CNBC: Chairman Upton Highlights the “Energy Tax Prevention Act" to Protect American Jobs and Families from EPA Regulations
MSNBC: War on coal? EPA warming plan under fire in House
“Let’s face it, these regulations and others from EPA amount to a war on domestic coal," Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., said of the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to use the Clean Air Act to curb greenhouse gases tied to warming temperatures.
“Coal is the energy source America possesses in the greatest abundance," Whitfield, chair of the Energy and Power Subcommittee that called Wednesday’s hearing, added in his opening statement.
“It provides half the nation’s electricity, and 92 percent in my home state of Kentucky," he said of coal, which emits more carbon dioxide than other fuels. “And it does so because it is affordable."
FOX NEWS: Battle between EPA and House GOP
Republicans want to make sure that the EPA doesn’t use the Clean Air Act to do by regulation what Congress refused to do in legislation: pass a cap and trade law aimed to reduce carbon emissions by taxing them:
“Now we face the threat of the EPA bureaucrats imposing the same agenda through a series of regulations," says Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.). “Like cap and trade, these regulations would boost the cost of energy not just for homeowners and car owners but for businesses large and small."
THE TULSA WORLD: Inhofe, others push proposal to curb EPA ability to regulate greenhouse gases
Rep. John Sullivan, R-Okla., who serves as vice chairman of the subcommittee, told Jackson that Oklahoma companies are “scared to death" about her agency’s efforts.
Sullivan said even churches have expressed concerns about what he called EPA’s destructive economic plan.
“It is unfortunate the EPA and the Obama administration are willing to sacrifice economic growth and jobs for something that will do very little to protect our environment," he said following the hearing.
THE TIMES PICAYUNE: Rep. Steve Scalise leads GOP attack on global warming regs
House Republicans Wednesday mounted an attack on the Obama administration’s plan to regulate greenhouse emissions with predictions it would stymie job creation.
As is his custom, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, was among the most aggressive critics, asking Environmental Protection Administration Administrator Lisa Jackson whether she agrees with then Sen. Barack Obama who once predicted cap and trade legislation would substantially raise utility costs.
ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS: Texas AG makes case in hearing over EPA plans
Rep. Michael Burgess, a Republican from Lewisville, said North Texas had rolling blackouts because of the weather last week. He wanted to know how greenhouse gas regulation would affect the availability of electricity.
“Can you assure us here at the subcommittee that these rules will not make instances of rolling blackouts more common?" Burgess said.
That was one of many questions Jackson must provide an answer for later.
Burgess complained about the EPA shutting down Texas’ practice of issuing “flexible" air quality permits. The EPA says those permits don’t meet federal standards.
“Similar rules exist in other states, which have not been challenged by the EPA," Burgess said. “This appears to be Texas specific, and if it is, it is wrong,"
HOUSTON CHRONICLE: Texas officials, EPA clash over greenhouse gas
But Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, said EPA’s decision to invalidate the Texas-issued permits represented “a fundamental change" in the balance of power between the federal government and the states when it comes to air quality regulation. Traditionally, the states issue air pollution permits on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, but the EPA decides whether the permits are in compliance with federal law.
THE GREELEY TRIBUNE: Gardner, GOP aim to reshape EPA’s regulatory role
If Rep. Cory Gardner and a group of Republicans in Congress get their way, the Environmental Protection Agency’s role in regulating greenhouse gases such as ozone may change.
“I believe we have an obligation to pass on a cleaner environment to our children and grandchildren and do everything we can to responsibly protect our air, land and water," Gardner said by phone after the hearing. “However, I will not stand for the EPA going outside of their legislative authority and circumventing the role of Congress."
Gardner said the measure would not weaken the Clean Air Act or the EPA’s ability to do its job.
“I think we’ve got a situation with this bill that will continue to allow the EPA to protect our air quality," he said. “They will continue their oversight and regulation of what’s called criteria pollutants, but it won’t allow them to impose a national energy tax through the back channel."
5 NEWS WDTV (Bridgeport, WV) - Heated EPA Debate Continues
The EPA has been a target of many politicians ever since they took away a permit to a Logan County mine that had already been approved years before. One of the politicians who joined the attack on Jackson was Congressman David McKinley.
McKinley and Jackson exchanged heated comments when she testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
