Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today praised House passage of legislation to limit the EPA’s regulatory authority.  H.R. 910, the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, clarifies that EPA does not have authority to regulate greenhouses gases under the Clean Air Act.  Simpson, who chairs the House Interior and the Environment Appropriation Subcommittee that oversees EPA’s budget, is a cosponsor of the bill.

“To me, it is pretty clear the Obama Administration’s climate change regulations circumvent the legislative process and take the decision about how to address our nation’s energy future out of the hands of the American people,” said Simpson.  “The Administration is basically trying to use the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act to force Congress to pass cap and trade legislation that is widely opposed by the American people, all without regard for the impact that it would have on our still-fragile economy. “

H.R. 910 responds to the EPA’s decision that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare and subsequent regulations put out by the agency to regulate greenhouses gas emissions from stationary sources.  The bill includes a number of exemptions to ensure that existing vehicle emission standards and other programs continue to operate, but it prevents the EPA from imposing regulations that would constitute a significant energy tax on American families and businesses.

“Businesses in Idaho have made it clear that they cannot afford to invest in job creation with burdensome, expensive regulations hanging in the balance,” said Simpson.  “It is imperative that Congress clarifies that the Clean Air Act is not the appropriate statute under which to regulate climate change to provide the certainty that job creators need to get our economy going again.  This is why I included language in H.R. 1 to prevent EPA from using funding to implement greenhouse gas regulations and why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 910.”

H.R. 910 was passed by the House of Representatives this afternoon by a 255-172 vote.