WASHINGTON - As the 112th Congress begins its first session, lawmakers will likely vote on curbing the Environmental Protection Agency€™s (EPA) carbon emissions rules, National Journal reports.
With the House in Republican hands, that chamber will probably put an end to a host of EPA rules pertaining to the Clean Air Act, including carbon emissions regulations. The Senate, with more Republicans than last year, but still controlled by Democrats, will possibly approve a two-year stay of the carbon rules.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has an amendment that would hold off the rules until 2013, which he will re-introduce this year. Sixty senators currently have expressed support of restricting the agency, and 49 of those would probably approve a bill that would take away EPA€™s authority to regulate carbon emissions.
Leading that charge is Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The remaining senators are all Democrats and they will likely still back EPA€™s carbon rules, which stem from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling three years ago.
Of those sitting on the fence on this issue, 11 senators favor a delay but other moderate Democrats do not. A bunch of senators facing reelection in 2012 €" including close to 12 Democrats from energy-intensive states €" could feel pressure from voters to hold off on the carbon emissions rules.