The bill, titled the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, would permanently stop the E.P.A. from implementing regulations to prevent climate change. Specifically, it aims to stop the agency’s efforts to impose a cap-and-trade tax, which the Republicans say would increase prices of gasoline, electricity, fertilizer and groceries.
This could probably achieved since the bill plans to amend the Clean Air Act to say it was not intended to address climate change at all. Ultimately, it will discontinue the E.P.A.’s authority in making legislative decisions that Mr. Upton believes should be the Congress’ responsibility.
A statement from Mr. Upton’s website explained that the bill will protect American jobs and manufacturers from overreaching E.P.A. regulations that hinder the country’s ability to compete with China and other countries.
“E.P.A’s cap and trade tax agenda will cost jobs, undermine the competitiveness of America’s manufacturers and will have no meaningful impact on climate. In other words, all cost with no benefit,” said in a joint statement by the draft bills, Mr. Upton said, together with Ed Whitefield, chairman of the Energy and Power Subcommittee and Senator James Inhofe, ranking member of the Senate Committee.
Last month, the agency started to require large greenhouse gas emitting industries, such as power plants and refineries, to obtain air permits for rebuilding new facilities or modifying existing ones.
Small greenhouse gas sources, including farms and restaurants, are exempted from the regulation.
Mr. Upton’s bill, is similar to a proposal by Republican United States Senator John Barrosso earlier this week, saying the E.P.A.. decision last month was “a backdoor approach to regulate climate by abusing our existing laws.”
“We look forward to working with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Obama Administration to pass and sign into law legislation that stops E.P.A., puts Congress in charge and helps get our economy growing again,” the Republicans added.
Bill targeting Clean Air Act uncalled for
A recent national 1,007-person survey released by the Natural Resources Defense Council revealed 77 percent, or three out of four Americans oppose Congress’ efforts against the Clean Air Act updates for carbon, smog and other pollution. It was noted that 61 percent of the figure was Republican in orientation.
“The bottom line is clear: Democrats, Republicans and Independents want politicians to protect the health of America’s children rather than the profit-driven agenda of big polluters,” said Pete Altman, the Council’s climate campaign director.
Last week, the Council partnered with Health Care Without Harm to highlight that over 24 million Americans with asthma, which include about 7 million children, are threatened by the health consequences of blocking updates in the Clean Air Act.
“Chairman Upton’s bill, which is expected to block the E.P.A. from updating the Clean Air Act to limit carbon pollution, puts our nation’s health at risk,” said Brenda Afzal, Health Care Without Harm’s Climate Policy Coordinator.
