Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD (R-Southwest Louisiana) today voted for the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 (H.R. 910), which passed the House by a 255-172 vote.

This legislation prevents the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from creating overbearing regulations to address climate change under the Clean Air Act.

 

“Louisiana businesses are hurting because of out-of-control EPA regulations,” Boustany said. “With gas prices rising daily, we cannot afford to continue to cripple energy producers. Overreaching regulations adversely affect small businesses and individuals as well, and they are not the answer. I am pleased the House acted on this legislation today and I hope the Senate follows suit.”
As a result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would impose new greenhouse gas regulations on industry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.  H.R. 910 prohibits the EPA Administrator from circumventing Congress to regulate the emission of a greenhouse gas to address climate change.
The bill, introduced by Energy and Commerce Chairman Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) repeals a number of EPA rules and actions, including the mandatory reporting of greenhouse gases. According to the American Council for Capital Formation, the uncertainty created by the EPA discourages recovery and job growth.
“Failure to stop this bureaucratic power-grab will undoubtedly create an economic burden on Louisiana’s energy producers and consumers,” Boustany said.
Background:
The Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 changes provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to establish a general rule that would prohibit the EPA from regulating Greenhouse Gases (GHG)
·         Reduces the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse emissions that are a result of concerns regarding possible climate change and to pursue research on the issue;
·         Eliminates the EPA’s ability to implement a cap-and-trade tax;
·         Establishes that greenhouse gases are not included in the definition of “air pollutant” under the CAA;
·         Exceptions include allowing the EPA to implement certain car/truck emissions standards that have already been put forth; carry out statutorily authorized Federal climate change research; and allow the EPA to continue to implement provisions under the CAA that relate to stratospheric ozone protection in compliance with a protocol of which the U.S. is a signatory;
·         Does not prevent states from pursing their own greenhouse gases policies.

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