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he GOP and Global Warming/EPA Greenhouse Gas Restrictions in 2011

Almost two-dozen industry and business groups are pushing Senators to limit funding for unprecedented Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority to restrict greenhouse gas emissions. The list of groups includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Petroleum Institute, the National Manufacturers Association, and the American Chemistry Council, and they are urging top Republicans and possible swing-vote Democratic members of the Appropriations Committee to halt EPA actions in a spending package that will come forward during the lame duck session. They want to see the EPA blocked from placing greenhouse gas restrictions on power plants and other energy sources. The restrictions are set to go into effect on January 2, and the groups have told Senators that they would lead to increased, burdening costs on U.S. jobs and state resources, while also overshadowing Congress’s place in the development of energy policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Almost every state is prepared to issue permits around the time the EPA’s restrictions go into effect. Most states, though not Texas, will allow the EPA to oversee the permitting process for them until they are able to do it themselves. Over the summer Texas followed suit with others in challenging the EPA’s “tailoring” rule in court.

Scientists from NASA, the National Academy of Sciences, and other noteworthy science organizations say that findings from all parts of the globe demonstrate that climate change is the result of activities by man. Conservative Republican Senate candidates around the country disagree, and if these candidates are victorious on November 2, it will make it even more difficult to see legislation in the Senate that addresses greenhouse gas emissions next year, especially since legislation on the issue has already been held up in the chamber.