ABC Feb. 17 supported Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-Alaska) Jan. 21
disapproval resolution to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gases under the
Clean Air Act (CAA).
Murkowski’s resolution, cosponsored by 37 republicans and three democrats, followed EPA’s Dec. 7 announcement that greenhouse gases are a
threat to public health. The endangerment announcement was made as a first step to regulating greenhouses gases, which include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluororcarbons and sulfur hexafluoride, under the Clean Air Act.
The CAA currently sets limits of 100 or 250 tons of pollution each year for the gases it regulates, which are well below the 25,000 tons per year that are reasonable for greenhouse gases. Entities that go above the set thresholds must obtain permits that are often expensive and time consuming.
The Murkowski disapproval resolution seeks to delay EPA’s regulation of greenhouse gases until after Congress has had a chance to enact legislation that specifically addresses the issue. Murkowski notes in her disapproval resolution that regulation of greenhouse gases under the CAA could force businesses to cut jobs or close entirely; restrict domestic energy production; and make consumer goods more expensive and housing less affordable.
“The Clean Air Act was written by Congress to regulate criteria pollutants, not greenhouse gases, and its implementation remains subject to oversight and guidance by elected representatives,” Murkowski said. “We should continue our work to pass meaningful energy and climate legislation, but in the meantime, we cannot turn a blind eye to the EPA’s efforts to impose back-door climate regulations with no input from Congress.”
ABC Feb. 17 sent a
letter of support to Murkowski and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), who co-sponsored the resolution.
“EPA’s proposed actions will no doubt impede economic recovery through permitting delays, as well as increased energy and materials prices,” ABC stated. “These developments will surely hamper much-needed construction projects and ultimately, contribute to additional and unnecessary job loss.”
In order to advance further, the disapproval resolution must be favorably voted on by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.