Greens mobilize against looming Senate EPA climate amendment

Environmental groups are working to thwart a Senate GOP-backed plan to block EPA greenhouse gas rules that might be voted on as soon as this evening.

Republicans — and some Democrats — in both chambers are seeking to block EPA regulation of power plants, refineries and other sources.

In the Senate, the plan has surfaced more quickly than expected as an amendment to small business legislation that’s currently on the Senate floor.

The League of Conservation Voters sent a letter to Senate offices Tuesday slamming Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) amendment, which seeks to attach Sen. James Inhofe’s (R-Okla.) rules-blocking bill to the small business measure.

“If passed, this reckless amendment would threaten public health, increase our oil dependence, and stop the EPA’s scientists from doing their jobs,” the letter states.

The National Wildlife Federation sent a letter to lawmakers Tuesday warning that the measure would “dismantle our fundamental clean air protections, undermine our ability as a nation to protect public health, and stifle investments in technologies that allow us to compete in the global clean energy economy.”

The amendment is expected to need 60 votes for passage, which is unlikely to occur. But a majority vote in favor of the plan would nonetheless be a political blow to advocates of greenhouse gas rules.

Inhofe’s bill currently has 43 co-sponsors, including one Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). Proponents say the EPA rules will cost jobs and raise energy costs.

But the measure could also attract support from politically vulnerable Democrats facing reelection. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) recently said he might back the plan.

However, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) has already attracted several centrist Democratic co-sponsors for his less aggressive plan to block EPA stationary rules for two years.

It remains unclear whether the Inhofe measure will come up Tuesday. The House Energy and Commerce approved the EPA measure Tuesday afternoon 34-19. Three Democrats voted in favor, and no Republicans opposed it.