Mar 31, 2011

H.R. 910, Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011

H.R. 910 would amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gases (GHGs) to address climate change. The bill would create exceptions for various programs in current law, including emission standards for vehicles and EPA's renewable fuel standard. Because certain EPA activities associated with regulating GHGs would be prohibited under the bill, CBO estimates that enacting this legislation would save $57 million in 2012 and about $250 million over the 2012-2016 period...

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE-SECTOR IMPACT
H.R. 910 contains an intergovernmental mandate as defined in UMRA because it would expand an existing preemption of state laws that regulate GHGs from motor vehicles. Under current law, California may obtain a waiver from EPA to establish its own standard for GHGs from motor vehicles. Once EPA has approved the waiver, other states may adopt the California standard. The bill would prevent EPA from approving such waivers, thus expanding the preemption. Although the preemption would limit the application of state law, CBO estimates that it would impose no duty on state governments that would result in additional spending.  - Read full here