Republicans eye return of the 'Mact' in payroll fight

House Republicans hope to delay Environmental Protection Agency air toxics rules for industrial boilers as part of an eventual deal with the Senate on payroll tax cut legislation.

The House payroll plan approved earlier this month included provisions that delay compliance with EPA’s “maximum achievable control technology” (MACT) standards for boilers and force EPA to soften the rules.

The House voted Tuesday to disagree with the Senate-passed legislation to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance for two months. Lawmakers instead called for a House-Senate conference to sort out differences between the bills.

“We are committed to the House-passed bill, including the boiler MACT language,” said Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

Industry critics of the EPA rules call them too onerous and allege they will lead to job losses, while EPA and public health advocates call the claims overstated and say the rules provide vital public health protections.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) told E2 that he’d seek inclusion of the boiler MACT language in a final deal on the payroll tax bill.

Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), a member of the energy panel, wants it included as well, calling it a jobs provision.

“We are hoping that does stay in. If part of this bill is unemployment, we also want to parts that are employment in there, so that’s our goal,” he said at the Capitol Tuesday.

Check out the front page of The Hill's website for complete coverage of the payroll tax battle.