Griffith: EPA Administrator Admits No Cap and Trade Under Clean Air Act

Statement

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after questioning EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson during a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power hearing today regarding the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011.

"Congress has the responsibility to legislate, not unelected bureaucrats. Today we won a victory by the concession of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. She stated that the EPA would not create a cap and trade program for CO2 under the Clean Air Act. This admission is contrary to the views that many held who thought that the Waxman-Markey bill had to be passed in order to curtail the EPA's actions on cap and trade.

"Administrator Jackson also stated that it was not the intention of the EPA to eliminate coal. However, EPA actions suggest otherwise. Increased regulations from the EPA are making production increasingly difficult. Whether done intentionally or unintentionally, eliminating coal will lead to higher costs when heating your home.

"Regulating greenhouse gases not only negatively impacts energy costs and coal production, but every coal-related industry from the railroads to electric production.

"To meet our growing energy demands, no source should be off the table -- particularly coal and natural gas. By permanently preventing the EPA from enacting new greenhouse gas regulations under the Clean Air Act and rolling back current burdensome regulations, we can create more certainty for businesses and access more of America's valuable energy reserves. I will continue to monitor this issue closely to ensure that the EPA's deeds match Administrator Jackson's words."

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