Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011

Floor Speech

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Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Chair, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support my amendment.

The intent of my amendment is quite narrow. This amendment makes the underlying legislation a question of authority, not a question of science. The amendment strikes the finding of the language from the particular bill. This ensures that H.R. 910 is only about Article I of the Constitution, giving the U.S. Congress the right to say whether the EPA can or cannot regulate greenhouse gas.

Also, the amendment preserves the authority of the agency to improve the efficiency of automobiles and light trucks, an issue on which there is widespread agreement. While H.R. 910 intends to exempt auto standards, the legislation would stop the EPA from improving on any future car efficiency standards. This amendment does not remove any enforcement power the EPA has previously exercised since enactment of the Clean Air Act.

At the same time, this amendment does not authorize new regulatory initiatives beyond what the agency has done for decades. For example, the agency is in no way authorized by the amendment to undertake low carbon fuel standards or new emission guidelines for permitting obligations for stationary sources.

Finally, my amendment refines the definition of H.R. 910 by removing water vapor. This is consistent with the legislation we have considered in the past of what is and isn't greenhouse gas. Water vapor is not a long-term harmful warming cause.

In short, this amendment makes the underlying legislation a question of the EPA's authority granted under the Clean Air Act.

Madam Chair, I thank you for the consideration of this amendment. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Chair, I thank my colleague from Houston and my colleague from Dallas also. Just because we drafted this doesn't mean it was poor drafting. With all due respect, if they have a problem with whether they want to put language there on science, that is one thing. My amendment is on the same page as what they are trying to do. My amendment just strikes the findings. What we want to do is H.R. 910 is only about Article I of the Constitution, giving the U.S. Congress the right to say whether EPA can or cannot regulate greenhouse gas.

This should not be a question of science. I think this should be a question of authority. We are on the same page, but I see that the majority wants to keep the findings, and I can understand that. I just ask, Madam Chairwoman, the support of this particular amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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