Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Now: House & Senate Considering Actions To Stop EPA GHG Rules

Apr 6: The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate are both simultaneously considering on their respective floors at this time (Apr. 6, 3:47 PM EDT) a bill and an amendment, respectively, to amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas (GHG) to address climate change.
 
    The House is debating the Energy Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 910) sponsored by Chairman Upton that passed the House Energy & Commerce Committee by a vote of 34-19, with all Republicans and three Democrats voting for the approval [See WIMS 3/16/11]. The Senate is debating an amendment to S. 493, a bill to reauthorize and improve the SBIR and STTR programs (small business research programs), offered by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) [See WIMS 3/30/11]. The McConnell amendment would also strip U.S. EPA of its ability to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and was originally introduced as a stand-alone bill (S.482) by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), the ranking Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee [See WIMS 3/4/11]. The Senate bill/amendment has 43 co-sponsors including one Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and is substantially similar to a House bill (H.R.910).
 
    Access legislative details including roll call votes of H.R. 910 (click here). Access legislative details including roll call votes of S.493 (click here). Access legislative details of S.482 (click here). Access the House Floor debate video (click here). Access the Senate Floor debate video (click here).
 
THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS
  • Agencies & Committee Kick Off Next National Climate Assessment
  • New EPA Standards Up 30%+ For Energy Star Light Fixtures
  • $112.5 Million For Advanced Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing
  • DOE & DOI RFP For $26.5 Million Advance Hydropower Research
  • Research On Lithium Ion Batteries For Second-Use Applications
  • Effective Today No New TSCA Notices & Documents On Paper