Voting has been temporarily postponed in the Senate on proposals to stop, delay or pare back the Environmental Protection Agency's regulation of greenhouse gases linked to climate change problems. Republican and some Democratic lawmakers are jockeying to kill or alter EPA regulatory authority that began taking effect in January on controlling carbon dioxide pollution blamed for global warming. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had been aiming for votes early on Wednesday on the proposed EPA amendments, which individual senators are trying to attach to an unrelated small business jobs bill. But he now says he is aiming for sometime Thursday or Friday on the controversial measures, after some senators slowed down the process.
Voting has been temporarily postponed in the Senate on proposals to stop, delay or pare back the Environmental Protection Agency's regulation of greenhouse gases linked to climate change problems.
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Republican and some Democratic lawmakers are jockeying to kill or alter EPA regulatory authority that began taking effect in January on controlling carbon dioxide pollution blamed for global warming.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had been aiming for votes early on Wednesday on the proposed EPA amendments, which individual senators are trying to attach to an unrelated small business jobs bill.
But he now says he is aiming for sometime Thursday or Friday on the controversial measures, after some senators slowed down the process.
The Obama administration, backed by some Democrats and environmentalists, supported the EPA's increased authority after Congress last year failed to pass legislation dealing with climate change.
Republicans are sharply opposed, arguing that new energy regulations would increase business costs at a time when the U.S. economic recovery is fragile.
Some Democrats, especially those from coal-using or coal-producing states and who are up for re-election next year, have expressed concerns, as well.
There could end up being four votes on various EPA-related proposals, and all of them could fail. Nonetheless, the Senate's votes could further undercut international efforts to control global warming if a simple majority of the 100-member Senate votes in favor of any of the measures. Sixty votes will be needed to pass any one of the proposals.
Article continues: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/31/us-climate-usa-congress-idUSTRE72S58M20110331
