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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Senate Bill Would Slap $60 Carbon Fee on Steel, Cement Imports Starting in 2026

Also known as: Clean Competition Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • Creates a new carbon pollution fee on certain U.S.-made and imported basics like steel, cement, and chemicals, starting in 2026.
  • Importers would pay when a product’s pollution level is higher than a shrinking benchmark; some finished goods face fees starting in 2028.
  • Big factories covered by federal greenhouse gas reporting would have to report their pollution and electricity use each year, with public carbon-intensity numbers.
  • Sets the fee at $60 in 2026 and then raises it each year based on inflation plus an extra increase; companies can lower what they owe by paying for direct air capture.
  • Uses some of the money to fund major grants/loans and pay-for-performance deals to help U.S. industry cut pollution, plus overseas climate and clean energy aid tied to trade deals.
Energy EnvironmentEconomy FinanceTaxesLabor Employment

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 17, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Related News

2 articles
Mexico Business News·2 months ago

US Democrats Propose Carbon Border Tax to Boost Manufacturing

Democratic lawmakers reintroduced the Clean Competition Act (CCA), proposing a US carbon border adjustment mechanism to boost domestic manufacturing competitiveness. The bill imposes a carbon intensity charge on sectors like steel, aluminum, and cement starting at $60 per metric ton.

C=
E&E News·2 months ago

Democrats look to revive carbon border fee talks

The Clean Competition Act would establish a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) to tax pollution-intensive imports. Sponsors frame the bill as a way to increase American competition with China, the world's top carbon polluter, by taxing high-emitting foreign goods.

C=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Clean Competition Act

Bill NumberS 3523
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(5)
D: 5

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.