Lawmakers to try to block European Union carbon-trading requirement for airlines

The Republican and Democratic leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a joint press conference Wednesday to discuss efforts to block European Union efforts to require airlines operating in its countries to trade emissions.

The influential EU has said that beginning in 2012, U.S. airlines and others flying into airports in its counties will be required to participate its Emissions Trading System, which is similar to cap-and-trade proposals that have become politically toxic in the United States.

Committee members said the EU's decision was "unilateral" and was being challenged in European court as a violation of international law.

"Committee members will detail the bill’s provisions that challenge European Union plans to impose a costly fee or emissions credit purchase on any civil aviation operators arriving or departing EU airports," the transportation committee said in an announcement Tuesday.

The press conference Wednesday will be attended by Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.), ranking Democrat Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), Aviation subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-Wis.) and ranking subcommittee Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.).

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