I received a notice from EDF that Senator Jay Rockefeller had introduced legislation to curtail authority that EPA now has to regulate emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. I sent email messages to Senators Lautenberg and Menendez with the request that they oppose this. The response from Senator Menendez is the first message below and mine is second.
The prompt reply from Senator Menendez and its content are very encouraging. I have highlighted two comments in his message that I believe are particularly significant.
Bill Allen, 10-04-10
==== Message below from Senator Menendez on 10-04-10.
Dear Mr. Allen:
Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to S. 3072, the Stationary Source Regulations Delay Act. Your opinion is very important to me, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you on this critical issue.
The Stationary Source Regulations Delay Act would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating carbon emissions from stationary sources, such as coal-fired power plants, for a period of two years. I have long believed that the EPA needs to have the authority to protect Americans from the dangerous effects of carbon dioxide pollution, and that is why I proudly voted with the majority in defeating S. J. Res. 26, a resolution that would have invalidated the scientific finding that pollution responsible for climate change endangers the public’s health and welfare.
I believe that it is important that the Senate move with urgency to pass comprehensive clean energy and climate change mitigation legislation. Please know that I will keep your views in mind as I continue to press forward in tackling the issue climate change and transitioning our country to a clean energy economy.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. This issue is very important to me and I appreciate your support. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance. I invite you to visit my website (http://menendez.senate.gov) to learn more about how I am standing up for New Jersey families in the United States Senate.
Sincerely,
Robert Menendez
United States Senator
==== Message below to Senator Menendez on 10-02-10.
Dear Senator Menendez:
While I believe that restoring the economy should be our top priority in the short term, climate change poses the greatest risks over the long term. To slow climate change, and for many other reasons, we need to build a sustainable 21st century economy powered by clean energy. It is my hope that Congress will adopt enabling legislation for this in the next session.
Today we must rely on the EPA to control and reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. It currently has the authority to do this under the Clean Air Act.
I understand that Senator Jay Rockefeller has introduced legislation to curtail this authority. I respect Senator Rockefeller and his positions most of the time. However, he represents a coal state, and this fact is not an excuse for our government to back away from controlling greenhouse gas emissions.
Please oppose any move by Senator Rockefeller or anyone else to reduce the EPA’s authority to control emissions of greenhouse gases.
Bill Allen