The White House is reiterating its threat to veto legislation
slated to pass the House on Wednesday that would strip the Environmental
Protection Agency’s (EPA) power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
“If
the President is presented with this legislation, which would seriously
roll back the CAA [Clean Air Act] authority, harm Americans’ health by
taking away our ability to decrease carbon pollution, and undercut fuel
efficiency standards that will save Americans money at the pump while
decreasing our dependence on oil, his senior advisors would recommend
that he veto the bill,” states the formal “Statement of Administration
Policy” released Tuesday.
The bill, which is sponsored by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman
Fred Upton (R-Mich.), is expected to pass the House but faces huge
Senate hurdles in addition to the veto threat.
Republicans who claim
the EPA rules will hinder the economy have made undermining regulation
of power plants, refineries and other industrial greenhouse gas sources a
pillar of their wider battle against White House environmental
policies.