| Skelton: Greenhouse gas rule based on nonexistent Congressional intent |
By: Press Office of U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton
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Congressman Ike Skelton
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 25, 2010) — Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) reprimanded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for writing new greenhouse gas regulations for power plants and factories based on flimsy interpretations of Congressional intent. In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Skelton wrote:
“The Clean Air Act was passed by Congress and signed into law many years ago. Though it has been amended through the years, neither the original law nor its amendments reference an authorization by Congress to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Because this authorization never occurred, it is impossible for EPA to predict the ‘intent of Congress’ regarding the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.
“Yet, within the final rule released by EPA on May 13, 2010, there are multiple references to Congressional intent. I find these references to be extremely troubling.”
This letter was written in reaction to the EPA’s issuance on May 13 of a final rule outlining its plan to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act.
A copy of the letter from Skelton is attached.
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May 24, 2010
The Honorable Lisa Jackson
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Jackson:
On May 13, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule that outlines its plans to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources under Clean Air Act permitting programs. The Agency "tailored" its rule in an attempt to limit the number of facilities to be covered by its New Source Review Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and title V Operating Permit Programs for new and existing stationary facilities. While I appreciate that the Agency has proposed to reduce the scope of its regulations, I continue to question its authority to proceed with any sort of regulation given Congress has not authorized it to do so.
The Clean Air Act was passed by Congress and signed into law many years ago. Though it has been amended through the years, neither the original law nor its amendments reference an authorization by Congress to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Because this authorization never occurred, it is impossible for EPA to predict the "intent of Congress" regarding the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet within the final rule released by EPA on May 13, 2010, there are multiple references to Congressional intent. I find these references to be extremely troubling.
Truth be told, EPA is making assumptions about Congressional intent that do not exist. The assumptions being made by the Agecy with respect to which stationary sources qualify for regulation are based on guesses. There is simply a great deal of uncertainty surrounding this whole process, which is why many of the people I represent, including business owners and farmers, wonder how EPA's assumptions will stand up in federal court. We wonder, too, that despite EPA's pledge to limit the scope of its regulations, small businesses and farms might one day be wrapped into onerous and expensive PSD and title V permitting requirements.
I have said for some time that unelected bureaucrats should not be writing America's energy laws. Legislating is the role of the American people through their elected representatives in Congress. Many people in rural Missouri and I do not agree with EPA's moving forward to regulate greenhouse gas emissions without the explicit consent of the United States Congress. That is why I will work with my Congressional colleagues in a bipartisan way to pre-empt the Agency from proceeding with this misguided action.
Very truly yours,
Ike Skelton
Member of Congress
Congressman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) serves as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Congressman Skelton’s website is at www.house.gov/skelton.
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