Inhofe Calls ESA Emission Proposal ‘Flagrant Attempt’ To Bypass Legislative Debate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, reiterates the calls for the removal of a rider added to the omnibus spending bill that would authorize the Department of the Interior to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and reverse common-sense revisions to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation procedures. The current omnibus bill includes language that would direct Interior Secretary Salazar to rescind the recently finalized ESA rules – specifically, rules stating that if an activity is permissible under the stricter standards imposed by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is also permissible under the Endangered Species Act with respect to the polar bear, and a rule modernizing ESA Section 7 consultations.
"These recent rules are commonsense changes to an outdated law," Senator Inhofe said. "The omnibus rider is flagrant attempt to regulate emissions without going through the proper process of public regulatory or legislative debate. This provision is a direct attack on our economy and energy security. Rescinding the polar bear rules with the congressional stroke of the pen means that any emitter of greenhouse gases could be regulated in the name of protecting habitat regardless of whether sufficient scientific evidence justifies that action.
"ESA was never intended or designed to regulate greenhouse gas emissions or air quality. The fact is that activists and their Congressional supporters are selectively ignoring their commitments to transparency in order to improve their odds in court."
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