Statement: Senate Defeats Measure to Prevent EPA Regulation of GHGs

Today, the Senate defeated Sen. Murkowski’s (R-AK) “disapproval resolution” intended to prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the existing Clean Air Act.

Statement of Eileen Claussen
President, Pew Center on Global Climate Change

June 10, 2010

Today’s vote sends a clear signal that the Senate must act now. The Senate must invest its time and energy over the next two months to find the common ground solutions required to pass meaningful clean energy and climate legislation. The key building blocks for a final bill already exist, and the Senate must seize this opportunity to create a safer, cleaner, more secure energy future. 

A few things are clear from today’s vote:

• 53 Senators voted in support of EPA’s finding that greenhouse gas emissions pose a danger to human health and environment, and, in effect, of the need for EPA to regulate such emissions in the event that Congress cannot develop a policy for doing so.
• Of the Senators voting for the resolution, at least 8 made statements saying that they believe we need to reduce GHG emissions. Among these were 5 Republican Senators.  
• In other words, at least 61 Senators, through their votes or statements today, expressed support for policy that would limit GHG emissions.

Pew Center Contact: Tom Steinfeldt, 703-516-4146