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S. 685 117th Congress Senate

America's Clean Future Fund Act

Official title: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a carbon fee to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 10, 2021 Introduced by: Richard J. Durbin Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAgricultural conservation and pollutionAgricultural practices and innovationsAir quality
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Alternative and renewable resourcesAppropriationsAtmospheric science and weatherBuy American requirementsClimate change and greenhouse gasesCoalCommunity life and organizationCongressional oversightEcologyEconomic performance and conditionsEmployment and training programsEnergy efficiency and conservationEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental regulatory proceduresExecutive agency funding and structureFarmlandFloods and storm protectionForests, forestry, treesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesGovernment studies and investigationsHybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehiclesInflation and pricesLand use and conservationLivestockMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMetalsMiningMinority and disadvantaged businessesOil and gasPoverty and welfare assistancePublic contracts and procurementSales and excise taxesUser charges and feesWater qualityWetlands
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 10, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S1461-1469)
Mar 10, 2021
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action March 10, 2021

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S1461-1469)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

America's Clean Future Fund Act

This bill establishes requirements and incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist industries, communities, and workers transition to a low-carbon economy, including by establishing (1) the Climate Change Finance Corporation (C2FC); (2) the America's Clean Future Fund; and (3) a carbon fee on the use, sale, or transfer of certain fuels by covered entities.

The bill provides appropriations to the C2FC, an independent agency, which must finance clean energy and climate change resiliency activities in order to meet the goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The bill also provides appropriations for the America's Clean Future Fund. Amounts in the fund may be used for the C2FC, stimulus payments (i.e., tax rebates) to individuals whose gross incomes do not exceed specified thresholds, decarbonization transition payments to the agricultural sector, and grants to help certain communities and workers transition to a low-carbon economy.

Revenues generated from the carbon fee must also be deposited into the America's Clean Future Fund. Beginning in 2023, covered entities (e.g., entities that use, sell, or transfer fossil fuels) must pay a carbon fee of $25 per metric ton of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent. The fee increases by $10 each year, multiplied by the cost-of-living adjustment. The fees further increase if the entities miss cumulative greenhouse gas emission targets established by the bill. Refund payments may be provided for carbon capture, sequestration, and utilization.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 685: America's Clean Future Fund Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-685/
MLA
"S. 685: America's Clean Future Fund Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-685/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 685, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-685/.
Markdown link
[S. 685: America's Clean Future Fund Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-685/)
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