Congress Likely to Roll Back EPA Carbon Emissions Rules

The 112th Congress will most certainly curb the agency's recent regulations concerning the Clean Air Act.

January 05, 2011

WASHINGTON - As the 112th Congress begins its first session, lawmakers will likely vote on curbing the Environmental Protection Agency??s (EPA) carbon emissions rules, National Journal reports.

With the House in Republican hands, that chamber will probably put an end to a host of EPA rules pertaining to the Clean Air Act, including carbon emissions regulations. The Senate, with more Republicans than last year, but still controlled by Democrats, will possibly approve a two-year stay of the carbon rules.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has an amendment that would hold off the rules until 2013, which he will re-introduce this year. Sixty senators currently have expressed support of restricting the agency, and 49 of those would probably approve a bill that would take away EPA??s authority to regulate carbon emissions.

Leading that charge is Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The remaining senators are all Democrats and they will likely still back EPA??s carbon rules, which stem from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling three years ago.

Of those sitting on the fence on this issue, 11 senators favor a delay but other moderate Democrats do not. A bunch of senators facing reelection in 2012 ?" including close to 12 Democrats from energy-intensive states ?" could feel pressure from voters to hold off on the carbon emissions rules.

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