Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said today “greenhouse gases (GHGs) threaten the public health and welfare of the American people. (The) EPA also finds that GHG emissions from on-road vehicles contribute to that threat.” Congressman Dingell, one of the architects of the Clean Air Act, believes the language contained in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 would better address this critical matter than the actions discussed by the EPA.
“I continue to make the case that the Supreme Court, in Massachusetts v. EPA, erroneously found that greenhouse gases are pollutants covered by the Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act was not designed to regulate greenhouse gases, as the then-Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee I know what was intended when we wrote the legislation. I have said from the beginning that such regulation will result in a glorious mess and regulation of greenhouse gas emissions should be left to Congress.
“The House has passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. I urge the Senate to set a rigorous schedule for their companion legislation.”
