established a "cap-and-trade" system, where the government issues a limited number of emission allowances that power companies can buy, sell, or trade to meet environmental standards.

For the average citizen, the bill’s primary impact would have been improved public health and environmental protection through cleaner air and water. By targeting pollutants that contribute to acid rain, smog, and respiratory illnesses, the bill sought to protect sensitive ecosystems like the Great Lakes and the Appalachian Mountains. Additionally, the bill included provisions to assist households with energy costs by allocating emission allowances directly to residents and provided transition assistance for workers and communities affected by the shift toward cleaner energy sources. Although the bill was reported out of committee, it did not receive a full vote in the Senate and did not become law.