In The News
Reid: "We don't use the word 'cap and trade'...That's something that's been deleted from my dictionary"
Friday June 11, 2010
Proponents of comprehensive Senate climate and energy legislation found reasons for optimism yesterday after squashing a Republican-led bid to put the breaks on U.S. EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases. But the numbers may not be in their favor.
President Obama and many of his Democratic allies hailed the 47-53 vote blocking the resolution from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and said it should serve as a signal that lawmakers must pass a bill this year that tackles the core details.
"Today's vote is yet another reminder of the urgent need to pass legislation that would help America transition to a 21st Century clean energy economy that would create jobs, strengthen our national security, and protect our environment for our children," Obama said in a statement. "The Senate chose to move America forward, towards that clean energy economy -- not backward to the same failed policies that have left our nation increasingly dependent on foreign oil."
"As long as the EPA has a plan and is moving forward, it really puts the pressure on Congress," said Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
Senate Democratic leaders, with Obama's help, are planning to push ahead next month with floor debate on that energy and climate bill. But they still lack 60 votes for a measure that includes carbon dioxide limits and are looking toward a special caucus meeting Thursday to discuss the road ahead.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he has not decided whether the bill will entail mandatory caps on greenhouse gases or simply focus on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, energy efficiency and a nationwide standard for renewables. But Reid insisted after a visit to the White House yesterday that he wants to follow the lead of the House, which adopted a broad climate and energy proposal almost a year ago.
President Obama and many of his Democratic allies hailed the 47-53 vote blocking the resolution from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and said it should serve as a signal that lawmakers must pass a bill this year that tackles the core details.
"Today's vote is yet another reminder of the urgent need to pass legislation that would help America transition to a 21st Century clean energy economy that would create jobs, strengthen our national security, and protect our environment for our children," Obama said in a statement. "The Senate chose to move America forward, towards that clean energy economy -- not backward to the same failed policies that have left our nation increasingly dependent on foreign oil."
"As long as the EPA has a plan and is moving forward, it really puts the pressure on Congress," said Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
Senate Democratic leaders, with Obama's help, are planning to push ahead next month with floor debate on that energy and climate bill. But they still lack 60 votes for a measure that includes carbon dioxide limits and are looking toward a special caucus meeting Thursday to discuss the road ahead.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he has not decided whether the bill will entail mandatory caps on greenhouse gases or simply focus on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, energy efficiency and a nationwide standard for renewables. But Reid insisted after a visit to the White House yesterday that he wants to follow the lead of the House, which adopted a broad climate and energy proposal almost a year ago.
TIME TO VOTE YES ON MURKOWSKI
Thursday June 10, 2010
What an odyssey it's been: in 1999, a little-known environmental group petitioned EPA to regulate greenhouse gases from cars. Then-EPA Administrator Carol Browner dithered, and punted the decision to the Bush Administration. In 2003, EPA justly rejected the petition, on the grounds that it had no authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate GHGs. Lawsuits followed, and the DC Circuit upheld EPA. The case went to the Supreme Court, and in a 5 to 4 decision, Massachusetts v. EPA, the Court ruled that CO2 is a pollutant under the CAA, and that EPA must decide whether GHGs endanger public health and welfare-or conclude that the science is so uncertain that it can't decide either way.
E&E; News: Senate leaders strike deal to lure Dems from Murkowski
Thursday June 10, 2010
Senate Democratic leaders have promised to offer a vote on a bid to limit U.S. EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases in hopes of draining support from a more sweeping EPA curb on the floor today, a Democratic Senate aide said.
During the run-up to today's vote on a proposal by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that would prohibit EPA from regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, Democratic leaders promised a vote on a narrower bill from Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) to impose a time-out for two years on EPA rules aimed at industrial emitters.
During the run-up to today's vote on a proposal by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that would prohibit EPA from regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, Democratic leaders promised a vote on a narrower bill from Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) to impose a time-out for two years on EPA rules aimed at industrial emitters.
Democrats Scramble To Prevent Major Loss on EPA Global Warming Regs
Thursday June 10, 2010
Democratic leaders are scrambling to prevent the Senate from delivering a stinging slap to President Barack Obama on climate change.
They have offered a vote on a bill they dislike in the hopes of avoiding a loss on legislation Obama hates.
The president is threatening to veto a resolution from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that would ban the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating carbon emissions.
But if the president were forced to use his veto to prevent legislation emerging from a Congress in which his own party enjoys substantial majorities, it would be a humiliation for him and for Democrats on Capitol Hill.
They have offered a vote on a bill they dislike in the hopes of avoiding a loss on legislation Obama hates.
The president is threatening to veto a resolution from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that would ban the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating carbon emissions.
