Feb. 2 , 2010

Skelton, Emerson back bill to remove EPA from climate change issue

U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton (at podium) announces a bipartisan bill to rein in the EPA when it comes to greenhouse gas regulation. Skelton and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson announced the legislation at the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives' State Legislative Conference in Jefferson City. (click image for high-resolution photo)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Speaking before a gathering of electric cooperative grassroots advocates, U.S. Reps. Ike Skelton and Jo Ann Emerson, along with House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, today announced they will introduce a bipartisan bill to rein in the Environmental Protection Agency when it comes to greenhouse gas regulation. The bill would also make changes to federal law to benefit Missouri’s renewable fuels industry.

In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that EPA had authority under existing law — the Clean Air Act — to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Since then, the agency has been moving to draw up new federal rules designed to reduce these emissions throughout the United States.

“I have been terribly concerned about the EPA’s plan to use the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, most particularly emissions from stationary sources like power plants, factories and farms,” Skelton said. “Members of Missouri’s rural electric cooperatives and farmers have also expressed to me their fear of EPA in this area. In my view, Congress never
explicitly granted EPA the power to draw up new regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.”

Added Emerson, ““Proposals that would enact a new tax on electricity generation and consumption would filter down to every family and employer in our congressional district and in our country. I’ve been fighting against this legislation for nearly a year — ever since the Obama Administration signaled its first intention to use the new tax to raise some $600 billion
in federal revenue.”

Estimates place the effect of the legislation on the Missouri economy at $430 million in economic activity along with the loss of 3,715 jobs in 2012 alone, she said.

“There is no way we can afford this economic stress, not to mention the strain on every citizen trying to keep the lights or heat on in their homes,” Emerson added. “We must not only stop this proposal in Congress, we also have to assure that the Environmental Protection Agency does not have the authority to impose cap-and-trade without the authorization of the legislative branch.”

The legislation, expected to be introduced today, would amend the Clean Air Act to make it clear that EPA cannot regulate greenhouse gas emissions based on climate change claims. This legislation would also amend federal law to strengthen the nation’s renewable fuels industry.

The move follows two years of grassroots communication to elected leaders from electric cooperative members around the country through the Our Energy, Our Future campaign enacted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. More than 3.2 million messages, including 657,000 from Missouri, have been sent asking congressional leaders to keep affordable, reliable electricity as a foundation of any climate change plan.

Both Skelton and Emerson have been strong supporters of the electric cooperative position on this issue.

“We applaud these two leaders for introducing this bipartisan legislation that could prove tremendously beneficial to the ongoing deliberations on energy policy,” said Barry Hart, CEO of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. “Both of these leaders have the same goals for Missouri — get EPA under control, enact bipartisan energy policies that underscore their
commitment to electric cooperatives, take care of Missouri farmers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions one step at a time. Ike and Jo Ann ought to be commended for putting partisan politics aside for the good of the people of Missouri. That’s the way Washington should be running.”

-30-