FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 13, 2005 SENATE REJECTS MERCURY REGULATION ROLLBACK, AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR MARKET-BASED APPROACH
EPW Chairman Inhofe Encouraged by Senate’s Support for Cap-and-Trade Solution to Reducing Mercury Emissions, Welcomes Democrats Back to the Table to Move Forward With Clear Skies Legislation WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Environment & Public Works Committee, today applauded the Senate’s defeat of S. J. Res. 20, which would have disapproved the Bush Administration’s mercury regulation under the guidelines of the Congressional Review Act. “I am extremely encouraged by the Senate’s resolve to support a market-based approach to reducing mercury pollution and not to impede clean air progress by rolling back the existing regulation,” Senator Inhofe said. “While today’s vote was purely political and essentially meaningless given the President’s veto threat and the poor prospects for House consideration, a bipartisan majority does feel that a cap-and-trade approach is the best solution to significantly reducing emissions from power plants. This is a victory for public health and a victory for American families and businesses. “I have said consistently that our Clear Skies legislation is stronger and more effective than a piecemeal regulatory approach. With today’s vote in mind, and considering the sound rejection of carbon dioxide caps by the Senate earlier this summer and the continuing failure of costly clean air litigation, we welcome Democrats back to the table to begin honest discussions on how to proceed with moving the Clear Skies Act forward. Senator Voinovich and I presented a good compromise earlier in the year. Delays and continued obstruction are hardly solutions to providing our constituents with healthier air.”