But if the president were forced to use his veto to prevent legislation emerging from a Congress in which his own party enjoys substantial majorities, it would be a humiliation for him and for Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Carney: Once a government pet, BP now a capitalist tool
Thursday June 10, 2010
As BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig was sinking on April 22, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., was on the phone with allies in his push for climate legislation, telling them he would soon roll out the Senate climate bill with the support of the utility industry and three oil companies - including BP, according to the Washington Post.
Kerry never got to have his photo op with BP chief executive Tony Hayward and other regulation-friendly corporate chieftains. Within days, Republican co-sponsor Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., repudiated the bill following a spat about immigration, and Democrats went back to the drawing board.
But the Kerry-BP alliance for an energy bill that included a cap-and-trade scheme
Kerry never got to have his photo op with BP chief executive Tony Hayward and other regulation-friendly corporate chieftains. Within days, Republican co-sponsor Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., repudiated the bill following a spat about immigration, and Democrats went back to the drawing board.
But the Kerry-BP alliance for an energy bill that included a cap-and-trade scheme
State Journal: Minority Report: EPA Assaulting Coal
Thursday June 10, 2010
The minority staff of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee produced a report last month that says in plain English what many people in Appalachia believe:
"Our investigation found that the Obama Administration is using the Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting process to dismantle the coal industry in the Appalachian region."
A government report cannot be clearer. It said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, by bringing the issuing of Clean Water Act 404 permits to a virtual halt, is signing the death certificate for a significant portion of the Appalachian coal industry. Coal companies must have water quality permits to operate both surface and deep mines. The May 21 report said the agency is holding up 190
"Our investigation found that the Obama Administration is using the Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting process to dismantle the coal industry in the Appalachian region."
A government report cannot be clearer. It said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, by bringing the issuing of Clean Water Act 404 permits to a virtual halt, is signing the death certificate for a significant portion of the Appalachian coal industry. Coal companies must have water quality permits to operate both surface and deep mines. The May 21 report said the agency is holding up 190
Senate Should Keep EPA From Usurping Congress Lawmaking Powers - Growing Bipartisan Support for Murkowski Resolution - EPA Needs To Understand It's Not The Fourth Branch of Government
Wednesday June 9, 2010
Detroit News Editorial: Senate should keep EPA from usurping Congress' lawmaking powers: The U.S. Senate has an opportunity Thursday to establish that Congress still matters when it comes to governing the nation. No matter how individual senators feel about the underlying issue of regulating greenhouse gas emissions, the Senate should assert its authority to write laws. The Senate is scheduled to vote on a measure to repeal regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency that greatly expand the EPA'sability to regulate carbon dioxide emissions by placing severe limits on industries that emit the gases.
WATCH: Tulsa World: Contractors making changes
Wednesday June 9, 2010
If head-to-toe protective suits don't make it clear that workers are following the EPA's new regulations on lead paint, the copy of their certification taped a nearby wall does.
Yes, posting the certificate is one of the new Environmental Protection Agency regulations, too, said Bill Powers of Powers Design and Build.
His renovation work on a home at 2443 E. 23rd St. is one of the first local implementations of a new EPA regulation that requires all homes built before 1978 under renovation by professional contractors be tested for lead paint. Crews must follow a series of safety precautions during paint removal if the property tests positive.
Yes, posting the certificate is one of the new Environmental Protection Agency regulations, too, said Bill Powers of Powers Design and Build.
His renovation work on a home at 2443 E. 23rd St. is one of the first local implementations of a new EPA regulation that requires all homes built before 1978 under renovation by professional contractors be tested for lead paint. Crews must follow a series of safety precautions during paint removal if the property tests positive.
WATCH: Inhofe: Momentum Behind Murkowski Resolution
Tuesday June 8, 2010
This is the last opportunity for a lot of the Democrats voting in the Senate to vote against a massive government take-over. Initially, when Senator Murkowski talked about doing this, I said that my only concern is – it’s unlikely you’ll reach a majority. And if that happens, then people, like some of you in this room, will mischaracterize that as supporting a type of cap-and-trade. That’s definitely not the case. I’ve changed my mind a little bit now, because I think there are a lot of people out there…the motion to proceed is the last opportunity to be on record against this massive government take-over.
WATCH: Inhofe: EPA Regulations All Cost, No Impact
Tuesday June 8, 2010
this proposition, which we are all a part of. Look who’s here, who’s up here. We’ve got Senator Graham, who believes in his heart that anthropogenic gasses have a major effect on climate change, or green house gases. I stand with my statement seven years ago that anthropogenic gases, and CO2, and methane, as a major cause of global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people. And all the rest of these guys are in between. So, I think that all of us can agree on one thing, and that is – if you are going to do something, don’t do this. Don’t give a new power to the regulators. It would be the greatest single regulation power. I think Senator Alexander said it right; he named all people who are going to pay, and pay dearly, for this.
