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2011-02-10 Home Front: Culture Wars
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EPA Can't Regulate Lawmakers on Clean Air
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During a heated, daylong hearing, Republican lawmakers assailed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and accused the Obama administration of flouting Congress by falling back on the EPA to regulate the heat-trapping gases still blamed by the brain-dead for global warming. After Congress failed last year to pass legislation, the Obama administration began using its power under existing law - the Clean Air Act - to regulate emissions from oil refineries and power plants.
"The Environmental Protection Agency and the Obama administration have decided - that they want to put the American economy in a straitjacket," said Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis. "They couldn't get it through the legislative process - so they tried to do it by a regulatory approach. It's not going to work."
Texas already is challenging the rules in six separate lawsuits pending in federal appeals courts. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott told a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee he would abandon the litigation if Congress passed legislation to block the EPA or if the administration backed down.
"The EPA is acting in a way unconstrained by the Clean Air Act and causing industry as well as the states to have to deal with a moving target," Abbott said. "We don't know if the administrative rules they've issued today are going to be the same ones they will issue tomorrow. We keep getting the impression they will keep coming up with new and ever-shifting and changing rules."
Lawmakers have introduced a flurry of bills aiming to block the new mandates and chip away at the overbloated authority of the EPA, which has become a lightning rod for anti-regulation Republicans.
Not 'anti-regulation', MSM drone, 'anti-stupid regulation Republicans'.
Wednesday's hearing focused on one of the proposals - a measure by Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., that would undo the EPA's 2009 determination that greenhouse gas emissions threaten the public health and welfare.
And why not?
That finding paved the way for the agency to regulate the gases under the Clean Air Act.
Idiotic rationale for a moronic rule.
"Chairman Upton's bill is part of an effort to delay, weaken or eliminate Clean Air Act protections of the American public," Jackson said in her opening statement. "Chairman Upton's bill would, in its own words, repeal the scientific finding regarding greenhouse gas emissions. Politicians overruling scientists on a scientific question - that would become part of this committee's legacy."
Intelligence over grant-driven fear?
| If I were a Pub on that committee I'd pin her down on that exact point. Which scientists? Exactly what data? And let's bring them in to hear what they have to say. This could be used to destroy the global warmists by bringing down the house of cards they've built. They want to quote data? Make them release it. Subpoena them if necessary. Watch the rats scatter. |
 During more than two hours of combative and sometimes mocking questioning, Jackson insisted the EPA had charted a "reasonable approach" by focusing on stationary facilities that emit more than 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide or its equivalent each year. The agency is developing standards for how those facilities can best control the emissions.
The EPA also seized control of greenhouse gas permitting in Texas after state leaders refused to implement the rules. Although other states have challenged the regulation, Texas is alone in flatly refusing to comply with them.
I knew I liked living in Texas!
Jackson said the move ensured Texas businesses could get the permits they need before expanding refineries and power plants or building new ones.
Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, said EPA's decision to invalidate the Texas-issued permits represented "a fundamental change" in the balance of power between the federal government and the states when it comes to air quality regulation. Traditionally, the states issue air pollution permits on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, but the EPA decides whether the permits are in compliance with federal law. 
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Posted by Bobby 2011-02-10 16:11||
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16:35 Procopius2k
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16:33 ed in texas
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