Murkowski attempts to derail EPA regulation of CO2 as flurry of amendments hit agency appropriations bill

In Washington, Senator Murkowski of Alaska has proposed an amendment to the 2010 Interior and environment appropriations bill that would that would prevent the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide at power plants and industrial facilities. The move, which would allow EPA to continue to regulate CO2 emissions from mobile sources, such as cars, was widely derided by environmentalists.

“This amendment suggests that if global warming pollution comes from a power plant, it is safe, but if it comes from a car, it is harmful,” said David Moulton, director of climate policy and conservation funding at the Wilderness Society told the New York Times. “That is a preposterous distinction that cannot be supported in either law or fact.”

The proposal from Senator Murkowski represents concern over the potentially far-reaching powers of the EPA to regulate emissions following a Supreme Court ruling which, for the first time, permitted CO2 to be classified as a pollutant.

The proposed amendment is one of many riders that will be potentially added to the bill. Senator McCain of Arizona offered 16 amendments to strip out earmarks. Also, Senator Nelson of Nebraska is reported to be readying an amendment that would shorten the time frame for EPA to consider the implementation of E15 ethanol.

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