HAVE SOME SENATE DEMS FINALLY AWAKENED?

Submitted by Mellie B at Partiot Action Network
Dems Ready To ‘Buck The White House’ On EPA?

Republican Plan To Stop EPA’s Backdoor National Energy Tax Called ‘One Of The Best Proposals For Growth And Job Creation To Make It Onto The Senate Docket In Years’

“The McConnell Amendment Is One Of The Best Proposals For Growth And Job Creation To Make It Onto The Senate Docket In Years.” (Editorial, “The Senate's EPA Showdown,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/28/11)

• “Few Other Votes This Year Could Do More To Help The Private Economy—But Only If Enough Democrats Are Willing To Buck The White House.” “The Environmental Protection Agency debate lands in the Senate this week, amid the makings of a left-right coalition to mitigate the agency's abuses. Few other votes this year could do more to help the private economy—but only if enough Democrats are willing to buck the White House.” (Editorial, “The Senate's EPA Showdown,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/28/11)

SENATE DEMS: EPA Rule An ‘End Run Around Congress,’ Would ‘Jeopardize Thousands Of Jobs’

SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “Controlling The Levels Of Carbon Emissions Is The Job Of Congress. We Don't Need EPA Looking Over Congress' Shoulder Telling Us We're Not Moving Fast Enough … Because EPA regulations would be a government-directed command-and-control regime, they would raise the price of energy in Nebraska, add greatly to administrative costs, and create new layers of bureaucracy. The burden would fall squarely on Nebraska families, farmers and businesses.” (“Nelson Cosponsors Resolution To Fight EPA Overreach,” McCook Daily Gazette, 1/22/10)

SEN. MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA): “The Fact Remains That Allowing The EPA To Make An End Run Around Congress And Twist The Clean Air Act For This Purpose Would Result In Ever-Changing Regulations And Uncertainty In The Private Investment Market That Would Damage Louisiana's Already Fragile Economy And Fail To Address The Risks Of Climate Change.” (Sen. Landrieu, Press Release, 6/10/10) 

SEN. MARK PRYOR (D-AR): “…I Firmly Believe That Congress, And Not The EPA, Should Determine Policy On Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” (Sen. Pryor, Statement, 6/11/10)

SEN. MAX BAUCUS (D-MT) On The EPA Regulating CO2: “I Do Not Want The EPA Writing Those Regulations.” “One issue discussed was Environmental Protection Agency's role in greenhouse gas regulations. Baucus noted, ‘I mentioned that I do not want the EPA writing those regulations. I think it's too much power in the hands of one single agency, but rather climate change should be a matter that's essentially left to the Congress.’” (“Baucus Meets With Energy Distributors In Great Falls,” KRTV.Com, ... Video Here) 

SEN. DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): “I Don't Want To See EPA Move Ahead On Its Own.” (“White House Steps Up Effort To Kill Murkowski Resolution,” National Journal, 6/10/10)

“Senator Jim Webb Today Joined Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-W.VA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), Ben Nelson (D-NE) And Kent Conrad (D-ND) In Introducing Legislation To Suspend Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulation Of Greenhouse Gases From Stationary Sources For Two Years.” (Sen. Webb, Press Release, 1/31/11)

• SEN. TIM JOHNSON (D-SD): “Congress Is The Most Appropriate Place To Debate And Create Rules That Would Address Greenhouse Gases.” (Sen. Tim Johnson, Press Release, 1/31/11)

• SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): “No Bureaucratic Agency Should Be Able To Regulate What Has Not Been Legislated, Especially When Their Actions Jeopardize Thousands Of Jobs … In the worst economy in generations, the EPA is undermining our fragile economy and has been an adversary instead of a partner on energy issues. It is time to reevaluate the agency’s use of its authority. I will work hard to make sure the EPA cannot overstep its authority, even as we develop a balanced approach to meeting our energy needs – including using clean coal and natural gas – and end our dependence on foreign oil.” (Sen. Manchin, Press Release, 1/31/11)

• SEN. JAY ROCKEFELLER (D-WV): “Now Is The Time To Encourage Companies To Invest In New Technologies And Create Jobs, And We Need A System That Gives Major Employers The Framework To Do So And To Succeed.  Many Of Us Agree That Congress, Not The EPA, Must Be The Decision-Maker On Such A Challenging Issue.” (Sen. Manchin, Press Release, 1/31/11)

• SEN. JIM WEBB (D-VA): “I Had The Same Set Of Concerns With This Present Administration, Particularly As It Goes To Their Climate Area And Environmental Policies. ... Unfortunately There Are People Who Simply Want To Do Away With Coal. Most Of Them Don't Live Down Here.” (“Coal At Center Of Rules Debate,” Roanoke Times, 2/6/11)

• “Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu Said She Wouldn't Be Among The Original Co-Sponsors But Would ‘Strongly Consider’ Voting For It If The Measure Reached The Floor.” (“House Democrat To Co-Sponsor Bill To ‘Rein In’ EPA,” Politico, 3/3/11)

SENS. ROCKEFELLER, BEGICH, BROWN (OH), LEVIN, CASEY, MCCASKILL, & BAUCUS: “Dear Administrator Jackson: We Write With Serious Economic And Energy Security Concerns Relating To The Potential Regulation Of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) From Stationary Sources Under The Clean Air Act. … We Strongly Believe This Is Ultimately Congress’ Responsibility…” (Sens. Rockefeller, Begich, Brown (OH), Levin, Casey, Byrd, McCaski...

• “Eight Democratic Senators… Are Challenging The Environmental Protection Agency's Authority To Regulate Pollution Blamed For Global Warming.” “Eight Democratic senators, including Mark Begich of Alaska, are challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate pollution blamed for global warming. In a letter written by Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, the lawmakers said the agency lacks the power to restrict greenhouse gases from stationary sources such as power plants, factories and mines. The lawmakers said Congress -- not the EPA -- should address an issue with big implications for thousands of U.S. jobs and businesses. Opposition to EPA regulations by Democrats could pose a serious blow to the Obama administration's effort to restrict heat-trapping greenhouse gases. While the administration is still pushing for Congress to pass a comprehensive climate bill this year, officials have not ruled out controlling greenhouse gases through regulation. The letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson was signed by Begich, Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Carl Levin of Michigan and Max Baucus of Montana.” (“Begich Joins 8 Democrats In Opposing EPA Powers,” AP, 2/22/10)

“Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) Is Urging The White House To Re-Evaluate Greenhouse Gas Permitting Regulations To Avoid Damaging Manufacturers And Other Industries That Are Vital To His State And The Nationwide Economy. Brown — who faces reelection in 2012 in the battleground Midwest state — wrote to President Obama Monday calling for a review of the ‘economic repercussions and potential unintended consequences’ of regulations the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun to phase in this year.’” (“Fearing Economic Impact, Dem Presses Obama To ‘Reevaluate’ Climat...

• “‘In Ohio And Across The Country ... Industries, Workers And Farmers Are Extremely Concerned That Burdensome Permitting Requirements Have Been Triggered For Greenhouse Gas Emissions. They need assurances that greenhouse gas reductions will be achieved in ways that protect and enhance our nations competitiveness and guard against the threat of carbon leakage — whereby both pollution and jobs in trade sensitive industries are shifted overseas,’ the letter to Obama says.” (“Fearing Economic Impact, Dem Presses Obama To ‘Reevaluate’ Climat...