House Republicans to Use Appropriations to Thwart EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulations

House Republicans will move to hinder the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate greenhouse gases as part of the congressional budget process, according to Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power.

House Republicans will move to hinder the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate greenhouse gases as part of the congressional budget process, according to Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power. Whitfield said Republicans are planning to put language intended to thwart EPA in the continuing resolution that Congress was debating the week of Feb. 14. Congress must pass the CR by March 4 in order to avert the risk of a government shutdown.

"There is probably going to be some language in there affecting EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases," Whitfield told reporters, referring to the continuing resolution. The resolution was introduced Feb.11 by Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee.

Language in the CR wouldn't necessarily affect the EPA's actions after October, however. EPA is moving forward with a plan to limit greenhouse-gas emissions using its authority under the Clean Air Act. But Whitfield and other Republicans have proposed legislation to stop the agency from doing so.

Confirming Whitfield's observation, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) says he may try to attach language to the CR that would prohibit EPA from regulating GHG gas emissions. "It's under consideration," Barton said. "We're working on it."

Among the options Barton said he was considering is offering an appropriations rider to the continuing resolution that would block funding for EPA to implement existing greenhouse gas rules.

In addition, the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies says he is anticipating other legislative attempts to stymie EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases, including possible amendments to the CR on the floor.

"I think we need clear direction from Congress on what Congress desires in that respect," Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) said. "Certainly it is appropriate to use funding mechanisms or defunding mechanisms to prevent them from going ahead until Congress has had a say on this."

Simpson added that he is still unsure what the final funding level will be for EPA in the continuing resolution. "I can guarantee you that there will be cuts in these appropriations bills that nobody will like," Simpson said. 

Page 1 of 51
Next Page