House GOP spending bill prohibits funding for EPA climate regs

A government spending bill unveiled Friday night by House Republicans would prohibit funding for Environmental Protection Agency climate regulations through September of this year.

The continuing resolution, which would fund the government through the end of the fiscal year, is the latest attempt by Republicans to stop EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Republicans argue that pending EPA climate rules will destroy the economy and result in significant job losses. GOP lawmakers, including House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.), have introduced legislation to permanently block the agency's climate authority.

The bill would block funding for all current and pending EPA climate regulations for stationary sources.

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), the chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee on interior and the environment, said he worked closely on the language with Upton. He said the language would give Upton time to move forward with his legislation.

“It has become clear to me in talking to the job creators in this country that allowing these regulations to go into effect would prevent job creation and inhibit economic growth at a time when our economy is still struggling," Simpson said in a statement. "It should be up to Congress, not the Administration, to determine whether and how to regulate greenhouse gases, and in attempting to do so without congressional authority, I’m concerned that EPA has overreached."

The continuing resolution makes massive cuts to the EPA's budget. The legislation cuts EPA funding by $3 billion, 29 percent below fiscal year 2010. Overall, Simpson cut $4.5 billion from his subcommittee's budget.

“I realize that many of these cuts will not be popular, but the simple truth is that you can’t spend money you don’t have," Simpson said.

The bill also prohibits funding for the president's climate change policy adviser. Carol Browner, who currently holds the position, announced last month that she is resigning. Republicans acccused Browner of holding too much influence over White House climate policy.

The legislation includes funding limitations on another of the Obama administration’s other energy and environment priorities. It would cut funding for the Bureau of Land Managements “wild lands" policy, which would allow the Obama administration to protect lands that have not been formally designated as wilderness land. Republicans have railed against the policy, arguing it could result in restrictions in oil and gas drilling.

It would also prevent the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from terminating a license review for the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. The repository has been marred by years of regulatory delay and President Obama moved to abandon the project when he became president.