The Senate on Thursday blocked a Republican challenge to EPA rules aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions by the nation's biggest polluters, including coal companies.
The resolution, drafted by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska,) would have overturned the EPA's "endangerment finding," which concludes that greenhouse gases threaten humans. The finding is the legal underpinning of rules set to begin next year which will limit emissions from power plants, refineries, vehicles and other sources.
The 53-47 vote had six Democrats joining with Republicans to support the resolution, including West Virginia's Jay Rockefeller. Sen. Robert Bryd, also from West Virginia, voted against it. No Republicans opposed the measure.
As the White House struggles to gain support in the Senate for a broader climate change bill, today's vote provides some insight on where individual lawmakers stand on the issue of climate change.
In a statement about the vote, Sen. Bryd said:
"This in essence is like voting to assert that there is no climate change or global warming going on, and to dismiss scientific facts that already exist. As I have pointed out before, to deny the mounting science of climate change is to stick our heads in the sand and say "deal me out." West Virginia needs to stay at the table, as should all Senators who have concerns about our energy policy.
Finally, mark my words, the regulation of greenhouse gasses is approaching, whether done by Congress or by regulation, despite naysayers who rail about the non-existence of climate change."
Sen. Rockefeller said:
"Im not here to deny or bicker fruitlessly about the science, as some would suggest. I care deeply about this earth and about the fundamental human commitment – the higher calling we all have -- to be its steward. Greenhouse gas emissions are not healthy for the earth or her people and we must take significant action to reduce them. We must develop and deploy clean energy. Period.
But EPA regulation is not the answer. EPA has little or no authority to address economic needs, no ability to incentivize and deploy new technologies, no obligation to protect the hardworking people of West Virginia and the nation."
Full statements from both West Virginia senators are available online:
Coal River Mountain is an ancient Appalachian cradle of rolling ridges and nestled hollows, which provide refuge to a variety of delicate wildlife species and a home to a uniquely American mountain culture. But just beneath the surface lays something that calls into question the mountain’s very survival: $4.3 billion worth of coal. Massey Energy holds permits to clear-cut 6,450 acres of hardwood forest on the mountain and to detonate thousands of tons of explosives. The blasts will topple debris into nine miles of streams below, destroying not just the mountain, but also the land and the way of life of those who live there. The people of Raleigh County, West Virginia are the ones who will suffer from the loss of their mountain to strip mining.
The Coal War is the story of a symbol and a struggle: one mountain destined to be destroyed by the coal industry and a courageous effort to bring renewable energy to the heartland of America.
A Thousand Little Cuts
Secondary links
ABOUT
Coal River Mountain is an ancient Appalachian cradle of rolling ridges and nestled hollows, which provide refuge to a variety of delicate wildlife species and a home to a uniquely American mountain culture. But just beneath the surface lays something that calls into question the mountain’s very survival: $4.3 billion worth of coal. Massey Energy holds permits to clear-cut 6,450 acres of hardwood forest on the mountain and to detonate thousands of tons of explosives. The blasts will topple debris into nine miles of streams below, destroying not just the mountain, but also the land and the way of life of those who live there. The people of Raleigh County, West Virginia are the ones who will suffer from the loss of their mountain to strip mining.
The Coal War is the story of a symbol and a struggle: one mountain destined to be destroyed by the coal industry and a courageous effort to bring renewable energy to the heartland of America.
SPONSORS
CONNECT
Syndicate