Lisa Murkowski Introduces "Resolution of Disapproval"

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), left, introduced a "Resolution of Disapproval" today to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) plans to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions. Senator Murkowski's resolution would essentially neutralize EPA's "Endangerment Finding" and its accompanying proposed regulation for light trucks that the agency announced in December. The resolution would also preemptively prevent EPA from providing the carbon dioxide regulatory framework to back up increased fuel economy standards, which are regulated by the Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The resolution would also prevent the promulgation of "Tailoring Rule" regulations aimed at CO2 emitters of 25,000 tons per year or more.

A floor vote for the resolution has not been scheduled.

On December 19, 2007 President Bush signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires automakers to increase fleetwide gas mileage to 35 mpg by the year 2020 for all passenger automobiles and light trucks. On May 19, 2009 President Barack Obama proposed a new national fuel economy program that requires an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 miles per gallon in 2016 (of 39 miles per gallon for cars and 30 mpg for trucks). Regardless of the outcome of the Obama/EPA/DOT proposal, a fuel economy standard of 35 mpg has already been established by the Energy Independence and Security Act.

The Center supports cap and trade. We favor Congressional legislation to the stand-alone EPA regulatory approach under the Clean Air Act. Absent Congressional legislation, the Center supports the EPA route. Congress needs to get its act together and tackle this issue.

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