From AAIA Capital Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation (H.R. 910),which eliminates the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, with a 255-172 vote on April 7.
Nineteen Democrats joined the Republican caucus in voting for H.R. 910, which would block Jan. 2 EPA rules that regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and other stationary sources under the Clean Air Act’s prevention of significant deterioration program. Additionally, H.R. 910, which was introduced by House Energy and Commerce Chairman Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., would repeal EPA’s greenhouse gas emissions reporting requirements and abolish a 2009 EPA study that demonstrates that such emissions harm public health.
This legislation has been a top priority for the Republican caucus as they argue that EPA regulations are detrimental to economic growth. Industry groups applauded the passage of the House legislation, while environmental groups expressed their concerns about the bill’s impact on public health. However, chances for enactment of the House bill do not look favorable as similar legislation was easily defeated a day earlier in the Senate.
