| September 22, 2009 |  |
Murkowski, Harkin Amendments Should Be Defeated
WASHINGTON (September 22, 2009) — Two separate amendments to the Department of Interior funding bill would undermine the federal government's ability to address climate change and should be defeated, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
The first amendment, offered by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from addressing heat-trapping emissions from stationary sources, such as coal-fired power plants, for a year. Liz Perera, a federal policy analyst with UCS's Climate Program, said the amendment would slow down the necessary transition to a clean energy economy.
"Senator Murkowski's amendment would hinder EPA's ability to comply with the Supreme Court ruling that heat-trapping emissions are pollutants under the Clean Air Act," said Perera. "Other countries are watching what Congress is doing. Passing this amendment would send them the wrong message just when we want them to work with us on a new climate treaty."
The second amendment, offered by Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) would prohibit the EPA from including global warming emissions from land use change under a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Since EPA is required to consider these emissions under current law, this amendment would jeopardize implementation of the entire renewable fuels standard program, creating substantial uncertainty for the biofuels industry.
"The EPA should be allowed to move forward using the best available science without interference from Congress," said Brendan Bell, a federal policy analyst with UCS's Clean Vehicles program. "This is a classic case of special interests trying to sneak in policy changes on an appropriations bill."
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
