Georgia Magazine - May 2010 - (Page 16)

SPECIAL ENERGY REPORT Greenhouse gas regulation: Who should craft it? T he April 2010 issue of GEORGIA Magazine included a Special Energy Report on legislation to prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from bypassing Congress in regulating greenhouse gas (GHG or CO2) emissions. Georgia Electric Membership Corp. contends it should be Congress’ role, not the EPA’s, to frame greenhouse gas regulations to ensure a fair, affordable and achievable policy. GEORGIA Magazine readers were urged to contact their members of Congress to co-sponsor any bills or resolutions that have been introduced recently to stop the EPA’s independent pursuit of CO2 regulations until Congress provides a framework for regulating GHG emissions that, unlike EPA, balances the aforementioned criteria. Below is a description of major legislative proposals that would curb the EPA’s action on GHGs independent of Congress, and the corresponding co-sponsors from Georgia’s Congressional Delegation as of April 15, 2010: en the public health and welfare, and says the EPA rule shall have no force or effect. Chief sponsor: Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas. sponsor: Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV, D-W. Va. Georgia co-sponsors Rep. Jack Kingston–GA01 Rep. Lynn Westmoreland–GA03 Rep. Tom Price–GA06 Rep. John Linder–GA07 Rep. Paul Broun–GA10 Rep. Phil Gingrey–GA11 H.R. 4396: Removes carbon dioxide, methane and four other greenhouse gases from the definition of air pollutants the EPA can regulate. Chief sponsor: Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D. Obama’s offshore offer seen as new push for senate passage of emissions caps With his offers to expand offshore oil and gas drilling and to support more nuclear power, President Barack Obama appears ready to make whatever deals may be necessary to get even a scaled-back climate and energy bill passed before expected declines in the Democratic majority in the November elections, environmental and industry organizations said April 2. While Senate passage of a capand-trade bill is still widely viewed as an uphill battle, supporters say they are heartened by several recent developments, including the passage of health care legislation, which has opened a window of opportunity for other Obama signature issues such as climate and energy. Also, after meeting with White House officials, Senate colleagues, and various industry and environmental groups in recent months, Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) are only weeks away from unveiling a proposal—perhaps on April 22 to coincide with Earth Day—that takes into account Obama’s recent support for offshore drilling and more nuclear power in hopes of garnering the 60 votes needed to avert a filibuster threat. Lieberman told reporters March 25 that the three senators plan to unveil their proposal the week of April 19. Their proposal is designed to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020 from 2005 levels and about 80 percent by 2050, he said. From “BNA Daily Report for Executives,” April 5, 2010, by Dean Scott GEORGIA MAGAZINE Georgia co-sponsor Rep. John Barrow–GA12 H.R. 4572: Removes carbon dioxide, methane and four other greenhouse gases from the definition of air pollutants that the EPA can regulate. Chief sponsor: Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo. H.R. 4753: Suspends EPA regulation of carbon dioxide and methane from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act for two years. Regulation of mobile sources is permissible. Chief sponsor: Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, D-W. Va. Senate Joint (S.J.) Resolution 26: Puts Congress on record of disapproving the EPA’s finding that greenhouse gases threaten the public health and welfare, and says the EPA rule shall have no force or effect. Chief sponsor: Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Not a co-sponsor Rep. Hank Johnson–GA04 Rep. John Lewis–GA05 Rep. David Scott–GA13 House Joint (H.J.) Resolution 76: Puts Congress on record of disapproving the EPA’s finding that greenhouse gases threaten the public health and welfare, and says the EPA rule shall have no force or effect. Chief sponsor: Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo. Georgia co-sponsors Rep. Sanford Bishop–GA02 Rep. Lynn Westmoreland–GA03 Rep. Jim Marshall–GA08 Rep. John Barrow–GA12 H. J. Resolution 77: Puts Congress on record of disapproving the EPA’s finding that greenhouse gases threat16 Georgia co-sponsors Sen. Saxby Chambliss Sen. Johnny Isakson S. 3072: Suspends EPA regulation of carbon dioxide and methane from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act for two years. Regulation of mobile sources is permissible. Chief www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - May 2010

Georgia Magazine - May 2010
Table of Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Currents
Special Energy Report
A Glass Act
Go Green from Top to Bottom
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Georgia Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Recipes from Mom
Georgia Cooks Contest
Cookbook of the Month
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - May 2010