Congressman Charles Bass

Authority to set policy on greenhouse gas emissions rests with Congress, not EPA

April 7, 2011

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) supported legislation on the floor of the House of Representatives this afternoon that will prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from overstepping its authority and restore legislative policymaking on greenhouse gas emissions to Congress. The Energy Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 910) passed this afternoon by a vote of 255 to 172.

Bass said:

"Climate change is real and a problem that needs to be addressed with practical solutions that have attainable goals to reduce emissions and provide certainty in our economy. But the power to set those policies rests with Congress, not the Environmental Protection Agency. Agencies must not be able to regulate what has not been regulated.

"Today, I voted to restore those legislative powers back to their rightful owner – Congress – and start a serious discussion about ways we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy efficiency programs, and focus on obtaining energy from cleaner sources like nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, and others. That's a debate that should occur in the people's House, not behind the closed doors of a bureaucratic agency."


During Energy and Commerce Committee markup of the bill last month, the Committee unanimously accepted an amendment offered by Rep. Jim Matheson (UT-02), further amended by Bass, that states there is an established scientific concern over the warming of the climate system and that Congress should develop a policy that addresses climate change matters while taking into consideration the impact on the economy.

For video of Bass' floor speech from yesterday afternoon, please visit http://www.youtube.com/RepCharlesBass.

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