House Republicans yesterday asked the Obama administration to withdraw a pending rule that would implement the first-ever standards on greenhouse-gas emissions from new power plants, saying it would “impose additional energy costs on a struggling American economy.”
In a letter to the Office of Management and Budget, GOP leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee said the EPA “may be seeking to do precisely what Congress and the American public rejected in the last Congress” when Democrats unsuccessfully pushed for cap-and-trade climate legislation.
The EPA, which submitted a proposal to the OMB for review last fall, has said it could formally propose a rule early this year.
“EPA has already issued a number of regulations that will increase electricity prices,” the members wrote. “Now we ask for your help in supporting policies that will encourage economic growth and job creation rather than additional costly regulations that will raise new barriers to job creation and burden struggling businesses and families.”
Ever since cap-and-trade legislation failed, environmental and climate advocates have pinned much of their hope for policies that tackle climate change on the EPA, which can regulate greenhouse-gas emissions using recently obtained authority under the Clean Air Act.
Some scientists and the International Energy Agency have warned that without swift action on climate change, some catastrophic warming could be locked in.
In the 2007 case Massachusetts v. EPA, the Supreme Court ruled that greenhouse gases meet the definition of pollutants under the landmark air pollution law, and told the agency to determine whether they pose a threat to public health and welfare.
In December 2009, the EPA under President Obama made its so-called endangerment finding, confirming that greenhouse gases pose such a threat. Industry groups and many Republicans maligned the finding.
In 2010 Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, sponsored a resolution seeking to block the EPA from regulating greenhouse-gas emissions. She cited, among other things, economic concerns and her concern the regulations would be set without input from Congress. Her measure failed to secure a majority in the Senate.
Since taking control of the House in 2011, Republicans have voted to block EPA’s greenhouse-gas authority for power plants and other stationary sources, but that measure is unlikely to get through the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority.
Oh yes, let’s destroy the environment even faster by removing rules from new power plants. Republinazi’s have any shame?
Great news. This is what this country needs more incredible leadership and it is packed with such insight and wisdom. Why can’t the rest of us see the stupidity of our ways?
Obama wants enrgy prices to skyrocket, his own words saying that his plan would cause it. That would bring the economy and nation down even more.
Exxon made record profits last year, how many other oil or power refineries made record profits? Yea, they need all the help they can get since they will not start hiring unless they get what they want. They own the Republicans and the Republicans fight for the corporations and not the people. Democrats are not much better though, as I’m sure they are all bought and paid for as well.
Many do not care about the welfare of the American people, its environment, nor the safety and welfare of those working in the energy industry. None of that mentioned by the commentators here, just greed for their own pocket books, though the time to spend it may be shorter for some because of their lack of concern.
PLEASE LETS JUST G TO FULL BLOWN COMMINISM. THAT IS WHAT IS WANTED BY BOTH CONTROLLING MONEY INTERESTS OF BOTH PARTIES.
same whine, different time
“Cap and Trade” was originally a GOP idea.
What is better? Fossil fuel plants, nuclear ones or all of us (except our leaders) going back to the stone age? Pick one because there is no other choice.
as seen in russia, china, and good ol nazi germany, at that time. when it comes to doing something, after power is assured, comittees are formed! for the good of the citizens an such. now that socialist democracy has formed, local industry is taxed out of the market, outsourced an stuff, with the caring term of the new green industry of hope an change. OOPS! a socialist demo govt too lazy to promote work, calls it progress, in another comittee, worried about free money. what can they exploit next?
now that lazy, greedy govt has taken away the livlihoods of folk, they become depressed. another comittee is formed! saying these folk must have mental problems! so we must tax more from those with anything left, so govt workers can man GULAGS, RE-EDUCATION CENTERS, and SIBERIAN MENTAL HEALTH CAMPS. is a commonality, pattern forming? nita all!
how has an entire political party convinced itself that the environment is not worth protecting? don’t they live on this planet too? it’s absolutely pathetic
GOP still trying to cross that bridge to the 19th century. When will they introduce legislation bringing back leaded gas for automobiles?
=(
First do no harm. Lets fix Social Security with a simple carbon tax. All proceeds would go to replace the front end of the Social Security payroll tax, both employer and employee. Both the Social Security tax and carbon tax hurt the lowest income folks the most, so this achieves balance.
By simple carbon tax, I mean that we tax the output of power plants and gasoline and diesel at the pump and that is it. Because gasoline and diesel both vary in composition, to keep it simple use an average carbon content figure to be determined by the EPA.
Actually we would be killing three birds with one stone since in the power industry, the higher the carbon content of the fuel, the greater the amount of real pollutants. (To call carbon dioxide a pollutant is a crock come up with by politician.)
Result, save Social Security, improve energy efficiency, and reduce pollution. All good things and if warming is a problem we have helped it, if not, irrelevant.
When are people going to realize that this is nothing more than a power play to control people’s lifes. The politicians aren’t concerned about the environment…it’s power. I see where sugar is next….
Jack what do you do that does not harm the environment? Even using your computer to type your ignorant response uses energy. Energy bad!
IN a few more months, we will have a GOP controlled House and Senate and WH and then the GOP can roll back all the oppressive job-killing nonsense of the leftie loons. Hopefully, the GOP will abolish the EPA and then we can get down to the business of business.
Diogenes in a few months you will wake up from your dream into the nightmare that is. I applaude you on your positive thinking.
America has had two Presidents to let gas prices go over $3.00 a gallion –Obama and Carter
Those of you who are so self-deluded as to believe that a change in control of the House/Senate or the White House will change the course of the EPA or other Federal Agencies bent on sacrificing the economic welfare of U.S. residents in the name of the Environment will be sorely dissapointed after this next “sham” of an election. In the reported case, this is nothing more than the GOP blowing off to satisfy its base. They know nothing will change the course.