Washington – The House of Representatives approved the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act.  This legislation would prohibit U.S. air carriers from participating in the Emissions Trading Scheme that would tax U.S. airlines flying into and out of the European Union.

“The European Union has proposed a cap and trade tax on the U.S. aviation industry and the American flying public,” said Congressman Bill Shuster.  “This clear violation of United States sovereignty is unacceptable.”

The bipartisan legislation directs the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit U.S. aircraft operators from participating in the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).  The bill also instructs U.S. officials to ensure U.S. aviation operators are not penalized by any unilaterally imposed EU emissions trading schemes.

“The EU emissions trading scheme is nothing more than a cash grab that proposes taxes on the US aviation industry and the American flying public. The current plan lacks transparency or any clear requirement that fees collected by EU countries would be used for reducing emissions. Aviation is a global industry and Congress will not stand by and allow the EU to take unilateral action for this scheme. While EU leaders have temporarily backed off implementing their emissions tax proposal, this legislation ensures U.S. operators will not at any point participate in the proposed plan should it resurface.”

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