The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 910: "Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011" with a 255-172 vote Thursday. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) is co-sponsoring the bill, which aims to strip the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of its ability to regulate greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
The House bill received no opposition from Republican members and a total of 19 democrats voted in favor of the bill, many of whom hail from industrial states. After the vote, Rep. Upton commented that the passing of the bill in the House was a victory, especially since the EPA's greenhouse gas regulating powers pose a serious threat to the economy and job growth.
But while a large number of House members voted in favor of H.R. 910, the measure, which was attached to a small business bill, didn't fare nearly as well in the Senate Wednesday. The Senate failed to approve the measure; and it received a 50-50 vote, notably less than the two-thirds needed. It was rejected by all Democratic members and one lone Republican.
But despite the overwhelming support from GOP members for slashing the EPA's regulation powers, putting the bill into action is likely to be wishful thinking for Republicans. Earlier this week, the Obama administration released an official announcement stating the president would not support the bill and would continue to stand behind the EPA and EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. Additionally, it stated that putting such a bill into law would only make the U.S. even more dependent on pollution-producing fossil fuels, including oil and coal. The released document also said that if presented with the bill, President Obama's advisers would strongly suggest that he veto it.
Even though the GOP-sponsored bill received backlash from House and Senate Democrats who believed that it completely ignored decades of climate research and a consensus among scientists that human-induced global warming is a reality and a threat, H.R. 910 as it was voted on Thursday, included "Section 4" at the end, titled "Congressional Acceptance of the Scientific Findings of the Environmental Protection Agency." The section specifically read:
"Congress accepts the scientific finding of the Environmental Protection Agency that 'the public health of current generations is endangered and that the threat to public health for both current and future generations will likely mount over time as greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere and result in ever greater rates of climate change.'"
While the bill has little probability of being passed as is, especially with its failure in the Senate and Obama's veto, the GOP has refused to give up fighting the EPA's regulating powers. However, the looming government shutdown would cause a roadblock for such Republican initiatives as other problems remain at the forefront.
Rachel Krech provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.
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