EPA toughens stance against climate rule time-out

EPA had a cautious response (or non-response) last week when Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced his bill that would block regulation of greenhouse gases from power plants and other industrial facilities for two years.

But EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson reacted more boldly on Monday to the bill, which has also been introduced in the House.

“I am not in a position where I am going to stand here and support the idea of EPA not being able to use the Clean Air Act,” Jackson told reporters after a speech at the National Press Club.

Jackson said that lawmakers’ time would be better spent working on a climate and energy bill. “The energy of the Senate on this issue would be wonderful if it would be put towards new legislation to do something,” she said.

Jackson noted that EPA has already said that the rules will not take effect this year, and will be phased in over years after that.