SENATE DEBATES INTERIOR-ENVIRONMENT SPENDING MEASURE
News Date September 29, 2009
The Senate passed the FY2010 Interior and Environment appropriations bill last week amidst debate that served as a preview of the coming climate change debate in the Senate. In the end, the $32.1 billion spending bill represents a 16 percent increase from last year’s level, without including stimulus funds. The legislation will now be reconciled by a House-Senate conference committee.
During the debate, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) filed an amendment to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating carbon dioxide emissions for any source under the Clean Air Act for one year, except for mobile sources. The amendment was intended to provide the Senate with more time to address climate legislation, rather than allow the EPA to determine the regulations. After a heated debate, Senate leaders denied a vote on the amendment.
Earlier this week, Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) also introduced an amendment to prohibit any FY2010 funds to be used for the inclusion of indirect land use change considerations in the renewable fuels program. Soon after introduction, Senator Harkin withdrew the amendment due to concerns with the statutory direction given to the EPA by Congress to address the issue. NASDA supported Senator Harkin’s amendment. (Contact: David Hickey)