Emerson, Skelton propose blocking EPA greenhouse gas rules

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Two congressional members from Missouri said Tuesday they plan to file legislation blocking the Environmental Protection Agency from developing its own greenhouse gas rules.

U.S. Reps. Ike Skelton, a Democrat from western Missouri, and Jo Ann Emerson, a Cape Girardeau Republican, sharply criticized federal environmental regulators and warned that because EPA officials are not elected, the agency is not accountable to the farmers, business owners and other Missouri residents who could be hurt.

The EPA had concluded in December that emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases represent a danger to public health, which allows it to consider rules limiting them. That decision stems from a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found greenhouse gases are air pollutants under federal clean-air laws.

But the two Missouri lawmakers say Congress did not intend to give the EPA the authority to regulate greenhouse gases through the Clean Air Act.

"The EPA is controlled by bureaucrats who are not elected and are responsible only to the head of the EPA, who is from New Jersey," said Skelton, who represents central and western Missouri. "And I doubt that they understand mid-America, the Midwest, agriculture and what our farmers need to continue to do a good job for our country."

The EPA has said scientific evidence demonstrates that greenhouse gases "threaten the public health and welfare of the American people" and that the pollutants -- mainly carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels -- should be reduced. That could be done by Congress or by the EPA.

EPA administrator Lisa Jackson, who was chief of staff for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, has said there were no further excuses for delaying and that agency was "obligated to make reasonable efforts to reduce greenhouse pollutants."

The U.S. House approved cap-and-trade legislation last summer that would set limits on greenhouse gas emissions and give companies a way to trade emission credits among themselves. That legislation has stalled in the U.S. Senate.

Skelton voted for the cap-and-trade bill, and Emerson opposed it. Emerson, who represents Southeast Missouri, said the EPA frequently has sought to establish environmental regulations -- even in cases when federal lawmakers have decided not to act.

She said EPA rules for greenhouse gases could be economically disastrous.

"It is totally unfair," Emerson said. "It will undo any positive things that we can do for our economy."

Skelton and Emerson announced plans to file their energy bill during a breakfast in Jefferson City for the state's rural electric cooperatives. The bill is to be co-sponsored by House Agriculture Committee chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn.

U.S. Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., also has filed legislation seeking to block the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide emissions.