Groups Fight Back To Kill Anti-Clean Energy Amendment

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced an amendment to the fiscal 2010 Interior and environment appropriations bill that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating heat-trapping emissions from stationary sources like power plants and industrial facilities.

"The amendment would basically instruct EPA to ignore the law," said Joe Mendelson, director of Global Warming Policy, National Wildlife Federation. The Supreme Court has already ruled EPA has authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.

"At a time of interconnected economic, energy and climate crises, we don't need more delay," Mendelson said. "We need action to repower America's economy with millions of clean energy jobs, break our dependence on oil and reduce global warming pollution."

On behalf of millions of Americans, 30 environmental and public health organizations have signed a letter opposing the possible amendment.

Published: September 24, 2009