Tuesday, January 19, 2010 11:30 AM
Murkowski Amendment Could Come This Week
By Amy Harder and Darren Goode, NationalJournal.com
As early as this week, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, could offer an amendment or other legislative move to stop the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases.
The potential amendment, which could be added on to a debt ceiling bill the Senate is expected to take up this week, could mirror one she offered in September that would have prevented the EPA from issuing regulations for one year; that measure was blocked by Democratic leaders. Short of an amendment, Murkowski might offer a resolution disapproving of EPA efforts to curb emissions from power plants and other major facilities.
Murkowski, the top Republican on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, argues that Congress needs to debate legislation without the threat of EPA regulations. Democratic leaders and environmental groups say her intention is to slow the congressional debate and handcuff the EPA.
If Murkowski succeeds, "it could keep Congress from working constructively in a bipartisan manner to pass clean energy legislation this year," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday. "That is why I will work hard to defeat this misguided amendment." Reid did agree to allow Murkowski the option of offering her amendment to the debt bill.
Also on the Hill this week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee meets Wednesday to discuss the proposed merger of ExxonMobil and natural gas company XTO Energy, and the ramifications it could have on the oil and gas markets. Witnesses include Rex Tillerson, chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, and Bob R. Simpson, chairman of the board and founder of XTO Energy.
On Thursday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources panel will hear from Energy Secretary Steven Chu about what he believes needs to be done to address climate change.
And off the Hill on Thursday, Republican pollster Frank Luntz will pair up with Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp at the National Press Club to discuss climate change.
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